Universal Audio Apollo X8P

Universal Audio Apollo X8P

The Apollo X8P enables audio engineers, music producers, and project studios to record, overdub, and mix from new world-leading A/D and D/A converters, HEXA Core UAD plug-in processing, and 7.1 surround sound monitoring* - all in a sleek Thunderbolt 3 audio interface for Mac** or PC.

This 16 x 22 interface draws on UA's 60 years of experience designing and manufacturing audio equipment. It features eight Unison™-enabled microphone preamps, providing authentic preamp emulations from Neve, API, Manley, Helios, SSL and others. All-new HEXA Core plug-in processing means 50% percent more DSP power for real-time use of UAD Powered plug-ins in the recording and mixing process.

In addition to outstanding audio conversion, Apollo x8p features selectable level compatibility with professional +24 dBu devices, as well as an integrated monitor controller and built-in talkback microphone.

• Experience outstanding A/D and D/A conversion with the widest dynamic range and lowest noise floor
  
• Record and mix via powerful HEXA Core signal processing - with 6 UAD DSP chips for real-time use of additional award-winning UAD Powered plug-ins
• Record virtually latency-free with Unison™ technology via preamp emulations from Neve, API, Manley, Fender, and others†
• Easily connect professional studio gear with switchable +24 / +20 dBu headroom settings
• Work in surround formats up to 7.1*, complete with speaker calibration and downmix
• Integrated talkback microphone for easy communication and recording of audio notes or additional takes
  

Outstanding A/D and D/A Conversion

With thousands of chart-topping songs and hundreds of Grammy-winning albums in the trophy cabinet, Apollo interfaces have already proven their world-class ability to record exceptional-sounding records. To improve upon the world-class audio conversion of the previous generation Apollo interfaces, UA engineers listened to and evaluated the latest A/D and D/A converters with the utmost meticulousness, finally merging the chosen 24-bit/192 kHz converters with all-new analog circuitry to create an optimally pristine signal path.

Thanks to a dynamic range of 129 dB and -118 dB THD+N, the Apollo x8p's open, natural sound quality rivals any dedicated high-end converter on the market and is the perfect starting point for further sound refinement with award-winning UAD plug-ins.

Real-time UAD HEXA Core Processing

The Universal Audio Apollo X8P features the new HEXA Core Processing, with six DSP chips and with 50% more processing power for UAD plug-ins than in previous Apollos. Therefore, more UAD plug-ins are usable, whether you're working in real time with channel strips from Neve, Manley, or API, or using a variety of UAD plug-ins when mixing in your DAW.

From the warm tube sound of Pultec EQ on guitars, to the musical limiting of LA-2A on vocals, to the pumping of an original 1176 or Fairchild 670 tube compressor on drums, your recordings get the punchy, three-dimensional analog sound that no other plug-ins can come close to achieving, thanks to UAD plug-ins.

Unison™ Technology: The original sound of Neve, API and Manley preamps

An optimal solution for musicians, engineers, producers, and sound designers, the Universal Audio Apollo X8P features eight Unison-enabled mic preamps that let you record via faithful mic preamp emulations from Neve, API, Manley, SSL, and Universal Audio. Exclusive to Apollo interfaces, Unison technology reproduces the timbre of these coveted tube and transistor mic preamps with 100% detail - including input impedance, gain stage "sweet spots," and component-level circuit behavior of the original hardware. The secret of Unison lies in the hardware-software integration between Apollo ́s microphone preamps and the integrated UAD real-time processing.

A comprehensive range of classic analog studio tools

A standout feature of Apollo is UAD real-time processing, which lets you use the entire UAD plug-ins library with virtually no latency. Included with Apollo x8p is the Realtime Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle - featuring the world's only faithful emulations of Teletronix LA-2A, 1176LN and Fairchild compressors, the Unison-enabled UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, and guitar and bass amps from Marshall and Ampeg.

Explore the world of UAD Powered Plug-Ins

Apollo X8P goes beyond the included Realtime Analog Classics Plus plug-ins, giving you access to the complete UAD Powered plug-in library of renowned manufacturers, including vintage EQs, compressors, reverbs, tape machines, channel strips, and more - with near zero latency, regardless of your audio software's buffer size, and without taxing your computer's CPU. With exclusive emulations from Neve, Studer, Manley, API, Ampex, Lexicon, Fender and others†, it's like having a coveted recording studio full of legendary analog gear in just one 19" rack unit. Unlike competing interfaces, these DSP-based plug-ins are also available to you when mixing in the DAW.

Surround Sound Monitoring* and +24 dBu operation

With comprehensive support for surround monitoring up to 7.1 format, Apollo x8p is a boon for engineers and producers working on audio and music for games, television, and the web. In addition, Apollo x8p offers selectable +24 dBu operation for pre-configured compatibility with professional mixing consoles and other high-end pro audio equipment.

Build a networked studio system via Thunderbolt

The Universal Audio Apollo X8P provides 16 x 22 simultaneously usable inputs and outputs (8 x 8 analog I / O) two integrated Thunderbolt 3 ports, which are backward compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 Macs via an adapter (sold separately). This makes it easy to combine any Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo Twin desktop or Apollo Rack interfaces (up to four Apollos) and a total of six UAD-2 devices - and expand the system with additional fast I/O and high-bandwidth DSPs as studio needs grow.

What is Luna?

Luna is Universal Audio's in-house, full-featured DAW that realizes a uniquely deep integration of preamp, interface, DSP and sequencer. With Luna, for the first time, the entire recording and production process can be accomplished with hardware and software from a single vendor in a single screen window. Using the familiar UAD2 plug-ins, Luna controls the microphone amplifiers in the Apollo interfaces, sets their impedance and sound behavior according to the emulated analog hardware, and allows monitoring of gain staging. Furthermore, the DSP cores of all Apollo interfaces and UAD DSP processors are controlled from a central location, reducing the overall latency from signal input to output to less than 2ms. Together with special Luna extensions for e.g. Neve consoles and Studer multitrack tape machines, you will not only be able to record as if you were in an analog studio, but it will also sound like one!

Luna also comes with Unison mic preamp plug-ins from Neve, Manley, API, Avalon and other well-known manufacturers, and includes a whole range of newly developed instruments. Among them are a realistic Minimoog, a gorgeous concert grand piano that combines sampling and physical modeling, Spitfire Audio's orchestral instruments, and a large sample library.

Luna is free for owners of the newer Apollo interfaces, and so no one has to fret when switching: Luna supports the cross-DAW session format AAF!

The Universal Audio Apollo X8P:

• 16 x 22 Thunderbolt 3 audio interface with premium 24-bit / 192 kHz audio conversion.
  
• Real-time UAD HEXA core processing for near-latency-free recording via UAD plug-ins, regardless of buffer settings
• Record via four Unison-enabled mic/line preamps - for completely authentic preamp emulations from Neve, API, Manley, SSL and others†
• Surround monitor controller up to 7.1 format*.
• Includes the "Realtime Analog Classics Plus" UAD plug-in bundle with UA 610-B Tube Preamp, Legacy Pultec EQ, LA-2A and 1176 compressors, Marshall Plexi Classic, Ampeg SVT-VR Classic and others
  
• Integrated UAD HEXA Core Processing for additional mixing power in Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Ableton and other major DAWs
  
• Combine up to four Thunderbolt-equipped Apollos and a total of six UAD devices; backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 via an optional adapter
  
• Selectable +24 dBu operation for easy compatibility with professional mixing consoles and tape machines
  
• Convenient front-panel monitoring features, including alt speakers, talkback mic and selectable dim or mono
  
• UA's uncompromising analog design, superior components, and premium build quality
  
• Free, industry-leading technical support from expert audio engineers - by phone and online