ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Sept 18, 2018 7:13:19 GMT -6
If you are thinking x16, remember no unison functionality. You can load unison plug ins in the non unison slots to use their non pre features. Yes, UA touts the quality of their unison preamps, but unison isn't available with their best conversion. You have to chose either unison or best conversion, I just find that weird. I'm in the market for an interface, and I'm considering an otherwise-unneeded PC upgrade to get Thunderbolt for use with a UA x-series. If there was a model with unison and their top-of-the-line conversion, that would make the choice a lot easier. Probably a combination of space in the Chassis, price point and market research. Though I can see a lot of customers going “Man it sure would be nice if I could just head out the door with one box to cut a track at my friends “ of course this from the guy who’ either runs with the little Audient or a rack with the RADAR so there’s that. If
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,992
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Post by ericn on Sept 18, 2018 7:16:58 GMT -6
It's just a recommendation. If you find a system that works for you, go for it. For example, we never supported TB2 on PCs and yet there countless users that have made it work. Drew From a guy who still has nightmares from the early days of supporting early PT rigs all I can say is GOOD MOVE ! Every audio guy either thinks he’s an IT guy or has a friend who thinks he’s an IT guy who knows more than the guys who built the thing!
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Post by LesC on Sept 18, 2018 7:40:05 GMT -6
Yes, UA touts the quality of their unison preamps, but unison isn't available with their best conversion. You have to chose either unison or best conversion, I just find that weird. I'm in the market for an interface, and I'm considering an otherwise-unneeded PC upgrade to get Thunderbolt for use with a UA x-series. If there was a model with unison and their top-of-the-line conversion, that would make the choice a lot easier. Probably a combination of space in the Chassis, price point and market research. Though I can see a lot of customers going “Man it sure would be nice if I could just head out the door with one box to cut a track at my friends “ of course this from the guy who’ either runs with the little Audient or a rack with the RADAR so there’s that. If I'm sure you're right. I don't need the IO of an x16, an x6 is sufficient. If there was a version of the x6 with their best converters, I would happily pay an extra $500 and order the thing tomorrow. As it is, I have to consider it along with some other options.
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Post by LesC on Sept 18, 2018 7:40:36 GMT -6
Or x8.
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Post by indiehouse on Sept 18, 2018 8:00:37 GMT -6
I have to chime in and agree here. Making one box with better conversion specs is frustrating, and doesn't make sense to me. Why can't the differentiating factor be features, and a person could choose between the interfaces based on that alone? Do I only need 8 i/o and 2 preamps? Great, buy an X6! But what if I don't need/want any preamps but need a bunch of i/o? Great, buy an X16! Why do I have to feel like I'm buying lesser conversion if my rig only needs 8 i/o and some unison style pres?
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Post by Martin John Butler on Sept 18, 2018 8:11:42 GMT -6
I completely agree. It’s frustrating to think you might spend $2500 or $3000, while knowing that the next model has better conversion. I think they should simply should have put the best conversion all three models and let you pick them by features and design, regardless of price point
I think that would have improved their reputation considerably.
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Post by Johnkenn on Sept 18, 2018 8:28:42 GMT -6
I think we’re talking about things none of us could audibly hear.
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Post by kcatthedog on Sept 18, 2018 8:31:30 GMT -6
Ya, never liked that the first time either, here in Canada the X6 is around $3500, who wants to drop that much dough and feel like you didn't get the best conversion ?
I wonder why UA just doesn't have it as a special order, so one could upgrade on purchase and you know there will be a bit of a delay.
It seems to me they could have one pcb, (x6,x8,x16) it just gets populated differently (by computer anyway) ?
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Post by kcatthedog on Sept 18, 2018 8:32:18 GMT -6
I think we’re talking about things none of us could audibly hear. Hey, get a 16x in there and let us know ?
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Post by bigbone on Sept 18, 2018 8:34:36 GMT -6
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2018 8:34:41 GMT -6
I completely agree. It’s frustrating to think you might spend $2500 or $3000, while knowing that the next model has better conversion. I think they should simply should have put the best conversion all three models and let you pick them by features and design, regardless of price point I think that would have improved their reputation considerably. I don't disagree (why not just for marketing purposes?) but in context the X6 still spec's out better than an Apogee Symphony MK2, so it's definitely not the end of the world.. The new Apollo's seem more controversial than digital vs. analogue threads ..
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Post by bigbone on Sept 18, 2018 8:45:56 GMT -6
I guess it isn't the product that's controversial, it's there marketing.The first Apollo was the best , the Apollo BF was better that the one before,the X is even better that the one before. We aren't talking 10 years in between. !!!!!
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Post by kcatthedog on Sept 18, 2018 8:51:20 GMT -6
Well in fairness to UA as their performance specs improve, they do need to characterize them differently. Hopefully, they don't hire Steven for a list of synonymous superlatives !
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2018 9:05:18 GMT -6
I guess it isn't the product that's controversial, it's there marketing.The first Apollo was the best , the Apollo BF was better that the one before,the X is even better that the one before. We aren't talking 10 years in between. !!!!! Meh, that'll keep happening with a lot of manufacturers until they hit that "true" 24-BIT 140dB converter which sounds no different from the previous generation.. After that they'll scramble around like headless chickens fixing the ACTUAL issues or move onto beating each other with 0.02ms latency. It's easy money and as long people keep getting hung up on minimal specification gains they'll keep selling.. Nowadays I'd just pick one you like and stick with it, no matter how tempting the new "precious" is..
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Post by kcatthedog on Sept 18, 2018 9:10:39 GMT -6
"I'd just pick one you like and stick with it" BINGO !!!
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Post by drsax on Sept 18, 2018 9:20:58 GMT -6
In today’s age with so much progress having already been made in this arena, I think any noticeable improvement in conversion is a huge accomplishment. We as musicians spend our lives and fortune to make subtle but constant improvements. It comes at great cost. So I say hats off to UA for making a marked improvement at a price point that is lower than its main competitors. I wish I could afford to upgrade my 60 channels of Apollo mkii to the new Apollo X series. It’ll happen when budget allows. I’ve never been as happy with Sound, workflow and monitoring as I am with my current mkii Apollo rig. I still believe in and use esoteric conversion for Master Buss, solo and stereo bread and butter tracks, and monitoring, but I have achieved the best large count multi track sessions of my career using Apollo. 60 channels of Burl, Forsell, Hilo, Merging, JCF is simply beyond my range and beyond most budgets. So I’d say Good job UA. So much controversy and discussion is a result of Your accomplishment. Oh, yeah, on a side note, please fix that scribble strip naming issue though, lol 😂
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Post by Johnkenn on Sept 18, 2018 9:24:38 GMT -6
What are they supposed to say? “The New Apollo x series: Not As Good As We Will Do in 2020”
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Post by drsax on Sept 18, 2018 9:27:02 GMT -6
Lol... agreed... hah. That would be like us musicians saying that our new album sucks because the next one will inevitably be better 😂😂😂
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Post by kcatthedog on Sept 18, 2018 9:27:38 GMT -6
Catchy, marketing for the self deprecating !
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,992
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Post by ericn on Sept 18, 2018 9:43:11 GMT -6
I have to chime in and agree here. Making one box with better conversion specs is frustrating, and doesn't make sense to me. Why can't the differentiating factor be features, and a person could choose between the interfaces based on that alone? Do I only need 8 i/o and 2 preamps? Great, buy an X6! But what if I don't need/want any preamps but need a bunch of i/o? Great, buy an X16! Why do I have to feel like I'm buying lesser conversion if my rig only needs 8 i/o and some unison style pres? I don’t disagree, but my friend you have been reviewing products long enough to know it’s about what sells in big numbers. Sadly we are not what drives this industry it’s guys in their bedrooms who shop at GC and listen to the counter “ dudes” stories. They will sell 50 of any of these for every one of what you want. It sucks but that’s the buisness. Now here’s the cynic old fart in me, lets say they build that box how many would complain about the price?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2018 9:46:43 GMT -6
What are they supposed to say? “The New Apollo x series: Not As Good As We Will Do in 2020” Like it actually matters, there's no excuses with what's available today.. Quick update: Due to weather my Apollo delivery has been delayed, hopefully tomorrow now..
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Post by kcatthedog on Sept 18, 2018 9:49:50 GMT -6
The video is fun but you never actually hear any of the apollo X sound: drag
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Post by bigbone on Sept 18, 2018 10:17:15 GMT -6
What are they supposed to say? “The New Apollo x series: Not As Good As We Will Do in 2020” This is not what i said. I for myself , don't care about marketing hype. i choose my gear by trying and liking what i heard, that's it. Not about spect and chart. So far that's been working great. To each his own. !!!!
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Post by Drew @ UA on Sept 18, 2018 10:53:44 GMT -6
The video is fun but you never actually hear any of the apollo X sound: drag This event was professionally filmed out the wazoo, expect to see and hear LOTS more from it!
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Post by Quint on Sept 18, 2018 11:37:35 GMT -6
I guess it isn't the product that's controversial, it's there marketing.The first Apollo was the best , the Apollo BF was better that the one before,the X is even better that the one before. We aren't talking 10 years in between. !!!!! Meh, that'll keep happening with a lot of manufacturers until they hit that "true" 24-BIT 140dB converter which sounds no different from the previous generation.. After that they'll scramble around like headless chickens fixing the ACTUAL issues or move onto beating each other with 0.02ms latency. It's easy money and as long people keep getting hung up on minimal specification gains they'll keep selling.. Nowadays I'd just pick one you like and stick with it, no matter how tempting the new "precious" is.. Exactly. Whatever I ultimately end up getting, whether it be an Apollo or something else, my intention is to stop chasing conversion and use this thing for a LONG time.
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