Universal Audio Apollo x8 | Gen 2
Universal Audio

Universal Audio Apollo x8 | Gen 2

Rackmount 18 x 24 Thunderbolt audio interface with four Unison mic preamps, elite-class Apollo X Gen 2 audio conversion, Auto-Gain, Apollo Monitor Correction, up to 7.1 surround sound with Bass Management, HEXA core DSP plug-in processing, and premium software suite for Mac or Windows.
Product Highlights
  • 18 x 24 Thunderbolt audio interface with HEXA Core DSP plug-in processing
  • Four UnisonTM mic preamps, two Hi-Z instrument inputs, eight 1/4" line inputs, two optical Toslink I/O (ADAT S/MUX), RCA coaxial I/O (S/PDIF), word clock I/O (BNC)
  • Two 1/4" monitor outs, eight 1/4" line outs (ALT / 7.1 surround), two 1/4" TRS headphone outs
  • Elite-class Apollo X Gen 2 converters with 24-bit / 192 kHz resolution featuring Dual-Crystal Clocking for ultra-low jitter at all sample rates
  • Enhanced D/A for critical monitoring and playback with 130 dB dynamic range and astonishingly low THD of -127 dB
  • Calibrate your main monitor and headphone outputs with Apollo Monitor Correction powered by Sonarworks®*
  • Fully-featured monitor controller with alternate speaker switching and integrated talkback for easy communication with talent
  • Updated UAD Console app featuring Auto-Gain, Plug-In Scenes, subwoofer integration with Bass Management, immersive audio support, and more
  • Onboard DSP supports over 200 UAD plug-ins via VST, AU, and AAX 64 formats in all major DAWs
  • Includes up to 50+ UAD plug-ins with Essentials+ or Studio+ Editions
  • Compatible with LUNA, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase, Ableton Live, and more
  • Expandable with Thunderbolt Apollo interfaces or select models over Dante
  • Free industry-leading technical support from knowledgeable audio engineers

  • Overview
  • Tech Specs

Apollo x8 | Gen 2 has all the benefits of the acclaimed Apollo x8, including world-beating A/D and D/A conversion, HEXA Core UAD plug-in processing, Unison-enabled mic preamps, and full LUNA Recording System integration. And it goes a step further, with a software suite of 10 award-winning UAD plug-in titles, featuring Collections from Helios,® Fairchild,® Teletronix,® Pultec,® and UA.

A Special Edition featuring Iconic UAD Analog Collections Onboard
A hallmark feature of Apollo is its Realtime UAD Processing, letting you run the full library of UAD plug-ins at near-zero latency. Taking you a step further, Apollo x8 | Gen 2 gives you 10 premium plug-in titles worth over $2,400 — including the full suite of UA's Teletronix, 1176, and Fairchild compressors, Helios Type 69, V76, and UA 610 Unison mic preamps, all Pultec EQs, Oxide Tape Recorder, and Pure Plate Reverb.

These premium Heritage Edition titles are in addition to the Apollo x8's included "Realtime Analog Classics Plus" bundle, giving you the most accurate library of classic analog emulations included with any professional audio interface.

Elite-Class A/D and D/A Conversion
With thousands of chart-topping songs and Grammy-winning albums under their belt, Apollo interfaces are no strangers to tracking stellar-sounding records. To improve on the previous generation Apollo interfaces’ 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.

Realtime UAD HEXA Core Processing
Apollo x8 | Gen 2 features 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, SSL, Avalon, Helios, or API, or running high UAD plug-in counts when mixing in your DAW.

Unison™ Technology — The Sound of Neve, API, Avalon & Manley Preamps
Perfect for musicians, engineers, producers, and sound designers, Apollo x8 | Gen 2 features four 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 sought-after tube and solid-state mic pres — including their input impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and component-level circuit behaviors.

LUNA Recording System — Deep Apollo Integration with a Fast, Natural Workflow
All Apollo X series interfaces work with all major DAWs, including Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, and more. But they become 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, with full AU support and access to exclusive LUNA Instruments and Extensions.

Surround Sound Monitoring and +24 dBu Operation
With comprehensive surround monitoring support for formats up to 7.1, Apollo x8 | Gen 2 is a boon for engineers and producers working on audio and music for video games, television, and the web. In addition, Apollo x8 | Gen 2 offers selectable +24 dBu operation for out-of-the-box compatibility with professional mixing consoles and other high-end pro audio equipment.

Build a Networked Studio System Over Thunderbolt
Apollo x8 | Gen 2 offers 18 x 24 simultaneous inputs/outputs (8 x 14 analog I/O) and two built-in Thunderbolt 3 ports, which are backwards-compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 Macs via adapter (sold separately). This allows users of any Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo desktop or rackmount audio interfaces to easily combine up to four Apollos and six total UAD-2 devices.

Connectivity
Host Connection 1 x USB Type-C (Thunderbolt 3)
Analog I/O 2 x 1/4" (6.3 mm) TS Hi-Z Input
8 x 1/4" (6.3 mm) TRS Line Input
4 x XLR 3-Pin Input
2 x 1/4" (6.3 mm) TRS Headphone Output
2 x 1/4" (6.3 mm) TRS Monitor Output
8 x 1/4" (6.3 mm) TRS Line Output
Digital I/O 1 x BNC (Word Clock) Input
1 x BNC (Word Clock) Output
1 x RCA Coaxial / S/PDIF Input
1 x RCA Coaxial / S/PDIF Output
2 x TOSLINK / ADAT, S/MUX Input
2 x TOSLINK / ADAT, S/MUX Output
MIDI I/O None
Performance
Frequency Response Headphone Outputs:
20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.05 dB
Hi-Z Inputs:
20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.04 dB
Line Inputs:
20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.05 dB
Line Outputs:
20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.07 dB
Mic Inputs:
20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.05 dB
Monitor Outputs:
20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.06 dB
Gain Range Inputs:
+10 to +65 dB
Max Input Level Hi-Z Inputs:
+12.4 dBu
Line Inputs:
+24 dBu
Mic Inputs:
+26 dBu (Pad On)
Max Output Level Line Outputs:
+24 dBu
Monitor Outputs:
+24 dBu
Headphone Output Power 150 mW into 300 Ohms
Dynamic Range Outputs:
125 dBA
Hi-Z Inputs:
121 dBA
Line Inputs:
123 dBA
Line Outputs:
27 dBA
Mic Inputs:
122 dBA
Monitor Outputs:
129 dBA
Impedance Hi-Z Inputs:
1 MOhm
Line Inputs:
10 kOhms
Line Outputs:
100 Ohms
Mic Inputs:
5.5 kOhms
Monitor Outputs:
100 Ohms
Word Clock:
75 Ohms
THD+N Headphone Outputs:
-102 dB (0.0008%)
Hi-Z Inputs:
-111 dB (0.00028%)
Line Inputs:
-113 dB (0.00022%)
Line Outputs:
-119 dB (0.00011%)
Mic Inputs:
-114 dB (0.0002%)
Monitor Outputs:
-118 dB (0.00012%)
Digital Audio
Sample Rates Up to 192 kHz
Bit Depth 24-Bit (AD/DA Conversion)
Latency 1.1 ms at 96 kHz (Input to Output)
Compatibility
OS Compatibility macOS 10.10
macOS 10.11
macOS 10.12
macOS 10.13
Windows 10
Processor Requirement Intel Core i7
Storage Requirements 6 GB
Required Hardware Available Thunderbolt 3 Port
Thunderbolt Cable (Not Included)
Internet Connection Required for Registration and Software/Driver Download
Power
AC Input Power 100 to 240 VAC at 50/60 Hz
AC/DC Power Adapter 12 VDC at 6 A (Included)
Power Consumption 30 W (Typical)
72 W (Maximum)
General
Operating Temperature 32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C
Physical
Dimensions 19 x 1.8 x 13.5" / 48.3 x 4.5 x 34.3 cm
Weight 9.0 lb / 4.1 kg

Included in Apollo "Heritage Edition" Bundle
  • UA 1176 Classic Limiter Collection
  • Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection
  • Pultec Passive EQ Collection
  • Fairchild Tube Limiter Collection
  • Teletronix LA‑3A Audio Leveler
  • UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection
  • Helios Type 69 Preamp & EQ Collection
  • V76 Preamplifier
  • Oxide Tape Recorder
  • Pure Plate Reverb

Included in the Realtime Analog Classics Plus Bundle
  • UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ
  • Marshall Plexi Classic Guitar Amp
  • Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp
  • UA 1176LN Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
  • UA 1176SE Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
  • Pultec EQP-1A EQ (Legacy)
  • Pultec Pro EQ (Legacy)
  • Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier (Legacy)
  • Fairchild 670 Compressor (Legacy)
  • Precision Enhancer Hz
  • Raw Distortion
  • Precision Channel Strip (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
  • Precision Reflection Engine (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
  • Precision Delay Mod (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
  • Precision Delay Mod L (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
  • RealVerb Pro Custom Room Modeler