However, only a handful of plug-ins is included with an Apollo purchase, and a complete collection would cost many thousands of dollars. Their sound quality is remarkable-UA sets something of a gold standard for modeled effects. UA specializes in officially licensed software versions of classic analog gear, forging deals to create software replicas of many popular studio components, including preamps, EQs, compressors, reverbs, tape simulations, effects, channel strips, and more. With its rugged metal enclosure and quality connectors, the Twin is one of the few small-format interfaces that truly seems suited to the physical demands of the job. See the usage charts on the UA website to determine which version best suits your processor needs. At risk of oversimplifying, I’d guess that the single-processor model is adequate for digital guitar gigs, but that you’d want the larger one for mixing multitrack sessions. The larger version has twice the processing power, but beyond that, the models are identical.

The Twin comes in two versions: a dual-processor model that streets for $899 (reviewed here), and a $699 single-processor version. For many users, access to them is a major motive for using Apollo, especially since UA’s plug-ins only run on systems incorporating UA hardware. Such “assisted” hosting is increasingly unnecessary given today’s faster computers, but Universal Audio’s plug-ins are among the best in the industry. It’s also a host for Universal Audio’s plug-ins, allowing you to run more plug-ins than your computer could otherwise handle. The Apollo line offers more than great-sounding A/D/A conversion. (UA currently supports Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase, and Live.) There is no PC-compatible version.

It’s a remarkable tool for the digital guitarist, though it requires a recent-model Mac with a Thunderbolt port running OS 10.8 or higher, plus a DAW. The Apollo Twin is a 6'圆'x2' tabletop unit offering many of its big brother’s best features in a gig-friendly format. My only beef: I wanted a smaller version for mobile work. Two years later I have nothing but praise for the device. I was an early adopter-Apollo replaced two more cumbersome systems in my home studio. (The original Apollo has four, plus additional analog and digital line inputs.) Its stellar preamps, lucid design, and innovative software were perfect fits for project studios requiring great-sounding components and flexible operation, but not a vast number of preamps.

Universal Audio’s rack-mountable Apollo audio interface was an hit upon its 2012 release.

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