Just prior to Musik Messe this year, Universal Audio not only updated their range of DSP loaded hardware interfaces with the Apollo Expanded, but a new UAD Software version introduced an all new Console for controlling the Apollo Devices. These units not only allow you to offload processing for plug-in heavy lifting, but also to process real-time inputs with UA plug-ins too.

We shot a first look at this with UAD just before NAMM you can view that here. Our resident UAD Apollo user Tosh from Wij Productions, takes a look at Console 2.0 from a user perspective here.

Console 2.0 is part of the UAD 8.0 update and introduces a number of new features:

• Simple Thunderbolt cable cascading between units
• Powerful new Flex Driver allowing users to configure Core Audio I/O - name, save, and share presets for different hardware setups and DAWs
• Star clocking over Thunderbolt, distributing high-quality clock to all Apollos
• The ability to add an Apollo Twin for desktop monitor control as well as additional DSP and connectivity
• New high-resolution / Retina-compatible 64-bit software interface for Apollo Thunderbolt systems
• Channel Strip presets let you see your signal chain in one window - save and recall your favorite UAD plug-ins
• Monitoring improvements including ALT Monitors, Control Room, and CUE/HP management
• Over 25 user-requested features, including:
• Plug-in categories and individual Show/Hide
• Drag + Drop plug-ins for quick assignment
• New plug-in preset auditioning
• Per-channel Rec/Mon effects switches
• Multi-level Undo and Redo
• Dynamically resizable, independent windows
• Show/Hide channel strips, devices, and more

Universal Audio Social

• New Universal Audio Native Plug-Ins 05-Apr-24
• Legendary Vintage Mixing Console Goes Home 13-Mar-24
• Deal: 44 UA Native Plug-ins Signature Edition For £295 16-Nov-23
• Universal Audio Makes LUNA DAW Free 10-Nov-23
• UA Announces UAD Sound City Studios Plug-In 08-Nov-23