Universal Audio Apollo x8 Heritage Edition 18 x 24 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface with UAD DSP

Born from the ever-popular Apollo line of interfaces used on loads of Grammy-winning albums and chart-topping songs, the Universal Audio Apollo x8 Heritage Edition rackmount 18×24 Thunderbolt 3 audio interface combines the sound, feel, and flow of analog studio recording with upgraded clocking, surround monitoring, a robust bundle of 34 stellar UAD plug-ins, and 50% more DSP than earlier Apollos, thanks to its supercharged HEXA Core real-time UAD processing.

Furnished with elite-class 24-bit / 192 kHz conversion, rivaling dedicated high-end converters, the Universal Audio Apollo x8 Heritage Edition gives music creators, record producers, and postproduction engineers the appreciable value of crystal-clear high-resolution recording and mixing with ultralow distortion (-119 dB) and immense dynamic range (129 dB). Additionally, its switchable headroom setting facilitates proper level-matching with a variety of audio equipment.

The interface features four XLR mic inputs and two 1/4″ Hi-Z inputs, all with Unison integration for precise UAD emulations of classic analog preamps—impart vintage character of your choosing on microphone and instrument recordings while bypassing the unpredictable nature of old equipment. Plus, the eight 1/4″ line-level inputs on the rear panel can be used to patch in virtually any outboard mic preamps or direct outputs from a console.

Thanks to the switchable low-cut filter, pad, polarity inversion, 48V phantom power, and stereo linking on each preamp, you can efficiently optimize your incoming signals with straightforward buttons on the Apollo x8’s face. In addition to the eight primary analog inputs, you can record up to 10 more channels by connecting ADAT- and S/PDIF-equipped external preamps to the TOSLINK optical and S/PDIF coaxial input ports on the Apollo x8.

ADAT optical and S/PDIF coaxial outputs are also featured on the Apollo x8, allowing it to route up to 10 channels from your DAW to a digital mixer, headphone distribution system, or external D/A converter. Utilize the BNC wordclock input and output jacks to accurately clock sync to house or lock other digital equipment to the Apollo.

The built-in HEXA Core processing utilizes six DSP chips, granting 50% more DSP than earlier Apollos and the ability to monitor and record audio using classic analog emulations with near-zero latency and no burden on your computer’s CPU. The plug-in bundle included with the Heritage Edition empowers you with 34 top-notch plug-ins ranging from vintage compressor and EQ collections to virtual guitar/bass amps, time-based processors, and tape emulation. The included Console application provides control and recall of all interface and UAD plug-in settings including channel-strip presets, drag-and-drop functionality, and dynamically resizable windows.

Mac and Windows drivers ensure compatibility with all major DAWs including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, and more. The interface also integrates seamlessly with LUNA, Universal Audio’s free Mac-based, single-window recording system with unlimited track counts and full Audio Units support.

The Apollo x8 offers a comprehensive monitor section with talkback functionality and dedicated front-panel controls for Alt Speakers, Dim, and Mono functions, as well as input and output metering capabilities. In addition to the dedicated stereo monitor feed and two front-panel headphone outputs (great for handling multiple cue mixes), eight 1/4″ line outputs are available for connection to a second set of monitors and outboard processors. In fact, the Apollo x8 is capable of acting as a 7.1 surround sound monitor controller.

At any point, you can increase the power and capability of the Apollo x8 through integration of qualified Universal Audio hardware. Up to four Apollo interfaces and six total UAD-2 devices can be combined, allowing Thunderbolt users the ability to expand their I/O and DSP without abandoning the Apollo x8. The two Thunderbolt 3 ports are backward compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 via a qualified adapter (available separately).

Heritage Edition

The Heritage Edition features the same Apollo x8 interface found in the standard edition, but with more plug-ins. The standard Apollo x8 includes the Realtime Analog Classics Plus bundle (16 plug-ins), and the Heritage Edition adds 18 more plug-ins for a total of 34 revered UA-powered plug-ins.

The Power of Apollo X

• Track, overdub, and mix with elite-class AD/DA conversion and DSP-powered plug-ins
• Dual-Crystal clocking features dedicated crystals for 44.1 / 88.2 / 176.4 kHz and 48 / 96 / 192 kHz sample rates, resulting in stunningly low jitter (under 10 picoseconds) for pure, artifact-free recordings and solid stereo imaging
• HEXA Core UAD processing for tracking through models of vintage compressors, EQs, tape machines, mic preamps, and guitar amps with near-zero latency and 50% more DSP than earlier Apollos, all with no burden on your computer’s CPU
• Unison technology nails the tone of sought-after tube and solid-state mic pres including their input impedance, gain-stage sweet spots, and the component-level circuit behaviors of the original hardware
• Two high-speed Thunderbolt 3 ports for connectivity with Mac and Windows computers (Thunderbolt cable available separately)
• 1 RU rackmount form factor with reliable AC powering (secure locking external power supply included)
• Free industry-leading phone/online technical support from knowledgeable audio engineers

I/O for the Expanding Studio

• 18×24 audio interface with four Unison-enabled microphone preamps, providing emulations of classic analog preamps with near-zero latency
• Two front-panel, Unison-enabled 1/4″ Hi-Z inputs for direct connection of guitars, basses, or keyboards
• 8×8 balanced analog line-level I/O via 1/4″ jacks
• Stereo 1/4″ monitor output and two independent 1/4″ headphone outputs, each with adjustable level
• Additional eight 1/4″ line-level outputs may be used for feeding alternate monitor outputs, analog outboard processors, or a 7.1 surround sound speaker setup
• Selectable operating level of +20 dBu or +24 dBu for out-of-the-box compatibility with professional mixing consoles and other high-end pro audio equipment
• Four TOSLINK optical ports provide up to eight channels of ADAT I/O (supports SMUX) for integrating external converters, ADAT-equipped mic preamps, and headphone distribution systems
• RCA coaxial ports enable recording and outputting S/PDIF stereo digital signal
• BNC wordclock I/O with selectable 75-ohm termination, crucial for accurate synchronization with other digital equipment

Pro-Level Workflow

• Built-in monitor controller with monitor remote functions and mono, mute, dim, and alt monitor controls
• Integrated talkback and cues for easy communication and slate functionality
• Comprehensive front-panel metering and fast, intuitive controls, no menu-diving required

Expandable I/O and DSP

• Cascade up to four Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo interfaces and six UAD-2 Thunderbolt devices for expanded I/O and DSP
• Backward compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 via a qualified adapter (available separately)

34 Powered Plug-Ins

• Includes Realtime Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle plus 18 additional plug-ins to complete the compressor, EQ, and preamp collections and provide tape emulation and another reverb (plug-ins support VST, RTAS, Audio Units, and AAX 64-bit for compatibility with all major DAWs):
• UA 610-A Tube Preamp and EQ (Vintage)
• UA 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ (Modern)
• Marshall Plexi Classic Guitar Amp
• Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp
• UA 1176LN Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
• UA 1176SE Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
• UA 1176 Classic Limiter Collection (1176LN Rev E, 1176 Rev A, and 1176AE 40th Anniversary Edition)
• Pultec EQP-1A EQ (Legacy)
• Pultec MEQ-5 EQ (Legacy)
• Pultec Passive EQ Collection (EQP-1A, MEQ-5, and HLF-3C)
• Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier (Legacy)
• Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection (LA-2A Silver, LA-2A Gray, and LA-2)
• Teletronix LA-3A Audio Leveler
• Helios Type 69 Preamp and EQ Collection (Helios Type 69 and Helios Type 69 Legacy)
• V76 Preamplifier
• Raw Distortion
• Fairchild 670 Compressor (Legacy)
• Fairchild Tube Limiter Collection (Fairchild 660 and Fairchild 670)
• Precision Enhancer Hz
• 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)
• Pure Plate Reverb
• RealVerb Pro Custom Room Modeler
• UA Oxide Tape Recorder

Get Legendary UA Sound Natively with UAD Spark

• Apollo Heritage Editions include plug-ins featured in UAD Spark, UA’s subscription plug-in collection that runs natively on Mac—no UA hardware required
• With UAD Spark, you can expand your plug-in processing power, balancing your DSP load between Apollo and your computer’s onboard processing
• Receive the 1176 Classic Limiter Collection, Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection, and Pure Plate Reverb
• Current owners of any plug-ins available in UAD Spark will receive the UAD Spark versions free

Integration with LUNA Recording System for Mac

• Works with all major DAWs including Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, and more
• Apollo x8 becomes a fully integrated recording system with LUNA, a powerful free recording application for Mac from Universal Audio
• Bolstered by Accelerated Realtime Monitoring, LUNA lets you track and mix using an intuitive single-window workflow with unlimited track counts, full Audio Units plug-in support, and access to a suite of exclusive LUNA instruments and extensions such as Studer Multitrack Tape and Neve Summing