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Plug-ins include compressors, EQs, reverbs, preamp emulations and guitar amp emulations. If you’ve ever used a Universal Audio product before, then you understand that the plug-ins are really what make the units special.
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Unlike my Onyx Blackjack, and other “dumb” units, the UA Arrow works closely together with its software console to control everything from volume, input, and of course the various UAD-2 plug-ins. Hardware is just half of the story when it comes to the UA Arrow.
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There are also dedicated buttons beneath the encoder wheel to switch between preamp and monitor control. These dedicated buttons allow you to adjust input, hi-pass filter, phantom power, 20 dB pad, polarity inversion, and step linking. Clicking the wheel lets you switch between channels when controlling the preamp, and will invoke mute when controlling the monitor.īelow the display panel you’ll notice a set of buttons.
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Turning the wheel lets you adjust volume. On the top of the unit, adjacent to the display panel, rests the clickable multifunction rotary encoder wheel.
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Acquiring the necessary Thunderbolt 2 cable plus Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter adds another ~$85 dollars to the price, and I wasn’t willing to pay that much for an inferior dongle-assisted connection. Prior to the launch of the Arrow I was considering the Apollo Twin, but I didn’t like the fact that it was Thunderbolt 2 only. This is the first time that Universal Audio has included Thunderbolt 3 on one of its interfaces, and it’s a welcomed addition. Speaking of rear connections, you’ll find dual XLR inputs, a pair of 1/4″ outputs for studio monitor connectivity, and a Thunderbolt 3 port. Like the Onyx Blackjack, however, the UA Arrow does the smart thing and places its primary inputs on its backside. Some audio interfaces place the XLR inputs on front, resulting in a cluttered look that isn’t very practical for a desk environment. One of the prerequisites that I always have for audio interfaces is that the XLR and monitor inputs must be rear-facing. This, combined with the weight of the Arrow - around 2 pounds - lends it a stable desktop presence. Underneath the unit is a large non-slip surface to keep the Arrow from moving around.
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As a bonus, the all-aluminum chassis is a space gray color that perfectly compliments the iMac Pro its simple, streamlined design looks real good sitting on my desk. One of things that I appreciated about the Onyx Blackjack was its tank-like build quality, and the Arrow isn’t far behind in that regard. The build quality of the UA Arrow is, in a word, solid. I have to say that I’m very happy with what I’ve experienced thus far. Now that the Blackjack is essentially dead, and the Arrow has arrived at a $499.99 price point, I jumped at the chance to give UA’s entry-level interface a test drive. Universal Audio’s products, like the Apollo Twin, have long been on my radar, but I could never convince myself to make the jump, especially since my Onyx Blackjack was still working well at the time. Mackie’s mixer served me well, but I’ve long been aware that better products exist that result in better sounding audio. Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more videos Audio comparisonĪs I mentioned in our initial post about the UA Arrow, my trusty Onyx Blackjack from Mackie was on its last leg.
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Is the Arrow worth considering if you’re in the market for a portable audio interface for your iMac or MacBook Pro? Watch our hands-on video for our first impressions. The Arrow is an interesting product for several key reasons, headlined by its support for bus-powered Thunderbolt 3, a first for Universal Audio. The UA Arrow, like other interfaces that the company makes, can provide your recordings with the tone and feel of a traditional analog recording. Last week, Universal Audio announced a new entry-level audio interface, the UA Arrow, that’s positioned just below its popular Apollo Twin interfaces.