Which Mac for Apollo?

[jefferson]

Hi all,
Without ever using a Mac before, I bought a used Universal Audio Apollo.
I wont be interfacing to a DAW, but to digital desks through optical connections.
I now see that to host the required software to use the plugins and console for the Apollo, I literally need a Mac.
Can anyone assist in a Apollo/Mac for dummies way, to help with the purchase of a Mac (which model etc)just for the purpose stated above?
P.s the mac needs to have Firewire800 interface.
Thanks in advance for your help?

Regards
Jefferson

[headman]

I have an Apollo 16. It uses Thunderbolt to connect to a Mac and Firewire to connect to PC's. Are they not giving away the Thunderbolt interface away for free at the moment with purchase of the Apollo?

BTW it's just a fabulous unit with the bonus of the UA collection of plugins (not for free unfortunately)


headman

[jefferson]

Hi Richard,
I bought the Apollo quad as used off eBay.
All the docs and the UA website I have read appear to indicate FireWire for either mac or pc. The kicker appears to be that if going to use a PC, only very specific model will work. It's all confusing and it appears to me that more (yet maybe not all) Mac's will work?
I was hoping a T'rocker may be able to suggest an expert who I can pay for their advise on exactly the right computer I need to use this Apollo quad?
Thanks for your assistance though!
Regards
Jefferson

[peat]

I've got an Apollo quad running on a mid 2014 mac book pro.
Solid as hell and the best computing audio experience I've ever had.

The Apollo has two driver installers, one for TB and one for FW. If yours has no TB card then you can obviously still use it fine over FW.

Are you just going to use it in 'stand alone' mode with the console application to run inserts etc. from another console I would imagine?

Just get any computer that runs FW and you'll be fine.

I've (fortunately) been out of the PC game for a number of years now so don't have much up to date knowledge on hardware specifics for PC's. If you get a MBP, even an older one with a FW800 port on the side, you'll just install the Apollo software, plug it in and it will work.

[ChrisW]

I have an Apollo. I've used it with a 2007 iMac and currently use it over TB with a 2012 iMac (top line model).
For what you are planning to do I would say a decent iMac would be sufficient. The Apollo itself handles a lot of the plug-in processing.
If you see yourself using the Mac for more than just hosting Apollo, a new MacPro would probably be a better long term investment.
But no issues here using the latest UAD software with the latest PT11 on a fairly basic iMac.

[jefferson]

OK Chris and Peat, thanks for that information. I only expect to use the Mac to run the console and plugins so i'll have some confidence in spending some more $$$ on a used MBP thanks to your insights.
By the way, I have had a support question at Universal Audio for a week now with no response? (other than the automated email suggesting various reference areas on their site).
Thanks again for all the input.

Regards
Jefferson

[ChrisW]

There is a fairly well populated UAD User forum, with the presence of an official UAD Tech Guru:
http://uadforum.com/forum.php#forums

I have never had a single issue with my two iMacs, either over firewire or thunderbolt. However, there was a spate of issues with Mac users using Apollo a year or so ago. I'm not sure if anyone ever got to the bottom of it. Whether it was a particular Mac that was the issue, or a Mac OS, or a UAD OS version.
Just to be sure I would post your proposed set up at the UAD user forum.

[jefferson]

Good idea Chris - thanks.
Fyi - My support request was not at the forum but direct to the support team?
Regards
Jefferson