Universal Audio Apollo x8

Apollo x8 Thunderbolt 3 interface – Elite Audio Conversion with four Unison preamps, new HEXA Core Processing and Surround Sound Monitoring.

With Apollo x8, music producers and post-production studios can track and mix with new world-class A/D and D/A converters, HEXA Core UAD plug-in processors, 7.1 surround monitoring and LUNA recording System integration (Mac) – all contained in a smart Thunderbolt 3 audio interface rack for Mac** or PC.

Building on Universal Audio’s 60-year history in high-end audio, the new 18×24 interface features four Unison™ preamps that deliver authentic emulations of classic preamps from Neve, API, Manley, SSL and more. And with the new HEXA Core processors, you get 50% more DSP to run the phenomenal UAD plug-ins in real time.

In addition to the new elite-class converters, the Apollo x8 can switch to compatibility with professional +24 dB gear and is equipped with an integrated monitor controller and a built-in talkback microphone.

The elite in A/D and D/A conversion
The fact that Apollo interfaces have always sounded great is evidenced by thousands of hit songs and hundreds of Grammy-winning albums. So to further improve the new generation of interfaces, Universal Audio engineers meticulously listened to the latest A/D and DA converters, and ended up combining the absolute best 24-bit/192 kHz converters with a completely new analog circuit to achieve the ultimate in pure sound.

Realtime UAD HEXA Core Processing
The Apollo X series is all equipped with the new HEXA Core processing power with six DSP chips, giving it 50% more plug-in processor horsepower than previous Apollo models. This allows for more plug-in capability, whether you’re recording in real time with channel strips from Neve, Manley or API, or running multiple UAD plug-ins in your DAW mix.

LUNA Recording System included
Apollo x8 can be used with all major DAWs such as Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Cubase and more. But it becomes a fully integrated system with LUNA, a revolutionary new recording software for Mac from Universal Audio. Supported by Accelerated Realtime Monitoring, LUNA gives you an intuitive one-window workflow where you can record and mix with an unlimited number of tracks, full AU support and access to an exclusive selection of LUNA instruments and extensions. From integrated Studer multitrack tape and built-in Neve Summing to instruments from Moog and more, LUNA turns your Apollo interface into the most inspiring music workshop on the planet.

Surround Sound Monitoring
With comprehensive support for surround formats up to 7.1, Apollo x8 is the obvious choice for engineers and producers working with audio and music for games, TV and web media.

Apollo x8 features 18×24 simultaneous inputs/outputs (8×8 analog I/O) and built-in Thunderbolt 3 ports that are backward compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 Macs via an adapter (sold separately). This allows users of Apollo Twin or other Thunderbolt Apollo racks to combine up to four Apollo interfaces and a total of six UAD.2 units into a single system, adding more I/O and DSP as their needs grow.

Apollo x8 Key Features:

• 18 x 24 Thunderbolt 3 audio interface with market-leading 24-bit/192 KHz converters
• HEXA Core Realtime UAD Processors for tracking through UAD plug-ins with close to 0-latency regardless of audio buffer size setting
• Record through four Unison™ mic/line preamps with authentic preamp emulations of Neve, APIU, Manley, SSL and more.
• Produce with LUNA Recording System – a fully-integrated recording application made for Apollo (Mac/Thunderbolt)
• Surround monitor controller up to 7.1 format
• Realtime Analog Classics Plus” UAD plug-in bundle is included with UA 610-B Tube Preamp; Legacy Pultec EQ, LA-2A and 1176 compressors; Marshall Plexi Classic; Ampeg SVT-VR Classic and more.
• UAD-2 HEXA Core processors provide extra DSP horsepower for mixing in Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase and more.
• Combine up to 4 Apollo interfaces via Thunderbolt and up to 6 UAD devices in total
• Switch to +24 dBu level for compatibility with larger consoles and tape machines
• Front panel controls include
  Alt Speaker, Talkback, Dim, Mono etc.
• Uncompromising Universal Audio analog design and solid build quality