Universal Audio Apollo Solo Heritage Edition, APLS-HE Review

The Universal Audio Apollo Solo Heritage Edition (APLS-HE) is the latest iteration of Universal Audio’s popular Apollo Solo audio interface line.

Released in early 2023, the Heritage Edition pays homage to UA’s analog heritage while providing high quality audio conversion and real-time UAD DSP in a portable format.

In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features and performance of the Apollo Solo Heritage Edition to see how it stacks up for personal home recording, mobile recording, and professional studio use.

Overview and Features

The Apollo Solo Heritage Edition retains the same core features as previous Apollo Solo interfaces. Key specs include:

• 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion
• Real-time UAD-2 QUAD DSP processing
• Unison mic preamp modeling
• +4dBu or -10dBV output levels
• Stereo speaker outs with ALT 3-4
• Combo XLR/TRS + TS inputs
• Headphone output with independent level control
• Low-latency monitoring
• Thunderbolt 3 connectivity

So what exactly is new with the Heritage Edition? Here are some of the key updates:

Heritage-Inspired Design

The Apollo Solo HE features a retro styled front panel reminiscent of vintage UA analog gear. This includes a 70s era textured black finish along with purple illuminated VU meters. The heavy die-cast chassis gives the unit some nice heft.

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Improved Mic Preamps

The preamps on the Apollo Solo HE now use an all-new design to capture the unique character of UA’s seminal 610 tube preamp. There’s increased headroom, lower noise, and richer harmonics that further enhance the realism of Unison mic amp emulations.

Redesigned Monitor Controls

The front panel monitor controls have been reworked to improve gain staging and mirror the workflow of analog consoles. There are now dedicated knobs for monitor output, headphone level, and DAW mix control.

Vintage EQ Collection

The Apollo Solo HE comes bundled with UA’s new Vintage EQ plug-ins collection. This provides meticulously modeled equalizers from Neve, API, and more. It’s a $439 value that further expands the Heritage vibe.

Setup and Connectivity

The Apollo Solo HE keeps connectivity straightforward for an interface in this class. On the back panel, you get:

• One Thunderbolt 3 port
• Two combo XLR/TRS mic/line inputs
• One hi-Z 1/4″ TS instrument input
• Two 1/4″ TS line outputs
• One stereo 1/4″ TRS headphone output
• Kensington lock security slot

That covers the basics for recording vocals, instruments, and line level sources in a home studio. The front panel adds 1/4″ headphone and mic inputs for quick access.

Setup is plug and play simple. Just connect to a Thunderbolt 3 port on a Mac or Windows PC, install the latest UAD software, and the Apollo Solo HE is ready to go. The unit is bus powered through Thunderbolt so no external power supply is required.

Conversion Quality and Latency Performance

So how does the Apollo Solo HE actually sound? In a word: fantastic.

UA’s conversion technology has always been top-notch with Cirrus Logic AD/DA chips and excellent circuit design. The Apollo Solo HE takes this even further.

The 24-bit/192 kHz conversion leaves plenty of headroom for working with line or microphone signals. Noise floors are practically non-existent. Even at max gain levels with the preamps, there’s almost zero hint of hiss or noise. Everything sounds punchy, dynamic, and crystal clear.

For latency, the Apollo Solo HE really shines. Roundtrip latency can be as low as 1.1 ms at 96 kHz. This basically feels like real time when recording and monitoring. No need to account for delayed signal paths or sloppy playing.

Even with multiple UAD plug-ins stacked up during monitoring, latency only rises to a still very respectable 7.4 ms. For any studio application from recording to mixing, latency is a non-issue.

UAD Powered Plug-ins and Unison Technology

UA’s claim to fame lies with its UAD DSP accelerated plug-ins. The Apollo Solo HE includes the full suite of UAD plugs to give your recordings that coveted analog magic.

You get a handful of UA’s best classic emulations bundled with the unit including the 1176LN compressor, LA-2A leveler, and Pultec EQs. An additional $99 gets you the Analog Classics Plus bundle with 10 more essential studio plug-ins.

The Apollo Solo HE utilizes UA’s next generation UAD-2 QUAD processing. This dedicates extra DSP just for plug-ins so you can push the effects harder without maxing out the DSP load.

Unison technology is another highlight. This feature adds impedance modeling, gain staging, and other enhancements to make mic preamp emulations nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. You can track vocals through a Neve 1073 or guitars through an API 512 and they take on the exact tonal imprint of the hardware.

In total the UAD ecosystem provides the deepest set of analog emulations around. The Apollo Solo HE interface serves as the perfect vehicle to harness UA’s software expertise.

Performance with Real-World Applications

The Apollo Solo HE aims to service a range of personal studio applications from mobile recording to professional studio tracking. Here’s how it stacks up for real-world scenarios:

Recording Vocals and Instruments

The preamp modeling and near-zero latency performance are perfect for recording vocals, acoustic instruments, drums, and amped electric guitars or basses. Dial up preamp emulations during tracking and apply UAD effects for that polished sound right off the bat.

Mobile Recording

Thanks to bus-power and compact size, the Apollo Solo HE can take the studio anywhere. Use it on location for quick mobile recordings or field recordings. The heritage styling looks great for video shoots or streaming productions.

Studio Mixing and Production

With plenty of DSP headroom, the Apollo Solo HE pulls double duty for mixing and post-production. Add authentic analog character to individual tracks or full mixes with UAD plug-ins. Maintain super low latency for edits and playback.

Podcast and Voiceover Production

For podcasters, voiceover artists, and field reporters – the Apollo Solo HE provides crystal clear mic pres for speech recording. Dial in rich tube warmth with Unison preamp emulations and add polish with UAD’s channel strips.

Guitar/Bass Recording

The hi-Z input and real-time UAD effects make the Apollo Solo HE a no brainer for direct guitar and bass recording. Sculpt your tone with amp/cab sims and dial in the perfect blend of compression, EQ, and modulation effects.

Value Proposition

With an MSRP of $599, the Apollo Solo Heritage Edition delivers tremendous value. You get an audiophile-grade audio interface plus an entire studio’s worth of analog processing – all in a portable Thunderbolt 3 unit.

The improved preamps and richer conversion quality put it a cut above other interfaces in this price range. UA’s deep selection of plug-ins and Unison technology provide capabilities unmatched by the competition. Considering everything that’s included, the Apollo Solo HE’s price point is more than fair.

Who is the Apollo Solo Heritage Edition for?

The Apollo Solo HE hits a nice sweet spot between Apollo’s more expensive rackmount interfaces and the budget Arrow series. Here are some of the user profiles that can benefit most:

• Home/bedroom producers and podcasters
• Mobile recording rigs for musicians
• Project studios in need of analog tone/vibe
• Boutique studios looking for vintage character
• Guitarists/bassists craving authentic amp tones
• Beginner and intermediate producers on a budget

FAQs

How does the Apollo Solo HE compare to the Arrow?

The Arrow is UA’s entry level interface line with a lower price and reduced I/O. The Apollo Solo HE offers nearly double the DSP for more plug-in processing, improved preamps/conversion, and a full suite of analog emulations. It better serves professional applications.

What computer connectivity does the Apollo Solo provide?

It uses Thunderbolt 3 so you can connect to Thunderbolt 3 ports on both Windows PCs and Macs. USE with Thunderbolt 2 or USB-C is not supported.

Does the Apollo Solo HE require external power?

Nope! The Apollo Solo HE is fully bus powered via Thunderbolt 3 so no power cable is necessary. This makes it highly portable.

Can I track through UAD plug-ins with the Apollo Solo?

Absolutely. Thanks to its DSP-accelerated monitoring, the Apollo Solo HE lets you record with real-time latency through UAD effects like vintage preamp emulations, EQs, compressors, etc.

What UAD plugins come included?

You get the Marshall Plexi Classic Guitar Amp, RealVerb Pro reverb, and a handful of vintage EQs/compressors. An optional $99 package adds more classic effects like the 1176LN and Teletronix LA-2A.

Conclusion

With its heritage-inspired design, improved audio conversion, and abundant effects processing, the Universal Audio Apollo Solo Heritage Edition represents the pinnacle of UA’s personal interface line. It’s a feature-packed unit that covers all the bases for home studio creators.

The Apollo Solo HE provides a smooth hybrid workflow between immersive analog tone and modern digital recording capability. UA’s deep well of expertly modeled plug-ins empowers you to create professional quality productions regardless of experience level.

If you’re looking for a versatile Thunderbolt 3 audio interface with boutique-grade preamps and real-time DSP, the Apollo Solo Heritage Edition deserves prime consideration. For home studios and mobile rigs, it’s quite simply one of the best single-unit recording solutions available today.

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