Universal Audio Apollo X8 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

Specification

Built upon UA’s 60-year heritage of audio craftsmanship, this 18 x 24 interface distinguishes itself with four Unison™-enabled mic preamps, providing authentic emulations of preamps from Neve, API, Manley, SSL, and more, plus all-new HEXA Core processing — yielding 50% more DSP for running UAD Powered Plug-Ins in real time.

• Desktop 2 x 6 USB 3 audio interface for Windows with world-class 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion
• Realtime UAD Processing for tracking through vintage compressors, EQs, tape machines, mic preamps, and guitar amp plug-ins with near-zero (sub-2ms) latency
• USB 3 connection to modern Windows systems
• Unison™ technology provides stunning models of classic mic preamps
• 2 premium mic/line preamps; 2 line outputs; front-panel Hi-Z instrument input and stereo headphone output
• 2 digitally controlled analog monitor outputs for full resolution at all listening levels
• Up to 8 channels of additional digital input via Optical connection
• Uncompromising analog design, superior components, and premium build quality
• Included “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” UAD plug-ins: 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, legacy LA-2A, 1176, and Fairchild compressors, Pultec EQs, Marshall Plexi Classic, Ampeg SVT-R Classic Bass Amp, and more
• Console application features Channel Strip presets, Drag & Drop functionality, dynamically resizable windows, and more
• Runs UAD Powered Plug-Ins via VST, RTAS, AU & AAX 64 formats in all major DAWs

Elite-Class A/D and D/A Conversion

With thousands of chart-topping songs and hundreds of Grammy-winning albums under their belt, Apollo interfaces are no strangers to tracking stellar-sounding records. To improve on the previous generation Apollo interface’s class-leading audio conversion, UA engineers obsessively auditioned the latest A/D and D/A converters — ultimately pairing elite-class 24-bit/192 kHz converters with all-new analog circuitry for an ultra-pristine signal path.

The Apollo X series also introduces new Dual-Crystal clocking — featuring dedicated crystals for 44.1/88.2/176.4k and 48/96/192k sample rates — resulting in stunningly low jitter, measured at less than 10 picoseconds. This translates into pure, artifact-free recordings and solid stereo imaging you can trust.

With 129 dB dynamic range and -119 dB THD+N, Apollo x8’s open, natural sound quality rivals any dedicated high-end converter on the market — regardless of price — and is the perfect starting point for applying UAD processing.

Realtime UAD HEXA Core Processing

Apollo x8 features new HEXA Core processing, with six DSP chips and 50% more UAD plug-in processing power than previous Apollos. This lets you run more UAD plug-ins, whether you’re tracking in real time with channel strips from Neve, Manley, or API, or running high UAD plug-in counts when mixing in your DAW.

From the tube warmth of Pultec EQs on guitars to the musical tube limiting of the LA-2A on vocals, or the pump of a genuine 1176 or Fairchild 670 tube compressor on drums, your recordings will take a giant leap forward with a rich, three-dimensional analog sound that UAD plug‑ins provide.

Included in the Realtime Analog Classics Bundle:

• UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ
• Marshall Plexi Classic Guitar Amp
• Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp
• UA 1176LN Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
• UA 1176SE Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
• Pultec EQP-1A EQ (Legacy)
• Pultec Pro EQ (Legacy)
• Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier (Legacy)
• Raw Distortion
• 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)
• RealVerb Pro Custom Room Modeler

Inputs + Outputs

• Line Inputs: 8 Balanced ¼" TRS
• Microphone Inputs: 4 Balanced XLR
• Instrument (Hi-Z) Inputs: 2 Unbalanced ¼" TS
• Digital Inputs (Optical TOSLINK):
• ADAT: 8 channels @ 44.1 – 96 kHz
• ADAT: 4 channels @ 176.4 – 192 kHz
• Digital Inputs (RCA): S/PDIF: 2 channels @ 44.1 – 192 kHz
• Line Outputs: 8 Balanced ¼" TRS
• Monitor Outputs: 2 Balanced ¼" TRS
• Headphone Outputs: 2 Stereo ¼" TRS
• Digital Outputs (Optical TOSLINK)
• ADAT: 8 channels @ 44.1 – 96 kHz
• ADAT: 4 channels @ 176.4 – 192 kHz
• Digital Outputs (RCA): S/PDIF: 2 channels @ 44.1 to 192 kHz

Universal Audio Releases LUNA Recording System

The first recording platform with deep Apollo integration, LUNA features built-in instruments and extensions from Neve, Moog, Studer, and more.

Available for download and free for all Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo and Arrow owners, LUNA transforms UA's industry standard Apollo into the most inspiring and fully integrated recording system available

Deep Apollo Integration for a Fast, Natural Workflow

LUNA gives Apollo owners the fastest recording environment for music production, editing, and mixing. LUNA's Accelerated Realtime Monitoring gives users seamless hardware-software integration for capturing audio through UAD plug-ins with no discernible latency, offering Apollo owners the most natural, analog-style workflow of any DAW available

All-New LUNA Instruments and Extensions

Rounding out LUNA's featureset at launch is a full suite of built-in instruments and extensions, created in collaboration with the biggest brands in audio. From integrated Studer multitrack tape and genuine Neve summing, to all-new LUNA instruments from Moog, UA, Spitfire Audio, and more, LUNA bring Universal Audio's expertise in modeling, sampling, and synthesis to the forefront of audio production

LUNA Key Features

• Free UA recording application available for all macOS-based Thunderbolt Apollo and Arrow users
• Accelerated Realtime Monitoring provides analog-style tracking and overdubbing
• Deep Apollo and Arrow integration for a fast, natural workflow
• Built-in Neve Summing extension for instant classic console sound
• Integrated Oxide and Studer multitrack tape delivers warmth and punch on demand
• All-new LUNA Instruments include Ravel grand piano, Moog Minimoog, and Shape creative toolkit
• Unlimited track count, or as many as your Thunderbolt-equipped Mac will handle
• Contextual editing and browsing - the system intelligently switches tools and viewing modes based on workflow
• Runs all UAD and Audio Units (AU) plug-ins and instruments
• Session Auto-Save - LUNA is constantly saving, so you'll never lose your work again
• AAF imports allow you to import sessions from other major DAWs using the industry-standard Advanced Authoring Format (AAF)

LUNA is currently available as a free download for all Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo and Arrow audio interface owners for macOS only. LUNA is not compatible with Apollo FireWire or Apollo Twin USB