Universal Audio Apollo X4 Heritage Edition Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

Universal Audio has been a leading name in the recording industry for over 60 years, prominently known as the developer of the workhorse 1176 compressor, proprietor of the famed Teletronix LA-2A and, in the most recent decade, purveyor of Apollo series audio interfaces for digital recording. The Apollo x4 Heritage Edition Thunderbolt 3 desktop interface is a culmination of iconic UA design and craftsmanship, sitting somewhere between the ever-popular Apollo Twin and the series’ more expansive rackmount offerings. Totaling 12 inputs and 18 outputs, the x4 can handle larger sessions from your desktop, with celebrated analog circuitry and renowned UAD plug-in emulations. The Universal Audio Apollo x4 Heritage Edition is a premium interface built with demanding users in mind, retaining a sense of portability while maximizing I/O.

Enter the UAD Ecosystem With Two Plug-in Packages

UAD plug-ins, released in 2001, played a major part in the company’s 21st century revival, which set the stage for Universal Audio to continue its authoritative pro audio legacy well into the digital recording age. The UA Apollo x4 Heritage Edition interface comes with a duo of DSP-powered UAD software suites: the Realtime Analog Classics bundle and the exclusive Heritage Edition package. Realtime Analog Classics are an introduction to 14 stellar UAD effects—among them are legacy versions (demanding less DSP) of the 1176LN and 1176SE compressors, the Fairchild 670, a Marshall Plexi amp sim and RealVerb Pro that simulates acoustic spaces for post-production and sound design. The Heritage Edition bundle offers 10 premium UAD titles valued at over $2,400, including complete suites of LA-2A, 1176 and Fairchild compression, the Pultec Passive EQ Collection, Pure Plate Reverb, Oxide Tape Recorder and a handful of Unison-enabled preamps like the UA 610, Helios Type 69 and V76.

Professional Performance and Scalability

As your studio grows, the Apollo x4 Heritage Edition develops with it. Thunderbolt 3 provides the ability to cascade up to four additional Apollo interfaces, totaling up to 156 channels depending on the configuration. Expansion is built into the Apollo series—the x4 interface is an outstanding launch point, and the potential for growth is always there. Should you decide that more I/O and DSP is the next logical step, the Apollo x4 also doubles as a desktop monitor controller, which is ultraconvenient when paired with a Universal Audio rackmount interface. Highly functional on its own, the professional scalability of the Apollo x4 Heritage Edition makes it a standout choice for users who’d like to bolster their studio arrangements over time.