Universal Audio Apollo X8 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface with UAD Plug-Ins

Universal Audio Apollo X8 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface with UAD Plug-Ins Overview:

Elite Audio Conversion with Four Unison Mic Preamps, HEXA Core Processing, and Surround Sound.
Apollo x8 allows music producers, project, and post-production studios to track, overdub, and mix with new world-beating A/D and D/A conversion, HEXA Core UAD plug-in processing, Dual-Crystal clocking, and 7.1 surround sound monitoring— all in a sleek rackmount Thunderbolt 3 audio interface for Mac or PC.

Built upon UA’s 60-year heritage of audio craftsmanship, this 18 x 24 interface distinguishes itself with four Unison-enabled mic preamps, providing authentic emulations of preamps from Neve, API, Manley, SSL, and more, plus all-new HEXA Core processing — yielding 50% more DSP for running UAD Powered Plug-Ins in real time.

Elite-Class A/D and D/A Conversion
With thousands of chart-topping songs and hundreds of Grammy-winning albums under their belt, Apollo interfaces are no strangers to tracking stellar-sounding records. To improve on the previous generation Apollo interface’s class-leading audio conversion, UA engineers obsessively auditioned the latest A/D and D/A converters — ultimately pairing elite-class 24-bit/192 kHz converters with all-new analog circuitry for an ultra-pristine signal path.

The Apollo X series also introduces new Dual-Crystal clocking — featuring dedicated crystals for 44.1/88.2/176.4k and 48/96/192k sample rates — resulting in stunningly low jitter, measured at less than 10 picoseconds. This translates into pure, artifact-free recordings and solid stereo imaging you can trust.

With 129 dB dynamic range and -119 dB THD+N, Apollo x8’s open, natural sound quality rivals any dedicated high-end converter on the market — regardless of price — and is the perfect starting point for applying UAD processing.

Realtime UAD HEXA Core Processing
Apollo x8 features new HEXA Core processing, with six DSP chips and 50% more UAD plug-in processing power than previous Apollos. This lets you run more UAD plug-ins, whether you’re tracking in real time with channel strips from Neve, Manley, or API, or running high UAD plug-in counts when mixing in your DAW.

From the tube warmth of Pultec EQs on guitars to the musical tube limiting of the LA-2A on vocals, or the pump of a genuine 1176 or Fairchild 670 tube compressor on drums, your recordings will take a giant leap forward with a rich, three-dimensional analog sound that UAD plug‑ins provide.

Access the World of UAD Powered Plug-Ins
Going beyond the included Realtime Analog Classics Plus plug-ins, Apollo x8 lets you tap into the full UAD Powered Plug-In library of legendary vintage EQs, compressors, reverbs, tape machines, channel strips, and more — at near-zero latency, regardless of your audio software’s buffer size and without taxing your computer’s CPU.

With exclusive emulations from SSL, Neve, Studer, Manley, Helios, API, Ampex, Lexicon, Fender, and more,† it’s like having a studio full of iconic analog gear, in a single rack space. And unlike competing interfaces, these award-winning DSP-powered plug-ins are also available in your DAW for mixing.

Surround Sound, Talkback, and More
The Apollo x8 features built-in front-panel monitoring functions including a Talkback mic, Alt Speakers, and assignable Dim or Mono control. Plus, with its comprehensive 7.1 surround monitoring support, Apollo x8 is a boon for engineers and producers working on audio and music for video games, television, and the web. In addition, Apollo x8 offers selectable +24 dBu operation for out-of-the-box compatibility with professional mixing consoles and other high-end pro audio equipment.

Build an Expanded Studio System Over Thunderbolt
Apollo x8 offers 18 x 24 simultaneous inputs/outputs (8 x 8 analog I/O) and two built-in Thunderbolt 3 ports. This allows users of any Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo Twin or Apollo rackmount audio interfaces to easily combine up to four Apollos and six total UAD-2 devices — adding fast, high-bandwidth I/O and DSP as your studio grows

Features:

• 18 x 24 Thunderbolt 3 audio interface with class-leading 24-bit/192 KHz conversion (backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 1 & 2 on Mac)
• Realtime UAD HEXA Core Processing for tracking through UAD plug-ins at near-zero latency, regardless of audio buffer size
• Record through 4 Unison-enabled mic/line preamps — giving you fully authentic preamp emulations from Neve, API, Manley, SSL, and more†
• Surround monitor controller up to 7.1 format*
• Includes “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” UAD plug-in bundle featuring UA 610-B Tube Preamp; Legacy Pultec EQ, LA-2A, and 1176 compressors; Marshall Plexi Classic; Ampeg SVT-VR Classic, and more
• UAD HEXA Core processing onboard for additional mixing horsepower for Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Ableton, and other major DAWs
• Combine up to 4 Thunderbolt-equipped Apollos and 6 total UAD devices
• Selectable +24 dBu operation for easy compatibility with professional mixing consoles and tape machines
• Convenient front panel monitoring functions including Alt Speakers, Talkback mic, and assignable Dim or Mono
• Free, industry-leading technical support — on the phone and online — from knowledgeable audio engineers

Specifications:
Inputs

• Line Inputs : 8 Balanced ¼" TRS
• Microphone Inputs : 4 Balanced XLR
• Instrument (Hi-Z) Inputs : 2 Unbalanced ¼" TS
• Digital Inputs (Optical TOSLINK) : ADAT: 8 channels @ 44.1 – 96 kHz
• ADAT: 4 channels @ 176.4 – 192 kHz
• Digital Inputs (RCA) : S/PDIF: 2 channels @ 44.1 – 192 kHz

A to D Conversion

• Mic Preamps : Dynamic Range: 122 dB (A-weighted)
• THD+N: -115 dB (0.00019%)
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.05 dB
• Line Inputs : Dynamic Range: 123 dB (A-weighted)
• THD+N: -113 dB (0.00022%)
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.04 dB

Outputs

• Line Outputs : 8 Balanced ¼" TRS
• Monitor Outputs : 2 Balanced ¼" TRS
• Headphone Outputs : 2 Stereo ¼" TRS
• Digital Outputs (Optical TOSLINK) : ADAT: 8 channels @ 44.1 – 96 kHz
• ADAT: 4 channels @ 176.4 – 192 kHz
• Digital Outputs (RCA) : S/PDIF: 2 channels @ 44.1 to 192 kHz

D to A Conversion

• Line Outputs : Dynamic Range: 127 dB (A-weighted)
• THD+N: -118 dB (0.00011%)
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.07 dB
• Monitor Outputs : Dynamic Range: 129 dB (A-weighted)
• THD+N: -118 dB (0.00012%)
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.06 dB
• Headphone Outputs : Dynamic Range: 125 dB (A-weighted)
• THD+N: -102 dB (0.00080%)
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.05 dB