UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3
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Get the rich analog sound of UAD plug-ins over Thunderbolt.
The UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt is a powerhouse DSP accelerator that gives Mac and Windows 10 users complete access to the world’s most detailed and authentic analog emulation plug-ins, available exclusively on the UAD platform.
Bolstered by next-generation connectivity, UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 lets you run large professional mixes with the rich analog character of award-winning UA-developed plug-ins, including exclusive titles from Neve, Fender, Lexicon, Studer, and many more. Plus, it’s backward-compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 UA devices.Run UAD Powered Plug-Ins on compatible Thunderbolt Mac or Windows 10 systems
Get a massive DSP boost for powering large professional mixes
Access over 100 plug-ins from Ampex,® Lexicon,® Helios,® Studer,® Neve,® Manley,® Capitol Studios,® API, and more
Start mixing right away with the included Analog Classics Plus plug‑in bundle
Get the sound of a professional analog studio “on the road,” courtesy of UAD plug‑ins
Combine with other UAD-2 devices, including UAD-2 PCIe card(s) and Thunderbolt-equipped Satellites and UA Audio Interfaces
UAD: The Industry’s Most Respected Collection of Audio Plug-Ins
From serious home recordists to multi-platinum mix engineers, UAD Powered Plug-Ins have been winning over audio professionals for more than 15 years. The reason is simple. No other plug-ins so faithfully capture the sound and behavior of classic analog equipment — from rare compressors and equalizers, to vintage reverb processors and tape machines.
The UAD library features over 100 plug-ins, co-developed with the biggest brands in audio. These plug-ins can be purchased with UAD-2 hardware from retailers as part of bundled packages, or you can buy UAD plug-ins à la carte from UA’s Online Store.
Learn More About UAD Plug-Ins ›
Powerful, Expandable Processing
UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 is available in QUAD or OCTO models with either four or eight SHARC processors, respectively. It can also be integrated alongside UAD-2 PCIe DSP Accelerator cards and Thunderbolt-equipped UA Audio Interfaces, including Arrow, Apollo Twin, and Apollo X interfaces for truly scalable mixing power.
UAD Plug-In Craftsmanship: The Science Behind the Scenes
In developing UAD plug-ins, UA’s acclaimed engineers undertake intensive physical modeling of classic audio hardware — “rebuilding” vintage analog gear in the digital world, component by component. UAD plug-ins replicate the exact, sometimes quirky behavior of the most prized analog hardware in existence, bringing you rich, three-dimensional sound and harmonics "in the box.”
What Makes UAD Plug-Ins Different? ›
Upgrade to the Ultimate Collection of UAD Plug‑Ins
UAD Accelerators include a suite of plug-ins right out of the box, with Teletronix® LA‑2A and UA 1176 compressors, Pultec® EQs, and more. Upgrade to the UAD Ultimate Bundle to get a fully-stocked analog studio at huge savings, with over 100 exclusive titles from Neve,® Ampex,® Lexicon,® SSL,® Fender,® and more.
See what’s included in Ultimate ›
“UAD plug-ins are amazing...
I’ve used them on all my projects
for the last few years.”
– Dan Auerbach The Black Keys
“UAD-2 is the first plug-in set that replaces hardware I own – that's a big deal.”
– Vance Powell (The Raconteurs, Jars of Clay)
“The sonic quality of UAD plug-ins is unrivaled
— I use them in every mix.”
– Jaycen Joshua (Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Jay Z)
“UAD plug-ins are always my first choice. Now with the UAD-2 SatelIite, I can have them all the time.”
– Darrell Thorp (Beck, Radiohead, Charlotte Gainsbourg)
“My UAD-2 Satellite is quickly becoming a classic piece of outboard gear. I'm using it on every mix.”
– Joe Chiccarelli (Jason Mraz, Beck, The Strokes, Morrissey)
“UA gear really helps bring the tradition of classic recording to the modern workflow.”
– Fab Dupont (Shakira, Santigold, Jennifer Lopez)
“UAD is my new secret weapon in the studio. I get everything to sound the way I always wanted, way before the mixing. ”
– Ivan Barias (Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Estelle)
“The UAD-2 Satellite gives me access to the world-class plug-ins I've come to rely on, with way more power, and in a package that I can toss in my suitcase or backpack.”
– Ryan West (Eminem, Kid Cudi, Jay-Z)Customer Reviews
J. Zhou
November 24, 2022
Awesome add-on to complement my Apollo Twin Duo!
Definitely need to one in Octo rather than in Quad if you like to only got Duo Apollo
Read MoreA. Ezell
November 16, 2022
Powerful DSP engine.
I run the satilite Octo thunderbolt 3 as a Audio unit effects plug-in,in Ableton Live 11 suite. It allows me to use multiple channels of...
Read MoreD. Matas
November 13, 2022
It's exactly what I needed!
It works great, does exactly what I need. What else is there to say?
Read MoreB. Shaw
October 27, 2022
Outstanding!!!
I've had an Apollo Twin X for years and in Pro Tools while mixing I could only use 5 or 6 instances of UAD plugins before I'd run out of DSP. I had to print tracks just to free up DSP. Now...
Read MoreJ. Lambert
October 23, 2022
Does what i expected and more
When i decided to buy this unit i had a few bigger projects thay were running my DSP up to 90-95% on an Apollo X8p (Hexcore) so, i figured that by the math another quad core would maybe...
Read MoreD. Dalmasso
October 20, 2022
fantastic gear
every serious musician who use UAD plugins and who makes serious mixages cannot live without this expansion gear! it opens the doors to great and huge use of Bad plugins...
Read More -
Analog Classics Plus Bundle
With the Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle, you’re ready to start mixing with legendary tube gear like the Fairchild® 670 and the Pultec® EQP-1A EQ. You also get a dedicated suite of powerful mixing plug-ins and UA’s landmark 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ plug-in.
- UA 610‐B
- Fairchild 670 Legacy
- Teletronix LA‐2A Legacy
- UA 1176LN Legacy
- UA 1176SE Legacy
- Pultec EQP‐1A Legacy
- Pultec Pro Legacy
- Precision Channel Strip
- Precision Reflection Engine
- Precision Delay Modulation
- Precision Delay Modulation L
- UA Precision Enhancer Hz
- 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.
Fairchild® 670 (Legacy)
The world’s most coveted compressor, the classic Fairchild 670 tube limiter will give your tracks and mixes unmistakable tube warmth and character. Whether you’re looking for subtle compression on a lead vocal, or grittier textures that can work on guitars, bass, or a drum bus, the Fairchild 670 plug-in adds a classic “glow” to anything you run through it.
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 offer smooth and silky EQ curves with an abundance of warm analog character.
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.
UA Precision Enhancer Hz
Expertly dial-in your music’s low-end frequencies with the Precision Enhancer Hz plug-in. Able to yield exacting results with minimal adjustment, the Precision Enhancer Hz can add weight to kick drum samples, fatten up a synth bass, or simply make the low-end of your tracks more audible on smaller speakers.
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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Key Features
Run UAD Powered Plug-Ins via Thunderbolt 3 on modern Mac and Windows 10 systems (backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 devices)
4 (QUAD) or 8 (OCTO) SHARC processors provide a massive DSP boost for running large professional mixes
Access over 100 plug-ins from Ampex, Lexicon, Studer, Neve, Manley, SSL, EMT, Helios, and more
Includes Analog Classics Plus bundle featuring Legacy editions of LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler, 1176 Classic Limiting Amplifiers, Pultec EQP-1A, Pultec Pro, and Fairchild 670 plug-ins, plus 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, and more
Compatible with Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, Cubase, Live, and more
Combine with other Thunderbolt-equipped UAD-2 devices including PCIe card(s), UA Audio Interfaces, and additional Satellites
Dual Thunderbolt 3 ports for daisy-chaining of Thunderbolt peripherals
Also available with Custom software packages featuring user-selectable plug-ins
To see full system requirements, click here.
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Customer Reviews
UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3
J. Zhou
Awesome add-on to complement my Apollo Twin Duo!
Definitely need to one in Octo rather than in Quad if you like to only got Duo Apollo
A. Ezell
Powerful DSP engine.
I run the satilite Octo thunderbolt 3 as a Audio unit effects plug-in,in Ableton Live 11 suite. It allows me to use multiple channels of UAD plug ins,Powerful.
D. Matas
It's exactly what I needed!
It works great, does exactly what I need.
What else is there to say?B. Shaw
Outstanding!!!
I've had an Apollo Twin X for years and in Pro Tools while mixing I could only use 5 or 6 instances of UAD plugins before I'd run out of DSP. I had to print tracks just to free up DSP. Now with the Satellite I'm free to more plugins in the mix. I'm happy now!!!
J. Lambert
Does what i expected and more
When i decided to buy this unit i had a few bigger projects thay were running my DSP up to 90-95% on an Apollo X8p (Hexcore) so, i figured that by the math another quad core would maybe take me down to 50-60% DSP on those projects.
To my surprise the DSP's were in the very low 40's!
My Mac started running noticably smoother too!
10/10 high recommendation from me.D. Dalmasso
fantastic gear
every serious musician who use UAD plugins and who makes serious mixages cannot live without this expansion gear! it opens the doors to great and huge use of Bad plugins
T. Gardner
Trying to figure out why I took so long to purchase.....
I owned the Apollo Twin for years, about 6 months ago I purchased UAD Ultimate 10. Now I had access to most of the plugins available on the platform, but not enough DSP to experiment. Since I've made the purchase of the satellite OCTO my creative flow has been so much better. I've tested almost all of the compressors and preamps to hear the sonic differences. I'm not too familiar with the sound of outboard gear, but now I feel like I can hear the differences in multiple products. I've spent the time to learn the preamps, eqs, and compressors. I now feel like my Arsenal has opened up because I know how to match certain vocal types to certain plugins. It makes me feel better about only owning one mic lol, granted it's the U87 ;)
G. Pana
Amazing!
Just amazing! Sadly that no plugins were added on top of what Twin X gave … but, amazing!!
C. Hammerschmidt
UAD 2 Sat. Thunderbolt 3
Great DSP Addition
B. Strevens
Constant error messages with the Satellite..
I love all my UA devices but since buying the Satellite TB3 I've had nothing but problems. I receive error messages all the time & tried solving the issue myself and with UA support but after months we couldn't figure it out. UA replaced the Satellite with a new device but after the first week the error messages show again. I've factory reset my studio computer but the issue still occurs only when the Satellite is in use & when chained with another device (Apollo etc). Have tried in my other studio but issue still occurs! There is obviously a firmware issue or something their end that needs fixing - I'm also in a UA forum & many people are having the same issue. Let's hope the fix it soon
K. Jackson
The Best!!
This UAD -2 Satellite is a great investment!! For this who don't know!! You do not need a UAD interface. To use this Beast of a equipment!!
s. H
Another Ridiculous Error 38 Review
Within minutes of installing the Octo thunderbolt box I was getting ERROR 38 errors which disable render some plugs useless regardless of different sessions while your playing back etc in Logic x. With all plugins working before I added the octo one can surmise that the octo is the issue. With a couple of thousand dollars in cost it's ridiculous. Having read a previous review with the same issue and this person has tried everything and got no-where I am extremely disappointed that UAD have not fixed this in an update, and how can they not know what this error is ??
I find it unacceptable that a unit that is supposed to give you all the DSP you need could actually render plug ins useless thus working against you. There is nothing showing wrong on my system.
LA-2A, AVALON, 1176, Vox Box off the top of my head.D. Gastaldi
very disappointed
I received the first card 2 weeks ago, it is not working, I am still waiting for replacement to be able to try it.
M. MIJNO
Careful with presonus studio one
Many MANY cracks with studio one. Nothing to do (sampling rates etc do not help - sound just cracks it's a real pain)
P. Camp
Quality in a neat package
I am a long time user right back to UAD-1. I recently decided to jump ship from PC quad card to Mac Studio Satellite Octo. Apart from the involved Apple installation limitations, everything worked first time. Ok, the Octo is way over the top for me right now, but the opportunity to add almost unlimited UAD plugins to my mixes is quite heady.
J. SOBRINO
Great DSP option!
This is a most hardware to own!
R. DINSDALE
UAD 2 Sat Thunderbolt 3
I’m very pleased with this product.
S. Wells
Exactly what I needed
Bought second hand, it is in perfect condition, and the transfer of plugins was effortless.
Im using her while away from the studio to continue working on my tracks, and all is as it should be.
h. kim
good good
very good i'm happy
K. SURYANTO
Good Product
UAD Satellite product is great and makes my audio work easy, good quality sound and many features
