Univeral Audio Apollo x8 Gen 2 Essentials+ Edition (Rack) TB3/MAC/WIN)

Apollo x8 | Gen 2 Thunderbolt Audio Interface Essentials+ Edition

Rackmount 18 x 24 Thunderbolt audio interface with four Unison mic preamps, elite-class Apollo X Gen 2 audio conversion, Auto-Gain, Apollo Monitor Correction, up to 7.1 surround sound with Bass Management, HEXA core DSP plug-in processing, and premium software suite for Mac or Windows.

Produce music with the authentic sound of analog. 

UA's next generation of Apollo x8 interfaces is here, for studio producers who need highest-resolution audio conversion, four Unison™ mic preamps, and HEXA Core DSP processing for recording and mixing with world-class UAD plug-ins from Auto-Tune, Neve, Manley, Avalon, SSL, and hundreds more.

Trusted by top producers and engineers around the globe who need elite-class Apollo X sound and DSP power with more inputs and outputs, Apollo x8 brings legendary UA craftsmanship and the sound of the stars right to your rack.

Key Benefits

• Hear next generation audio conversion with the widest dynamic range and lowest distortion of any Apollo
• Experience authentic analog sound with Unison^TM preamps, letting you record in realtime through gear from Neve, API, Avalon, Fender, and more
• Access the full library of 200+ UAD DSP and Native plug-ins, including award-winning titles like Capitol Chambers, Sound City Studios, EL8 Distressor, and more
• Mix with confidence in any room or through headphones using Apollo Monitor Correction powered by Sonarworks^®*
• Use Auto-Gain to set your levels across multiple inputs in seconds and never miss the take
• Hear all 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
• Get thousands of dollars in award-winning UAD plug-in titles from Auto-Tune, Fairchild, Teletronix, and more with a choice of Essentials+ or Studio+ Editions

Add the World’s Most Trusted Interface to Your Rack

Universal Audio built Apollo x8 for pro and project studios where highest-quality audio is a must. With its award-winning Apollo X sound — now with unprecedented dynamic range and enhanced D/A monitoring — Apollo x8 puts authentic analog sound right in your rack.

Record Through Four Unison Preamps

With Unison^™ technology, Apollo x8 lets you track in realtime with the sound of classic preamps and channel strips from Neve, Manley, API, and dozens more, giving you the same rich analog textures used on the greatest recordings of our time.

Unlock Authentic Analog Sounds

Right out of the box, Apollo x8 gives you the tools used by the world’s best engineers. Along with included Teletronix LA-2A compressors, Pultec EQs, and amps from Fender, Marshall, and Ampeg — you can tap into the entire library of over 200 UAD plug-ins and unlock proven hit-making sounds like Ocean Way Studios, Capitol Chambers, and many more.

Hear the Details Like Never Before

Now in its Gen 2 design, Apollo x8 features UA’s highest-resolution D/A converters ever paired with Apollo Monitor Correction powered by Sonarworks.^® This means that when you playback your audio through monitors or headphones, 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.

Find Your Flow in the UAD Console App

Just like an analog studio, where a console is the heart of the workflow, Apollo x8 has a powerful digital mixing engine where you control plug-in routing and monitoring. And with the latest features like Auto-Gain, Bass Management, 7.1 Surround Sound and Plug-In Scenes, it’s easy to find a flow that fits your needs.

A Hybrid System, Made for Your Mission

Combine Apollo x8’s HEXA Core DSP with native processing from your host computer to produce large sessions with complex plug-in chains — a powerhouse hybrid workflow that outpaces any native-only recording setup. 

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, and control it all from your desktop using Apollo Twin or x4. So no matter how far your music takes you, an Apollo will always be in reach.**   

Key Features

• 18 x 24 Thunderbolt audio interface with HEXA Core DSP plug-in processing
• Four Unison^TM 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), word clock I/O (BNC)
• Two 1/4" monitor outs, eight 1/4" line outs (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 ultra-low jitter at all sample rates
• Enhanced D/A for critical monitoring and playback with 130 dB dynamic range and astonishingly low THD of -127 dB
• Calibrate your main monitor and headphone outputs with Apollo Monitor Correction powered by Sonarworks^®*
• Fully-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
• Includes up to 50+ UAD plug-ins with Essentials+ or Studio+ Editions
• 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

*Coming Q4 2024, requires Apollo Monitor Correction Add-on and SoundID Reference licenses, available fromsonarworks.com

**For full compatibility information, refer tohelp.uaudio.com

Included Plug-Ins in Essentials+ Edition

Channel Strips & Preamps (6)

Century Tube Channel Strip

CS-1 Channel Strip

Helios Type 69 Preamp & EQ

Precision Channel Strip

UA 610-A Preamp & EQ

UA 610-B Preamp & 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 Realtime Access

Oxide Tape Recorder

Precision Enhancer Hz

Verve Analog Machines Essentials

Instruments (1)

PolyMAX Polyphonic Synth

Delay & Modulation (3)

Galaxy Tape Echo

Precision Delay Mod

Precision Delay Mod L

Reverbs & Rooms (3)

Precision Reflection Engine

Pure Plate Reverb

RealVerb Pro Custom Room Modeler

Guitar & Bass (3)

Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amplifier

Marshall Plexi Classic Amplifier

Raw Distortion