Recording - September 2017 - 35

Lighting up an UAD 1176 emulation is so comfortable, and
sounds so much like the actual hardware, that I feel like I've
come home. For me, access to a variety of compression tools
was the winning application. On the other hand, I have always
liked the Console 1 SSL-based EQ, and often found the UAD
variations to be more restrictive (and sometimes too colored)
for my liking. I'm sure your mileage will vary; EQs are an
individual taste, and we each have our own preferences.
The newest update's inclusion of the dbx 160 further drew
me into my comfort zone, and I'm finding myself using personal
and idiosyncratic channel strips in most of my mixing now.
Combined with the new plug-in interface, I'm also finding that
I refer back to the main display less often, leaving me in a lot
more organic frame of mind as I'm mixing.

Conclusion

As an incremental update, my reaction is "Rock on!" The new
hardware is almost identical to the original, and provides all the
functionality for around half the price. What's not to like about that?
I think that this price reduction will put the Console 1 into a lot of
new hands, and will also introduce a lot of people to Softube's
robust line of plug-ins.
Adding the UAD integration was a wonderful surprise, and
the ability to flawlessly slide UAD plug-ins into Console 1

PRICE: $499
MORE FROM: Softube, www.softube.com;
Universal Audio, www.uaudio.com
processing slots meant that I didn't have to change my setup
(or even my workflow) to work with best-of-class components.
Thankfully, session saving and recall of the UAD plug-in settings
is just as stable as with Softube's own devices. While I like
and respect the console emulations provided by Softube, I will
readily admit that having a few of my favorite UAD hardware
emulations under Console 1 control gave me even more confidence going into difficult mixes.
I've been a fan of the Console 1 system since I first laid
hands on it; the lowered price and increased integration makes
recommendation a no-brainer. If you are serious about your
mixing, this is a system that ought to capture your attention.
Darwin Grosse (grosse@recordingmag.com) is a musician
and engineer working in the Minneapolis area.

Universal Audio Apollo Twin MkII

Available in SOLO, DUO and QUAD variations (with 1, 2, or 4 DSP cores, $699/$899/$1299), Universal Audio's Apollo
Twin MkII features a few important updates over the original, silver-faced version (which we reviewed in August 2014). Aside from
the new, darker case color, the MkII version improves on the A/D and D/A converters and provides improved monitor management
control. I reviewed the Thunderbolt version; a USB version has just become available, and both work with macOS and Windows.
But in many ways, this 24/192-capable interface retains the best of the original. It is a compact powerhouse, with two
inputs plus Hi-Z (expandable with the optical input) and six outputs (four analog, plus separate headphone outs). Those two
inputs feature two of UA's Unison mic preamps, which provide excellent recording quality and transparency.
A lot of audio interfaces come in and out of my studio, but I think I've found one that is going to anchor a corner of my desk
for a while. The sound of the Apollo Twin MkII is clean and tight, and the integration with Universal Audio's DSP-driven plug-ins
means that this is more than an interface: it's part of an ecosystem. The range of available UAD plug-ins is impressive, from
the obvious ones (the UA 1176LN emulation, for example) to the ultra-tweaked (two different tape machine emulations!). Each
part of that bargain makes the other more valuable: the high-quality interface improves your use of the plug-ins, and the plug-ins
help you stay loyal to the interface. It's marketing genius, but it's good for us, too.
Some of the less obvious parts of the Apollo Twin MkII also impressed. In our
virtualized age, it can sometimes be easy to overlook the mic inputs on our
interfaces-in fact, many don't even include mic inputs anymore. I'm pleased to
say that the Unison mic pres sounded clean, married well to Unison-ready preamp plug-ins, and were a great partner for every mic I pulled out of my locker.
One of my favorite parts of the Apollo Twin MkII is that it eliminates the
need for a separate monitor controller. Providing talkback, dimming, muting,
and output control (both for itself and for networked rackmount Apollo units)
means that I'm eliminating one more box from my desktop. Given all the stuff
competing for that space, it's great to have a combo device that is so capable.
Sometimes all-in-one devices can be masters-of-none; this is not one of those
cases. The design team for the Apollo Twin MkII was on fire; everything from
the button locations to the amount of knob turning to get the desired results-
it's all perfect. This interface breathes quality in every way.

RECORDING September 2017

http://www.softube.com http://www.uaudio.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - September 2017