Arrow
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Shape your Recordings Into Records with Genuine UA Conversion and Classic Studio Sounds.
Arrow is the world’s first Thunderbolt 3-powered desktop recording audio interface for Mac and Windows — delivering class-leading audio conversion, two Unison™ mic preamps, and a suite of onboard UAD plug-ins for album-quality results.
This compact 2x4 interface starts with esteemed UA conversion derived from UA’s flagship Apollo interface range, to sonically outperform anything in its class. With its Unison technology and built-in UAD-2 SOLO Core processor, you can record through classic audio tools including the 610 Tube Preamp, LA-2A and 1176 compressors, and a genuine Marshall Plexi amp plug-in — at near-zero latency, regardless of your audio software buffer setting.Now You Can:
Record with class-leading A/D and D/A conversion — as heard on hundreds of hit records
Track with near-zero latency through mic preamp and guitar amp emulations from Neve,® API,® Marshall,® Fender,® and more using Unison™ technology*
Mix with included UAD plug‑ins like the Teletronix® LA‑2A and 1176 compressors, Pultec® EQs, and more
Create on-the-go with a sonically superior, bus-powered interface with rugged all-metal construction
Unison™ Technology for Stunning
Mic and Guitar Preamp EmulationsArrow’s Unison technology gives you the tone, touch and “feel” of world’s most sought-after preamps. These include the bundled 610-B Tube Preamp, plus authentic mic preamp emulations from Neve® and API,® as well as guitar amp emulations from Fender® and Marshall® — complete with their signature impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and component-level circuit behaviors.*
The secret to Unison is its hardware-software integration between Arrow’s mic preamps and its onboard UAD-2 SOLO Core processor. Simply place a Unison preamp plug-in on your mic input in Arrow’s Console software, and it physically reconfigures Arrow’s impedance — so you can tap into the classic tube and transformer sounds of the world’s most recorded mic preamps and guitar amps.
Watch the Unison Shoot Out (hardware vs. software) video
A Full Suite of Classic
Studio Processing OnboardRight out of the box, Arrow provides a suite of incredible analog emulation plug-ins including the world’s only authentic Teletronix LA-2A, 1176LN, Pultec EQs, and the Unison-enabled UA 610-B Tube Preamp. Developed by UA’s world-renowned team of algorithm engineers, these Realtime Analog Classics plug-ins set the standard by which all other hardware emulation plug-ins are judged.
From the tube warmth of the Pultec EQ on guitars, to the gentle limiting of the LA-2A on vocals, your recordings will take a giant leap forward in rich, sonically complex analog sound.
See Included Plug-Ins | Watch the live tracking video
Vintage Guitar and Bass Amps
For guitarists and bassists, Arrow includes Unison technology on its front panel instrument input — giving you access to dead-on emulations of amps like the Fender® '55 Tweed Deluxe, Ampeg® B-15N Bass Amplifier, Eden® WT800 Bass Amplifier, and the included Marshall® Plexi Classic — all available at near-zero latency for songwriting and recording.
Access the World of UAD Powered Plug-Ins
Beyond the included Realtime Analog Classics plug-ins, Arrow lets you tap into the full library award-winning UAD Powered Plug-Ins — including vintage EQs, Compressors, Reverbs, Tape Machines, Auto-Tune and more — in real time, and without taxing your computer’s CPU. With exclusive emulations from Neve, Ampex, Lexicon, Fender, Marshall, Antares, KORG, Moog, and more* the creative possibilities are nearly endless.
*Arrow includes the “Realtime Analog Classics” UAD plug-in bundle. Other UAD plug-ins sold separately.
Ready to Go
With its robust all-metal construction and bus-powered Thunderbolt 3 operation, Arrow is the only "clutter-free" portable audio interface that truly delivers album-quality results. It’s like having a virtual analog studio that fits onto any desktop, and easily travels in your laptop bag.
Getting Started with Arrow
Learn how to quickly connect, setup, and start recording tracks with real time UAD plug-in processing using an Arrow audio interface.
Watch The Reviews
Arrow requires a Thunderbolt 3-equipped Mac or Windows machine, and is not backward compatible with earlier versions of Thunderbolt. For more information, click here.
Customer Reviews
A. Doerr
November 18, 2019
Workflow! Workflow! Workflow!
The Arrow has turbo-charged my productivity on active projects. While I have great outboard pres and converters in my main studio, my production workflow today needs to be mobile to keep up...
Read MoreV. Kpoudosu
November 11, 2019
UAD Performance Issue
Hello, At very irregular times, my UAD acts funny. There is a constant crackle that also affects the pitch of playback and it continues for a while before it goes away after much...
Read MoreV. Kpoudosu
November 11, 2019
UAD Performance Issue
Hello, At very irregular times, my UAD acts funny. There is a constant crackle that also affects the pitch of playback and it continues for a while before it goes away after much...
Read MoreO. Babb
November 11, 2019
Love this thing
Short and simple: The plugins sound unreal. I would buy it for the guitar amps alone. The package is beautiful. It matches my MPB laptop. I was hesitant about the singular knob but it...
Read MoreS. Ha
November 9, 2019
Small but powerful
I had used apollo twin quad first time but i found that it was too high quality to use for a person like me who is amature. So i changed it to arrow and but i dont know the difference...
Read Morer. niwa
November 5, 2019
Fantastic
Perfect for my needs. Having a lot of fun recording with it using uad plugins.
Read More -
Realtime Analog Classics Bundle
With the Realtime Analog Classics plug-in bundle, you get legendary compressors like the Teletronix® LA-2A and EQs like the Pultec® EQP-1A, stunning guitar and bass amp emulations from Softube, as well as UA’s landmark 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ plug-in.
- UA 610‐B
- Marshall Plexi Classic Amplifier
- Teletronix LA‐2A Legacy
- UA 1176LN Legacy
- UA 1176SE Legacy
- Pultec EQP‐1A Legacy
- Pultec Pro Legacy
- Ampeg® SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp
- Precision Channel Strip
- Precision Reflection Engine
- Precision Delay Modulation
- Precision Delay Modulation L
- Raw Distortion
- RealVerb‐Pro
UA 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ
Impart your tracks with the iconic warmth and character of the classic hardware used to track everyone from Duke Ellington to Coldplay. By emulating the entire signal path, including tube amplifiers, transformers, and circuit nonlinearities, the 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ plug-in injects organic detail and saturation to any signal — whether you’re re-amping or tracking through the 610-B via Universal Audio’s Unison™ technology.
Marshall® Plexi Classic Amplifier
The undisputed alpha dog of rock and roll guitar amps, the Marshall “plexi” amplifier is as legendary as the music it helped create. From Jimi Hendrix to Jimmy Page, Duane Allman to Eric Clapton, the Plexi’s punishing melange of snarl, sustain, smoothness, and raunch defined the sound of rock. Developed by Softube, the Marshall Plexi Classic Amp plug-in gives you the sound of this iconic amp with a perfectly placed microphone from engineer Tony Platt who recorded AC/DC’s Back in Black and Highway to Hell.
Teletronix® LA-2A Classic Leveling Amplifier (Legacy)
With its gentle, program dependent optical compression and meticulously designed tube amplifier, the LA-2A is the go-to compressor for professional mixers around the world — especially for vocals. Incredibly easy-to-use Peak Reduction and Gain controls gives you the ideal optical compression sound for guitar, bass, drums, and more.
1176SE/LN® Classic Limiting Amplifiers (Legacy)
Get classic, ultra-fast FET compression from the world’s most recognized compressor. The 1176 will impart punch, presence, and character as well as its signature distortion overtones on drums, vocals, guitars, and bass. The 1176LN has graced countless recordings, from Led Zeppelin, to the White Stripes and Michael Jackson.
Pultec® Pro Equalizers (Legacy)
Mix with two of the most sought-after hardware EQs ever made — the MEQ-5 Midrange Equalizer and the EQP-1A Program Equalizer. Both of these tube-based icons deliver smooth and silky EQ curves with an abundance of warm analog character.
Ampeg® SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp
Introduced in 1969, the Ampeg SVT bass amp is still the reigning king of high-powered tube bass tone. Developed by Brainworx, the Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp plug-in perfectly captures the raw power and punch that has made this the go-to amp for rock, funk, and soul players. Track in real time using Unison™ preamp technology for the tone, touch, and feel of a real SVT bass amp, or transform bland DI tracks with the thunderous roar of a stone cold classic.
Precision Mix Rack Collection
Featuring the Precision Channel Strip, Precision Reflection Engine, and Precision Delay Modulation plug-ins, the Precision Mix Rack Collection offers four modern, high-fidelity plug-ins for recording and mixing. Powerful and intuitive, Precision Mix Rack Collection gives you an impressive tool set — perfect for beginners and seasoned professionals alike.
Raw Distortion
Modeled from a vintage early-’80s Pro Co Rat, Raw Distortion delivers all the gritty dynamic raunch of the legendary stompbox. And with Unison™ technology, you can plug in to Apollo Twin, 8, or 8p’s front-panel Hi-Z instrument jack and experience the same circuit interaction, gain range, and clip points for the true tone, feel, and response of the original hardware.
RealVerb Pro
RealVerb Pro is a flexible, natural sounding reverb based on UA’s own unique set of algorithms. Allowing you to design the room just as you hear it, the RealVerb Pro goes beyond simply big/small or dark/bright, giving your sources distortion-free, smoothing diffusion control and ultra-long reverb tail.
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Features
Desktop 2x4 Thunderbolt 3-powered audio interface with class-leading 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion
Unison mic preamp and guitar amp emulations from Neve® , API® , Manley® , Marshall®, Fender® , and more*
Realtime UAD Processing allows near-zero latency tracking with classic UAD plug-in effects, regardless of software buffer setting
Includes studio compressors, EQs, reverbs, and guitar amp emulations, and more as part of “Realtime Analog Classics” bundle
Bus-powered connection to Mac and Windows systems for easy portability and reduced cable clutter
Arrow System Requirements
For complete compatibility information, please visit help.uaudio.com
- Mac or PC computer with available Thunderbolt 3 port
- Thunderbolt 3 cable (sold separately)
- (Mac) macOS 10.12 Sierra, 10.13 High Sierra, or 10.14 Mojave
- (Win) Windows 10 (64-Bit Edition)
- 6 gigabytes available storage
- Internet connection to download software and authorize UAD plug-ins
- Quad Core i7 or better processor recommended
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Customer Reviews
Arrow
A. Doerr
Workflow! Workflow! Workflow!
The Arrow has turbo-charged my productivity on active projects. While I have great outboard pres and converters in my main studio, my production workflow today needs to be mobile to keep up with deadlines. I now feel like I have a solution to track and even make mix/edit adjustments away from the studio that can aren't compromised and can hold their own alongside tracks produced in the studio. The bus power makes this especially empowering for me to be able to set up just about anywhere with my MBP and get stuff done! Printing the UAD stuff is a ton of fun too. Dialing in a sound and then committing it seems to encourage creativity rather than limiting it. Love it.
t. olsson
have exact the same: UAD Performance Issue
I got the UAD Arrow:
There is a constant crackle in the sound what ever I do, in my DAW on youtube etc.. Somthing is also affects the pitch of playback sometime.. when I strem my voice thure a mic to a friend he here me as a smurf(uppitch) why? I have trying to change the settings in my win 10 pro ,and in the mixer adjustments but I can´t get it to work properly. helpt. olsson
have exact the same: UAD Performance Issue
I got the UAD Arrow:
There is a constant crackle in the sound what ever I do, in my DAW on youtube etc.. Somthing is also affects the pitch of playback sometime.. when I strem my voice thure a mic to a friend he here me as a smurf(uppitch) why? I have trying to change the settings in my win 10 pro ,and in the mixer adjustments but I can´t get it to work properly. helpV. Kpoudosu
UAD Performance Issue
Hello,
At very irregular times, my UAD acts funny. There is a constant crackle that also affects the pitch of playback and it continues for a while before it goes away after much disconnection and restarting of the computer.
It's very frustration because this happens randomly and work stops for at least an hour. No warning. No obvious triggers. just a crackle (like a computer lagging due to overload), only ITS THE UAD.V. Kpoudosu
UAD Performance Issue
Hello,
At very irregular times, my UAD acts funny. There is a constant crackle that also affects the pitch of playback and it continues for a while before it goes away after much disconnection and restarting of the computer.
It's very frustration because this happens randomly and work stops for at least an hour. No warning. No obvious triggers. just a crackle (like a computer lagging due to overload), only ITS THE UAD.O. Babb
Love this thing
Short and simple: The plugins sound unreal. I would buy it for the guitar amps alone. The package is beautiful. It matches my MPB laptop. I was hesitant about the singular knob but it actually hasn't proven to be a hinderance. In fact, it simplifies things and makes it easier to see what levels my preamps are actually at instead of tiny little twisty knobs. Oh and to everyone saying it doesn't work with Catalina: you're wrong. Catalina definitely broke lot of apps that I've used (mostly older 32 bit stuff) the UAD console and its connection with the arrow is not one of them.
Only things that a little annoying is the cable management. I have it sitting towards the front of my desk for accessibility meaning I have to run the two xlrs, two monitor outs, and my headphones all the way across my desk to where its disappears down the back. I solved the problem with a few cable ties, and I know there;s no really way for them to fix it with the lay-flat control panel design, but thats the only thing I miss relative to my old interface.
I'm a happy customer, cheers.S. Ha
Small but powerful
I had used apollo twin quad first time but i found that it was too high quality to use for a person like me who is amature.
So i changed it to arrow and but i dont know the difference between its performance which means small but powerful. If you are not sure apollo product is profer or not for you, just start with arrow. You will never regretr. niwa
Fantastic
Perfect for my needs. Having a lot of fun recording with it using uad plugins.
S. Becker
Awesome
Not much to say, it’s portable and is awesome quality. Just wish it came with a cable but that’s a common review.
B. Szyperski-Gunder
If you think this sucks, you're using it wrong!
The quality is jaw dropping coming from any Focusrite or competitor. The plugins will allow you to hear your voice for the first time. The unison pre amp sounds 1073 sounds better then my outboard GAP73... tripple the cost.
If your trying to mix with this, thats not what its for. If your trying to lay down a vocal with absolute precision and clartiy, while committing to decisions in your mix. This single core Arrow can take you very far. Learn routing kids.B. Morrison
Not for Dell 2 in 1s
I was excited to step into the world of UAD with the least expensive option, but found that support for it was lacking. I was trying to use the Arrow with my Dell 9575; what is essentially a high spec’d laptop with touch screen functionality. The UAD software refused to acknowledge the device was connected, even though the OS showed the device powered and connected. Support tried the same basic steps listed on the website support pages, but refused to go deeper once learning I was using a “2 in 1” which is not “recommended.” In my opinion it should say not “supported” given the treatment I received. I would suggest anyone using the new TB3 style connections on Windows be very cautious with UAD’s devices, as support may be conditional.
K. Huikuri
New sheriff in town!
Switched from rme babyface pro to this as i was interested in unison technology equipped, and its just amazing. I can get great sound from the get go and demoing plugins like 1073, its been hard time to not go on impulse buy strike!
Generally with thunderbolt equipped i assumed low realtime latency with 48khz/64samples, and it is, but still rme had 1ms less roundtrip latency with usb connection, so they clearly have put their focus there. Also i should had gone with apollo solo with better cross compatibility due to having adat port, now being stuck with uad ecosystem. I might upgrade straight to apollo x8p. Generally im very satisfied with the arrow.K. Huikuri
New sheriff in town!
Switched from rme babyface pro to this as i was interested in unison technology equipped, and its just amazing. I can get great sound from the get go and demoing plugins like 1073, its been hard time to not go on impulse buy strike!
Generally with thunderbolt equipped i assumed low realtime latency with 48khz/64samples, and it is, but still rme had 1ms less roundtrip latency with usb connection, so they clearly have put their focus there. Also i should had gone with apollo solo with better cross compatibility due to having adat port, now being stuck with uad ecosystem. I might upgrade straight to apollo x8p. Generally im very satisfied with the arrow.D. Martin
Does exactly what I hoped.
Great bit of kit used in my modest home studio. Running with a 2017 MacBook Pro (High Sierra), 2.9Ghz, 16gb RAM and this thing is perfect. Imperceptible latency, great quality build and no drop outs or stuttering.
S. Nathan
Just brilliant.
The Arrow has been my first foray into the UA world. And I'm sold on it.
I felt compelled to write a review after reading some of the negative reviews for the Arrow.
My experiences have been utterly flawless. The portability is amazing with just the bus powered Thunderbolt 3 cable and my Mac laptop. The solo core doesn't allow me to run as many plugins as I would like, but Unison is ground-breaking. I regularly use the Friedman BE-100 in Unison mode for recording. Console works perfectly with me between the Arrow and Logic. I will be investing further into UA. Congrats.
Wonderful, simple, powerful.B. Taylor
Won’t Work with Catalina IOS.
Recently updated to Catalina IOS (auto update on IMac) and now my Arrow will not work. Hope UA Audio sort out this problem soon. My Presonus DAW and software works fine on Catalina.
Disappointing from UA.R. Guerra
Crashes and cumbersome
First, I have a 2019 power Mac with 2.4Ghz intel core 9 with 32gb ram and 1 tb drive, DAW Logic Pro x... So the computer is not the problem. Lots of crashes with the Arrow. Every-time I tried to use two f/x's (like guitar amp and a delay) the Arrow / UA software crashes. Very frustrating, also, the UA patches do not live in Logic Pro x, therefore you have to have the Arrow mixer open on your computer and it all gets very cumbersome. The constant upsetting is annoying as well, any f/x that one would want costs extra and not a little extra $$$. I returned the Arrow for a refund within a few days of receiving it.
A. Carpenter
Impossible to Find a Better Balance of Cost, Sound, and Portability
It's a good interface. It sounds good. There are better sounding interfaces, but not in as portable or cost effective packages. I'm very reluctant to enter the ecosystem as I fear vendor lock-in. However, ignoring the DSP and plugins it's still the best in it's range. Worth mentioning, Thunderbolt is about as stable as Firewire. When it works it works, but then there's all the other times.
R. Amirkhanov
Good but..
Sometimes the system cannot detect the card after sleep mode (Mac os 10.14.6),helps to disable and enable the interface again.
A. Kolomvatsos
Best mobile interface for songwriters
It's stable with no glitches dropouts etc (2 weeks of daily use). The format/size is great. You can have fast access to controls and it's easy to carry around. One good detail is the anti slip bottom and the unit doesn't slip/slide around on the desk.
With the arrow you get to open a new world to excellent plugins. The one sharc dsp chip is well enough for songwriters and for track by track recordings but... it's way far from mixing a big project. Problem can be solved though with UAD Accelerators (satelite) where you can daisy chain on your arrow.
Truth is that when you get into this world of UAD you will going to need more DSP chips eventually. Custom Shop Reverbs (Capitol) take a good % of the chip and it's almost unusable if you want to add a Marshall super Lead for example.
*** If you are tight on budget I would strongly recommend to buy the extra DSP QUAD or OCTO (Do a research on plugin % usage!!!) before buying any plugins since you can get great sounds with the free bundle plugins that come free with the arrow.
Overall it is indeed the best mobile interface I've seen
