Apollo FireWire Audio Interface with QUAD ProcessingWorldwide standard in professional A/D and D/A conversion for music productionOnboard UAD-2 QUAD Core DSP allows Realtime UAD Processing — record through plug-ins from Neve, Lexicon, Studer, Marshall, Ampex, and more4 Unison-enabled mic preamps for tracking through preamp emulations from Neve, API, and Universal Audio*18 x 24 FireWire audio interface for Mac and Windows 7Cascade two Apollos for 16 analog I/O and 12 digital I/OIncludes “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” UAD plug-in bundle with 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, Raw Distortion, Softube Amp Rooms, legacy LA-2A, 1176, and Fairchild compressors, Pultec EQs, and moreUpgradeable to Thunderbolt via Thunderbolt 2 Option Card (Mac)World class UA analog design, superior components, and premium build qualityThe Gold Standard in 24-bit/192 kHz Sound QualityDesigned to play a central role in studios running original Mac Pro towers or Windows 7 machines, Apollo FireWire delivers an uncompromising approach to audio quality. Building  upon  decades  of  UA  hardware  heritage,  it  offers  extremely  high-resolution sound, with the lowest THD and highest dynamic range in its class. Apollo FireWire’s four premium mic preamps and converters translates into recordings with astounding accuracy  and  depth  —  whether  you’re  tracking  and  overdubbing,  or  mixing  and mastering. Realtime UAD Plug-In Processing for Tracking, Mixing, and MasteringWhile Apollo FireWire’s “natural” sound is exceedingly open and transparent, it can quickly deliver a wide range of classic analog tones and color via its Realtime UAD Processing.  Featuring  powerful  onboard  QUAD  processing, Apollo  FireWire’s  DSP Acceleration allows for recording through UAD Powered Plug-Ins — with as low as sub-2ms latency, regardless of buffer settings — letting you monitor and “print” audio with  classic  analog  emulations  from  Ampex,  Lexicon,  Manley,  Neve,  Roland,  SSL, Studer, and more.* The Apollo FireWire’s bundled “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” suite of UAD plug-ins gives you the UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, Raw Distortion, Softube Amp Rooms, legacy LA-2A, 1176, and Fairchild compressors, Pultec EQs, and more, so you have a rack full of bonafide audio classics, right out of the box.Better  still,  Apollo  FireWire’s  UAD  plug-ins  are  also available  during  mixing  and mastering, so you can use UAD plug-ins (VST, RTAS, AU, AAX 64) throughout the creative process.Unison TechnologyA Universal Audio breakthrough, Apollo FireWire’s Unison technology gives you the tone of the world's most sought-after tube and solid state mic preamps — including their all-important impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and component-level circuit behaviors. Based on unprecedented hardware-software integration between Apollo’s mic preamps and its onboard UAD plug-in processing, Unison lets you record through stunning  emulations  like  the  bundled  UA  610-B  Tube  Preamp  plug-in,  or  exclusive preamp emulations from API and Neve. Elegant Hardware Design and WorkflowOne  key  feature  of  Apollo  FireWire  isn’t  really  a  “feature”  at  all.  It’s  the  numerous design details that give you a fast, natural workflow — and better results. There are physical  front-panel  controls  for  all  the  most  commonly  used  features,  including Preamp and Monitor level knobs, channel selection, mic pad and low cut, phantom power, and dual headphone outs with independent level control. Smart Hi-Z inputs on the front panel detect when you've connected your guitar or bass. Sonically, Apollo's Monitor outputs are digitally controlled analog, so you don't lose audio resolution when you adjust gain. (Software not included)