When faced with an impending DSP shortage. However, if one Satellite is not enough for you, it can be combined with additional units, or even with any of the Apollo series interfaces. This box does not give you unlimited processing capabilities and the best UA plugins can be VERY DSP intensive. In mixes, I ended up using UA plugs on the most important tracks until the unit maxed out, and then relied on other plug-ins to further tweak the mix. I like knowing that I can travel with this box and be guaranteed a certain amount of processing. It’s diminutive size make traveling with easy as can be. I used the OCTO primarily at my studio, but also brought it to use at another studio as well. One could accomplish quite a bit with only a laptop and the OCTO. The OCTO and QUAD only work with Universal Audio plugins, the cost of which must be factored into your final decision.įor producers and mixers on-the-go, the OCTO could be extremely useful, offering a level of performance that still cannot be supplied natively on a portable computer. It has only one job and it does it effectively and without fuss. The hardware itself is really that simple, and the OCTO, while working extremely well, is fairly limited in scope. However, I found that if I followed instructions to the letter (picture?), everything quickly and easily fell into place and has been rock solid ever since with no issues.Īnd that’s pretty much all there is to getting working with the Satellite. I’m not a fan of this, but it seems to be standard operating procedure for many companies as of recently.
UA does not include a paper setup manual and relies solely on a link to video instructions for initial setup. This is not necessarily a negative factor, but it is something that must be considered in your overall budget, as Thunderbolt cables are still relatively expensive compared to other forms of connection. It is worth noting that a Thunderbolt cable is mandatory but not included.
Inside the box you’ll find only the OCTO, power supply, and a cardboard insert with a link to setup and registration (the UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt is Mac only). Opening the box feels akin to unearthing a buried treasure, and short of run-ins with wild animals or angry postal workers, the device should arrive in mint condition. The UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt comes in QUAD and OCTO versions.Īs is the norm with Universal Audio’s gear, the packaging itself is designed to maximize both anticipation and protection for your new hardware.