Born from the ever-popular Apollo line of interfaces used on loads of Grammy-winning albums and chart-topping songs, the Universal Audio Apollo x6 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interfacerackmount 16x22 Thunderbolt 3 audio interface combines the sound, feel, and flow of analog studio recording with upgraded clocking, surround monitoring, a robust bundle of 34 stellar UAD plug-ins, and 50% more DSP than earlier Apollos, thanks to its supercharged HEXA Core real-time UAD processing.

Furnished with elite-class 24-bit / 192 kHz conversion, rivaling dedicated high-end converters, the Apollo x6 gives music creators, record producers, and postproduction engineers the appreciable value of crystal-clear high-resolution recording and mixing with ultralow distortion (-119 dB) and immense dynamic range (129 dB). Additionally, its switchable headroom setting facilitates proper level-matching with a variety of audio equipment.

The interface features two XLR mic inputs and two 1/4" Hi-Z inputs, all with Unison integration for precise UAD emulations of classic analog preamps—impart vintage character of your choosing on microphone and instrument recordings while bypassing the unpredictable nature of old equipment. Plus, the six 1/4" line-level inputs on the rear panel can be used to patch in virtually any outboard mic preamps or direct outputs from a console.

Thanks to the switchable low-cut filter, pad, polarity inversion, 48V phantom power, and stereo linking on each preamp, you can efficiently optimize your incoming signals with straightforward buttons on the Apollo x6's face. In addition to the six primary analog inputs, you can record up to 10 more channels by connecting ADAT- and S/PDIF-equipped external preamps to the TOSLINK optical and S/PDIF coaxial input ports on the Apollo x6.

ADAT optical and S/PDIF coaxial outputs are also featured on the Apollo x6, allowing it to route up to 10 channels from your DAW to a digital mixer, headphone distribution system, or external D/A converter. Utilize the BNC wordclock input and output jacks to accurately clock sync to house or lock other digital equipment to the Apollo.

The built-in HEXA Core processing utilizes six DSP chips, granting 50% more DSP than earlier Apollos and the ability to monitor and record audio using classic analog emulations with near-zero latency and no burden on your computer's CPU. The plug-in bundle included with the Heritage Edition empowers you with 34 top-notch plug-ins ranging from vintage compressor and EQ collections to virtual guitar/bass amps, time-based processors, and tape emulation. The included Console application provides control and recall of all interface and UAD plug-in settings including channel-strip presets, drag-and-drop functionality, and dynamically resizable windows.

Mac and Windows drivers ensure compatibility with all major DAWs including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, and more. The interface also integrates seamlessly with LUNA, Universal Audio's free Mac-based, single-window recording system with unlimited track counts and full Audio Units support.

The Apollo x6 offers a comprehensive monitor section with talkback functionality and dedicated front-panel controls for Alt Speakers, Dim, and Mono functions, as well as input and output metering capabilities. In addition to the dedicated stereo monitor feed and two front-panel headphone outputs (great for handling multiple cue mixes), six 1/4" line outputs are available for connection to a second set of monitors and outboard processors. In fact, the Apollo x6 is capable of acting as a 5.1 surround sound monitor controller.

At any point, you can increase the power and capability of the Apollo x6 through integration of qualified Universal Audio hardware. Up to four Apollo interfaces and six total UAD-2 devices can be combined, allowing Thunderbolt users the ability to expand their I/O and DSP without abandoning the Apollo x6. The two Thunderbolt 3 ports are backward compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 via a qualified adapter (available separately).

Bands, Producers & Studio/Film Engineers    2 High-Speed Thunderbolt 3 Ports    2 Unison Mic Pres, 2 Hi-Z In, 6 Line In    2 Headphone Outs, 8 Line/Monitor Outs    Elite-Class 24-Bit / 192 kHz AD/DA    External Power Supply / Mac & Windows    Monitoring & Talkback Control, ADAT I/O    HEXA Core Processing with 6 DSP Chips    Wordclock I/O, Expandable DSP and I/O    34 UAD Plug-Ins & Mac Recording Software

The Heritage Edition features the same Apollo x6 interface found in the standard edition, but with more plug-ins. The standard Apollo x6 includes the Realtime Analog Classics Plus bundle (16 plug-ins), and the Heritage Edition adds 18 more plug-ins for a total of 34 revered UA-powered plug-ins.

• Track, overdub, and mix with elite-class AD/DA conversion and DSP-powered plug-ins
• Dual-Crystal clocking features dedicated crystals for 44.1 / 88.2 / 176.4 kHz and 48 / 96 / 192 kHz sample rates, resulting in stunningly low jitter (under 10 picoseconds) for pure, artifact-free recordings and solid stereo imaging
• HEXA Core UAD processing for tracking through models of vintage compressors, EQs, tape machines, mic preamps, and guitar amps with near-zero latency and 50% more DSP than earlier Apollos, all with no burden on your computer's CPU
• Unison technology nails the tone of sought-after tube and solid-state mic pres including their input impedance, gain-stage sweet spots, and the component-level circuit behaviors of the original hardware
• Two high-speed Thunderbolt 3 ports for connectivity with Mac and Windows computers (Thunderbolt cable available separately)
• 1 RU rackmount form factor with reliable AC powering (secure locking external power supply included)
• Free industry-leading phone/online technical support from knowledgeable audio engineers

• 16x22 audio interface with two Unison-enabled microphone preamps, providing emulations of classic analog preamps with near-zero latency
• Two front-panel, Unison-enabled 1/4" Hi-Z inputs for direct connection of guitars, basses, or keyboards
• 6x6 balanced analog line-level I/O via 1/4" jacks
• Stereo 1/4" monitor output and two independent 1/4" headphone outputs, each with adjustable level
• Additional six 1/4" line-level outputs may be used for feeding alternate monitor outputs, analog outboard processors, or a 5.1 surround sound speaker setup
• Selectable operating level of +20 dBu or +24 dBu for out-of-the-box compatibility with professional mixing consoles and other high-end pro audio equipment
• Four TOSLINK optical ports provide up to eight channels of ADAT I/O (supports SMUX) for integrating external converters, ADAT-equipped mic preamps, and headphone distribution systems
• RCA coaxial ports enable recording and outputting S/PDIF stereo digital signal
• BNC wordclock I/O with selectable 75-ohm termination, crucial for accurate synchronization with other digital equipment

• Built-in monitor controller with monitor remote functions and mono, mute, dim, and alt monitor controls
• Integrated talkback and cues for easy communication and slate functionality
• Comprehensive front-panel metering and fast, intuitive controls, no menu-diving required

• Cascade up to four Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo interfaces and six UAD-2 Thunderbolt devices for expanded I/O and DSP
• Backward compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 via a qualified adapter (available separately)

Includes Realtime Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle plus 18 additional plug-ins to complete the compressor, EQ, and preamp collections and provide tape emulation and another reverb (plug-ins support VST, RTAS, Audio Units, and AAX 64-bit for compatibility with all major DAWs):

• UA 610-A Tube Preamp and EQ (Vintage)
• UA 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ (Modern)
• Marshall Plexi Classic Guitar Amp
• Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp
• UA 1176LN Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
• UA 1176SE Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
• UA 1176 Classic Limiter Collection (1176LN Rev E, 1176 Rev A, and 1176AE 40th Anniversary Edition)
• Pultec EQP-1A EQ (Legacy)
• Pultec MEQ-5 EQ (Legacy)
• Pultec Passive EQ Collection (EQP-1A, MEQ-5, and HLF-3C)
• Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier (Legacy)
• Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection (LA-2A Silver, LA-2A Gray, and LA-2)
• Teletronix LA-3A Audio Leveler
• Helios Type 69 Preamp and EQ Collection (Helios Type 69 and Helios Type 69 Legacy)
• V76 Preamplifier
• Raw Distortion
• Fairchild 670 Compressor (Legacy)
• Fairchild Tube Limiter Collection (Fairchild 660 and Fairchild 670)
• Precision Enhancer Hz
• Precision Channel Strip (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
• Precision Reflection Engine (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
• Precision Delay Mod (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
• Precision Delay Mod L (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
• Pure Plate Reverb
• RealVerb Pro Custom Room Modeler
• UA Oxide Tape Recorder

• Apollo Heritage Editions include plug-ins featured in UAD Spark, UA's subscription plug-in collection that runs natively on Mac—no UA hardware required
• With UAD Spark, you can expand your plug-in processing power, balancing your DSP load between Apollo and your computer's onboard processing
• Receive the 1176 Classic Limiter Collection, Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection, and Pure Plate Reverb
• Current owners of any plug-ins available in UAD Spark will receive the UAD Spark versions free

• Works with all major DAWs including Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, and more
• Apollo x6 becomes a fully integrated recording system with LUNA, a powerful free recording application for Mac from Universal Audio
• Bolstered by Accelerated Realtime Monitoring, LUNA lets you track and mix using an intuitive single-window workflow with unlimited track counts, full Audio Units plug-in support, and access to a suite of exclusive LUNA instruments and extensions such as Studer Multitrack Tape and Neve Summing

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Can I daisy chain other Thunderbolt 3 interface (apollo, volt or others/not Universal Audio) and record 4to6 mics same time?

A: You cannot daisy chain other Thunderbolt 3 interfaces with the Apollo Solo Heritage Edition Desktop 2x4 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface with SOLO.

Q: 2. Can I still use the volume control on my keyboard? I read reviews of an older ifi DAC that said you couldn't with that model.

A: Regarding the iFi Studio ZEN One Studio Universal DAC Audio Interface, having the ability to use your keyboard's volume controls would depend on the software application you are using at the time.

Q: 3. Looking to use interface for phone interviews for radio broadcast and recording. I notice the XLR port is not standard...will this call for an adapter or different cable?

A: Hi. I have one of these units. May I ask, what you mean by not standard? What connector do you need? There is a 3 pin female XLR for audio into the unit and a 3 pin male XLR for audio out of the unit. They are below the keypad.

Q: 4. Does it work for first generation apollo quad silverface?

A: Yes, the Universal Audio Thunderbolt 3 Option Card is compatible with the Apollo Quad Silverface.

Q: 5. Anyone using this with ipDTL or Cleanfeed?

A: Users on web forums seem to have mixed results when using the Apollo with ipDTL and Cleanfeed. Some have been able to get it to work on a Mac, but not Windows, while others have had no luck on either system. You may want to contact Universal Audio directly for more information regarding compatibility. You can reach UA tech support by phone at 831-440-2436 or 877-698-2834. Their business hours are 9 AM to 1 PM Pacific Standard Time on Monday,

Q: 6. Can this device work with a hub like "Belkin Connect Thunderbolt 4 Core Hub" being connected to it instead directly to a Mac?"

A: Technically, you could connect the Universal Audio Apollo Solo Heritage Edition Desktop 2x4 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface with SOLO Core Real-Time UAD Processing to a Mac via a Thunderbolt 4 hub. However, I would not suggest doing this. A hub like this essentially has its own computer inside, so passing audio through it before it hits your computer could introduce unwanted artifacts into your recordings.

Q: 7. Approximately how much power willl this provide to my Beyerdynamic Dt 1990 pro 250 ohm headphones in watts and milliwatts? Is the interface enough power alone with out an after market headphone amp?

A: I contacted technical support at Antelope directly and while they do not have a specification for the power of the headphone output on the Zen Q Synergy Core Desktop 14x10 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface, they did tell me that they had previously tested this interface with different 250 ohm headphones and felt that the volume level was sufficient for general monitoring purposes. However, what each person considers sufficient volume is subjective and what works for one person may not work well for another person. If you will want to have high volume or very strong bass, then you will most likely want to use a separate headphone amp with the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro headphones.

Q: 8. Then, if I have this interface connected to a mac mini via Thunderbolt and use ProTools, how can I add preamps/inputs?

A: There is no way to add preamps or physical inputs to the Apollo Solo Heritage. For that, you would need an Apollo Twin that has an ADAT port so that you can add an ADAT preamp for additional channels than what is included with the Apollo Twin. Or, you can add tracks in Pro Tools and record those tracks separately, while listening to the existing audio tracks already recorded, when using the Apollo Solo Heritage.

Q: 9. Hi, will this work on an AMD Ryzen system?

A: It would depend on the computer's operating system. It may be best to contact Universal Audio with the details about the system you have to check on compatibility. You can reach their customer support agents by phone at 877-698-2834 or 831-440-2436 from 9 AM to 1 PM Pacific Time on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays (phone support is not available on Wednesdays). As another option, you can submit your request to Universal Audio by email using this link: http://help.uaudio.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

Q: 10. Does it accept an rj45 port and do you have to contact the I.T. department to allow the device on their network?

A: The Compak does not have an RJ-45 but if you have a network phone system, keep the base of phone connected into network via the RJ-45 jack. Replace the handset from said phone with the JK Audio Compak. The Compak will now act as a handset and will require no special access because the base station phone is already connected into the network.