The Apollo Twin X is a deeply impressive compact audio interface. Don’t let its small size and simple-looking controls fool you: this is no entry-level audio interface. It’s loaded with power and pro-grade features that can absolutely take your sound to the next level.
In this Apollo Twin X review, you’ll learn what this powerful yet compact audio interface can do, plus what sets it apart from lower-priced competitors.
Whether you’re considering starting out with an elevated choice or you’re ready to upgrade from a cheaper entry-level or midrange audio interface, you’re sure to be impressed with the Apollo Twin X. Here’s why.
A Pro-Grade Desktop Interface
With its pro-grade features and design plus its compact size, the Apollo Twin X makes a statement. It says, unreservedly, that pro users shouldn’t have to sacrifice features or audio quality to get a portable, compact desktop audio interface unit.
Of course, any desktop unit is going to have some drawbacks — the size of the interface automatically limits the number of available inputs and outputs, for one. But other than that? You’d be hard-pressed to find anything else missing from the Apollo Twin X.
Where more budget-oriented interfaces skimp on features or processing power to keep costs low, Universal Audio maintains the same impressive performance you’d get in its bigger devices.
Check current prices on Amazon for the UAD Apollo Twin X DUO
Check current prices on Amazon for the UAD Apollo Twin X QUAD
Inputs and Outputs
Given the small size of the Apollo Twin X, I/O is limited—but it’s still pretty expansive compared to more entry-level compact audio interfaces. The unit comes with two XLR/line combo jacks, both with the deeply impressive UA Unison preamp (much more on this later).
There’s also an instrument-level quarter-inch input on the front, but this doesn’t function as a third input. If you use it, it simply overrides the first XLR input on the back of the unit.
You’ll also find an optical input that accepts S/PDIF and ADAT connections, allowing you to greatly expand the number of inputs running through the Apollo Twin X.
Outputs are excellent as well, for a compact unit. There’s a main monitor pair and a second output pair, plus an independently bused headphone output on the front of the unit. There’s also a Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C port on back for connecting to your computer. So in total, you have four configurable outputs to go along with two inputs.
Hardware Interface
The front and top of the Apollo Twin X is gorgeous to look at and offers several hardware controls. The large dial in the middle is a data entry tool primarily used for setting volume levels and input gain. There are onboard gain displays with clip warnings, too.
The Apollo Twin X features dedicated toggle buttons for preamps and monitors, plus a variety of other controls (including talkback) via the six centered and labeled buttons.
So far, it might sound like we’re describing a premium compact audio interface, one that’s a small step up in terms of features and that offers a higher degree of polish. But we’re not: the Apollo Twin X is a huge step up from the litany of sub-$300 compact audio interfaces on the market.
To understand why, we have to look a little deeper.
What Sets UAD Apollo Twin X Apart?
Take one look at a Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Duo (or Quad), and you’ll immediately suspect that it’s a higher-grade device than the audio interfaces that ship in entry-level studio bundles (like the Focusrite Scarlett Studio or Presonus AudioBox).
And a glance at the retail price of the Apollo Twin X will immediately confirm those suspicions. Depending on the configuration, Quad models have an MSRP around $1,749, while Duo models list at $1,379.
But why exactly? What makes the Apollo Twin X worth the significant jump in cost?
Simply put: this hardware can do more, better. A lot more, and a lot better—especially when paired with Universal Audio’s Console software.
Let’s look deeper at the various features and audio tech innovations packed into this compact unit.
Not One, But Two (or Four!) Digital Signal Processors
Most audio interfaces in this class will offer some form of digital signal processing, or DSP. Onboard DSP cores are responsible for powering types of processing on your audio signals, like compression, filtering, and so forth. Whatever the DSP can take care of is one less thing your computer’s CPU has to crunch.
But not every DSP is created equal, and audio interfaces vary in how they use DSP. This is one area that separates the cheap interfaces from the pro-grade ones.
Not only does UA deliver a deeply impressive DSP processing core, it delivers more than one: the Duo contains two DSP processing cores, while the Quad contains four. (Otherwise, the two models are identical.)
Thanks to this added power, UA can confidently claim that “Apollo Twin X confidently outperforms everything in its class.” And what the Apollo Twin X does with this power is equally impressive. All of UA’s UAD-2 plugins can run on the Apollo Twin X directly, significantly lowering processor draw on your computer. You can even use “wrapped” (VST/AU) versions with your favorite DAW and still offload the processing work to your audio interface.
What does this mean for you? You can use more plug-ins, more powerful plug-ins, higher sample rates and so forth — without any slowdowns or artifacts. You’re still limited by your computer’s processing power and that of the Apollo Twin X. But you’ll have more than you would with the competition.
Legendary Preamps Can Do More Than the Competition
Any writeup of any audio interface or dedicated preamp is going to speak enthusiastically about the quality of the sound coming from the preamp. This makes sense: you don’t advertise a preamp unless you’re proud of its sound.
Still, most audio interfaces on the market simply offer one preamp. What happens if you don’t love the sound signature? Well, you’re back in the market for a new interface or preamp. And even if you do love it, you’re still stuck with just one.
This is the beauty of the Unison preamp: it doesn’t work that way. It’s fantastic in its own right for clean, quality recording. But the Apollo Twin X can actually modify the results of these analog preamps, physically changing the way the preamps respond.
Yes, other systems can do something similar with digital (software-based) preamp emulators. But these aren’t real analog preamps and can never match the warmth and beauty of a real preamp. UA gives you a beautiful analog preamp that can load in different sounds, physically reconfiguring impedance to mimic some of the most famous preamps in history (including Helios, Neve, Manley and API).
This is a bit much to explain with words alone, so check out UA’s video, Unison Shoot Out, which demonstrates the hardware vs. software difference.
Hardware and Software Combined
The real secret sauce with UA and Apollo Twin X isn’t just the impressive hardware. It’s the combination of hardware and software, working together to produce unmatched synergy.
UA’s Console software gives you a software interface for manipulating the gorgeous analog Unison preamps on the Apollo Twin X.
But this is more than just software effects or overlays. The software sends signals to the interface, which physically reconfigures its impedance — literally changing the sound of the physical analog preamp.
That said, there’s still a place for effects and overlays. UA’s plug-ins are stirring and remarkable. You’ll get a few in the box, along with trial access to several more. These, too, sound and work better when your interface processes them.
Most audio pros will already be locked into a major DAW ecosystem. But if you’re not yet (or you’re willing to experiment), UA’s LUNA is worth a look. It offers the same sorts of integration, so if you plan to stick with a UA/Apollos ecosystem, you could realize some impressive synergies by making the switch.
Of course, UA isn’t blind to the fact that many pros already have a DAW of choice, and its Apollo interfaces will integrate well with all the major DAWs, too. They even provide “wrapped” versions of their UAD-2 plug-ins so that you can still run them through your interface.
A/D and D/A Conversion That Rivals Standalone Hardware
Every audio interface must be able to provide A/D and D/A conversion. Analog audio signals must reach your computer in a digital format, and vice versa. But here again, this type of conversion is not a commodity. Every brand (and various tiers of devices within a brand) will have its own “flavor” and level of quality.
With the Apollo Twin X, UA delivers elite-class conversion with a 127 dB dynamic range as well as -117 dB THD+N. The result? A “spacious, organic sound,” one that rivals even standalone pro-grade converter hardware.
Integration with a Broader Pro-Grade Ecosystem
Lastly, the Apollo Twin X audio interface is not a lone wolf product. It’s part of a wide range of interfaces and UAD-2 processors that can and do work seamlessly together. If you’re looking to start building a more complex setup, choosing Apollo now can set you up to build out a truly pro-grade setup in the years to come.
Final Thoughts: Should You Buy One?
So, after all this info, the question remains: should you buy one? This is a profoundly impressive piece of hardware, one that will blow away absolutely anything in the sub-$500 range. But then again, it should: the cheapest models are still up near or over $1,000.
Whether the Apollo Twin X Duo (or Quad) is right for you likely comes down to your budget and your goals. At $1,000 to $1,700, this piece of hardware is an investment. If you’re just starting out or aren’t planning to share your music widely, it might be more interface than you need. If you’re only doing voiceover work and nothing musical, it’s definitely more interface than you need.
But on the other side of the coin, you’ll never know how good your music could have sounded if you settle for something cheaper. If you’re planning to share your music widely or market it with the intent of commercial distribution, you don’t want to skimp. The power and performance you get with an Apollo device will certainly justify the expense.
Another angle to consider is your processing needs. If your music requires heavy layers of processing, the added muscle here will serve you well, saving you time and headaches down the road. But if you’re doing simple acoustic work with minimal processing, then those extra DSP cores might not do much for you. (But still, the drool-worthy preamps definitely will do a lot for you.)
So in the end, no matter what kind of music you’re making, the Apollo Twin X has something very compelling to offer. Serious musicians should strongly consider investing in this higher-tier audio interface. So should aspiring ones and hobbyists, if their budgets allow.
Check current prices on Amazon for the UAD Apollo Twin X DUO
Check current prices on Amazon for the UAD Apollo Twin X QUAD