Developed by one of the most legendary audio companies of all time, Universal Audio Apollo interfaces have enhanced the artistry of creators working in bedroom studios, as well as industry pros crafting hit tracks in large recording facilities. Yet, apparently not content to design an Apollo for nearly every type of user, Universal Audio’s latest tech refresh takes an extremely populist stance of offering upgraded resolution across the entire line. That means from the Twin X all the way up to the flagship x16, every Apollo Gen 2 audio interface has the same premium D/A converters as the x16.

Apollo Gen 2 interfaces also include refined industrial design (new knobs and switch caps), Auto-Gain on all input channels, multichannel monitoring modes, Room Correction and Bass Management DSP and more. It’s a lot, and Universal Audio Director of Hardware Product Management Rodrigo Ibieta and Senior Product Manager Mike Tabor are onboard to discuss the Apollo Gen 2 improvements.

What factors informed the Gen 2 refresh—feedback from users, internal discussions and/or customer wish lists?

Ibieta: All of the above. Most of us are Apollo users within UA, so we’re always adding to the wish list of things we’d like to see ourselves. We regularly talk to end users, as well as get feedback from our Sales, Customer Care, and Artist Relations teams. We also constantly monitor forums and new product launches to see what people are talking about. This is the first time we’ve launched a new line of Apollo desktops and rackmounts all at once. The goal was to deliver a holistic upgrade that encompassed a refreshed look and feel, improvements to sound quality, modern software features and exciting new software bundles to give customers an incredible recording studio experience right out of the box with some of our favorite plugins and virtual instruments.

What prompted the update of the industrial design?

Ibieta: This was the most significant update we’ve ever made to the industrial design. We’ve modernized the look and feel by refining the encoders, knobs and switch caps. We think the updates clearly signal this new generation is meaningfully differentiated from previous generations. However, the UX remains largely the same in terms of function and ergonomics.

Pictured: Universal Audio Apollo Twin X DUO Gen 2 Audio Interface

What do the Gen 2’s upgraded D/A converters mean to end users regarding resolution and dynamics?

Tabor: We are now using the same D/A converters for the monitor and headphone outputs across the entire Gen 2 lineup, bringing the specs closer to that of our flagship Apollo x16. With these improvements, users are presented with the widest dynamic range and lowest distortion of any generation of Apollo.

Was the Room Correction with Bass Management feature added to help home-studio musicians maximize their recording and mixing spaces? Also, are there elements in this tool that could also assist professional engineers working in commercial studios?

Tabor: Apollo Monitor Correction and Bass Management are really valuable for anyone. Home-studio musicians with limited space and budgets for acoustic treatment will benefit from reduced impacts of common acoustic issues such as low-frequency buildup, comb filtering and improper time alignment. Pro users will benefit from enhanced control over multi-channel speaker setups—including support for Dolby Atmos—and the ability to easily toggle between different correction profiles and/or target curves for checking mix translation. Apollo Monitor Correction even offers calibration for headphones, so you can mix with confidence on the go. Bass Management gives users independent control over their subwoofers, with the ability to synthesize a discreet SUB channel and control crossover points of their satellite speakers.

We noticed some comments on the UAD User Forum inquiring about Auto-Gain on your interfaces. That feature is now one of the 2nd Gen upgrades. What was the thinking regarding why automatic gain management would be a benefit to Apollo users?

Ibieta: Auto-Gain can be useful to anyone, as it allows you to automatically set an optimal gain level by monitoring your input source for a few seconds. If you’re new to recording, it helps take some guesswork out of your setup. If you are managing a large session with lots of inputs, it can help you get going faster. The best part is that it works with some of our most popular Unison plug-ins that emulate classic microphone preamps from the likes of Neve, API and SSL.

Pictured: Universal Audio Apollo x4 Gen 2 Audio Interface

Multichannel monitoring modes are available on the rackmount versions of Apollo, which are more focused on the needs of professional users. Do you foresee a time when semi-pro home-studio creators will seek multichannel setups, or even need them to stay competitive?

Ibieta: Time will tell. There are certainly incentives for artists who have the ability to deliver their music in multichannel formats. But building out a dedicated multichannel studio space is a high bar—even for a semi-pro home creator. That said, modern software tools are making multichannel mixing easier. In fact, it is now possible just using headphones. Of course, the perceived value of spatial or multichannel formats varies depending on the type of content, or genre of music, a creator is working on.

Were there any challenges in developing Apollo’s multichannel monitoring modes?

Tabor: The primary consideration was building the multichannel monitoring capability in an extensible fashion, allowing UA to provide improvements over time. Multichannel monitoring modes have been supported by the Apollo X platform dating back to 2018. Then, it was improved in 2023, with the addition of Atmos monitoring modes—up to 9.1.6 on the Apollo x16. We’re continuing to improve on that functionality by adding Monitor Correction and Bass Management to the platform.

Pictured: Universal Audio Apollo x16 Gen 2 Audio Interface

You have solutions for everyone from solo home-recording musicians to bands and high-end professionals. Which category holds the biggest promise for future product development and growth?

Ibieta: We certainly see the most users on the home recording side of that spectrum. Apollo Twin continues to be our best seller out of the lineup. However, we are equally committed to offering best-in-class features and benefits for pro-level customers. This is evident in the recent launch of our Apollo x16D, which sits squarely in the pro camp and is designed to work seamlessly with the most popular digital mixing consoles.

If a serious musician is seeking to upgrade their recording system, why should an Apollo interface be at the top of their list?

Ibieta: To boil it down to three things: superior sonics, the UAD-2 DSP platform and the advantages of our software ecosystem for Mac and Windows. We offer superior sound quality and specs when it comes to our analog I/O, preamps and converters. The real-time UAD-2 DSP in Apollo is second to none in the industry, enabling our users to record and mix with ultra-realistic emulations of timeless analog gear. Our software ecosystem with UAD Console and our LUNA digital-audio workstation unlocks a ton of useful features, such as low-latency monitoring with DSP, flexible routing, Auto-Gain, Bass Management and Monitor Correction.

With the rollout of UAD Native in recent years—as well as significantly more powerful computers—what are the benefits of paying a higher price point for Apollo with its onboard processing?

Tabor: The benefits of hardware-based audio processing are still relevant—despite UA’s ever-growing Native portfolio. One primary advantage is the ability to record with studio-grade sonics while monitoring in low latency. This allows the performer to hear album-ready, analog warmth through their headphones, without having to constantly manage their buffers and processing load. Another major benefit is the reliable, deterministic performance of having a dedicated DSP that can run plug-ins in a predictable way without crashing.

Pictured: Universal Audio Apollo x8p Gen 2 Audio Interface

Looking into the future of audio interfaces and music creation, do you see more user benefits in higher resolution rates, expanded plug-in collections, easier or much deeper feature sets, or something else?

Ibieta: All of those things offer distinct benefits for customers. Anything that helps to streamline songwriting and recording workflows—as well as get customers to high-quality results faster—will be valuable. Our goal is for the UA brand to play a key role in making music creation easier and more fun.