UAD have announced what they describe as ‘an important update’ version 7.01.

UAD v7.0 software represented an update to our entire UAD codebase, and we’ve identified and fixed a few bugs in a new maintenance release, UAD software v7.0.1.

Here’s the specifics:

• UAD plug-in status display is restored in the UAD Meter & Control Panel application
• Resolved issue where plug-in controls could jump to maximum when using the scroll wheel under 32-bit hosts
• (UAD-2 Satellite) Resolved issue preventing adjustment of the UAD FireWire Bandwidth Allocation
• (Apollo 16) Important Apollo firmware update
• (Ocean Way Studios plug-in) Corrected behavior of Master Level fader in Reverb mode

Visit the UAD Software Download Page today to install v7.0.1 software. And feel free to contact our Customer Support team with any questions, using the links below.

Last week, we were invited by Universal Audio to meet with them and see the new Apollo 16 audio interface and talk about it with UA’s Jed Allen. Of course we jumped at the chance.

We’ve been very excited since seeing this - an Apollo 16 and Pro Tools 11 may well be a killer system.

Apollo 16 is targeted at professional studio installations and pro-sumer home recordists looking for a no-compromise recording interface. It will also appeal to adjacent audio markets like Post-production, Broadcast, and Live Sound.

 Key Features

• UA’s flagship audio interface with 16 x 16 analog I/O and best-in-class conversion 
• Onboard UAD-2 QUAD DSP Processing runs the full library of 60+ UAD Powered plug-ins — both in real time, for sub-2ms tracking/monitoring, and during DAW mixing 
• Twice the analog connectivity of the original Apollo — ideal for professional facilities with mixing console, outboard analog hardware, cue/headphone systems, etc.
• Connects to compatible Mac or Win 7 machines via FireWire 800* or Thunderbolt Option card (Mac only - sold separately)
• Plug-Ins from the biggest names in the business 
• Additional UAD DSP Accelerator horsepower available during mixing

Full Spec 

• UA’s flagship FireWire/Thunderbolt-ready audio interface for Mac and Windows 7* 
• 16 x 16 analog I/O via DB-25 connectors — ideal for professional mixing consoles, outboard preamps, etc
• Realtime UAD-2 QUAD processing for low-latency (sub-2ms) tracking and mixing w/ UAD Powered Plug-Ins
• Thunderbolt Option Card for next-generation connectivity to compatible Macs 
• Multi-unit cascading merges two Apollo 16 units for 32 x 32 analog I/O 
• Four stereo Cue mixes with fully assignable outputs  
• PT Mode allows easy insertion of outboard analog hardware in Pro Tools**
• New Virtual I/O feature for Realtime UAD Processing of virtual instruments and DAW tracks 
• Includes “Analog Classics” plug-ins: LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler, 1176LN Limiting Amplifier, and Pultec EQP-1A EQ 
• Full recall of interface and plug-in settings in DAW sessions via Console Recall plug-in (VST/RTAS/AU)
• Includes dedicated XLR monitor outs; 2 x 2 channels of AES-EBU digital I/O 
• Basic stand-alone mode for persistent mixing without a computer
• Full compatibility with UAD-2 DSP Accelerator systems 
• VST, AU, RTAS, and 64-bit plug-in support

For more info visit UA

Russ and Mike, are joined by James Ivey for this edition of the Pro Tools Expert podcast. This week is a post NAMM 2013 special but we do get around to answer some questions as well.

• Competitions
• Avid ProSeries of plug-ins
• Waves DiGiGrid and AAX plug-ins
• Avid & Abbey Road
• Apollo cascading and new UAD plug-ins
• Rupert Neve Designs 500 Series modules
• AIR Ignite, Loom, Vacuum Pro
• Community Tip 1 - Jeremy Hart 1
• Problems using hardware inserts on Fast Track Pro
• Memory upgrade for iMac
• PT 8 on Mac 10.6.8 & rescuing files 
• Reverb plug-in recommendations 
• Plug-in format confusion

Listen on iTunes

If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here

One of the things we wanted to see improved in the UA Apollo was the ability to get more I/O. Well UA have responded to that request with the new cascading feature. In their words.

Among the new Apollo interface features slated for delivery in the first half of 2013 is multi-unit cascading, which combines two Apollo interfaces into a single elegant system via FireWire or Thunderbolt. Multi-unit cascading provides simultaneous use of 16 analog inputs / outputs, including eight Apollo mic preamps, plus 12 digital inputs and outputs — perfect for tracking a full band.

The boost in Apollo connectivity is navigated via a redesigned Console application, offering better visual feedback, a new Mix-Merge mode, and a Pro Tools mode which greatly simplifies integration with Pro Tools systems. “A year after its introduction, Apollo has become the top-selling audio interface in its class,” says UA CEO and Founder, Bill Putnam Jr. “We’re committed to enhancing its creative possibilities, through ongoing software improvements and a growing roster of new plug-in titles from UA and Direct Developer partners like Softube.”

Sound on Sound have announced the results of their awards across 16 categories as voted for by their readers. Some of the results are predicatable and others are interesting…

• Audio Interface: Universal Audio Apollo
• DAW Software: Avid Pro Tools
• Effects and Processing hardware: Universal Audio LA2A
• Plug-in Effects: Sound Toys Native Effects
• Plug-in Processor: Izotope Ozone
• Hardware Controller: Apple iPad
• Keyboard/Synth: Access Virus TI
• Microphone: Neumann U87ai
• Mixer: SSL Duality
• Monitors: Genelec 8240A DSP
• Hardware Recorder: Zoom R24
• Mic Preamp: Neve 1073DP
• Software Instruments: Native Instruments Reaktor
• Sound Library: Native Instruments Abbey Road Drums series
• Headphones: Sennheiser HD800
• Live Sound: Allen & Heath GLD series

The least surprising result has to be DAW software, then Apollo being the best interface, especially as we awarded it our product of 2012. I wouldn’t have predicted the Plug-in Effects category but it is great to see Ozone get the Plug-in Processor award. Then there is the Hardware Contoller award going to the iPad but surely that has a lot to do with Neyrinck’s amazing V-Control app which does make the iPad an incerdiblely powerful hardware controller that doesn’t cost the earth even if you need to buy an iPad specially for it.

Those are my thoughts, what did and didn’t surprise you?

We got some feedback from our recent test of the UA Apollo, so we made the changes requested and ran the same test again.

Just some of the shortlisted products of the Year 2012The team have been considering what gets our Pro Tools Expert Product of the Year Award 2012.

Without consulting one another we made recommendations for those products we wanted to win. We all threw in our own favourites and here is the shortlist…

• Universal Audio UA Apollo
• Moog Minitaur
• iZotope Alloy 2
• Nugen Audio ISL True Peak Limiter
• Neyrinck V-Control Pro for iPad
• Pro Tools HD | Native Thunderbolt
• Sugar Bytes AAX Wrapper
• PPG WaveGenerator iPad Synth
• Arturia Mini Brute

It may come as no surprise to many of you that the product that was unanimously voted as the winner with the most votes from our team is the Universal Audio UA Apollo. For many of us it sets a new benchmark for combining great features, sound and at a great price. All those short listed are worth consideration, so check them all out!

Wow! Groove 3 have spared no expense and are running a prize draw for one super lucky person to win a UA Apollo. 

It’s FREE to enter - more info here