HIGH-RESOLUTION INTERFACE with Realtime UAD Processing Apollo 16 Hardware Manual UA Part Number 65-00057 Revision 001 Customer Service & Technical Support: USA Toll-Free: +1-877-698-2834 International: +1-831-440-1176 www.uaudio.
A Letter from Bill Putnam Jr. Thank you for deciding to make the Apollo 16 High-Resolution Interface part of your music making experience. We know that any new piece of gear requires an investment of time and money — and our goal is to make your investment pay off. The fact that we get to play a part in your creative process is what makes our efforts at UA meaningful, and we thank you for this.
Table Of Contents A Letter from Bill Putnam Jr.................................................................................................................................. ii Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................... 4 What is Apollo 16?..........................................................................................................................................
Introduction What is Apollo 16? Apollo 16 is a high-resolution audio interface with Realtime UAD Processing onboard that gives recording engineers a no-compromise monitoring, tracking, and mixing solution. The combination of Apollo 16’s high quality converters, cue mixing, and digital signal processing help you achieve the goal of making music without the common latency and potential processor shortcomings of an all-native system.
Apollo 16 Features • • • • Superior-sounding 18 x 20 audio interface with uncompromising UA analog design Realtime monitoring and tracking with premium UAD Powered Plug-Ins Additional mixing and mastering DSP horsepower for your sessions FireWire 800 built-in; user-installable Thunderbolt Option Card (not included) Audio Interface • • • • • • • Sample rates up to 192 kHz at 24-bit word length 16 x 18 simultaneous analog input/output channels: • 16 channels of analog-to-digital conversion via line inputs
Software • Console application: • Enables Realtime UAD Powered Plug-Ins processing • Controls Apollo 16’s DSP mixer for realtime monitoring and/or tracking with UAD plug-ins • Four independent stereo Cue busses • Two independent stereo Auxiliary busses • Remote control of Apollo 16 features and functionality • Console Recall plug-in: • Saves Apollo 16 configurations inside DAW sessions for easy recall • Enables control of front panel parameters from within the DAW • VST, RTAS, and Audio Units plug-in forma
About Realtime UAD Processing Apollo 16 has the ability to run UAD Powered Plug-Ins in realtime. Apollo 16’s groundbreaking DSP + FPGA technology enable UAD Powered Plug-Ins to run with latencies in the sub-2ms range, and multiple UAD plugins can be “stacked” in series without incurring additional latency. Realtime UAD Processing facilitates the ultimate sonic experience while monitoring and/or tracking.
About Apollo 16 Documentation Documentation for all Apollo 16 components is extensive, so instructions are separated by area of functionality, as detailed below. All documentation is copied to the startup disk during UAD Powered Plug-Ins software installation (Apollo 16 documentation can also be downloaded from our website). Note: All manuals are in PDF format. PDF files require a free PDF reader application such as Adobe Reader (Windows) or Preview (Mac).
Host DAW Documentation Each host DAW application has its own particular methods for configuring audio interfaces and using plugins. Refer to the host DAW’s documentation for specific instructions about using audio interface and plug-in features within the DAW. Support Pages The latest technical information about Apollo 16 is posted on the Universal Audio support website. Our support pages may contain updated, late-breaking information that is not available in other publications.
Front Panel This section describes the features and functionality of all controls and visual elements on the Apollo 16 front panel. Note that most front panel functions can be controlled remotely with the Console software application. 1 METER 2 3 HOST RATE CLOCK 44.1 INT 48 EXT 88.2 METER 96 IN 176.
Meter The METER indicator reflects the state of the Channel Meters (4). The I/O state of the Channel Meters is switched with the METER button (1). When IN is illuminated, the Channel Meters display levels at the analog inputs. When OUT is illuminated, the Channel Meters display levels at the analog outputs. (3) Sample Rate Indicators The Apollo 16 sample rate is indicated in this area. The active sample rate is illuminated.
Monitor Mute Pushing the Monitor knob toggles the mute state of the signals at monitor outputs on the rear panel. When the monitor outputs are muted, the Monitor Level Indicator (8) is red. When the monitor outputs are not muted, the Monitor Level Indicator is green. (8) Monitor Level Indicator The signal level at the rear panel monitor outputs is displayed with the illuminated indicator ring surrounding the Monitor Level knob (7).
Rear Panel This section describes the features and functionality of all connectors and controls on the Apollo 16 rear panel. Analog I/O 1 8 AES/EBU IN MON OUT (R) 2 MON OUT (L) 1 2 3 LINE OUT 9-16 LINE IN 9-16 LINE OUT 1-8 LINE IN 1-8 PUSH (1) Monitor Outputs 1 & 2 These balanced XLR jacks are line-level analog outputs typically used for connection to a stereo loudspeaker monitoring system. The signal levels at these outputs are controlled with the Monitor Level knob (7).
(4) Power Input The included 80-watt external power supply plugs into this 4-pin locking XLR jack. Apollo 16 requires 12 volts DC power and draws approximately 40 watts. During typical operation when a bus-powered Thunderbolt peripheral is attached to the Thunderbolt Option Card, the system can draw up to 55 watts. To eliminate risk of circuit damage, connect only the factory-supplied power supply. Use the Power switch on the front panel to power the unit on and off.
(7) 75 Ohm Word Clock Termination Switch This pushbutton switch provides internal 75-ohm word clock input signal termination when required. Word clock termination is active when the switch is engaged (depressed). Apollo 16’s termination switch should only be engaged when Apollo 16 is set to sync to external word clock and it is the last device at the receiving end of a word clock cable.
Host I/O Important: Connect only one Apollo 16 FireWire or Thunderbolt port to the host computer. (9) Expansion Bay The expansion bay is where the Universal Audio Thunderbolt Option Card is installed, providing access to all of Apollo 16’s features and functionality via Thunderbolt-enabled computers. Refer to the Installation & Setup Guide included in the Thunderbolt Option Card package and our website for complete details about installation, configuration, and use of Thunderbolt with Apollo 16.
Software Installation Note: Simplified procedures for software installation are below. For complete and detailed procedures, refer to the UAD System Manual (see “About Apollo 16 Documentation” on page 8). About UAD Software The UAD Powered Plug-Ins installer contains all the software necessary to configure and use Apollo 16 and UAD Powered Plug-Ins. It also installs the Apollo 16 hardware device drivers so the audio interface can communicate with the host computer.
Registration & Authorization Note: Simplified procedures for registration and authorization are below. For complete and detailed procedures, refer to the UAD System Manual (see “About Apollo 16 Documentation” on page 8). Apollo 16 must be registered and authorized at my.uaudio.com to unlock its UAD-2 functionality and run UAD Powered Plug-Ins. Apollo 16 can be used as a “regular” audio interface (bypassing all UAD-2 plug-in features) without registration and authorization.
Interconnections Installation Notes 1. Apollo 16 may get hot during normal operation if it doesn’t receive adequate airflow circulation around its chassis vents. For optimum results when mounting Apollo 16 in a rack, we recommend leaving at least one empty rack space above the unit to allow adequate airflow for cooling. 2.
Thunderbolt Setup This diagram illustrates how Apollo 16 can be connected to a host computer with the Thunderbolt Option Card.
Multi-Unit Setup – FireWire Host Connection This diagram illustrates how two Apollo 16 units are connected together into an aggregated interface for 32 simultaneous analog inputs and 32 simultaneous analog outputs using FireWire to connect to the host computer.
Multi-Unit Setup – Thunderbolt Host Connection This diagram illustrates how two Apollo 16 units are connected together into an aggregated interface for 32 simultaneous analog inputs and 32 simultaneous analog outputs.
FireWire Basics FireWire (also known as “IEEE 1394” and “i.Link”) is a high-speed serial data interconnection protocol that is used to transfer digital data between devices. FireWire is commonly used to interconnect computer systems to hard drives, audio interfaces, and digital camcorders. A complete discussion of FireWire is beyond the scope of this manual, but some of the main points and how they apply to Apollo 16 are covered below.
FireWire Connectors FireWire 800 and FireWire 400 devices use different connectors, as illustrated below. This helps to differentiate between the two device speeds (the connectors are not interchangeable). FW 800 (9-pin) FW 400 (6-pin) FW 400 (4-pin) FireWire 400 connectors FireWire 400 devices typically have two types of connector: 4-pin and 6-pin. The small 4-pin FireWire 400 connector is common on digital camcorders and Windows notebook computers.
FireWire bus connections via repeater FireWire bus connections via daisy chain Computer Computer Apollo 16 Apollo 16 FW Repeater FW Repeater HOST Computer 44.1 48 88.2 METER 96 IN 176.4 OUT 192 1 2 3 4 5 C 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 0 -3 -6 -9 -12 -15 -18 -21 -27 C 13 OUT 14 3 4 C 96 176.4 192 15 5 0 -3 -6 -9 -12 -15 -18 -21 -27 48 88.2 IN RATE INT EXT 2 44.
This FireWire bus runs @ 400 MB because host computer is FW400 Combining FireWire 400 and 800 devices on a FireWire 800 bus It is possible to configure a FireWire bus to run at both FireWire 400 and FireWire 800 speeds simultaneously FW bus @ 400 MB if the host computer bus is FireWire 800, supporting maximum throughput with a combination of FireWire 400 and FW800 FireWire 800 devices.
Digital Clocking Basics Digital clocking can be a complicated issue, with a number of important aspects that are often not very well understood. First and foremost, a digital clock is used to maintain synchronization between different digital devices. There are two primary purposes for clock synchronization: • Digital Conversion. Analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion and digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion need extremely accurate clocking in order to correctly process the digital data.
Clock jitter affects digital transmission and digital conversion differently, as follows: • Clock jitter in digital transmission can be caused by a bad source clock, inferior cabling or improper cable termination, and/or signal-induced noise (called “pattern-jitter” or “symbol-jitter”). Digital signal formats like AES/EBU, S/PDIF, and ADAT all embed a clock in the digital signal so the receiving device can synchronize to the transmitted data bits correctly.
Specifications All specifications are typical performance unless otherwise noted, tested under the following conditions: 48 kHz internal sample rate, 24-bit sample depth, 20 kHz measurement bandwidth, with balanced output.
ANALOG I/O Analog Outputs 1 – 16 Dynamic Range 118.5 dB (A–weighting) Signal-to-Noise Ratio 118.2 dB (A–weighting) Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise -107.5 dB @ -1 dBFS Connector Type Two Female DB25, Tascam wiring Monitor Outputs 1 – 2 Dynamic Range 115 dB (A–weighting) Signal-to-Noise Ratio 115 dB (A–weighting) Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise -105.
ELECTRICAL Power Supplies External AC to DC Power Supply Brick Internal DC to DC Power Supply AC Connector Type IEC Male AC Requirements 100V – 240V AC, 50 – 60 Hz DC Connector Type XLR 4-Pin Locking Male (Neutrik P/N NC4MDM3-H) DC Requirements 12 VDC, ±5% Maximum Power Consumption 40 Watts 55 Watts (when bus powering external Thunderbolt peripheral) ENVIRONMENTAL Operating Temperature Range 0º Celsius to 40º Celsius Storage Temperature Range -40º Celsius to 80º Celsius Operating Humidity Ra
BNC WORD CLOCK OUT BNC WORD CLOCK IN XLR FEMALE 12VDC IN AES/EBU INPUT 75 Front Panel Board WC TERM ON/OFF Word Clock Riser Board A/D 1x3 CONN 1x3 CONN 12V 1394B 25MHz 2x17 ARM JTAG THERM ARM® 1x3 CONN 1x3 CONN DC Input Board REVERSE / OVER VOLTAGE PROTECT XLR FEMALE DB25 FEMALE PAD 2x4 CONN 2x10 CONN ANALOG INPUT CHANNELS 1 - 16 +4 / -10 SELECT B-B RIBBON 32 2x4 CONN Apollo 16 Hardware Manual 2x10 CONN LINE IN 1394B 12V EEPROM SHARC® DSP SHARC® DSP SHARC® DSP SHARC® D
DB25 Wiring Apollo 16’s analog I/O is accessed via 25-pin D-sub female connectors. Each DB25 jack carries eight balanced line-level audio channels on the standardized Tascam pinouts also used with Digidesign and Avid products. DB25 Connector Pin Numbers The pin numbers for female DB25 connectors are shown in the diagram below. When facing the Apollo 16 rear panel, pin 1 is the upper rightmost pin.
Troubleshooting If Apollo 16 isn’t behaving the way you expect it to, here are some common troubleshooting items to confirm. If you are still experiencing issues after performing these checks, contact technical support (see “Technical Support” on page 9).
Additional Resources Universal Audio Website Our website contains a wealth of information about our full line of products, as well as videos, software updates, FAQs, the online store for purchasing plug-in licenses, and a great blog that features hot tips, techniques, and interviews with your favorite artists, engineers and producers. Find us online at: • www.uaudio.com Technical Support Universal Audio provides free customer support to all registered Apollo 16 users.
Warranty UNIVERSAL AUDIO HARDWARE LIMITED WARRANTY Universal Audio warrants that its hardware will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one (1) year after it has been acquired by the original end-user purchaser, subject to normal use. This warranty applies only to genuine Universal Audio products when sold by Universal Audio or a Universal Audio authorized reseller, distributor, or dealer.
Notices Important Safety Information Before using this unit, be sure to carefully read the applicable items of these operating instructions and the safety suggestions. Afterwards, keep them handy for future reference. Take special care to follow the warnings indicated on the unit, as well as in the operating instructions. 1. Water and Moisture - Do not use the unit near any source of water or in excessively moist environments. 2.
Disclaimer The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. Universal Audio, Inc. makes no warranties of any kind with regard to this manual, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Universal Audio, Inc. shall not be liable for errors contained herein or direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
Index A F AES/EBU 30 AES/EBU Ports 15 Analog Inputs 29 Analog I/O 13 ANALOG I/O 29 Analog Outputs 30 Apollo 16 Documentation 8 Apollo Software Manual 8 Audio Interface 5 Authorization 18 Features 5 FireWire 800 Ports 16 FireWire 800 vs.
M S MADI 30 MADI Optical Ports 16 Maintenance 35 Mechanical 31 Meter 10, 11 Meters 11 Mirror Monitor Outputs 15 Mixing FireWire Speeds 25 Monitoring 5 Monitor Level 11 Monitor Level Indicator 12 Monitor Mute 12 Monitor Output Level Meters 11 Monitor Outputs 13, 30 Multi-Unit Setup – FireWire 21 Multi-Unit Setup – Thunderbolt 22 Mute Knob 11 Safety Information 37 Service 36 Software 6 Software Installation 17 Software Installation Procedure 17 Software Updates 17 Specifications 29 Standalone Use 7 Status
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