Setting Up Studio Monitors With Apollo Twin: A Guide

Setting up studio monitors with an Apollo Twin interface is a straightforward process that can greatly improve your audio setup. The Apollo Twin, a popular audio interface from Universal Audio, offers flexibility and high-quality performance for audio engineers and music producers. With its ability to aggregate multiple units, you can easily expand your studio setup by connecting additional Apollo interfaces. This enables you to switch between different pairs of monitors, such as stereo monitors or reference monitors, for a versatile listening experience. To simplify the process, you can utilize a monitor controller or a source selector, allowing for quick switching between different monitors. Additionally, the Apollo Twin provides features like volume control, talkback functionality, and DSP processing, making it a powerful tool for any audio professional.

Using a distribution amp

To set up a distribution amp with an Apollo Twin, you will need to connect the amp to the Apollo Twin interface using the appropriate cables. The specific cables you need will depend on the type of distribution amp and Apollo Twin you have, but some common cables used for this purpose include 1/4" TRS to female connection cables and 1/4" TRS to dual 1/4" TS cables.

Once you have the correct cables, you can connect the distribution amp to the Apollo Twin by plugging the cables into the corresponding inputs and outputs on each device. Make sure to match the left and right channels correctly.

After the distribution amp is connected to the Apollo Twin, you can then connect your studio monitors or headphones to the distribution amp. This will allow you to send audio from the Apollo Twin to multiple destinations simultaneously.

It's important to note that when using a distribution amp, you may need to create separate mixes for each destination. This can be done using a DAW or audio mixing software. Additionally, when using a distribution amp with an Apollo Twin, you may need to consider the gain structure and ensure that the signal levels are appropriate for each device in the signal chain.

Using a monitor controller

When using a monitor controller with your Apollo Twin, you can unlock a range of features and improve your workflow. By combining an Apollo Twin with a Universal Audio Apollo X interface, your setup instantly gains monitor control capabilities for up to three pairs of monitors. This means you can easily switch between different pairs of monitors and adjust their volume levels independently.

The Apollo Twin also functions as a talk-back mic controller, allowing you to communicate with the artist during recording sessions without the need for additional hardware. This can be especially useful if you're working in a larger studio space or want to provide feedback or directions to the artist without interrupting the recording process.

Additionally, the Apollo Twin expands the processing power of your Apollo X rig, giving you more headroom for running plugins and other software during mixing. This can be a significant advantage if you're working on complex projects with multiple tracks and extensive plugin use.

To make the most of this setup, consider seeking resources like online tutorials or reaching out to audio consultants who can provide guidance on how to pair these interfaces effectively.

Switching between monitors

When it comes to switching between monitors with an Apollo Twin setup, there are a few options and considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, the Apollo interface gives you the ability to switch between up to three pairs of monitors, and the Apollo X series can handle surround monitoring as well. This is a useful feature as it saves you from having to invest in a separate system for controlling levels on your playback system.

To switch between different pairs of monitors, you can utilise the Settings app for Console. Go to the Hardware tab in the Settings app, and then drag the Apollo that has the monitors you want to use to the top of the stack. The system will then feed audio only to the speakers connected to the Apollo in that top slot, denoted by the monitor icon.

Additionally, the Digital Mirror setting can be useful if you have a pair of reference monitors with digital inputs. By turning this setting on, the stereo digital output will receive the same signal as the main monitor speaker outputs, allowing you to use the analog monitor output for another headphone system.

If you require more inputs and outputs, you can consider adding another Apollo interface to your setup. This will increase the complexity, but it can be managed by simplifying the Console view and customising the I/O Matrix settings.

There are also third-party monitor switchers available, such as the Heritage Audio Baby RAM-2, the Drawmer CMC2, and the Behringer Monitor2USB. These devices can provide additional flexibility and convenience when switching between different monitors.

Connecting to a subwoofer

When connecting a subwoofer to an Apollo Twin setup, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the Apollo Twin only has line outputs, not speaker outputs, so you won't have any volume control over the signal routed to the subwoofer. This means that unless you're feeding the signal into a volume control before the subwoofer, it will be full line level signal into your subwoofer amp.

To connect your subwoofer, you can use the monitor outputs of the Apollo Twin, which are controlled by the volume knob. There are two ways to do this:

• Pass the signal through the subwoofer: Connect the Apollo Twin's monitor outputs to the inputs on the subwoofer. Then, connect your studio monitors to the outputs on the subwoofer. This way, the audio signal will first go to the subwoofer, which will handle the low frequencies, and then to your studio monitors. Ensure that your subwoofer has a crossover to properly separate the low and high frequencies.
• Use a hardware monitor controller: Get a monitor controller with multiple speaker sets, so you can connect both the subwoofer and studio monitors to the same volume control. This will allow you to control the volume of both the subwoofer and studio monitors simultaneously.

If your studio monitors do not have line outputs, you may need to use a different approach. One option is to use a high-pass filter plugin in your DAW for the main outputs to cut the very low bass frequencies from the monitors. Then, use a low-pass filter for a mono AUX output, which will be routed to the subwoofer. However, this method can be challenging to set up correctly and may create level-matching problems when changing the listening volume.

Additionally, consider the specifications of your subwoofer. Ideally, you want a sharp crossover (usually 18dB/octave) that provides a fast shift of audio frequencies between the monitors and the subwoofer. This will ensure a smooth transition between the two and prevent peaks and notches in the frequency response.

Using multiple Apollo units

To manage multiple monitor systems, you can connect your surround monitoring system to an Apollo X unit and hook up to three sets of stereo monitors to a second rack Apollo. The Apollo interface enables you to switch between these monitor pairs easily. To change your monitoring path, simply open the Settings app for Console, go to the Hardware tab, and drag the Apollo with the desired monitors to the top of the stack. This top slot is the source for all your monitoring.

Additionally, the Console app expands to display all the new I/O you've acquired interconnected with a single cable, giving you a clear overview of your setup. However, having multiple Apollo units can also increase complexity, so it's essential to simplify your view to stay focused on your work. You can hide unused inputs and reorder channels within the Console app to streamline your workflow.

Furthermore, you can utilise virtual channels within your setup. By routing the outputs of your Mac into the Console mixer, you can easily play tracks from iTunes or Spotify and route them into headphone mixes. This is particularly useful when you want to play example tracks for your musicians. Similarly, setting up a virtual channel for the output of your DAW tracks allows you to use your stereo mix as a starting point for a headphone mix.

Frequently asked questions