Apollo
API Preamp

API Preamp

4.9 (152)

Get the hit-making color and tone of API's iconic 212L preamp.

  • Get the world’s only authentic plug-in emulation of the legendary Class-A, API 212L mic preamp, with added features from API’s flagship Vision console
  • Record "through" the legendary API preamp in real time using Apollo interfaces, with low DSP use
  • Easily color your tracks with musical punch, clarity, and character with an unequaled emulation of complex, nonlinear circuit behaviors
  • Control Apollo mic preamp gain staging and impedance directly from the API Preamp plug-in via Unison™ technology

Runs on macOS or Windows. Requires an Apollo audio interface or UAD Accelerator. View full system requirements.

API Preamp

$149

$149

Hear It In Action

Plug-In:

Hear It In Action

Hear It In Action

Plug-In:

Hear It In Action

Plug-In:

Get the Hit-Making Color and Tone of API's Iconic 212L Preamp

From Fleetwood Mac’s classic, Rumours to Radiohead's In Rainbows, API preamps have shaped hit albums with stunning punch, presence, and color for over 50 years. Now, you can easily add that same clarity, character, and musically complex tone of this proven, hit‑making mic preamplifier in a simple plug-in.

Record “Through” an API Preamp With Apollo

UA’s groundbreaking Unison technology lets you track in realtime through the API Preamp plug-in using your Apollo, giving you the original hit-making hardware’s line/mic preamp impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and exact circuit behaviors.

Add Punch and Character to Any Source

Of course, the API Preamp plug‑in isn’t just for Apollo interface owners. Anyone can harness the color of the API Preamp plug‑in for mixing and tone shaping — without ever leaving the box. Thanks to its lower DSP usage, you can easily place the API Preamp plug‑in instances across multiple channels, turning your favorite DAW into a classic API analog desk.

What They Say

The accuracy of the UAD API plug-ins is incredible. I’ll turn up the preamp gain to drive a guitar, or simply add some clean gain if I'm tracking Alicia Keys’ piano. So versatile!

Ann Mincieli

Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey

I've been a diehard API fan for 20 years. UA knocked this one out of the park. Twice.

Jeff Juliano

John Mayer, Shinedown, Train

The UAD LA-2A and API Series plug-ins not only feel and sound like my hardware, they react the same when I push them hard.

Mark Needham

The Killers, Neon Trees, P!nk

Reviews

4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
Based on 152 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 139 Total 4 star reviews: 9 Total 3 star reviews: 2 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 2
97%would recommend this product
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152 reviews
  • BR
    B. R.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1 month ago
    Very thing you need you didn’t know you needed!

    Two Words “Love it”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Was this helpful?
  • HS
    h. S.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    2 months ago
    And API Vision Channel Strip...

    More API Vision Channel Strip ... Cleaning And Good sound ... Sad only preamp ~~

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  • NK
    n. k.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    3 months ago
    great pre amp

    great analog smooth pre amp

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  • .
    .
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    4 months ago
    API Sound for sure

    This thing sounds amazing! It has tgat API sound and vibe 100%!

    Was this helpful?
  • AP
    A. P.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    6 months ago
    Boom

    Great!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you’ll need an Apollo audio interface, UAD-2 Satellite, or UAD-2 PCIe card to run these plug-ins, using the onboard DSP. The plug-ins run on the hardware itself, without adding strain to your computer’s CPU. In an Apollo, onboard DSP processing allows you to run realtime UAD plug-ins with near-zero latency, and even record that processing directly to your DAW.

This refers to the number of SHARC DSP processors in Apollo and UAD-2 hardware. A DUO core system has twice the amount of processing power compared to a SOLO core system. More SHARC DSP cores increases the number of UAD-2 plug-ins you can run on the hardware.

No, Satellites provide DSP to run UAD-2 plug-ins in your DAW.

Yes, you can start a fully functional 14-day demo from any plug-in bundled with the UAD software. Simply click “Start Demo”, and start using it in your DAW.

UAD-2 licenses follow the hardware, it does not matter which computer they are connected to. You can have up to six UAD-2 devices registered to a system in your Universal Audio account, which share those licenses. See UAD-2 Plug-In Licensing Explained for full details. Authorisation of UAD-2 hardware is managed by the UAD Meter & Control Panel Application.

Check our Knowledge Base for additional questions

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