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Apollo 8 Thunderbolt Audio Interface with UAD Quad-Core Processing

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Overview

Next-generation audio conversion with classic analog sound.

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 powerful UAD-2 QUAD processing, genuine UA analog design, and next-generation A/D and D/A conversion, putting class-leading audio quality in a sleek new package. Works with Mac or Windows.

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.

Next-Generation Apollo A/D and D/A Conversion
Apollo 8 improves upon the original Apollo' 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' œnatural 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 generous UAD-2 QUAD processing onboard, Apollo' DSP Acceleration allows for recording through UAD Powered Plug-Ins ” with as low as sub-2ms latency ” letting you monitor and œprint audio using classic analog emulations from Ampex, Lexicon, Manley, Neve, Roland, SSL, Studer, and more.*

The Apollo 8' bundled œRealtime 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' Unison technology gives you the tone of the world's most sought-after tube and solid state mic preamps ” including their impedance, gain stage œsweet spots, and component-level circuit behaviors.

Based on unprecedented hardware-software integration between Apollo' 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 provides seamless integration with previous generation Apollos over Thunderbolt.

With Apollo 8' Console 2.0 application ” a complete re-imagining of Apollo' 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' system scalability to make it the new standard in professional multi-channel audio recording.


LUNA Recording System for Mac


Included as a free download with all UA Thunderbolt audio interfaces, the LUNA Recording System is designed to give Apollo owners the most natural, inspiring and analog-sounding music production environment available for Mac. This digital system integrates directly with the hardware to deliver analog sound and creative immediacy. It uses real-time processes more commonly associated with analog recording, versus typical digital audio workstation (DAW) workflows.

Deep Integration With the Apollo Interface


In addition to its seamless hardware-software integration with Apollo and Arrow, the LUNA Recording System allows capturing audio through DSP-powered UAD plug-ins with no discernible latency. The system also includes Accelerated Realtime Monitoring, which provides fast analog-style tracking and overdubbing workflows using Apollo’s onboard DSP acceleration. LUNA's deep Apollo integration will be a revelation for anyone who has not recorded music on a highly expensive, DSP-assisted recording system. LUNA makes music production feel more robust, dependable and intuitive, without latency and monitoring hassles.

Extensions Built Directly Into the Software


The LUNA system works with a variety of exclusive LUNA extensions, including two that come free with download. These are not plug-ins that require multiple instances and windows—they are controlled from within the app. The Oxide LUNA extension comes free with download and features multitrack tape emulation, bringing the warmth and punch of tape to any audio or instrument track. For those who want to delve deeper into magnetic tape sounds, there is the Studer A800 multichannel tape recorder extension (sold separately). Other available options include the Neve Summing extension, which recreates the audio summing circuitry of the Neve 80-Series audio mixing consoles designed by Neve Electronics in the 1960s and early 70s.

LUNA Virtual Instruments


LUNA also features the first-ever virtual instruments from Universal Audio. Using their expertise in electrical and acoustic modeling, sampling, synthesis and signal processing, UA was able to make their LUNA instruments realistic, responsive and "alive." Free with download, LUNA includes the Shape creative toolkit with modern and vintage keys, drums/percussion, guitar/bass, orchestral content and real-time synthesis, courtesy of Universal Audio, Spitfire Audio, Orange Tree Samples, Loops de la Creme and more. Sold separately are premium instruments including the Moog Minimoog synthesizer and the Ravel grand piano, which is based on UA-exclusive samples of a Steinway Model B.

Other features include auto-saving, UAD and AU compatibility, auto-saving and AAF session imports from other DAWs. The LUNA system is free to all owners of Thunderbolt-equipped Universal Audio interfaces including Apollo and Arrow. It requires a modern Mac running macOS Mojave or later.

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

Features

  • Next-generation Apollo A/D and D/A conversion for professional music production
  • Includes free download of integrated LUNA Recording System for Mac
  • Onboard UAD-2 QUAD Core DSP allowing Realtime UAD Processing
  • Four high-resolution, ultra-transparent, digitally-controlled analog mic preamps
  • Unison technology for deep integration with UAD preamp and pedal plug-ins
  • Realtime UAD Plug-In Processing for Tracking, Mixing, and Mastering

High-performance with realtime UAD processing, order the Apollo series interfaces today!

Specs

Apollo 8 Thunderbolt Audio Interface with UAD Quad-Core Processing Specifications:

Audio Quality
  • Max bit depth: 24-bit
  • Max sampling rate: 192kHz
  • Frequency response: Not specified
Inputs
  • Total inputs: 18
  • Analog inputs: 12
  • Digital inputs: 6
  • Mic preamps: 4
  • XLR/TRS combo jacks: 0
  • XLR only jacks: 4
  • 1/4” only jacks: 6
  • S/PDIF in: 2
  • ADAT/optical in: 6
  • RCA in: 0
  • AES/EBU DSUB: 0
  • MADI: No
  • Dante: 0
Outputs
  • Total outputs: 24
  • Analog outputs: 10
  • Digital outputs: 8
  • XLR out: 0
  • 1/4” out: 10
  • S/PDIF out: 2
  • ADAT/optical out: 6
  • RCA out: 0
  • AES / EBU DSUB: 0
  • MADI: No
  • Dante: 0
Other Connectivity
  • Connections: Thunderbolt
  • MIDI I/O: No
  • Headphone output(s): 2
  • Word-clock I/O: Yes
Onboard Features
  • Computer platform: Mac
  • Phantom power: Yes
  • Direct monitoring: Yes
  • Onboard DSP: Yes
  • Metering: LED meters
  • Display: No
  • Latency control: Yes
  • Monitor control: Yes
  • Headphone control: Yes
Other
  • Width: 19 in.
  • Height: 1.75 in.
  • Depth: 13.5 in.
  • Weight: 9.1 lb.
  • Rack-mountable: Yes
  • Included software: Yes
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