Universal Audio Arrow

Universal audio's UAD-2 powered plugins are highly regarded for their analogue-emulating talents, but the hardware required to run them can be prohibitively expensive for some producers. Enter Arrow, UA's new audio interface, which sits just below the Apollo Twin in their range of UAD-enabling interfaces.

Arrow has two Unison-ready XLR inputs alongside one instrument (hi-Z) jack, and is powered by its Thunderbolt 3 connection on PC or Mac. The interface gives users entry to the world of powered plugins with its Solo Core processor, and is equipped with Unison mic preamps to process your input signal via UAD plugins during recording. The included Realtime Analog Classics bundle features 14 UAD plugins to get you started on your analogue-emulating adventure, such as the 610-B Tube Preamp, the Marshall Plexi Classic, and several UAD 'Legacy' edition plugins aping classic hardware (1176, Pultec and LA-2A).

Standard interface functions include Input monitoring, high-pass filter, phantom power and more.

Universal Audio are keen to point out Arrow's ‘near-zero latency’ processing of UAD-2 plugins, its ‘best-in-class’ converters, and its portability compared other UA gear.

That small size manages to match the price, too – the unit is $400, and while it still ain't cheap for a standard interface, it's the lowest bar to entry into the world of onboard DSP out there. We’ll be subjecting Arrow to our scrutinies in the official FM review soon.