Apollo x8 | Gen 2 Thunderbolt Audio Interface: Premium Analog Sound for the Modern Studio
Available Editions:
- Essentials+ Edition
- Studio+ Edition
Product Overview
The Apollo x8 Gen 2 Thunderbolt Audio Interface is a powerful 18x24 rackmount solution crafted for professional studios and demanding project setups. Featuring four Unison™ mic preamps, HEXA Core DSP processing, and 7.1 surround sound capabilities, the Apollo x8 offers elite audio conversion and extensive connectivity for Mac and Windows, making it perfect for producers who seek analog warmth with modern digital flexibility.
Key Benefits:
- High-Resolution Audio Conversion: Experience pristine sound with a wide dynamic range, ultra-low distortion, and exceptional detail that brings out the best in your recordings.
- Four Unison™ Mic Preamps: Capture authentic analog tones with emulations of classic preamps from Neve, API, and Avalon, providing rich, analog warmth in real-time.
- Access to Over 200 UAD Plug-Ins: Tap into UA’s comprehensive library of DSP and Native plug-ins, including iconic tools like Capitol Chambers and Sound City Studios, ideal for mixing and mastering.
- Accurate Monitoring with Apollo Monitor Correction: Calibrate your monitoring environment with Sonarworks®*, ensuring consistent playback across various systems.
- Seamless Auto-Gain: Quickly set levels across multiple inputs, ensuring you’re always ready to capture the perfect take.
- Advanced Surround Sound Support: Integrate subwoofers and set up 7.1 channels for immersive audio production with enhanced bass management.
- Flexible Workflow with UAD Console App: Control low-latency monitoring, plug-in routing, and immersive audio setups directly from the app, allowing for streamlined session management.
- Extensive Plug-In Bundles: Choose from Essentials+ or Studio+ Editions, featuring high-value UAD plug-ins from industry leaders like Auto-Tune, Fairchild, and Teletronix.
Why Choose Apollo x8?
Engineered for High-End Project and Professional Studios The Apollo x8 offers extensive 18x24 I/O with HEXA Core DSP, allowing you to handle complex sessions and large plug-in chains. Its 24-bit / 192 kHz audio conversion ensures top-tier sound quality, making it an essential choice for studios that demand the best of both analog and digital worlds.
Real-Time Analog Sound with Unison™ Preamps With four Unison™ mic preamps, Apollo x8 captures the authentic tone and character of vintage analog preamps. Whether you’re recording vocals, instruments, or live sound, these preamps provide the sonic qualities of iconic gear, adding depth and texture to your tracks.
State-of-the-Art Monitoring and Calibration Apollo x8’s high-resolution D/A converters deliver unparalleled playback quality, while Apollo Monitor Correction powered by Sonarworks® ensures that your mixes translate perfectly across different playback environments. With 130 dB dynamic range and ultra-low jitter, Apollo x8 provides precision monitoring for the most discerning professionals.
Powerful HEXA Core DSP for Demanding Workflows The HEXA Core DSP processing in Apollo x8 enables complex plug-in chains and intensive session files, blending DSP power with native processing to handle the heaviest tasks. This hybrid approach lets you achieve a polished sound without sacrificing workflow efficiency.
Expandability for Future Studio Growth With Thunderbolt connectivity, the Apollo x8 can be linked to up to four Apollo interfaces, providing up to 128 channels of premium I/O. This makes it easy to expand your setup as your studio evolves, keeping Apollo at the core of your production environment.
Key Features:
- 18 x 24 Thunderbolt Audio Interface with HEXA Core DSP for high-performance real-time processing.
- Four Unison™ Mic Preamps and two Hi-Z instrument inputs for flexible recording options and authentic analog emulation.
- Enhanced D/A Conversion with 24-bit / 192 kHz resolution, 130 dB dynamic range, and ultra-low jitter, ensuring precision playback.
- 7.1 Surround Sound Capability with advanced bass management, ideal for immersive audio projects.
- Apollo Monitor Correction: Calibrate your monitoring system with Sonarworks®* for precise playback across all devices.
- Integrated Monitor Controller: Features include alternate speaker switching and talkback, enhancing communication and control in the studio.
- Extensive UAD Plug-In Library: Over 200 UAD plug-ins are available in VST, AU, and AAX formats, compatible with major DAWs like Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and Ableton Live.
- Essentials+ or Studio+ Editions: Access valuable plug-ins from top brands, adding versatility and creativity to your production setup.
- Future-Ready Expansion with Thunderbolt and optional Dante support, ensuring your studio can grow along with your needs.
- World-Class Technical Support from experienced audio engineers, providing reliable assistance whenever needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does the Apollo x8 differ from the Apollo x6? The Apollo x8 offers additional inputs, outputs, and supports 7.1 surround sound, making it more suited for large, professional studios compared to the Apollo x6.
2. Is the Apollo x8 compatible with Windows? Yes, the Apollo x8 supports both Mac and Windows systems via Thunderbolt, making it highly versatile across platforms.
3. What makes Unison™ preamps unique? Unison™ preamps emulate classic analog preamps, providing accurate reproductions of their sound and behavior, adding rich character to your recordings.
4. Do I need additional licenses for Apollo Monitor Correction? Yes, Apollo Monitor Correction requires additional licenses from Sonarworks®, enabling calibration for both monitors and headphones.
5. Can I link the Apollo x8 with other Apollo interfaces? Yes, the Apollo x8 can be connected with up to four other Apollo interfaces, expanding your setup to support 128 channels of I/O.
6. What plug-ins come with Essentials+ and Studio+ Editions? Both editions include premium UAD plug-ins, with the Studio+ Edition providing an even more extensive selection for advanced production capabilities.
*Coming Q4 2024, requires Apollo Monitor Correction Add-on and SoundID Reference licenses, available from sonarworks.com
**For full compatibility information, refer to help.uaudio.com
Included Plug-Ins in Essentials+ Edition
Channel Strips & Preamps (6)
Century Tube Channel Strip
CS-1 Channel Strip
Helios Type 69 Preamp & EQ
Precision Channel Strip
UA 610-A Preamp & EQ
UA 610-B Preamp & EQ
Compressors / Limiters (7)
Fairchild 670 Legacy
Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler
Teletronix LA-2A Gray Classic Leveler
Teletronix LA-2A Silver Classic Leveler
Teletronix LA-2A Legacy Leveling Amplifier
UA 1176LN Legacy
UA 1176SE Legacy
Equalizers (6)
Helios Type 69 Legacy EQ
Pultec EQP-1A Legacy EQ
Pultec EQP-1A Passive EQ
Pultec HLF-3C Passive EQ
Pultec MEQ-5 Passive EQ
Pultec Pro Legacy EQ
Special Processing (4)
Auto-Tune Realtime Access
Oxide Tape Recorder
Precision Enhancer Hz
Verve Analog Machines Essentials
Instruments (1)
PolyMAX Polyphonic Synth
Delay & Modulation (3)
Galaxy Tape Echo
Precision Delay Mod
Precision Delay Mod L
Reverbs & Rooms (3)
Precision Reflection Engine
Pure Plate Reverb
RealVerb Pro Custom Room Modeler
Guitar & Bass (3)
Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amplifier
Marshall Plexi Classic Amplifier
Raw Distortion
Included Plug-Ins in Studio+ Edition
Channel Strips & Preamps (9)
Avalon VT-737sp Channel Strip
Century Tube Channel Strip
CS-1 Channel Strip
Helios Type 69 Preamp & EQ
Manley Reference Microphone Preamp
Precision Channel Strip
UA 610-A Preamp & EQ
UA 610-B Preamp & EQ
V76 Preamplifier
Compressors / Limiters (17)
dbx 160 Compressor / Limiter
Empirical Labs Distressor
Fairchild 670 Legacy
Fairchild 660 Compressor
Fairchild 670 Compressor
Teletronix LA-2 Classic Leveler
Teletronix LA-2A Gray Classic Leveler
Teletronix LA-2A Silver Classic Leveler
Teletronix LA-2A Legacy Leveling Amplifier
Teletronix LA-3A Classic Audio Leveler
UA 1176 Rev A Classic Limiter
UA 1176AE Classic Limiter
UA 1176LN Rev E Classic Limiter
UA 1176LN Legacy
UA 1176SE Legacy
UA 175B Classic Limiter
UA 176 Classic Limiter
Equalizers (6)
Helios Type 69 Legacy EQ
Pultec EQP-1A Legacy EQ
Pultec EQP-1A Passive EQ
Pultec HLF-3C Passive EQ
Pultec MEQ-5 Passive EQ
Pultec Pro Legacy EQ
Special Processing (7)
Auto-Tune Realtime Access
Auto-Tune Realtime Advanced
Auto-Tune Realtime X
Oxide Tape Recorder
Precision Enhancer Hz
Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder
Verve Analog Machines Essentials
Instruments (6)
Electra 88 Vintage Keyboard Studio
Moog Minimoog
Opal Morphing Synth
PolyMAX Polyphonic Synth
Ravel Grand Piano
Waterfall B3 Organ
Delay & Modulation (6)
Brigade Chorus Pedal
Galaxy Tape Echo
Precision Delay Mod
Precision Delay Mod L
Studio D Chorus
Waterfall Rotary Speaker
Reverbs & Rooms (4)
Lexicon 224 Digital Reverb
Precision Reflection Engine
Pure Plate Reverb
RealVerb Pro Custom Room Modeler
Guitar & Bass (3)
Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amplifier
Marshall Plexi Classic Amplifier
Raw Distortion
