“A powerful tool for recording guitars, and there’s plenty to grow into”: Universal Audio Apollo Twin X review

This premium audio interface is packed full of pro-level features, but is it overkill for recording guitar at home?

A Universal Audio Apollo Twin X audio interface on a wooden floor with an electric guitar and a MacBook
(Image: © Future/Matt McCracken)

Guitar World Verdict

The Universal Audio Apollo Twin X is a professional-level bit of kit that is fantastic for recording guitars, delivering supreme sound and usability. That said, it may be too much in both the features and price department for those who like to keep things simple.

Pros

  • +

    Powerful and intuitive software

  • +

    Analog approach to workflow

  • +

    Versatile preamp sound

  • +

    Rock solid build quality

Cons

  • -

    Annoying installation process on Mac

  • -

    Could be overkill for some

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

It’s interesting how we guitarists spend so much money to get our hands on gear that emulates fifty-year-old technology. We dedicate our playing time to achieving the tones and techniques of players long gone or past their prime, while manufacturers use every modern tech trick in the book to recreate the sounds and vibe of whichever vintage yesteryear. I can’t think of many other categories of technology where this is the case, and I’ve yet to see anyone harking for the day floppy disks return so they can store their data the way they used to.

The Universal Audio Apollo Twin X is one such piece of gear. On the one hand, it’s a thoroughbred modern audio interface with duo/quad SHARC DSP processors, advanced AD/DA conversion, and some incredible dynamic range and total harmonic distortion figures. On the other, the actual workflow is decidedly nostalgic, aiming to recreate the process of recording via an analog studio desk, using plugins modeled on vintage rackmount units from the '60s onwards.

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month**

Join now for unlimited access

US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year

UK pricing £2.99 per month or £29.00 per year 

Europe pricing €3.49 per month or €34.00 per year

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Prices from £2.99/$3.99/€3.49

Matt McCracken
Junior Deals Writer

Matt is a Junior Deals Writer here at Guitar World. He regularly tests and reviews music gear with a focus on guitars, amps, pedals, modelers, and pretty much anything else guitar-related. Matt worked in music retail for 5 years at Dawsons Music and Northwest Guitars and has written for various music sites including MusicRadar, Guitar Player, Guitar.com, Ultimate Guitar, and Thomann’s t.blog. A regularly gigging guitarist with over 20 years of experience playing live and writing and recording in bands, he's performed everything from jazz to djent, gigging all over the country in more dingy venues than you can shake a drop-tuned guitar at.