The Universal Audio Apollo x8 Gen 2 is a rack-mounted 18 x 24 Thunderbolt audio interface with four Unison mic preamps, top-tier Apollo X Gen 2 audio conversion, Auto-Gain, Apollo Monitor correction, 7.1 surround sound, and bass management, HEXA Core processing, along with a comprehensive plug-in bundle.

The next-generation Apollo x8 audio interface from UA is designed for professional use and project studios where the highest sound quality is required. Create music with authentic analog sound, featuring the award-winning Apollo X sound – now with an even wider dynamic range and improved D/A monitoring. It includes four very high-quality and musical Unison mic preamps, and the top-notch 24-bit/192kHz AD/DA conversion ensures an extremely clean signal path and wide dynamic range. Auto-Gain automatically adjusts the recording level, and Apollo Monitor correction (powered by Sonarworks®, coming in 2024) enhances monitoring in any environment, including through headphones. Regardless of genre, the perfect interface for music producers and post-production professionals includes emulations of many, including Neve, API, Avalon, Manley, and SSL. It’s like having a full studio of analog equipment packed into a compact form – and best of all, it’s compatible with all major DAWs.

Features:

• 18 x 24 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface
• Real-time UAD HEXA Core processing, 6-core SHARC DSP
• Top-tier Apollo X Gen 2 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion with Dual Crystal clocking
• +24 dBu operating level
• 4 x Unison™ mic preamps, XLR / 6.3mm combo inputs
• 2 x Thunderbolt 3 ports (cable not included)
• Analog inputs: 2 x Hi-Z Instrument in, 8 x 6.3mm Line in
• Analog outputs: 2 x 6.3mm Monitor out, 8 x 6.3mm Line Out (ALT/ 7.1 surround), 2 x 6.3mm TRS headphone out
• Digital connections: 2x optical Toslink I/O (ADAT S/MUX), RCA coaxial I/O (S/PDIF), word clock I/O (BNC)
• +48V Phantom
• Speaker outputs up to 7.1 format
• Enhanced D/A for critical listening and playback with a 130 dB dynamic range and -127dB THD
• Updated UAD Console application with Auto-Gain, Plug-In Scenes, subwoofer integration for bass management, and more
• Apollo Monitor Correction (Sonarworks®, coming in 2024)
• Built-in talkback microphone
• Internal DSP supports over 200 UAD plugins in VST, AU, and AAX 64 formats across all major DAWs
• Includes 20+ UAD plugins in the Essentials+ bundle
• Compatible with LUNA, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase, Ableton Live, etc. (check compatibility at help.uaudio.com)
• Expandable with Thunderbolt Apollo audio interfaces or selected models via Dante
• 19″ / 1U
• Windows/Mac

Includes UAD Essentials+ plug-in package with over 20 “must-have” plugins:

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