Universal Audio Apollo X8P

Universal Audio Apollo X8P

Thunderbolt 3 interface 18x24 ch with new HEXA Core DSP processor

Apollo x8p allows music engineers, producers, and project studios to track, overdub, and mix with new world-beating A/D and D/A conversion, HEXA Core UAD plug-in processing, and 7.1 surround sound monitoring* — all in a sleek rackmount Thunderbolt 3 audio interface for Mac** or PC. Built upon UA’s 60-year heritage of audio craftsmanship, this 18 x 22 interface laps the competition with eight 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. **Mac Pro (Late 2013 “black cylinder” model) compatibility for Apollo X coming Q4 2018.

Elite-Class A/D and D/A Conversion

With thousands of hit 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 interfaces’ 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. With 129 dB dynamic range and -119 dB THD+N, Apollo x8p’s open, natural sound 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 x8p 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.

Unison Technology: The Genuine Sound of Neve, API & Manley Preamps

Perfect for engineers, producers, and project studio owners, Apollo x8p features eight Unison-enabled mic preamps, letting you track large projects through exacting mic preamp emulations from Neve, API, Manley, Helios, SSL, and Universal Audio. A Universal Audio exclusive, Unison technology nails the tone of these sought-after tube and solid state mic pres — including their input impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and the component-level circuit behaviors of the original hardware. The secret to Unison is its hardware-software integration between Apollo’s mic preamps and its onboard HEXA Core DSP Acceleration. Simply place a Unison preamp plug-in on your mic input in Apollo Console software, and it physically reconfigures the Apollo interface's impedance — so you can tap into the classic sounds of the world’s most recorded mic preamps.

A Full Suite of Classic Analog Processing Onboard

Of course, a hallmark feature of Apollo is its Realtime UAD Processing, letting you run the full library of UAD plug-ins with near-zero latency. Apollo x8p includes the Realtime Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle, so you can record and mix with the world’s only authentic Teletronix LA-2A, 1176LN, and Fairchild compressors, the Unison-enabled UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, and legendary guitar and bass amps from Marshall and Ampeg.

FEATURES

• 18 x 22 Thunderbolt 3 audio interface with class-leading 24-bit/192 KHz conversion (backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 1 & 2 on Mac**)
• Realtime UAD HEXA Core Processing for tracking through UAD plug-ins at near-zero latency, regardless of audio buffer size
• 8 Unison-enabled mic preamps with realtime preamp emulations from Neve, API, SSL, Manley, Universal Audio, and more†
• Surround monitor controller up to 7.1 format*
• Includes “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” UAD plug-in bundle featuring UA 610-B Tube Preamp; Legacy Pultec EQ, LA-2A, and 1176 compressors; Marshall Plexi Classic; Ampeg SVT-VR Classic and more
• UAD HEXA Core processing onboard for additional mixing horsepower for Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Ableton, and other major DAWs
• Combine up to 4 Thunderbolt-equipped Apollos and 6 total UAD devices
• Selectable +24 dBu operation for easy compatibility with professional mixing consoles and tape machines
• Convenient front panel monitoring functions including Alt Speakers, Talkback mic, and assignable Dim or Mono
• Free, industry-leading technical support — on the phone and online — from knowledgeable audio engineers

*Surround Sound Support for Apollo X Coming Q4 2018. **Mac Pro (Late 2013“black cylinder” model) compatibility for Apollo X coming Q4 2018.

Interface Specifications

Inputs

Combo Mic/Line Inputs 8 Balanced XLR/TRS DB25 Line Inputs 8 Balanced via 25-pin D-sub 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
• S/PDIF: 2 channels @ 44.1 to 96 kHz (Switchable ADAT or S/PDIF)

A to D Conversion

Mic Preamps

• Dynamic Range: 122 dB (A-weighted)
• THD+N: -115 dB (0.00019%)
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.05 dB

Line Inputs Dynamic

• Range: 123 dB (A-weighted)
• THD+N: -113 dB (0.00022%)
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.04 dB

Outputs

DB25 Line Outputs 8 Balanced via 25-pin D-sub 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
• S/PDIF: 2 channels @ 44.1 to 96 kHz (Switchable ADAT or S/PDIF)

D to A Conversion

Line Outputs

• Dynamic Range: 127 dB (A-weighted)
• THD+N: -118 dB (0.00011%)
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.07 dB

Monitor Outputs

• Dynamic Range: 129 dB (A-weighted)
• THD+N: -118 dB (0.00012%)
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.06 dB

Headphone Outputs

• Dynamic Range: 125 dB (A-weighted)
• THD+N: -102 dB (0.00080%)
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.05 dB

Apollo X Series System Requirements

ALL:

• Thunderbolt 3 cable (not included)
• Internet connection to download software and authorize UAD plug-ins
• 6 gigabytes available storage
• Quad Core i7 or better processor recommended
• For additional compatibility information, visit help.uaudio.com

MAC:

• Available Thunderbolt 1, 2, or 3 port
• Thunderbolt 1 and 2 connections require an Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter (not included)
• macOS 10.12 Sierra or 10.13 High Sierra
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 “black cylinder” model) compatibility for Apollo X coming Q4 2018

PC:

• Available Thunderbolt 3 port
• Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (64-Bit Edition)