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Universal Audio Apollo 8 QUAD Thunderbolt Audio Interface (with Realtime UAD Processing)

Apollo 8 is an elegant update to one of the world’s most popular professional audio interfaces — delivering enhanced sound with the tone, feel, and flow of analog recording. This 18 x 24 Thunderbolt interface features onboard UAD-2 DUO processing, genuine UA analog design, and next-generation A/D and D/A conversion, putting class-leading sonic performance in a sleek new package.

Apollo 8 further distinguishes itself with Realtime UAD Processing and Unison™ technology, letting you record at near-zero latency through the full range of UAD plug-ins from Neve, Studer, Manley, Lexicon, and more — including new mic preamp emulations from Neve, API and Universal Audio.* Apollo Expanded software now allows cascading up to four Apollos in a single system over Thunderbolt (Mac), so you can scale up your studio as your needs grow.

Features:

Audio Interface
  • Sample rates up to 192 kHz at 24-bit word length
  • 18 x 24 simultaneous input/output channels:
  • Eight channels of analog-to-digital conversion via mic, line, or high-impedance inputs
  • 14 channels of digital-to-analog conversion via:
    • Eight mono line outputs
    • Stereo monitor outputs (switchable to fixed line outputs)
    • Two stereo headphone outputs
  • 10 channels of digital I/O via:
    • Eight channels ADAT Optical Lightpipe I/O with S/MUX for high sample rates
    • Two channels coaxial S/PDIF I/O with sample rate conversion
  • Two Thunderbolt 2 ports facilitates daisy-chaining of other Thunderbolt devices
  • Cascade up to 4 Apollo interfaces and 6 UAD devices total over Thunderbolt (Mac)
Microphone Preamplifiers
  • Four high-resolution, ultra-transparent, digitally-controlled analog mic preamps
  • Unison™ technology for deep integration with UAD preamp and pedal plug-ins
  • Front panel and software control of all preamp parameters
  • Switchable low cut filter, 48V phantom power, pad, polarity inversion, and stereo linking
Monitoring
  • Stereo monitor outputs (independent of the eight line outputs)
  • Digitally-controlled analog monitor outputs maintains highest fidelity
  • Front panel control of monitor levels and muting
  • Two stereo headphone outputs with independent mix buses
  • Independent front panel volume controls for headphone outputs
  • Front panel pre-fader metering of monitor bus levels
  • S/PDIF outputs can be set to mirror the monitor outputs
  • Up to two alternate stereo monitor outputs selectable via front panel or Console software
  • Assignable front panel monitor function switch for alternate speakers, dim, & mono
UAD-2 Inside
  • DUO and QUAD models featuring two or four SHARC® processors
  • Realtime UAD Processing on all analog and digital inputs
  • Same features and functionality as other UAD-2 devices when used with DAW
  • Can be combined with other UAD-2 devices for increased mixing DSP
  • Includes UAD Powered Plug-Ins “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” bundle
  • Complete UAD plug-ins library is available at the UA online store
Software
  • Console application:
    • Analog-style control interface for realtime monitoring and tracking
    • Enables Realtime UAD Processing with UAD plug-ins
    • Remote control of Apollo 8p features and functionality
    • Virtual I/O for routing DAW tracks through Console
  • Console Recall plug-in:
    • Saves Console configurations inside DAW sessions for easy recall
    • Convenient access to Console’s monitor controls via DAW plug-in
    • VST, RTAS, AAX 64, and Audio Units plug-in formats
  • UAD Meter & Control Panel application:
    • Configures global UAD settings and monitors system usage
  • Other
    • Easy firmware updates
    • 1U rack-mountable form factor
    • One year warranty includes parts and labor

Next-Generation Apollo A/D and D/A Conversion
Apollo 8 improves upon the original Apollo’s gold-standard audio quality with completely redesigned, class-leading A/D and D/A conversion — giving you increased dynamic range and even lower THD. This results in breathtaking clarity, depth, and accuracy in your recordings, from tracking and overdubbing, to mixing and mastering.

Realtime UAD Plug-In Processing for Tracking, Mixing, and Mastering
While Apollo 8’s “natural” sound is very open and transparent, it can quickly deliver a stunning range of classic analog tones and color via its Realtime UAD Processing. Available with UAD-2 DUO processing onboard, Apollo’s DSP Acceleration allows for recording through UAD Powered Plug-Ins — with as low as sub-2ms latency — letting you monitor and “print” audio using classic analog emulations from Ampex, Lexicon, Manley, Neve, Roland, SSL, Studer, and more.*

The Apollo 8’s bundled “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” suite of UAD plug-ins gives you the UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, Raw Distortion, Softube Amp Rooms, legacy LA-2A, 1176, and Fairchild compressors, Pultec EQs, and more, so you have a rack full of bonafide audio classics, right out of the box.

Using Apollo, UAD plug-ins are also available during mixing and mastering, putting UAD plug-ins (VST, RTAS, AU, AAX 64) at your disposal throughout the creative process.

Four Mic Preamps with Unison™ Technology
A Universal Audio breakthrough, Apollo 8’s Unison technology gives you the tone of the world's most sought-after tube and solid state mic preamps — including their impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and component-level circuit behaviors.

Based on unprecedented hardware-software integration between Apollo’s mic preamps and its onboard UAD plug-in processing, Unison lets you record through stunning emulations like the bundled UA 610-B Tube Preamp plug-in, or exclusive preamp emulations from API and Neve.

Unison technology is further enhanced in Apollo 8 to include its panel Hi-Z instrument inputs, giving you dead-on impedance and gain matching for new stompbox models.

Apollo Expanded and Console 2.0
Thanks to Apollo Expanded software, users of Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo Twin, Apollo 8, Apollo 8p, and Apollo 16 audio interfaces can combine up to four Apollos and six total UAD-2 devices — adding I/O and DSP as their studio grows. Apollo Expanded also permits integration with previous generation Apollo over Thunderbolt.
With Apollo 8’s Console 2.0 application — a complete re-imagining of Apollo’s original Console software — you can take advantage of over 25 user-requested features such as Channel Strip presets, Drag & Drop functionality, dynamically resizable windows, and more.

Improved Monitoring and Workflow
Apollo 8 features a host of front-panel upgrades over the original Apollo, including Alt Speakers, Dim, and Mono functions as well as input and output metering capabilities via the new Meter button. These features combine with Apollo’s system scalability to make it the new standard in professional multi-channel audio recording.

*All trademarks are recognized as property of their respective owners. Individual UAD Powered Plug-Ins sold separately.

Please note: This interface requires a Thunderbolt cable for operation. Cable is not included and sold separately.