This kit includes:

Universal Audio Apollo Twin X DUO Heritage Edition
The Apollo Twin X DUO Heritage Edition is a special edition of Universal Audio’s Desktop 10 x 6 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface with Realtime UAD DUO Core Processing and two Unison Mic Preamps for Mac and Windows. The Heritage Edition comes with all the benefits of Apollo Twin X including elite-class A/D and D/A conversion, DUO Core realtime UAD plug-processing, Unison-enabled mic preamps and full LUNA Recording System integration. Plus, it comes with a software suite of 5 award-winning UAD plug-in titles featuring Collections from Teletronix, Pultec and UA. Realtime UAD Processing allows you to run the full library of UAD plug-ins at near-zero latency. These premium Heritage Edition titles are in addition to Apollo Twin X’s included “Realtime Analog Classics” bundle, giving you the most accurate library of classic analog emulations of any pro audio interface. 

The Heritage Edition of Apollo Twin X also features two Unison-enabled mic preamps, letting you track through exacting mic preamp emulations from Neve, API, Manley, SSL, Avalon, Helios and Universal Audio. A Universal Audio exclusive, Unison is a proprietary hardware-software integration that nails the tone of these popular tube and solid-state mic pres. Unison technology is also found on Apollo Twin X’s front-panel Hi-Z instrument input, providing dead-on impedance and gain matching for guitar and bass amp models from Fender, Marshall, Ampeg and more.

To improve upon the previous generation, UA engineers redesigned the Apollo Twin X’s audio conversion to deliver a striking 127 dB dynamic range and -117 dB THD+N, giving it a spacious, organic sound that easily rivals dedicated high-end converters. Apollo Twin MkII works with all major DAWs, including LogicPro, Ableton Live, Pro Tools and more, but it becomes a fully integrated recording system with LUNA, a powerful recording application for Mac from Universal Audio. Bolstered by Accelerated Realtime Monitoring, LUNA lets you track and mix in an intuitive single-window workflow with unlimited track counts.

Get Legendary UA Sound Natively With UAD Spark
Apollo Heritage Editions include plug-ins featured in UAD Spark, UA’s subscription plug-in collection that runs natively on Mac, with no UA hardware required. With UAD Spark, you can expand your plug-in processing power, balancing your DSP load between Apollo and your computer’s onboard processing.

Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
The flat, 50Hz–20kHz frequency response of the Shure SM7B Microphone with Switchable Response is designed especially for spoken word, but recording engineers have discovered that it's also an exceptional mic for adding body to thin vocals and handling loud rock/metal singers. It also has the ability to tame harsh or sibilant sounds from hi-hat, cymbals and voice. The SM7B is highly shielded against electrical interference, and includes bass roll-off and mid-range emphasis (presence boost) controls with graphic display, and internal "air suspension" shock isolation. It ships with a standard windscreen and an A7WS detachable windscreen for close-talk applications. Need some convincing that this might be the mic for you? This is the vocal mic, then known as simply the SM7, that Bruce Swedien used to record Michael Jackson's vocals on Thriller, the best-selling album of all time and it's a favorite of Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers as well.

Application note: The SM7B is a low output mic, so plugging direct into an audio interface may not offer enough gain. In such a case you need a preamp with a decent amount of gain. Due to its smooth sound and thickening characteristics, a transparent-sounding preamp will be a preferred choice. (See our Preamp Buying Guide for a thorough discussion of transparent vs. color preamps.)

Shure SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones
The SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones provide exceptional sound reproduction and comfort. Optimized for home and studio recording, SRH440 headphones reproduce accurate audio across an extended range. Impedance, power handling and sensitivity are all calibrated for professional audio devices such as DJ mixers, mixing consoles, and headphone amplifiers. Use them comfortably all day long, thanks to the adjustable headband and quality construction.

Livewire Essential XLR Microphone Cable 15'
Microphone cable with nickel-plated Rean connecters, 24-gauge dual conductor design; spiral copper shielding (95% coverage), with strain relief and heavy PVC jacket.

Rean Connecters
24-Gauge Dual Conductor Design
Spiral Copper Shield
Guaranteed for Life