Universal Audio Arrow

The most affordable entry point to UA’S array of plugins

Universal Audio’s universe plays host to official, ultra-convincing plugin versions of hugely desirable guitar sounds, from Marshall Plexis and Fender’s ’55 Tweed Deluxe to boutique offerings from Friedman and Engl. The snag is that they require UA’S UAD-2 DSP hardware to take their strain and free up your computer for audio and MIDI tasks.

Enter the Arrow interface, now the most affordable way to gain access to the company’s enviable suite of plugins. It comes with UA’S Realtime Analog Classics Bundle, including its stunning Plexi emulation, as well as some top-end EQS and compressors. Further plugins set you back about £150 each, or you can get a ‘pick any 10’ bundle for £999. They’re not cheap, but they’re damn near unrivalled.

Hardware-wise, the Arrow is a two-in, four-out interface with two mic/line ins on the back and a HI-Z (guitar) in on the front. The inputs use UA’S Unison technology to – with an appropriate plugin – accurately emulate preamps, or the impedance and gain staging of amps, all nigh-on latency free.

A single Thunderbolt 3 lead is all you need to power up and start work – which is great for owners of Apple’s current Macs but limits its audience. However, given you don’t get a Thunderbolt 3 lead in the box, it’s just as easy to buy a USB-C to Thunderbolt 3 cable, which will let you use it on some less up-to-the-minute Macs.

In all, if you have the right computer and value quality, portability, ease and elegance, Arrow is unbeatable – the perfect gateway to UA’S world-class plugins. Once you’re there, you won’t want to go back.

Daniel Griffiths

an affordable way to gain access to an enviable suite of plugins