Universal Audio Apollo Duo Core 18 x 24 Firewire/Thunderbolt Audio Interface

If you are considering buying this, just stop wasting your time. This unit comes with its own system architecture to enable advanced plugins which are the best I've heard, and they rival analogue hardware. This will add a WHOLE LOT to your studio, with the UAD-2 plugins available for purchase... they are amazing! If you have the dough, take advantage of the $3,999 Ultimate plug in offer when registering and start using them. If not, definitely pay the $799 for six plug ins of your choice. I like the G Bus compressor, Neve 1073, Precision K-Stereo is nice too for editing live concert audio from video. Lexicon 224 and RealVerb Pro are fantastic reverbs (along with the EMT 140), Ocean Way is useful if you are creative with bussing your tracks and mixing, etc. The Apollo is the best all in one unit I have found. I am pairing it with the Universal Audio 4-710d. Check that one out if you haven't already, it'll give you 4 additional tube/solidstate modular pre amps over the Apollo's 4 (which are pristine, clear and clean by the way). The Fairchild compressor is really good, I also use the API 560 it sounds fantastic (probably my favorite EQ out of all of them). Digital EQ v2 is nice to have for certain instruments and vocals. 5 STARS!!!

Simply a STELLAR unit! The Mic Pre's are incredible and don't color the sound. But the real reason to buy this unit is because of the analog plugins from UAudio! Just superb! Compared to the Lynx 8, you only get 4 XLR mic inputs and then an additional four 1/4 in inputs. I am not sure how the Lynx Pre's stand up compared to the duo, but who cares! Add the plugins and its a no brainer!