Introduction
The UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt Quad Core is a strong device that improves how you make music. It’s small, dependable, and fits easily into your setup. Using it will make your music production better by making your work faster and more creative.
Interface Performance
- Processing Power: The Quad Core chip delivers exceptional processing power, handling multiple plug-ins with ease.
- Real-time Processing: Enjoy seamless real-time processing without compromising audio quality, even with complex projects.
- Compatibility: Works flawlessly with major DAWs, offering a wide range of plug-ins for versatile creativity.
Connectivity
- Thunderbolt Connection: Fast Thunderbolt connection ensures minimal latency, providing a smooth user experience.
- Expandability: The unit allows daisy-chaining for expanded processing capabilities, ideal for future upgrades.
Portability and Design
- Compact Design: Sleek and compact, making it portable and easy to transport for on-the-go music production.
- Sturdy Build: Robust build quality ensures durability, suitable for both studio and travel use.
Interface Pros
- Outstanding processing power
- Seamless real-time processing
- Wide compatibility with major DAWs
- Fast Thunderbolt connectivity
- Compact and portable design
Interface Cons
- Limited DSP resources for extensive projects
- Relatively high price point for entry-level users
Conclusion
The UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt Quad Core is really good at handling tasks, connecting to devices, and being easy to carry around. It’s great for making sound better, but it doesn’t have unlimited processing power, and it might be expensive for some people, depending on what they need and how much they can spend.
Effie –
I bought this to support the use of plugins to chain to my Apollo Twin X Quad. I have had nothing but popup bugs with my UAD plugins within Ableton Live. First I had some popups with something like -16 errors, UAD had some patch which fixed something, then I had bugs due to some Mac OS security system changes, I had to revert to some older UAD version, and now I’ve been having random -38 popup errors and I went back and forth with UAD for an eternity and now they want to charge me for shipping to send it to them so they can send a replacement. Meanwhile I have been replacing my UAD plugins with Waves plugins. You just have to have a powerful computer and you can’t trust UAD’s DSP power that they keep selling and bullcrapping about. What a crap company.
MooseMalarkey –
I had been watching the Apollo line for a number of years and finally got the Apollo Duo last year, because it had more processing than Arrow.
A year later, after investing hundreds into these plugins, I can only use a 3-6 at a given time. What’s the fun if you can’t mix a full song with this significant investment?
Adding the OCTO Core gives you the freedom to add multiple instances of your fav UAD plugins for a real world mix. Amazing!
Pritam Singh –
Bam! Now I got power to run some UAD plugins.
Laurence Anslow –
I’m a huge fan of UAD plugins. I love them. They’re my favorite brand to use. They haven’t got the Satellite right however since the Thunderbolt 2 version. I have 4 of these out of necessity (it’s my profession) because the latest Macs of course require Thunderbolt 3. The boxes crash frequently when changing sessions or activating or deactivating plugins. My hunch is that the majority of UAD RnD is now geared towards the Apollo series or Luna, and these wonderful satellites (which I used to love) have been neglected.
They seem a little better on Big Sur, a common problem on Catalina was causing kernel errors (colloquially known as the black screen of death) during a mix. Don’t let me put you off UAD, but I would recommend looking into their other hardware choices before parting with your hard earn cash for one of these.
I do hope they improve.
Michael Wouters –
UA products are just bang for your buck. The plugins are Def amazing and the cpu of my Mac stays mostly unused, runs great, sounds great
Kungfuthug –
Nothing to dislike
Takudzwanashe Rushwaya –
Love it. I just wish Amazon sold more music equipment. Like analogue synths.
michael ayley –
The UAD 2 satellite Thunderbolt quad Tripled my DSP! I have a dual core Apollo twin x as my interface. I love it but after 8 months of learning and recording, I determined I needed to add this satellite And increase the limits of where my recordings can go!
Installation seemed to be easier than it was for the interval too. A handful of new Plug-ins that were on my list were included with the purchase.
michael ayley –
Such nice build quality. I really like how I can control my Arrow with a switch now. I used to have to unplug my arrow every time, this solves that.
Monster DSP in small gorgeous package.
Recommend it
Darren Jones –
Does EXACTLY what its meant to do! I have a UAD Apollo Solo audio interface with an 8GB Mac mini M1. Before this addition to my setup, I was only able to run a small amount of UAD plugins in a session before exhausting my memory. I was extremely disappointed due to all of the money I’d shelled out between the audio interface, additional plugins, and thunderbolt 3 cable (that wasn’t originally included); so giving up wasn’t an option for me.
I stumbled across this on their website and was very reluctant to purchase. But after a few days passed by, I decided to buy it. LIFE CHANGING!!!!! If you buy an Apollo Solo / Twin from Universal Audio, please do yourself a favor and add this to your cart as well. It will save you!
Gabriel –
Perfect addition to my apolo twin duo. Adds crucial dsp needed for mixing my tracks.