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Apollo
API Preamp

API Preamp

4.9 (160)

Get the hit-making color and tone of API's iconic 212L preamp.

  • Get the world’s only authentic plug-in emulation of the legendary Class-A, API 212L mic preamp, with added features from API’s flagship Vision console
  • Record "through" the legendary API preamp in real time using Apollo interfaces, with low DSP use
  • Easily color your tracks with musical punch, clarity, and character with an unequaled emulation of complex, nonlinear circuit behaviors
  • Control Apollo mic preamp gain staging and impedance directly from the API Preamp plug-in via Unison™ technology

Runs on macOS or Windows. Requires an Apollo audio interface or UAD Accelerator. View full system requirements.

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Plug-In:

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Plug-In:

Get the Hit-Making Color and Tone of API's Iconic 212L Preamp

From Fleetwood Mac’s classic, Rumours to Radiohead's In Rainbows, API preamps have shaped hit albums with stunning punch, presence, and color for over 50 years. Now, you can easily add that same clarity, character, and musically complex tone of this proven, hit‑making mic preamplifier in a simple plug-in.

Record “Through” an API Preamp With Apollo

UA’s groundbreaking Unison technology lets you track in realtime through the API Preamp plug-in using your Apollo, giving you the original hit-making hardware’s line/mic preamp impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and exact circuit behaviors.

Add Punch and Character to Any Source

Of course, the API Preamp plug‑in isn’t just for Apollo interface owners. Anyone can harness the color of the API Preamp plug‑in for mixing and tone shaping — without ever leaving the box. Thanks to its lower DSP usage, you can easily place the API Preamp plug‑in instances across multiple channels, turning your favorite DAW into a classic API analog desk.

What They Say

The accuracy of the UAD API plug-ins is incredible. I’ll turn up the preamp gain to drive a guitar, or simply add some clean gain if I'm tracking Alicia Keys’ piano. So versatile!

Ann Mincieli

Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey

I've been a diehard API fan for 20 years. UA knocked this one out of the park. Twice.

Jeff Juliano

John Mayer, Shinedown, Train

The UAD LA-2A and API Series plug-ins not only feel and sound like my hardware, they react the same when I push them hard.

Mark Needham

The Killers, Neon Trees, P!nk

Reviews

4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
Based on 160 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 147 Total 4 star reviews: 9 Total 3 star reviews: 2 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 2
98%would recommend this product
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160 reviews
  • AR
    Alvin R.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    19 hours ago
    Great warm vocal tone in the Unison slot

    It delivers a very warm vocal tone along with my AKG Perception 420 through my Apollo Twin X Duo interface.

    Thank you

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  • JR
    Jeff R.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1 week ago
    I like it a lot.

    Punchy without being distorted. It’s perfect for my style of music which sort of rootsy, bluesy, folky, organic. Highly recommended.

    Was this helpful?
  • DS
    David S.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1 month ago
    Same Vibe as the Physical Box

    Aloha! I've had years of experience with the API Preamp at a studio I've worked out of in Venice Beach, CA. This plugin gives a beautiful, clear, and natural process on my signals, just like the physical unit. Plugins often try to pump up a sound or justify their existence with some kind of "bling"... UA got the API preamp just right.. no need to mess with success, and the confidence shows in their work with this plug in. Thanks! Best, FD, Ventura, CA

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  • BB
    BIG B. B.
    Verified Reviewer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    3 months ago
    FACTS BEING SPOKEN PLEASE MAKE THIS PRE AMP NATIVE PLEASE AND AGAIN ALSO MAKE THE AMS NEVE DFC CHANNEL STRIP NATIVE !!!!!!!!

    Great PRE AMP PERIOD !!!!!!!! MAKE IT NATIVE !!!!!!!!

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  • DL
    Daniel L.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    6 months ago
    good

    good pre am

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you’ll need an Apollo audio interface, UAD-2 Satellite, or UAD-2 PCIe card to run these plug-ins, using the onboard DSP. The plug-ins run on the hardware itself, without adding strain to your computer’s CPU. In an Apollo, onboard DSP processing allows you to run realtime UAD plug-ins with near-zero latency, and even record that processing directly to your DAW.

Yes, you can start a fully functional 14-day demo from any plug-in bundled with the UAD software. Simply click “Start Demo”, and start using it in your DAW.

UAD-2 licenses follow the hardware, it does not matter which computer they are connected to. You can have up to six UAD-2 devices registered to a system in your Universal Audio account, which share those licenses. See UAD-2 Plug-In Licensing Explained for full details. Authorization of UAD-2 hardware is managed by the UAD Meter & Control Panel Application.

Check our Knowledge Base for additional questions

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