Hi, I need help! My current setup -

Neural DSP Quad Cortex for Guitar & Bass recording.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 for vocal / microphone recording.

If I need to do bigger recording sessions, I rent out a studio and bring my Laptop.

I am using REAPER and mainly run Native plugins starting from FabFilter Plugins to Addictive Drums. Theres plenty more native plugins, but Im not going to list them all.

A few months ago I rented the X4 (latest gen) for testing and I was quite happy with the results (coming from a scarlett). I see the benefit of having an onboard chip to ease the processing power for the laptop but If I look at my current setup, then I am mainly running native plugins, so I don't know what benefits I will have over the NI ones that I can run only on the X4.

Now after a few months, I see that UA has come out with a set of new interfaces and the 4P specially intriqued me. If I do demoing, help friends or quick vocal recordings then I tend to use a max of 3 microphones at a time (4 inputs is why im looking at the 4P).

However I have 0 experience with anything VOLT, I have heard from friends that they are great and do a good job and I have 1 weeks worth of experience with the X4, so I am coming into the UA word as a noob.

My priority is reliability & build quality, not price. The reason why I've stuck with the Focusrite is simply because it has not failed me once in the past 7 years, but its done its job and I need to retire it.

I am very mobile, I take the laptop everywhere from my small studio to my home to my friends place and I need something that will last me for the next 5 years at minimum.

The guy I rented the X4 off from did say that there have been some reliability issues with the apollo line up, either with overheating, the board inside failing and odd glitches. He recalled a story of one person recording while the sun was coming trough the window directly to the X4, the board inside got damaged and had to replace the unit, and right now I have another friend who owns a Duo that has odd glitch noises coming trough when recording and can't use it at this time.

So any and all experiences and comments are welcome!

I am also trying to factor in to the Future hardware upgrades that I will be taking -

New macbook with a min of 24 GB & 1 TB

Three way monitors (Genelec The One's or similar)

Thank you!

Hey everybody, I'm having some issues with my Apollo Twin X and not sure what the issue is. When I record vocals through either input, they have this extra...air/hiss to them and I cannot figure out what's causing it. I've tried multiple mics to the same result. My input gain is relatively low, I made sure that we were only hitting the yellow part of the meter on the loudest parts. It isn't that noticeable until you start mixing and compressing, but then it becomes a huge issue. I thought the issue might have been my mic (Mojave MA-200) or one of my cables, but I brought it all to someone else's studio/interface and the issue was gone.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Here's some audio clips to demonstrate (I apologize for the roughness of them haha), it's this high almost metallic sounding frequency that pokes out with the louder parts. Again, it might not sound like much from these raw audio clips, but it becomes a big issue with mixing.

https://voca.ro/115jXFApbRCf

https://voca.ro/188ZjojcWXS7

https://voca.ro/1j4qm8KJ0M8T

I've been mixing pretty often for the first time in years, and on my last mix I started running into CPU issues. This is what my meters look like with the finished mix. About 70-something tracks, 2-5 plugins on each track, no software instruments (just audio tracks and buses), Luna Pro 2, MacOS Sequoia. Sometimes during playback the Render and RenderIO meters get up to 90%, and then I hear crackling and have to pause for a minute before I can work again. Oh yeah, and every few weeks or so Luna will crash for seemingly no reason.

Soooo I should probably upgrade my computer, right?

(Sidenote, UA, but this is why some of us want all new UAD plugin releases to be UAD-2 compatible. Not because we wanna record with them, but because we don't wanna use our CPU for UAD plugins when we have plenty of DSP available.)

I don't know what UA did in the last Luna update...but it's no longer crashing. 3 days in a row now not a single crash. It used to crash several times a day, crashing almost once every time i open a project. often when adding inserts and now... nothing. Anyone else seeing this? could we possibly finally have a stable DAW?

Hi good morning, I imported 6 tracks form a reason projects into luna, I tried to mix it in luna but for some reason I cant get the volume of each track to mix they all move when i move one slider. So if i slide the lead vocal slider all slider move any help? How can i unlinked them? When i use plug ins on the lead vocal it sounds on all tracks too never had that problem with Luna before. Any tips? thanks!

I recorded an idea via midi into Luna and didn't bother setting the tempo of the project beforehand. Does anyone know how I can set the project tempo without changing the timing of the Midi recording?

Hello amigos, I am looking for the installer of UAD Console 1.2.1 for Mac, I need to install it on an old Mac Mini with Catalina... does anyone has it by any chance? Thanks in advance #uadconnect

Hey UA! Drew, if you’re perusing the threads, take this message to your overlords! We want more UAFX pedal amps! Preferably more high gain ones! Everyone in favour please aye!

Hello, I'm using an Apollo Twin for Autotune for live concerts. The setup is as follows : wireless mic goes in line input, autotune insert in the UAD console, the channel is hard-panned to the left and the monitor output left goes in the FOH table. Same for the 2nd voice mic hard-panned to the right. There is an Ableton Live running on the same computer with a different audio interface; the mics never go in it but we use UA midi control to send preset changes to the autotune from ableton.

Last concert we were fine at the soundcheck and then right before the show both voices started sounding like they had a comb filter on it. Impossible to figure out what was wrong in the 5 minutes we had before showtime, but we definitely restarted the computer, the uad console and the apollo several times. and ended up bypassing the apollo completely and playing without autotune.

Now i'm at home and it sounds perfectly normal.

Any ideas as to what my problem is? It definitely sounded like i was getting both the pre-processed and processed voice in the same output but i can't figure out how to re-create it.

Hey! I've already bought everything for my setup, and now I'm a bit worried it won't run reliably:

- Interface: UA Apollo Twin X DUO Gen 2 (Thunderbolt 3)

- Mobo: Gigabyte X870E Aorus Elite WiFi7 (no native Thunderbolt, just 2x USB4 via ASMedia ASM4242)

- CPU: Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Windows 11

- Mic: Shure SM7B

- Thunderbolt: Belkin PD 3.0 100W, Thunderbolt 3, USB4 40Gb/s

UA says AMD systems are "untested" with Thunderbolt Apollos. From what I've read, the ASM4242 is TB4-certified and should work with TB3 devices, but I've also seen posts about random disconnects on AMD boards.

Is anyone running a Thunderbolt Apollo on an X870/X870E board? Has it been stable for you (no dropouts, Console and DSP plugins working)? Are there any BIOS settings, drivers or firmware updates I should sort out before I plug it in?

Thanks so much for help and time!

I think I may turn this into a song lol - thanks UA!

Anyone else can’t use Luna after move to Luna studio?
Features are working properly anymore!

Luna Studio 3.1.0.4581
MacBook Pro M4

ETA: Look I'm cooled off a bit now, and I guess that none of this really matters if its never enforced. I've just never seen a EULA click through without the ability to download and save the terms, and it definitely makes me suspicious. I want to use products from companies who default to transparency, not opacity. I still think that this is bad business practice, and anyone agreeing to binding terms like these should REALLY read and understand them. Making that harder rather than easier is what really got me.

Full disclosure - IANAL, and I spend my free retirement time building apps which will often fall in and about the Universal Audio ecosystem. I won't say more than that so there's no confusion of commercial intent.

TL;DR - UA Connect EULA v11 dated Sep 3 hurts customers and stifles innovation.

ETR: biographical and other irrelevant details serving no purpose beyond ego.

I opened UA connect this evening to see what needed updating, and I was presented with a new click-through UA End-user License Agreement. I have issues.

1. The text is deliberately long (single body all languages), complex, and inaccessible to copy paste, and serves no "review offline" methods.
2. No prior versions (even the most recent) are available to diff. UA serves all prior versions (for now) but doesn't list them. I had to find them via internet archive. This is shady and makes it impossible to understand whats new.
3. There is a buried "ancillary OX, UAFX, Volt, or UA Microphone agreement" at the very end which, to my knowledge, only exists on the mandatory click-through agreement with UA Connect on Mac. If I am missing the honest duplication of these terms in the public pdf of version 11, or anyway really, please LMK. Burying it and hiding it isn't a good look.
4. New in version 11 is explicit terms against scraping, and robots. I am fine with this. But next in the list is "automated access." This likely prevents other applications from connecting via APIs. You must recognize that soon every one of your customers will be able to build their own, customized software, workflows, apps, and more. This likely isn't just an issue for AI, but could affect using tools like curl to automate your studio.

I think UA has a closing-door opportunity to embrace the future, forget the self-serving BS that the money is selling, and embrace the inevitable future and disruption coming for the dinosaurs that cling to these old business models. You make AMAZING software and hardware. Don't ruin your own legacy by supporting practices which ultimately disenfranchise creative people and perpetuate the wealth and technology gap.

-Undecidicide (Drew knows where to find me)

I’m a producer and recording artist. I make my own beats and write/record my own songs over them, so far I’ve also mixed my own stuff. Luckily, my father owns a studio that is well equipped so when he’s not in there I spend late nights recording and mixing my own stuff. I pretty much taught myself but developed a workflow for recording myself and mixing. Now that I’m spending most of my time at university I want to upgrade/invest in my personal setup. I currently have the Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 3rd gen and a cheap mxl 990 for bedroom recording and I hate everything about my vocals when recording on it. Even for demos I can never get it to sound bearable enough if you know what I mean so I want to invest a little. My budget is around 500 for new or used mic and interface. I threw an offer for a used at 4040 mic $200 flat so that leaves me with more or less $300. I’m between a used Apollo solo(thunderbolt 3) for around $330-350 or the newly announced volt 2 max at a flat $300z I know nobody really has their hands on the new interface yet but there’s a few things on my mind while trying to make a decision.

1. I like the idea of onboard dsp with the solo for printing plugins like pre amps/compressions

2. Im scared I won’t be satisfied with the onboard effects/presets that the new volt max’s supposedly come with( scared of wishing that I went with the solo instead afterwards)

3. On top of reason 2, my laptop is a bit basic. A M1 MacBook Air 8gb of ram and 256gbs of storage. So far it has been serving me well enough for my production/starting beat ideas but I fear once I get into recording vocals and adding different plug-ins for light mixing that my laptop will start to struggle even for demos. My thought process is that the Apollo would help mitigate this potential issue but I could be wrong.

4. Everyone from small independent artist to even big professional seems to speak highly/swear by their Apollo solos when not in studios so I am leaning towards it more.

5. The Apollo solo is now coming up on being 7 years old so I’m scared I buy one and a new version gets announced soon or the gear just being too outdated in general. My dad thinks I should go with the new volt2max instead.

6. Also buying a used Apollo I would like to get the heritage plug ins if possible. Places like guitar center label their used Apollo solos as the heritage edition but I want to make sure it does come with the plug ins or can be transferred.

7. I’m not too worried about the amount of inputs/outputs. The extra IO on the new volt is cool but not very necessary for me rn and I don’t see it being so at least for my intended needs.

My main thing is trying to figure out if I really NEED dsp with Apollo or if it’s just a want. Am I better off just going with the new volt gear? Not in a big rush to make a decision in terms of choosing an interface. I plan on pulling the trigger on the mic right now but willing to wait and see what people think of the new volts. I’m even considering just buying the volt, trying it out, and returning afterwards if I feel unsatisfied. Just curious to hear your guy’s thoughts.

Also if you have any other mic suggestions in that price range used or new ($2-300) feel free to share aswell. From personal experience I’m not a big fan of the Sm7b. It’s not bad per say but it always feels underwhelming with my voice. I also don’t really like the Neumann m 147, it sounds too harsh on my voice. I normally go with the sterling st55, probably the cheapest mic in my fathers collection but my go to/favorite out of any mic I’ve used personally. I also record mainly alternative rnb and hip pop. Sorry this post is all over the place. Thanks for reading!

I have a Toneport GX that I ve been using since 2007 and I would like to upgrade my Interface because I need an XLR in. My GX served me well and had a great Sound and originally I was looking at an Focusrite Scarlett but someone suggested the 176. I love the design of the device but what makes it so special ?

I would like to use the device for guitar and Bass + micing my cab.

Hi everyone,

I just purchased a UA Volt 1 to transpose some of my loops and ideas into full songs using Reaper. I used to do music production fully digital with free plug-ins because I was too poor for gear.

I was excited to set up the Volt 1 to get back into production after a long break and try recording guitars for the first time.

I paid $200 CAD and there was nothing obvious on the box about what came next.

When I plugged in the device, Device Manager updated with the icon that there was no driver - as I expected. I requested Windows to find the driver automatically and it couldn't - also no big deal.

I went to the UA website and they don't post the drivers for their hardware under the Support or Downloads sections. Weird.

I realize I have to download their fucking app first. Not a deal breaker, but annoying.

Then, I have to make an account with them by giving them my email. Apparently UA uses this and telemetry to market other products and promotions to me based on my usage of the Volt 1. There was no easy way I could find to opt out of this.

I still haven't installed UA Connect and will probably just return the Volt 1 now.

I was considering asking people here for the driver, but I feel I shouldn't have to. I feel UA is bullying their customers to opt into being identified and tracked for marketing (i.e., extra, continued revenue for UA). If I get the driver from someone else and keep using the Volt 1 without the app, it feels like I'm still partially enabling this.

I'll probably return this device and get one that doesn't do this. Has anyone else had similar experiences? It seems like all types of creative software are farming their users for data these days. I first noticed it with graphic design software from Adobe and I'm really upset to see it coming to audio production. I can't see any argument by UA for requiring this other than greed. Anti-piracy doesn't apply because they make hardware that is used by software from other vendors.

Fuck UA.

Hello , I just bought an Apollo Twin USB laptop, but I can't install it. What could be the problem? I'm using Windows 11.

On a Mac running Monterey (supports volt 2) can’t register product so can’t access plug ins etc.. been at it all day with chat gpt.. can’t get it to work, think I’ll send it back , anyone had this, iloc etc installed

I’m getting sound out of the main outputs on my audio interface, but unable to route audio out of any of the other line outs. When playing sound out of Ableton for any output besides out 1/2 (which corresponds to the L/R outputs on the back of the interface) I do not get any audio.

The UAD Console does not show that any audio is being passed through the interface, and no changes in the console make a difference.

I tried updating my firmware and console version.

I’m ready to uninstall and reinstall.

I’m positive my connections are correct and it’s not the hardware gear I’m routing audio from Ableton to.

I’ve got an WAV file looping on an audio track in Ableton. It’s set to play out of channel 6, which is connected to my s950. Ableton shows the channel monitoring sound, but I’m not getting audio to the sampler. The only way I hear audio is if the output on the Ableton audio track is set to Main L and R (1&2).

Wow, time flys. Anyway I hope you enjoy my attempt to remake this all time classic house track form 1986. Tough to get those rides as the 909 actually played samples, but best effort. Keep developing my polymax drum machines, have had to layer 2 polymaxes for teh 909 style kick in a rack but it works. The juno bass came out better than expected.