Ultimate Audio Interface Setup for EPIC HOME STUDIOS 

I got into your channel this week because I got a TV in my room for the first time in at least 10 years (I've just been streaming on my computer for a decade), but your home studio tour series is the best thing to lay down and binge. I feel like you're reading my mind with this video, I'm a music teacher and I've had the same mixer and monitors for 12 years or so and have been wanting to upgrade, but can't decide on form factor and other variables. This interface is a great bar of reference. It's a bit expensive, and I'm interested in finding other interfaces with great preamps and mabey even emulator DSP plugins! This has really helped narrow my research! Thanks!

I bought an apollo back then thinking that I would sell it in the future because it was overpriced. However, once you have it you really can't part ways with it. So many features that I can't live without, love it!

I really think uad needs to make an Apollo x2 or x4 that interfaces and works specifically with the new iPad Pro. Tb3, m1, variable high refresh touch screen. With some creativity they could make something that’s kind of like a slate mti2 mixed with an old fashioned 610 console. They could even team up with softube console 1 to give it similar plug in control surface qualities. It would be the perfect all in one recording setup for a home studio. And then they could make full on x16 or X8p versions with tons of io for larger studios.

Starting to invest in DSP in 2021 is madness. Host CPUs are stupidly powerful.

It’s crazy. I don’t work in a studio. I have recorded before. I’m obsessed with outboard gear and other music recording stuff. And everytime I see someone build a chain of outboard it ends up being exactly what I would choose. Literally everything you used on your drums is in my sweetwater cart already. Everything. And they’ve been there long before I watched this video. Lol

I'm so glad I discovered your channel last year. Not only I learned an awful lot, but your cheerful personality makes learning entertaining and pleasing. Keep on being great👍.

So dope. I’m running the the Clarett 8pre with the Clarett Octopre expansion and holy cow do I love it. Love the channel dude!

I am ALL IN with UAD! I completely love them, their gear, and their software. I currently only have the Apollo X4, but hope to one day add an x8 or x8p to my setup one day. Great video Andrew!

Dude, this is all the exact reason why I bought my Apollo 16. Freaking love it

Soo cool. Very jealous. I'm running the appollo twin x with clarett octopre.

I made it to the end, very interesting, and yeah most of yr studio tours have the Apollo set up... and now you have more, good for you bro..!!

Not a UA fan but appreciate the quality and detail of this video. Keep up the good work.

You just snapped me back to reality!!!!! Excellent Thank You!!!

I'll never forget trying to get my head around audio going into my first interface and editing it. Thanks for the video Andrew.

Made EASILY to the end. I just love equipment and home use. Great job!

Awesome video. Love the pictures of old times

Love the lamp!💡

Bought the apollo x16 when it first came out.... I love it!!

I have been using a Focusrite 2i4 for a few years now and have always longed to have the budget for an Apollo X-16 ever since I learned about them. Congratts!!! Hopefully, someday I will have one. Keep Doing That Voodoo That You Do!

Wow those drums sound killer! Even through an iPhone they sound fantastic, awesome!

Yup, 'made it this far'. Love your videos, man.

Incredible drum tones

Andrew been learning so much from your videos, hope one day we can record and mix as you do!

Pretty sweet!

I made it through, Andrew... Good vibes, keep em coming!

I’d be interested to hear your take on the waves soundgrid studio setup with their DSP servers. I have the UAD apollo twin x duo, in Luna. It’s awesome. But that Studio rack plug-in from waves, with soundgrid studio is a complete workflow game changer too. Great vid BTW, Subscribed!

We are the same, you and I. Love my UA stuff - I’m all in. I’ve been running a pair of X8Ps for a while now, and I’m planning on switching one of them out for an X16 soonish.

Thumbs up for picturing the only great, real-sounding UA guitar amp, the Suhr SE100.

Hey Andrew, I like your channel and the concepts of your videos, nice job! I love the UAD system and I own 4 of their interfaces (2 Apollo 8, a Twin and a satellite octo). I'm a drummer and Sound Engineer/Producer and I mostly use their systems to mix and do master. I did a couple of recordings, but as a home producer for now, I couldn't get into it. But once the studio is build, they'll be used for a looooot of recording! Here's my list favourite UAD plugins: - Channel Strip: API Vision -> On drums it can bring so much punch to the kit or Manley VoxBox (specially because of the De-Esser integrated) - EQ: Pultec Collection -> awesome for colouring and mastering! Otherwise I use the integrated EQ of a channel strip. - Comp: 1176 series, love the FETs or the Fairchild (amazing on parallel comp), I do like the Shadow Hills, Distressor and Manley Vari-MU as well for mix bus or mastering! - Harmonic: Thermionic Culture Vulture or any of their tape machines (again on mastering or mix bus... no words...) - Reverb: Capitol Chambers, no need to describe it, it brings the recording to life! or the Lexicon 480L (loved to work with the actual unit) - Delay: Galaxy Tape Echo -> vintage tape echo. - Special FX: Voice Of God (VOG) -> this one... subharmonic enhancer.. on kicks, or bass, or even on vocals ; the "go to" to get that rich low end! - Mic emulation: so far I just used the UAD version of the Townsend L22 mic emulation, but I might buy the Ocean Way's library. I own a Sphere L22 mic, and it's incredible what you can do with it... all issues we can encounter in recording, can be "fixed" in the mixing process. I talked with the guys at Townsend and they gave me a good overview of what can be done with this system. It's now my "go to" for overheads. Did you tested it? I have to say with my decade of experiences in big and small studios... I do believe that this is the future! So amazing that UAD just purchased/merged with them! Again thanks for the content, hope you can develop more videos in the future! Have a nice day, Steven

I’ve got a buddy who works for them. I’m going to be getting some stuff from them. I can’t wait.

Hey Andrew, love the channel mate, can you do a run through on your computer and what to look for buying or setting up a computer for audio, and pros and cons between apple and pc, keep up the great work

A few years ago, I picked up a silver face apollo 16. The beauty of those spanky 16 inputs is that they come with 16 MORE OUTPUTS. Time to get a 5059 and sum those mixes!

I'm a big UAD fan boy as well (Twin and PCIe OCTO), best plug-ins around IMHO. It was their analog classic plugins that drove me to start playing around with the the analog hardware. I even have some of their amp sims, Friedman, Fuchs and Marshall which are cool too. I do this for fun so I went with Warm Audio's take of the 1073EQ, 1176, Pultec and SSL style BUS-COMP. Then started a 500 series rack, Purple Audio Sweet 10 with a SSL VHD pre so far. I'm using Studio One 5.3 Pro. I'd love try Luna to see how well it integrates with their AI's and Console but I'm on PC and not MAC

In my opinion, UA seems to be in the top 3 interfaces out there. I started on an m-audio to a focusrite, and now a Behringer Wing. So handy to have an interface and a 24 fader control surface in one unit. I know it's not the best available, but for a hobbyist like me, it does the job. love your channel content!

I love the Universal Audio hardware and software! I have the Apollo twin that I use for playback and the Presonus series 3 console for input. It’s a nice little hybrid system that works great with Studio One 5. Great content as usual Andrew!

I'm looking at the x8p as to save the space of having a physical console. This will cover drums and then possibly a twin for bass and guitar. Great channel!

UAD is so sick! Loving that 2009 Zil Bell on the crash cymbal in that old photo of ur kit LOL

Just got one. I think Console is great. Monitoring can be a lil tricky. That might be a cool video to do, seeing that there aren't any out there yet. Great videos man! 🤘

Am stuck on RME UFX interface with 2 Audient ASP880 PREs love them DAW Digital performer 10

UA is just plain awesome! Great video bro!

Made the full switch to LUNA (and the extensions) and upgraded to an x8p last year. UA stuff has definitely made a huge difference for me in my projects. Probably helped me land the full time production gig I'm working now.

Great vid man, loving the content since subscribing.

I’m running a M-Audio M-Track 2x2m atm, but it will be replaced by a Steinberg UR44C quite soon. It’s probably not what I’m gonna go for long term as the dream would be to own a UA interface. But money and a pc that actually can handle a UA interface is required first

Regarding Luna u actually have to pay a upfront fee (only available with buying a UAD interface which I've got no prob with that. Coz that sounds like a pretty cool move

Still waiting for Luna to get “there” before I dig in, rode that train with pro tools (still riding actually) Studio one updates often, there always adding new free features (it’s the best part and worst part of that DAW just lots of useless stuff) Ableton is brilliant in its own way, lots of fun but it’s still protools for me with Apollo uad console land Some important outboard gear, versatile mic closet, real tube and ss guitar amps, and AxeFx-Kemper also, Wall-o-guitars and stomps I collected since ‘77 great genelec monitors and a few pair of Beyerdynamic DT 770 and 880 semi open and closed back HPs both 80 and 250 ohm Uad2 and native vst, Au and aax candy Alesis e-drums with TT superior Drummer for home use To many very cool midi controllers, love midi fighter stuff and keylab weighted 88 with every available Arturia emulation, Piano-tec But it’s Apollo X twin, X6 and X8 Cascading wonderland

Monsters - All time low? A student showed me that tune the other week 👌

I have an 8, twin and 8p very sick with Luna and the console emulation

Dude I got the Apollo x8, and the dangerous D box + monitor controller and summing mixer. I’m just waiting on the new m1x Mac mini.

Pretty much my path (x16 and x8). Love the converters and UX and now with Luna, great workflow. All the plugins i have used by UAD are frankly, the best. I still use Fabfilter and Soundtoys but my channel strip plugs are gathering dust in the face of The Luna API console. All this said, I do not feel the Unison pres are that good and only use them on a really crowded session. I have also started using the external comps and eqs for mixing though I really think the UAD plug-ins do it a lot faster and easier and most of the time they sound just as good!

Awesome man! I’m using an Apollo x4, but haven’t discovered all its capabilities. I’m definitely going to check out those NEVE pre’s to give a distinctive color to my percussion.

I have the apogee symphony desktop and the Apollo x4. The Apogee sounds a little more clear and has a slightly better stereo image. Yet and still I come back to Apollo because not only does it sound great, the workflow and integration with the plugins, especially Autotune is just a better workflow. Im using the x4 for now.

Cheers have fun

Play through: what I've done UA's absolutely amazing... Enjoy your vids.... Really informatory

Im running a MOTU PCIE and 4 - 24 I/O breakout boxes. ( 96 trs ins and outs ) To replace that with the equivalent number of I/O's with UAD would cost me a fortune! Besides Ive got an OCTO and a Quad uad card with 102 plugins. Im good.

You’re welcome. It was a good video.

Lynx Aurora N 16 Great Interface Andrew. You ever heard ome bro. Once you here it? Sounds awesome.

I am running an Apollo 8 and needed additional inputs so I got an Scarlett Octo Pre which is noisy. I have been looking out for a used Apollo 16 blackface to replace it. I just wish that UAD would re-evaluate the pricing of all of their stuff. Many of us would love to work more with their gear, but the cash required for the gear and software is ridiculous. I appreciate the quality and worked really hard to get the stuff I have, but wow... 1 plugin can run you up to 200-300 dollars. While I realize it is a lot cheaper than buying the physical hardware it is just out of reach for many.

Audient id44 is the best option on a budget the inserts on 2 of the channels are ideal if you need less channels. Also has adat in/out to expand it. I do respect UAD but its an expensive route for most.

GREG GLASER! GREG EFFING GLASER, MAN! My goodness, I love that guy.

Keep it up bro! Great stuff 👍🏼👍🏼

Nice picture of me bro 😂

Sounds great!

I dont know if this is something you would ever consider on your channel, but it would be sick to hold a poll on youtube for plugins of a certain category and the do a shootout of the top 3 from a producer or workflow perspective. Everyone does a shootout on sound but that doesnt make sense bc theres too many variables

YOU'VE WORKED WITH SUM41?

With 2 tascam celesonic 20 x 20 I have 20 live inputs and it has been out for 5 years .

I had the alesis io26. It was an pretty bad interface. It constantly failed on me but it was good enough at the time

Dude you drummed so hard that an ADAM Audio logo randomly appeared on your shirt! That’s how you know you’re doing it right lol

Your step dad looks exactly like the kinda guy that would buy you home recording gear

This guy is so wet for UAD. Are there any links to songs he's recorded??

i have a quesion, why did you buy apollo x16 if they dont have a unison pre amps? what's the point? im confused

My first interface was that Alesis mess as well

Have had my eye on the Apollo x8p for a while (not ready to mess with patch bay craziness just yet) but I'm a PC dude. That said, my pc does have thunderbolt so conceivably I could do it. Compared to other 8 channel interfaces though, that price is just astronomical (get it, apollo astronomical... nm) and I'm pretty much just a hobbyist. Are the mic pres and the internal DSP worth it? A lot of people say so, and others say you don't really need DSP if your computer processor is fast enough. Anyway, awesome video - you're killing it with these, Andrew!

You had me at "Luna comes with the Apollo." So much better than Avid's offerings (Protools), where they've constantly got their fingers in your pockets and the software is pretty much buggy garbage anyway.

love that song! It's uh...*snaps finger repeatedly*... Darude right? Sandstorm!

God Dayum those drums sound GUD in such a confined space!

My story : I had no chance, so many problems with my Apollo and no solution by UAD. Had to sell it. I bought a focusriste problems gone. I’m not using plugins but the @cranborne interface with s500. Because really do i need SSL AND NEVE plugins ? If i need a plugin SLATE is good enough for a year price that is less than a plugin by UAD. Not want to say that UAD is not good, plugins and Apollo X have a goooooood sound, we got two of them at our recording place. Build your own sound with UAD, FOCUSRITE, APOGEE AND CO, listen to Andrew Masters he’s always right, write music, play music. Believe your ears and your choices, dont follow.

Just about to buy a new x8p and you man helped me to realize that I am doing the right thing. Especially now when they have a big discount on their ultimate bundle 9. I have a question. Do you think I still need to buy a single channel physical preamp for vocals or the ones included in apollo will do a great job. Thank you and cheers from Czech 🇨🇿

Must have been awesome to work with Sum 41

Is Universal audio hardware and software compatible with vst?... I've heard rumors that they won't be anymore.

0:15 Alice In Chains vibes kicking in yoo

Wish I had the economic stability to just gear myself with UAD and Native Instruments and a couple of Jacksons.

Hey awesome drum sound, esp. the kick and the snare. What kick and snare are you using? What heads?

Has anyone moved from something else to apollo while using same everything else... did you notice a difference? I own a lot of waves plugins and dont like getting "locked" in to expensive systems for the sake of it. See lots raving about apollo, but wonder whether its justification for spending that much or really noticeable. I genuinely ask as will update at some point in next 18 months.

Hey I really enjoy watching your studio tours and vids, recently found your channel. I guess it might be overkill but do you (or anyone else) know if you can use an Apollo with OBS studio for live streaming? I would like to use some of the fancy EQ/Comp filters etc but would it even be worth it? Twitch does 320 kbps AAC now ( up from 192 I believe) is it even possible? would you need to route the audio through their DAW and into OBS Studio somehow? and if it is possible which model would you recommend the Solo, x4, or some other model?

These drums sound.... omg so good. No processing applied?

that sounds nice. the best money spent for me with the mkii. I see you have the wa-87r2 what are your thoughts on it? Also nice drumming and studio!

Question… can you use plugins in realtime on tracks that are ADAT? So for example, if I ADAT my Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 to an Apollo Twin or x4, could I then use certain plugins on those ADAT tracks while tracking? Or only on the Unison Pre-Amps? Thanks Andrew!

I just wish I didn't have to move from Luna back to Logic in order to use my SSL UF8... UA needs to hurry with control surface support. IMHO of course.

Random question but help a subscriber out - what’s the distance from your overheads to your snare top? I really dig your balance. Thanks!

Nice! Is there any difference in the converters of the X4, X8p and X16? Thank you!

those toms tho

TOP TOP Apollo UAD

Is the song , fall out boy - sugar we're going down ?

Dude, where did you get those monogrammed rack spacers? Looks (insert Tony the Tiger) grrrreat

Hey man, Im not sure if you reply, but Ive been having trouble understanding how I get 32 channels from multiple audio interfaces. Currently I have 2 3rd gen 18i20’s , but Im starting to record bands and such so I need to expand, and Id like to expand to 32 channels. How would I go about this? Do I need a different audio interface or can I just get more of the same interface and connect it via adat

Which recording school did you go to?

Which ia that Console you are using...? On your Right Hand Side...?

Hi Andrew, great video! I have the x8p as well as my only interface. I have a question about what Mac model you’re using. I didn’t see it listed in your equipment list. Is it a MacMini? Does it have Thunderbolt 3? I’m asking because I have a MacPro (trash can) which only has Thunderbolt 2, so I have to use a TB 3 to TB 2 adapter. Normally this computer is a monster, but I get overloads once my sessions get to a certain point. Blah, blah, blah… but I’m curious about your Mac. Please advise. Scott

This sounds awesome! The UA stuff is killer, it's just a bit out of my reach right now as Im currently building out my basement for recording. What's your mic setup for this recording?

Hey Andrew. So are analog processors still better than going all in the box with UAD plugins?