Press Release
SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • September 14, 2012 — Universal Audio (UA), a leading manufacturer of professional audio recording hardware and software, is pleased to announce the release the Thunderbolt Option Card for the award-winning Apollo® High Resolution Audio Interface. Compatible with Intel’s new Thunderbolt technology on the latest generation of iMacs®, MacBook® Pros, MacBook Airs®, and Mac minis, the Thunderbolt Option Card provides greater UAD plug-in instances, improved performance at higher sample rates, and reduced UAD plug-in latency versus Apollo’s standard FireWire connection.
“We’re really excited to be the first company to provide true integrated Thunderbolt connectivity in the audio interface market,” says UA CEO and Founder, Bill Putnam, Jr. “We’ve worked hand-in-hand with Intel to create rock-solid Thunderbolt connectivity for Apollo, and we are looking forward to seeing the impact this important step forward has on the digital recording community.”
The user-installable Thunderbolt Option Card includes two Thunderbolt ports, and easily slides into the expansion bay of Apollo. Bus power is provided to all downstream Thunderbolt peripherals, allowing music producers to connect devices in series with the Apollo interface — including hard drives, processors, and computer. When the Thunderbolt Option Card is engaged, Apollo’s FireWire 800 ports are instantly reconfigured as a hub for connecting FireWire devices — such as a hard drive or UAD-2 Satellite.
Thunderbolt Option Card Features:
- Enables Thunderbolt technology for Apollo DUO and QUAD Audio Interfaces on Thunderbolt-equipped Macs
- Provides greater UAD plug-in instances, improved performance at higher sample rates, and reduced plug-in latency versus FireWire
- Two Thunderbolt ports supply bus power for convenient daisy-chaining of peripherals
- Allows Apollo’s built-in FireWire ports to be repurposed as a FireWire 800 hub over Thunderbolt
- Easy user installation – tool and instructions included
- Requires an Apollo High Resolution Audio Interface available from authorized dealers worldwide
- Thunderbolt cable sold separately
“Thunderbolt technology makes possible a whole new class of products to enhance music production workflow and creativity,” says Jason Ziller, Director of Marketing and Planning for Thunderbolt technology at Intel Corporation. “Products like Universal Audio’s Apollo are using Thunderbolt to rock music producers’ worlds.”
Available from authorized Universal Audio dealers worldwide, the Thunderbolt Option Card is now shipping with an estimated street price of $499 in the United States.
More information on the Thunderbolt Option Card:
http://www.uaudio.com/interfaces/thunderbolt-option-card.html
More information on the Apollo Audio Interface:
http://www.uaudio.com/apollo
High-resolution images and other resources:
http://www.uaudio.com/press/resources/apollo.html
About Universal Audio Inc.
Founded in 1999 by Bill Putnam Jr. and based in Scotts Valley, California, Universal Audio is best known for its classic analog hardware and advanced Digital Signal Processing technology — including the award-winning UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform — for recording, mixing, and mastering audio. UA is focused on merging the best of vintage analog and modern digital technology and is devoted to following its rich recording heritage and motto, “Analog Ears. Digital Minds.” www.uaudio.com
©2012 Universal Audio, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. The "Universal Audio" name, UA "Diamond" logo, “Apollo,” and "UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins" are trademarks of Universal Audio Inc. “Thunderbolt” and the Thunderbolt logo are trademarks of Intel® Corporation in the US and/or other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.