UA Apollo Twin MKII DUO, 6 UAD Plugins, Townsend Sphere L22

The Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII DUO & Townsend Sphere L22 is complete audio interface bundle featuring the world's most popular professional desktop recording interface, the Apollo Twin MKII paired with the revolutionary Townsend Labs Sphere L22, a digital modeling condenser mic that includes a veritable professional mic locker in a single powerful virtual package. We've included a Thunderbolt cable to make this the complete digital recording solution!

The Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII DUO & Townsend Sphere L22 bundle comes in six configurations:

• Standard Configuration (UA Apollo Twin MKII DUO interface, Townsend Sphere L22 virtual microphone system, Thunderbolt cable, and UA Realtime Analog Classics software bundle)
• Choose any 2 UAD Plug-ins (UA Apollo Twin MKII DUO interface, Townsend Sphere L22 virtual microphone system, Thunderbolt cable, UA Realtime Analog Classics software bundle, and 2 additional UA plug-ins)
• Choose any 3 UAD Plug-ins (UA Apollo Twin MKII DUO interface, Townsend Sphere L22 virtual microphone system, Thunderbolt cable, UA Realtime Analog Classics software bundle, and 3 additional UA plug-ins)
• Choose any 6 UAD Plug-ins (UA Apollo Twin MKII DUO interface, Townsend Sphere L22 virtual microphone system, Thunderbolt cable, UA Realtime Analog Classics software bundle, and 6 additional UA plug-ins)
• Choose any 10 UAD Plug-ins (UA Apollo Twin MKII DUO interface, Townsend Sphere L22 virtual microphone system, Thunderbolt cable, UA Realtime Analog Classics software bundle, and 10 additional UA plug-ins)
• Ultimate - 89 UAD Plug-ins (UA Apollo Twin MKII DUO interface, Townsend Sphere L22 virtual microphone system, Thunderbolt cable, UA Realtime Analog Classics software bundle, and all 89 additional UA plug-ins)

Apollo Twin MKII DUO

The Universal Audio Apollo Twin MkII is a ground-up redesign of the world’s most popular professional desktop recording interface — delivering enhanced audio conversion with the tone, feel, and flow of analog recording. This 2x6 Thunderbolt audio interface for Mac and Windows features available onboard UAD-2 DUO Core processing, Unison technology, and the next-generation A/D and D/A conversion you’ve heard on hundreds of hit records.

NEXT-GENERATION APOLLO A/D AND D/A CONVERSION

Apollo Twin MkII improves upon the original Apollo Twin’s gold-standard audio quality with completely redesigned A/D and D/A conversion — giving you increased dynamic range and ultra-low THD. This next-generation conversion results in breathtaking clarity, depth, and accuracy in recordings — as heard on hit records by Kendrick Lamar, Coldplay, Brad Paisley, and more.

UNISON MIC PREAMP EMULATION TECHNOLOGY FOR NEVE, API, MANLEY, UA & MORE

A Universal Audio breakthrough, Apollo Twin MkII’s Unison technology gives you the genuine tone of the world’s most sought-after tube and transformer-based mic preamps — including Neve, API, Manley, and UA — complete with their signature impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and component-level circuit behaviors.

Based on Apollo Twin MkII’s unrivaled hardware-software integration, Unison lets you record at near-zero latency through preamp emulations like the included UA 610-B Tube Preamp, for authentic analog sound unmatched by other interfaces. Unison technology is also found on Apollo Twin MkII’s front panel Hi-Z instrument input, providing dead-on impedance and gain matching for exclusive guitar and bass amp models from Fender, Marshall, Ampeg, and more.

REALTIME UAD-2 PROCESSING — A STUDIO FULL OF ANALOG SOUNDS

Building upon the Apollo tradition, Apollo Twin MkII opens up a range of classic analog tones and color via its Realtime UAD Processing. Available UAD-2 DUO Core processing onboard, Apollo Twin lets you record through he full range of UAD Powered Plug-Ins — at near-zero latency — including genuine analog emulations from Neve, Studer, Ampex, API, Lexicon, Manley, Fender, and more.

Right out of the box, the Apollo Twin MkII includes the “Realtime Analog Classics” suite of UAD plug-ins — the UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, Raw Distortion, Marshall Plexi Classic Guitar Amp, Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp, legacy LA-2A and 1176LN compressors, Pultec EQs, and more — so you have a rack full of bonafide audio classics already onboard.

Unlike competing interfaces, the Apollo Twin MkII powers UAD plug-ins inside all major DAWs for mixing and mastering (VST, RTAS, AU, AAX 64 format), greatly offloading the processing required from your host Mac or PC.

BUILT TO RECORD: IMPROVED MONITORING AND WORKFLOW

Apollo Twin MkII offers greatly improved monitor functionality versus the original Apollo Twin — with Mute, DIM, Mono, and ALT speaker switching. It also includes monitor remote controls and a built-in talkback mic for easy communication with talent and/or recording slate cues. These features, combined with Apollo Twin MkII’s scalability, make it the new standard for professional desktop recording.

PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE AND SCALABILITY WITH CONSOLE 2

Users of Apollo Twin MkII can combine up to four Apollos and six total UAD-2 devices — adding I/O and DSP as your studio grows. Once you expand your studio with an Apollo 8, 8p, or 16 rack mount unit, you can use Apollo Twin as a desktop monitor control while still tapping its additional I/O and DSP power.

Sphere L22

The Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Condenser Studio Mic allows you to record with the sound of microphones many have only dreamt of! The Sphere L22 is a 3D precision microphone modeling system providing the characteristics of the most sought-after large-diaphragm condenser microphones with outstanding accuracy. The Sphere system consists of a high precision dual channel microphone, which, when paired with the included Sphere DSP plug-in (UAD, VST, AU, AAX Native), accurately models the response of a wide range of mics, including transient response, harmonics, proximity effect and three-dimensional polar response. With the DSP plugin you change the mic, polar pattern and other characteristics even after tracking!

Sphere’s three-dimensional approach captures the spatial nuances, proximity effect and off-axis frequency response of a wide range of microphones, which until now was not possible with any other product. The Sphere system employs the high-resolution, dual-channel L22 large-diaphragm condenser microphone, custom designed to capture the three-dimensional soundfield with exacting detail. Manufactured to extremely tight tolerances, the L22 ensures that modeling is consistent and accurate

SPHERE – HOW IT WORKS

Using a dual-capsule microphone with dual-outputs makes it possible to more completely capture the soundfield—including the directional and distance information otherwise lost with a conventional single-channel microphone. This allows the Sphere system to precisely reconstruct how different microphones respond to the soundfield. In contrast, other microphone modeling technologies apply EQ to filter the sound from what is essentially a conventional microphone. This is fundamentally no different from using EQ to process a recorded track.

The Sphere L22 microphone modeling system comprises this precision dual-channel microphone, plus an audio plug-in for your DAW. The software plug-in does all of the DSP processing used to create the microphone models. Using a plug-in, instead of DSP processing built into the mic, has the major advantage of allowing the user to change all of the modeling settings, such as mic type and polar pattern, after the audio is recorded.

PRECISION MICROPHONE

Sphere L22 Microphone – high precision, dual-capsule, large-diaphragm condenser studio microphone, which can be used with or without modeling.

SPHERE PLUG-IN

Sphere DSP algorithms – accurately models a wide range of the most sought-after microphones in the world Re-Mic technology – allows the user to change the mic type and polar pattern even after tracking. New patented features – including Off-Axis Correction, which can produce more accurate polar patterns for reduced bleed, room coloration, and feedback Supports a wide range of plug-in formats – including UAD, VST2, VST3, Audio Unit, and AAX Native on Mac and Windows

MICROPHONE MODELS:

• LD-47: For many the 47 is the ultimate vocal mic. Rumor has it that Frank Sinatra would not sing without his. The specimen Townsend modeled is an original 47 with a fully brass K47 capsule with a mylar diaphragm and a VF-14 tube.
• LD-12: Released in 1953 the C12 is another iconic mic which has a gorgeous high-end sheen and sparkle, due to the uniquely designed CK12 capsule. It's a great choice for lush, breathy vocals, without overly accentuating sibilance.
• LD-67: The 67 is a very unique and wonderful mic that tends toward warm, yet without sounding dull. Townsend modeled a mid 1960s version. It really shines on distorted guitar amps where it can cut some of harshness, while maintaining detail.
• LD-49K: Although the M49 used the same capsules as the U47, it has a number of “enhancements” which give it its iconic and distinctive sound. The center position on the pattern knob is approximately cardioid, but often the pattern was dialed in a little more exactly to get the best cardioid pattern possible. The model uses this “best” cardioid position.
• Sphere Linear: The Sphere Linear model provides ruler flat frequency response from 20Hz to 20kHz, as well as an extremely smooth and well controlled off-axis response. A first of its kind, for a directional microphone.

Other mic mdoels:

• LD-87
• SD-451
• RB-4038
• DN-57

FEATURES:

• Breakthrough Microphone Modeling Technology: Sphere’s three-dimensional approach captures the spatial nuances, proximity effect and off-axis frequency response of a wide range of microphones, which until now was not possible with any other product
• Dream Collection: Access some of the most prized microphones of all time,
• including a 47 (with VF14 tube), a 67, an M49, and a C12
• Sphere L22 Microphone: The Sphere system employs the high-resolution, dual-channel L22 large-diaphragm condenser microphone, custom designed to capture the three-dimensional soundfield with exacting detail - manufactured to extremely tight tolerances, the L22 ensures that modeling is consistent and accurate
• Realtime UAD Processing: With Universal Audio Apollo, achieve extremely low latency (approx 1.6 ms round trip at 96 kHz) for guaranteed real-time performance. Also supports native AAX, VST and AU
• Polar Pattern Modeling: Because Sphere captures the three-dimensional response of target microphones, it precisely emulates the polar patterns and other off-axis characteristics of vintage microphones which are essential to their unique sound
• Re-Mic Sphere Tracks: Select mic type, polar pattern and other settings both before and after tracking.
• Adjustable Proximity Effect: No need to move a microphone solely because of too little or too much bass due to proximity effect - great for punching in a vocal where distance from the mic varies from take to take
• Dual Mic Models: Dual Mode in the Sphere plug-in makes possible phase-coherent mixing of multiple virtual mic models from the same physical microphone, before or after tracking - it's also possible to adjust the relative phase alignment of the two mics with the Align control
• Record In Stereo (With One Mic): With just one Sphere L22 mic it’s possible to make coincident stereo recordings, and even have different mic models on the left and right channels, using the Sphere 180 plug-in
• Off-Axis Correction: Virtually rotate the axis of the mic to give a more off-axis sound before or after tracking
• Axis Shift: Create more accurate polar patterns to reduce bleed, room coloration, and susceptibility of feedback before or after tracking
• Polar Meter: The Sphere plug-in features a visually informative (and very cool) Polar Meter that dynamically displays the direction and level of sound being picked up by the microphone, as well as the currently selected polar pattern
• Low Noise: The microphone hardware has a self-noise level of 7 dB-A SPL, well below most vintage microphones and comparable to many of the best modern microphones
• High SPL Handling: The L22 can handle in excess of 140 dB SPL before clipping and is remarkably rugged - it won’t be damaged by high SPLs or air blasts as some vintage microphones can be

MICROPHONE SPECIFICATIONS:

• Equivalent Noise Level: 7 dB-A
• Max SPL at 0.5% THD: 140 dB (with -20 dB pad engaged)
• Pad Attenuation: -10 db and -20 dB
• Sensitivity: 22 mV/Pa
• Output Connector: 5-pin male XLR
• Breakout Cable: 10’ (3m) 5-pin female XLR to dual 3-pin male XLR
• Weight (mic only): 1.7 lb (770 grams)
• Dimensions (mic only): 8.9" x 2.5" (225 mm x 63 mm)
• Output Impedance: 200 Ohms
• Recommended Load Impedance: >1000 Ohms
• Phantom Power
• Voltage: 44 to 52 V per channel
• Current: 5 mA per channel typical, 8 mA at max SPL

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

• 4 GB of RAM
• 200 MB free disk space
• 1024 x 768 display resolution
• Internet connection to download software