Universal Audio Apollo x8 Gen 2 Essentials+

Real-Time UAD Processing for Producers Running a Studio

Ideal for producers and engineers running a studio, the Universal Audio Apollo x8 Gen 2 with Essentials+ is an 18×24 rackmount Thunderbolt 3 audio interface that offers four Unison mic preamps with Auto-Gain, flagship, Gen 2 Elite-Class 24-bit / 192 kHz AD/DA conversion, surround audio up to 7.1, and HEXA Core DSP for real-time UAD plug-in processing over Thunderbolt at near-zero latency—on Mac and Windows computers. The Essentials+ Bundle lets you mix and record live performances with 36 UAD plug-ins including Pultec EQ, Auto-Tune, classic LA-2A and 1176 compressors, and more. You can use Plug-In Scenes to recall settings instantly, even in the middle of a performance.

Easily connect the Apollo x8 Gen 2 to professional studio gear with 8×8 analog line-level I/O and two Hi-Z instrument inputs via 1/4″ connections. Two ADAT I/O, S/PDIF I/O, and wordclock I/O are also available for connection to professional digital outboard hardware. You can mix with confidence in any room using Apollo Monitor Correction powered by Sonarworks. Hear all of the low-end detail in your mixes using Bass Management to add a subwoofer to your monitor setup. Quickly set up low-latency cues, plug-in scenes, and immersive audio monitoring with the UAD Console app.

What’s New with Gen 2?

• New look and feel, updated industrial design with new knobs and switch caps
• Improved Elite-Class Gen 2 D/A converters featuring dual-crystal clocking for ultralow jitter at all sample rates
• Improved monitor and headphone outputs for best-in-class, critical listening
• Even lower THD and increased DNR
• Assistive Auto-Gain supporting one-click configuration across all input channels with select Unison preamps, for effortless recording
• Built-in Room Correction enabling Sonarworks SoundID profiles to run on built-in DSP
• Bass Management for subwoofers in both Stereo and Surround configurations
• New UAD Console brings AutoGain, Unison, Apollo Room Correction, DSP Pairing, Dante Support, Multichannel Immersive Audio Monitoring, Bass Management, Plug-In Scenes over MIDI, and more—together under one roof
• New Essentials+ software bundle with UAD plug-ins and Instruments

Record Through Four Unison Preamps

• With Unison technology, Apollo x8 lets you track in real time with the sound of classic EQ and compressors, giving you the same rich analog textures used on the greatest recordings of our time.

Elite-Class Apollo X Sound for Your Console and Outboard

• Delivering 130 dB of dynamic range, very low THD of -127 dB, and featuring dual-crystal clocking for ultralow jitter at all sample rates, Apollo x8 effortlessly interfaces with your analog equipment and patchbays with 1/4″ connections. The unit also offers two ADAT I/O and stereo S/PDIF I/O.

Auto-Gain: Never Miss The Take

• Set input gain across multiple channels in seconds without fear of clipping using the new Auto-Gain feature—available on all microphone / line / Hi-Z preamp inputs.
• Effortlessly set gain for recording during an auto-training time listening window, without having to worry or take a lot of time to find the perfect recording level.

Hear the Details Like Never Before

• Apollo x8 features UA’s highest-resolution A/D and D/A converters paired with multichannel, immersive Apollo Monitor Correction powered by Sonarworks. So, you’ll not only hear the most pristine representation of your recordings, there will be no surprises when you listen to your final mix or master on any stereo or surround system.

Bass Management

• Add a subwoofer with the new bass management feature for full-range stereo and surround monitoring.
• Speaker utilities panel provides trim, mute, and solo, per speaker output.

Apollo Room Correction

• Room Correction runs on a single SHARC DSP core, with UA’s studio-grade, low-latency EQ algorithms, using over 20 precision filters and up to 100 ms of loudspeaker time alignment to transform your monitoring accuracy.
• Create SoundID Reference measurements for Apollo Room Correction directly within the SoundID Reference Measure desktop application.

Find Your Flow in the UAD Console App

• Apollo x8’s powerful digital mixing engine lets you control plug-in routing and monitoring. With the latest features like Bass Management, Surround Audio up to 7.1, and Plug-In Scenes, it’s easy to find a flow that fits your needs.

Expand Your Studio as You Grow

• Build your studio by linking up to four Thunderbolt Apollo interfaces with up to 128 channels of premium I/O to your DAW. Control it all from your desktop using Apollo Twin or x4.

Key Features

• 18×24 Thunderbolt audio interface with HEXA Core DSP real-time plug-in processing
• Includes up to 30+ UAD plug-ins with Essentials+ Edition
• Four Unison 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), wordclock I/O (BNC)
• Two 1/4″ monitor outs, eight 1/4″ line outputs (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 ultralow jitter at all sample rates
• Enhanced D/A for critical monitoring and playback with 130 dB dynamic range and low THD of -127 dB
• Calibrate your main monitor and headphone outputs with Apollo Monitor Correction powered by Sonarworks
• Full-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
• 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

36 Effects and Instruments, One Rack Space

Channel Strips and Preamps (6)

• Century Tube Channel Strip
• CS-1 Channel Strip
• Helios Type 69 Preamp and EQ
• Precision Channel Strip
• UA 610-A Preamp and EQ
• UA 610-B Preamp and 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 Real-time Access
• Oxide Tape Recorder
• Precision Enhancer Hz
• Verve Analog Machines Essentials

Delay and Modulation (3)

• Precision Delay Mod L
• Galaxy Tape EchoPrecision Delay Mod
• Precision Delay Mod L

Reverbs and Rooms (3)

• Precision Reflection Engine
• Pure Plate Reverb
• RealVerb Pro Custom Room Modeler

Guitar and Bass (3)

• Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amplifier
• Marshall Plexi Classic Amplifier
• Raw Distortion

Instruments (1)

• PolyMAX Polyphonic Synth

FEATURES

• For Producers Running a Studio
• 30+ UAD Plug-Ins, Real-Time Processing
• External Power Supply, Mac/Windows
• 4 Unison Mic Pres, 2 Hi-Z In, 8 Line In
• 2 Headphone Outs, 10 Line/Monitor Outs
• Gen 2 Elite-Class 24-Bit / 192 kHz AD/DA
• 2 ADAT I/O, S/PDIF I/O, Wordclock I/O
• Auto-Gain Control, Monitor Correction
• Monitoring and Talkback Control
• 7.1 Surround Sound with Bass Management