UA Apollo interfaces accessibility issues

9 views
Skip to first unread message

John André Lium-Netland

unread,
Jan 2, 2025, 8:20:43 AMJan 2
to PT access group, logic-acc...@googlegroups.com
Hi,

Does anyone have experience with the UA Apollo interfaces accessibility issues? Someone told me that the buttons on the front panel is a type of touch button that makes it impossible for a blind person to know if the knob is controlling the pre-amps or the monitors. Also, is the Mac software for the interface 100% compatible with VoiceOver? I would like to be able to set pre-amp levels and setup monitors and UA effects for the inputs.

Any feedback or information is appreciated! And sorry for the cross posting.

Best,
John André

Steve Martin

unread,
Jan 2, 2025, 10:34:28 AMJan 2
to ptac...@googlegroups.com
I owned an Apollo previously and the way it worked then, is there was a button for the preamp, Speakers, Headphones, Phantom power, etc. You would press the preamp button once for say preamp 1, or twice for preamp 2 etc, then turn the single big knob on the unit to adjust preamp gain. Also which ever preamp was selected, you could now press phantom power to turn phantom power on/off to that preamp. Or the line /instrument button to switch that input from line to instrument level. Same with the headphones or speaker button, press either of those buttons and then the big knob on the unit is controlling the volume. Of course there will be lights or similar indicator on the unit to signify what was selected but of course that wouldn’t help a blind person.
Someone did an add on for the UAD console software that lets you use a MIDI Controller or Control surface to navigate. As Lucky also pointed out someone else is working on another add on that doesn’t require any additional hardware, but you can jump on the logic band discord server or ask in one of the wats app groups as he maybe hanging out there too.
UAD plug ins, are usable in the DAW, but the uAD console for controlling the interface and using the unison stuff isn’t without one of the aforementioned add ons.
Personally though, modern computers are fast enough and modern interfaces are low latency enough that I feel the UAD option are a lot of hoops to jump through for not a lot of benefits. Especially considering some of the accessible options we have for audio interfaces now where the control software is accessible. 
-T.O.M
Grab your free “Getting Started With Logic Course  at  https://logic.band/mailing-list//
Join The Band! Membership perks include in-Depth Tutorials,live Q&A & more https://logic.band/members
Interested in One On One Training? Visit 
https://logic.band/training
Check Out LogicBand on Youtube!
https://www.youtube.com/c/logicband
Stay up to date with Logic.band on Social Media
https://twitter.com/logicdotband
https://www.facebook.com/logicdotband

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Pro Tools Accessibility" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ptaccess+u...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ptaccess/17301910-AC3D-43C6-BEB6-25D00FCD0343%40a-pro-studio.no.

Nick Gawronski

unread,
Jan 2, 2025, 10:43:36 AMJan 2
to ptac...@googlegroups.com, Steve Martin

Hi, If I get one of these interfaces that has say 8 inputs can I use more then one at a time and what is the process for doing this?  I myself am looking to upgrade my equipment from the Digi 003 to hardware that works with the new mac book pro systems and am willing to wait until Pro Tools is fully ready for those systems but it is mainly the hardware that I want to buy now.  If these interfaces are not the best voice over friendly for combo jacks that are of great quality what audio interface do you suggest I look into if I am not always wanting to use their special plugins and mainly just the plugins that come with Pro Tools?  Nick Gawronski

John André Lium-Netland

unread,
Jan 2, 2025, 11:50:44 AMJan 2
to PT access group
Hi,

Interesting, do you have suggestions for interfaces that are known to be totally accessible or usable with few work-arounds?

Best,
John André


Steve Martin

unread,
Jan 2, 2025, 2:51:11 PMJan 2
to ptac...@googlegroups.com
On the high end, Apogee does say the stuff that uses their new control 2software and control 2 iOS app are accessible, but I have no personal experience with it. The previous gen Control app that worked with the ensemble and element series interfaces had an accessible iOS app that worked great for setting preamp and headphone/speaker settings, but some more advanced settings weren’t the most accessible to get to in the Mac Control app back then. If they maintained what was accessible previously while giving access to more stuff, it’s will be worth considering but, can’t speak to it personally.
Audient has also been touting accessibility as well, but once again no personal experience with any of their stuff post when accessibility became an option.
What I do have first hand experience with is the Focusrite 4th Gen Scarletts. Accessibility is well implemented and you can control all the features of the preamps, headphones and all the outputs from the computer or phone apps accessibly. And the mixer and routing pages are accessible also. 
I previously was using an Apogee element and I can’t say it’s missed with all the workflow improvements I have with the Scarlett now. All the functionality I had on the element with the advanced stuff I couldn’t do on the element at the time.
One of those should work for you and your taste, needs and budget will help you decide which one to go with should you decide to try one of them.
-T.O.M
Grab your free “Getting Started With Logic Course  at  https://logic.band/mailing-list//
Join The Band! Membership perks include in-Depth Tutorials,live Q&A & more https://logic.band/members
Interested in One On One Training? Visit 
https://logic.band/training
Check Out LogicBand on Youtube!
https://www.youtube.com/c/logicband
Stay up to date with Logic.band on Social Media
https://twitter.com/logicdotband
https://www.facebook.com/logicdotband
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages