This guide will help prepare you for your Black Ghost Audio studio session. It will walk you through the process of downloading and installing the software and presets required to take control of all the hardware in the studio.
To be able to use the studio's Apollo x8 audio interface, you'll need to download and install Universal Audio's UAD software.
Depending on your operating system, either click on "Download for Mac" or "Download for PC." When prompted, make a Universal Audio account, and then select "Get UAD Software." Installing LUNA is not required. Once the UAD software has been installed, you'll need to restart your computer.
Please note that your computer must have at least one available Thunderbolt 2 or Thunderbolt 3 port (MiniDisplay or USB-C) to use the Apollo x8.
To quickly start making use of the studio's microphones, please download this Console preset. Console is the Universal Audio software that lets you control Apollo audio interfaces, record through UAD plug-ins, as well as route and monitor audio. The Console preset should be installed in one of the following locations, depending on your operating system:
Windows: C: \ File\ User \ AppData \ Roaming \ Universal Audio \ Sessions
Mac: Macintosh HD / Users / User / Documents / Universal Audio / Sessions
Since UAD plugins are saved to the audio interface they're associated with, you'll be able to use all 79 of the studio's UAD plugins when you connect your computer to the Apollo x8.
If you don't use Pro Tools you can skip this step, but if you do use Pro Tools you can download and install the studio's custom Pro Tools I/O settings. This will map the studio's audio interface inputs and outputs to the appropriate input and output paths within Pro Tools.
If you own the Studio Edition of Sonarworks' Reference 4, you can download and install the studio's custom calibration profile. Reference 4 removes coloration from headphones and studio monitors, providing a clearer and more accurate listening experience. The Reference 4 preset should be installed in one the following locations, depending on your operating system:
Windows: C: \ Users \ User \ AppData \ Local \ Sonarworks \ Reference 4 \ Sonarworks Projects
Mac: Macintosh HD / Users / User / Library / Sonarworks / Reference 4 / Sonarworks Projects
Reference 4 is available in two versions. There's a Headphone Edition that lets you remove coloration from headphones, and a Studio Edition that lets you remove coloration from both headphones and studio monitors. The Studio Edition is required to make use of the studio's custom calibration profile.
If you run into any issues getting the UAD software, Console preset, Pro Tools I/O settings, or Reference 4 preset installed, please request assistance before your scheduled studio session.
