A sleek, portable Thunderbolt 3 DSP accelerator for Mac and Windows users, bringing the rich analogue sound of UAD plug-ins to all major DAWs. Available with UAD-2 QUAD or OCTO Core processing.

This OCTO Core version has eight SHARC processors and comes bundled with Analog Classics Plus plug-ins.

Get the rich analogue sound of UAD plug-ins over Thunderbolt

The UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt is a powerhouse DSP accelerator that gives Mac and Windows 10 users complete access to the world’s most detailed and authentic analogue emulation plug-ins, available exclusively on the UAD platform.

Bolstered by next-generation connectivity, UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 lets you run large professional mixes with the rich analogue character of award-winning UA-developed plug-ins, including exclusive titles from Neve, Fender, Lexicon, Studer, and many more. Plus, it’s backward-compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 UA devices.

• Run UAD Powered Plug-Ins on compatible Thunderbolt Mac or Windows 10 systems
• Start mixing right away with the included Analog Classics Plus plug‑in bundle
• Get a massive DSP boost for powering large professional mixes
• Get the sound of a professional analogue studio “on the road,” courtesy of UAD plug‑ins
• Access over 100 plug-ins from Ampex, Lexicon, Helios, Studer, Neve, Manley, Capitol Studios, API, and more
• Combine with other UAD-2 devices, including UAD-2 PCIe card(s) and Thunderbolt-equipped Satellites and UA Audio Interfaces

UAD: The Industry’s Most Respected Collection of Audio Plug-Ins

From serious home recordists to multi-platinum mix engineers, UAD Powered Plug-Ins have been winning over audio professionals for more than 15 years. The reason is simple. No other plug-ins so faithfully capture the sound and behaviour of classic analogue equipment — from rare compressors and equalizers, to vintage reverb processors and tape machines.

The UAD library features over 100 plug-ins, co-developed with the biggest brands in audio. These plug-ins can be purchased with UAD-2 hardware from retailers as part of bundled packages, or you can buy UAD plug-ins à la carte from UA’s Online Store.

Powerful, Expandable Processing

UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 is available in QUAD or OCTO models with either four or eight SHARC processors, respectively. It can also be integrated alongside UAD-2 PCIe DSP Accelerator cards and Thunderbolt-equipped UA Audio Interfaces, including Arrow, Apollo Twin, and Apollo X interfaces for truly scalable mixing power.

UAD Plug-In Craftsmanship: The Science Behind the Scenes

In developing UAD plug-ins, UA’s acclaimed engineers undertake intensive physical modelling of classic audio hardware — “rebuilding” vintage analogue gear in the digital world, component by component. UAD plug-ins replicate the exact, sometimes quirky behaviour of the most prized analogue hardware in existence, bringing you rich, three-dimensional sound and harmonics “in the box.”