Discover the Best Thunderbolt Audio Interfaces
1. Focusrite Clarett 4Pre
Thunderbolt Audio Interface
Excellent Clarity and No Delays
Reviewed by David on Guitar Center
Yes, this is a pricey unit, but you do get remarkable sound quality. The housing is solid brushed aluminum with a metal monitor and headphone knobs; however, the halo gain knobs are plastic which is odd... The unit itself looks great and feels great. I went with the 4pre because of the extra connectivity, and the dual headphone jacks which is a plus. I plug my Grand Meister Deluxe 40 amp straight in from its Red Box out and it sounds incredible when the air is engaged. Now, plugging straight in with the gain knob on zero and set to instrument in the Focusrite control the pickups on my B.C. Rich Warlock with Seymour Duncan pickups will clip right into the red on the unit itself. I have to adjust the volume knob down on the guitar itself to keep from clipping. My other two guitars don't seem to run as hot as that one on the 4pre USB. I don't have thunderbolt, so my concern with reviewers and the popular perception about latency issues as the biggest downfall did concern me; however, I went for it and glad I did. The unit is new to the market, and I have only had it for a week now. Playing through the DAW with effects on a USB unit I haven't noticed any delays or issues of concern. I would definitely recommend. ... More
Unbelievable performance
Reviewed by Erick L. on Reverb
This interface works flawlessly (on a Mac). Thunderbolt is so awesome..... I was originally going for the 2pre but the 4pre has so many options. The Air preamp setting sounds really nice (like the clarity and oooomph you get from a tube preamp). I am using a MacbookPro w/ Bootcamp. In Windows, Focusrite control program (beta) won't recognize my device (says "No Hardware Connected"), but the device works in all my Windows DAWs (Mixcraft/Reaper/Amplitube). Everything works in OS (I'm using Sierra w/ Logic Pro X and Garageband). I can turn the Air setting (and change the routing) in OSX and then switch over to Windows and the settings stay the same (that's my work-around for Windows Focusrite Control not working). The 2 headphone outs are very convenient and they have plenty of power (lots of headroom, total clarity and drives hi-z headphones no problem). Much beefier than my old Scarlett interface. I play guitar through Amplitube (I love the Mesa models) with my open-back headphones on and I love how detailed and beautiful my electric guitar sounds through this interface. This thing has 4 more ins and outs on the back, too. You can plug your guitar into channel 1, run the 4 outs into 4 different amps and route them back into the box for 5 tracks of guitar (DI 1 amp and mic the other 3...... this is ridiculous, I know, but it's possible!) My gf and I record together. I set up 2 mics and 2 guitars (direct into the Clarett w/ Air setting on all 4 channels) and 2 sets of headphones. I run Amplitube on both guitar tracks (Mesa Mk iv for me, Deluxe Reveb for her) and iZotope Nectar on both vocal tracks. I set her guitar channel as "instrument" for the passive pickups on her Tele but my guitar has active EMG's, so my guitar channel is set to "Line". The sound is flawless and the 2-3 millisecond delay may as well be zero. I can hit record without her knowing (no awkward delay, no pop, no clicking... it just starts recording). She has her own headphone knob so we don't fight over how loud it is. Our sessions are so much more pleasurable because I'm not fighting with the interface and DAW. The Clarett line is a huge jump forward for the DIY at-home-musician (especially guitar players who have long-struggled with latency and software bugs). This interface really ties all my stuff together. For the first time, all my DAW's and VST's work in harmony with my fingers and ears. It's definitely worth the low price..... ... More
2. Universal Audio Apollo Twin SOLO MKII
Thunderbolt Audio Interface
Complete Upgrade
Reviewed by Ocean A. on Reverb
So, I must say. I've been in need of an AI upgrade for quite sometime now. I have been using Zoom Tac-2, now don't get me wrong the tac does what it's intended to do completely! I received my Apollo the other day, and I must say WOW! Huge difference in quality! The interface itself is a little confusing to get used to at first, especially if you're always checking your gain input. Talkback function is such a plus as well. The preamp on this unit is not bad at all, it definitely add presence to your vocals. Overall, I have nothing negative to say about the apollo! Great addition to my studio. ... More
Best entry level interface
Reviewed by Antonio O. on Reverb
This product is phenomenal and works flawless with the audio x rack family, in case u have one like me. I need to increase the number of pre amps, and also it’s a great remote monitor and phones control.
3. Universal Audio Apollo Twin X QUAD
10x6 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface with Real-Time UAD Processing
Believe the hype
Reviewed by Adam on Guitar Center
I love this thing. It's pricey for me and where I am in production but there is no thing that is like it. It's certainly worth the money but be prepared to spend. Get at least the quad. I got that instead of the twin because of the promotion and I am so glad I did. I wish I actually got a bigger one. I got the Quad Twin X. It's so amazing how good it sounds. The AMPS and reverbs are pure bliss. I've already cleared a lot of space in my studio where hardware used to be but it no longer needed. This is an item that looks like the future of all processing. It's so fun but expect a learning curve. ... More
As good as advertised - believe the hype
Reviewed by Ty on Guitar Center
Great product - awesome Thunderbolt 3 interface that works flawlessly with its Console 2.0 software whether or not you choose to use UAD plug-ins with it. The DSP powering said plug-ins provides for an incredible zero-latency recording experience.
4. Universal Audio Apollo x4
12x18 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface with Real-Time UAD Processing
Doesn't Get Better
Reviewed by DJ Sal V on Guitar Center
It is imperative that you have a fully functional Thunderbolt 3 connection. It will not connect nor work efficiently without it. Comes in a nicely packaged box with the lockable power cord but surprisingly no Thunderbolt 3 cable. This UAD Apollo X4 is being used along with a UAD Octo PCI card and together they are simply flawless. I am running as many as 20 UAD plugins over several tracks and have not had any type of issues. The UAD Console program also works great at handling any post production or mastering outside your production DAW. ... More
Apollo x4 — the perfect upgrade from my Apollo Twin MkII Duo
Reviewed by Robert C. on Reverb
I had some ongoing frustrations with my first Apollo desktop unit: 1) Having only 2 XLR inputs was limiting, even for a one-man band like me. Lots of forced repatching and reaching behind the unit. 2) A Duo processor just wasn't enough power. I often had to think hard and strategize about using UAD plug-ins how and where I wanted, especially with a resource hog like Capitol Chambers. I hate having to bounce tracks to free up resources. My new x4 Quad gives me 4 XLRs. This lets me keep 4 XLRs all plugged in at the same time: my wireless guitar unit (Line6 Relay G10), a mono mic cable, and stereo cable for my Townsend Sphere L22. Now I never have to reach around behind the unit. The Thunderbolt 3 is faster the Firewire, and having the Quad processor means I haven't yet hit the DSP limit under normal use. With Apollo stuff, bigger (more $$$) is usually better. ... More
5. Universal Audio Apollo Twin QUAD MKII
Thunderbolt Audio Interface
Exceptional Interface
Reviewed by Federico E. on Reverb
I was an user of a Focusrite Clarett 2Pre Thunderbolt, the flagship interface of Focusrite, although It was a big step forward from my Komplete Audio 6, I was not completely satisfied, Now with this Apollo Twin MkII QUAD I feel that I made the same jump in quality I mainly play guitar in a home Studio, directly connected to the input of the interface ( to use with Plugins like Bias Fx and Helix Native ) with the Clarett I feld that I was always in between two situations, with a very low level or with a saturated signal. I don't have that problem with the Apollo, It has a huge dinamic range in the Hi-Z Input (designed to connect a guitar) that doesn't get saturated even playing hard Furthermore the same plugins (BiasFx, Helix Native) now sound more real, the sound is pristine clear, you can hear now all the subtle nuances and details that previously missed and It has a huge dinamic range Evenmore, the sound of the UAD Marshall JCM800 and Fender Tweed 57 are the same or even better than my Fractal AXE FXII sounds I couldn't be happier, I guess you will so ... More
Once you board the UAD train, you can't get off.
Reviewed by Jake D. on Reverb
This interface changed the way I record and mix, hands-down. PROS: - Excellent conversion - UAD plugin market is second to none - Great pair of preamps (with "Unison" flexibility to model other classic pres) - Console software is an adjustment, but tracking through/printing plugins is a huge time saver One note - YOU WILL RUN OUT OF DSP QUICKLY. I max out my mixing sessions roughly 75% of the time with a Quad processor (can be avoided by printing tracks w/ effects). Don't skimp by buying the Solo or Duo cores. The comfort is worth the extra cash. ... More