UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt systems unveiled by Universal Audio

By Ben Rogerson
( Computer Music )
published

Mac users promised improved performance and reduced latency

UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt will be available in Quad and Octo configurations.
UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt will be available in Quad and Octo configurations.

Universal Audio has unveiled Thunderbolt versions of its UAD-2 Satellite DSP system, which the company says will allow Mac users to "supercharge" their systems by giving them the option to "run larger mixes filled with rich, DSP-intensive plugins".

Two models are available: Quad comes with four SHARC processors onboard, while Octo sports eight. In each case, the Thunderbolt connectivity is said to deliver "improved performance at higher sample rates, and reduced plug-in latency" in comparison to the FireWire UAD-2 Satellite. The new boxes can also be used alongside other UAD-2 and Apollo products for even more DSP power.

Each Satellite Thunderbolt will be available with a choice of plugins: the Core package contains the Analog Classics Plus bundle; Custom adds a choice of any three UAD plugins when you register; and the OCTO Ultimate suite contains more than 79 UA-developed plugins.

Shipping in early October, US street prices for the new systems are as follow:

  • UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt - Quad Core ($999)
  • UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt - Quad Custom ($1,399)
  • UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt - Octo Core ($1,499)
  • UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt - Octo Custom ($1,899)
  • UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt - Octo Ultimate ($5,999)

You can find out more on the Universal Audio website.

Universal Audio Satellite Thunderbolt key features

  • Run UAD Powered Plug-Ins via Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 connection on Macs for improved performance at higher sample rates, and reduced plug-in latency versus FireWire
  • 4 (QUAD) or 8 (OCTO) SHARC processors provide a massive DSP boost for running large professional mixes
  • Access over 90 plug-ins from Ampex, Lexicon, Roland, Studer, Neve, Manley, SSL, EMT, Empirical Labs, MXR and more
  • Includes Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle, featuring the UA 610-B Preamp & EQ and Legacy editions of the LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler, 1176LN / 1176SE Classic Limiting Amplifier, Fairchild 670 Tube Limiter, Pultec Pro Equalizers, UA Precision Enhancer Hz, CS-1 Precision Channel, and RealVerb Pro plug-ins
  • Available with Core, Custom, and Ultimate 3 software packages
  • Combine with other UAD-2 devices, including additional UAD-2 PCIe card(s) with a qualified Thunderbolt PCIe chassis, UAD-2 Satellite (FireWire), and Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo interfaces
  • Dual Thunderbolt 2 ports for convenient daisy-chaining of Thunderbolt peripherals
  • Fan-free construction for quiet operation
  • Compatible with Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, and more
Ben Rogerson
Ben Rogerson

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.