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Apollo Twin Thunderbolt Connection Info

Connecting Apollo Twin to the computer

  • On Windows 10 systems:

    - The host computer must have an available Thunderbolt 3 port.
    - A qualified Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt adapter is required. For details, see this article.
    - UAD devices with Thunderbolt 1 or Thunderbolt 2 connections may be mixed and/or matched.
  • Apollo Twin cannot be bus powered via Thunderbolt. The included external power supply must be used.
  • See the Apollo Thunderbolt Multi Unit Cascading article for specific instructions on how to connect and use two or more Apollo units together.
  • Universal Audio Thunderbolt devices are tested with authentic Apple Thunderbolt Cables and Thunderbolt Optical Cables by Corning. Using off-brand cables may cause unpredictable results.
  • When connecting Apollo Twin to the computer always check the orientation of the Thunderbolt cable. The Thunderbolt logo must be face up on the Thunderbolt cable when plugged into both the Apollo Twin and the computer - if the Thunderbolt logo is not face up then the cable is inserted upside-down, which can be done fairly easily. 

Note: On iMac computers, the Thunderbolt logo on the Thunderbolt cable should face left (when looking at the back of the iMac).

Connecting additional Thunderbolt peripherals

  • Universal Audio Thunderbolt devices are officially certified as Thunderbolt compliant and are therefore compatible with other certified Thunderbolt devices when used in the same chain (this includes docks).
  • The Startech Thunderbolt Docking Station is tested in-house and is known to be compatible with UA Thunderbolt devices. This device has an HDMI display output which can be used for an external display to free the Thunderbolt port for Apollo Twin.
  • All UA Thunderbolt devices must be connected to the same Thunderbolt port on the computer.

    Note: Apple MacBook Pro models (2016 and later) with four Thunderbolt 3 ports have two separate Thunderbolt buses — the two ports on the left side are one bus, and the two ports on the right side are a separate bus.

  • The Thunderbolt protocol supports a maximum of six Thunderbolt peripherals per Thunderbolt bus.

Thunderbolt and Mini DisplayPort

  • For general information about Thunderbolt ports and displays, see Apple's Thunderbolt ports and displays FAQ.
  • Apollo Twin cannot be used by connecting it to a Mini DisplayPort connector. Although Thunderbolt and Mini DisplayPort devices have the same physical connector, the underlying communication protocol used by these devices is different.
  • The type of device port can be determined by the icon next to the port. Thunderbolt ports have a "lightning bolt" icon, while Mini DisplayPort ports have a "display" icon. The difference between these ports and icons is shown in the illustration below.

Port Icons

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