Universal Audio Apollo x8p Heritage Edition

16 x 22 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

24 Bit / 192 kHz
Compatible with Thunderbolt 2 with optional Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter (not included)
6-Core SHARC DSP for internal UAD real-time processing
8 Unison microphone preamps
8 Microphone/line combo inputs: XLR / 6.3 mm jack
2 Hi-Z inputs: 6.3 mm jack
8 Line inputs: Sub-D25
2 Monitor outputs: 6.3 mm jack
8 Line-output: Sub-D25
2 ADAT inputs and outputs
BNC Word clock input and output
2 Stereo headphone connections: 6.3 mm jack
2 Thunderbolt 3 sockets
+48 V phantom power
Pad
Low-cut
Phase reverse
Switch for monitor switching
Dim or mono assignable function button
LED meter
Built-in talkback microphone
Support of surround formats up to 7.1 with speaker calibration and downmix
Dual Crystal Clocking for a low-jitter environment and pure, artefact-free recordings as well as stable stereo imaging
For Mac/Wiondows
Up to 4 Apollos cascadable with Thunderbolt connection
Format: 19" / 1 U
Includes external power supply and software bundle Rackmount Heritage Edition & Realtime Analogue Classics Plus

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

3-Year Thomann Warranty

Available since December 2020

Item number 508064

Sales Unit 1 piece(s)

Recording / Playback Channels 16x22

Number of Mic Inputs 8

Number of Line Inputs 8

Number of Instrument Inputs 2

Number of Line Outputs 10

Headphone Outs 2

Phantom Power Yes

Number of S/PDIF Connectors 0

Number of ADAT Connectors 2

AES/EBU Connectors 0

Number of MADI Connectors 0

Ethernet 0

Other Connectors No

MIDI Connectors No

Word Clock 1xIn, 1xOut

Max. Samplerate 192 kHz

Max. Resolution in Bit 24 bit

Bus-Powered No

Incl. Power Supply Yes

Windows Thunderbolt driver Yes

Thunderbolt Version 3

Width in mm 483 mm

Depth in mm 308 mm

Height in mm 44 mm

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Sales Rank

in Thunderbolt Audio Interfaces

Professional rack interface

The Universal Audio Apollo x8p is a high-ranking member of the esteemed Apollo line of audio interfaces. This 16-in/22-out Thunderbolt interface, both Windows and Mac compatible, is equipped with eight Unison-enabled microphone preamps. Like its siblings, it also features elite-class 24-bit/192kHz converters with dual-crystal clocking technology and HEXA Core UAD processing, powered by six SHARC DSP chips, which allow multiple instances of the famed UAD plugins to run at zero CPU cost. Importantly, the Apollo x8p can be cascaded with other units, providing an excellent foundation for evolving professional studios. The "Real Time Analog Classics Plus" collection of Core UAD plugins as well as the Luna DAW software environment (Mac only) are included, providing immediate access to the privileged world of UAD-powered music production.

Closeup of the Universal Audio Apollo x8p Heritage Edition 16 x 22 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

Analogue sound for a digital age

UAD plugins are renowned worldwide for their remarkable realism and pioneering technology. Unison technology allows the Apollo x8p's eight preamps to seamlessly blend into this environment by subtly modifying their dynamic response depending on which preamp emulation is being used, adding a further layer of realism when recording in real time through the legendary mic preamp emulations. The "Realtime Analog Classics Bundle" provides a wide selection of meticulously crafted classics, including the UA 610-B classic preamp, Marshall's Plexi Classic Amplifier, and Ampeg's SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp, as well as a selection of popular dynamic processors and EQs such as the Teletronix LA-2A and the Pultec EQP-1A. Multiple instances of these plugins can be run latency-free and at zero CPU load via UA's "Console" software, during both the recording and the mixing phases of a project, in DAW environments such as Cubase, Logic, Live, and Pro Tools.

Scalable up to 156 tracks

One of the x8's key features is its ability to cascade with other Apollo and Satellite units, supporting up to four Apollo interfaces and six units in total, thus greatly increasing the number of preamps and other available inputs and outputs (up to 160 in total), as well as Core UAD plugin instances. Up to four Apollo interfaces and two UAD2 Satellite units (which provide extra DSP power via Thunderbolt, PCIe, USB, and FireWire) can be cascaded. Configurations are efficiently managed via UA's "Console" utility. A great variety of studio setups are possible depending on configuration, ranging from post-production, where few inputs and preamps are required, to full-fledged recording and mixing setups, complete with talkback mic, and all with "album-ready" Core UAD sound quality.

About Universal Audio

Few manufacturers can draw upon a wealth of audio engineering experience comparable to that of Universal Audio. The company's founding father Bill Putnam, along with his friend Les Paul, have an admirable reputation as trend-setting music producers and developers of legendary analogue studio technology. Putnam recorded Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, and Sarah Vaughan, and was Duke Ellington's favourite sound engineer. He developed the famous 1176 Peak Limiter and distributed the Teletronix LA-2A level amplifier. This earned him a posthumous “Technical Grammy Award” in 2000. In 1999, Putnam's sons, Bill Putnam Jr. and James Putnam, re-founded Universal Audio, transferring their father's analogue vision and craftsmanship to the digital music world. Their product range includes audio interfaces, dedicated DSP farms, and a variety of plug-ins, as well as analogue hardware devices.

At the heart of the studio

The Apollo x8p boasts a sound quality and dynamic range that is difficult to rival. Its advanced monitoring section supports formats up to 7.1 (complete with individual speaker trim and fold-down mixes) and A/B monitoring configurations. It can also calibrate the system to a dB SPL reference level and align all the inputs and outputs to +24dBu when required. It is no surprise that the list of famous producers and musicians who use UAD products is endless. At the front end, one can choose from any number of iconic preamps from Neve to API, dynamics processors such as the Fairchild 670 and classic amp emulations – augmented by legacy reverbs, dynamics and effects units, and even precision channel strips for the mixing stage. To quote the manufacturer, what better way to "produce album-ready sounds in real time"?

Connections on the Universal Audio Apollo x8p Heritage Edition 16 x 22 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

In the spotlight: SOLO, DUO, QUAD, HEXA, and OCTO

Each Apollo interface features one or multiple Sharc processors for computing the "Console" mixer software and the UAD plugins. Each plug-in consumes a fraction of the DSP chip’s processing power (between one and sixty percent), depending on its complexity. A small percentage goes to the mixer software for internal signal processing and routing. The number of Sharc DSPs that are used in a Universal Audio device is indicated by the product description: There is one DSP chip in a SOLO unit, two in a DUO, four in a QUAD, six in a HEXA, and eight in an OCTO unit.

Apollo Heritage Edition

The new Apollo Heritage Editions deliver a premium software suite of ten award-winning UAD plug‑ins, including the full Collections of Teletronix, Pultec, Helios, and Universal Audio, as well as vintage gear like the V76 Preamp, Oxide Tape Recorder, and the Pure Plate Reverb, which will augment and update the already impressive Realtime Analog Classics Bundle to their latest and expanded versions. Thus the UA 1176, Teletronix LA-2A, Fairchild 670, Pultec EQP-1A, and the UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection are fully included. For those who already own one or more of the plug-ins of the Heritage Edition, there are plenty of alternates available on the website which can be chosen from instead during the registration process.

24 Customer ratings

5 21 Customers 4 2 Customers 3 0 Customers 2 0 Customers 1 1 Customer

4.8 / 5

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19 Reviews

recording and mixing

paolofromitaly 04.01.2020

I use it as my main audio interface for mixing, but I bought it for occasional recordings, with the intention to record through the UA unison plugins. The console application gives great flexibility. The only thing that left me wishing is that it has 6 DSPs: It might be enough to record, but in my opinion this unit should have had 8 DSPs. I always end up running out of processing. For that I had to buy a UAD satellite.
Agreed, price-wise the interface is not on the cheap side, plus adding DSP power requires to shell out for even more. But then consider this: every now and again, I use other brands of plugins, and invariably when I replace that with a UA plugin it just works better 99% of time. So if you only need inputs to record, I reckon you have options with other products. But if you also care to get world-class sounding plugins there is no doubt you need to go UA products.

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Industry standard interface

Anishjourney 26.09.2022

Very flexible, easy to use, it comes with 32 plugins which are great for mixing and mastering. If you are looking for a high end interface, this is what you are looking for.

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Apollo x8p is a great interface with unrealistically cool plugins!

Goncharov Tim 23.09.2022

Interface - fire! Works on Dell XPS, MacBook Pro. There were no problems with the connection, it works stably. For my standard music projects, the computing power for plug-ins is enough for this interface alone, at least I haven’t reached the limit yet, but if this happens, I additionally purchased UAD-2 SATELLITE. Plugins UAD - generally a separate issue, better not heard yet! I would especially like to highlight the UAD plug-ins with Unison support: preamps, guitar amps... I went from reality when I heard it!

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Ships with Firmware that is not compatible with PC

JustinF67 27.12.2019

Completely useless so far. It seems as though Apollo's need a firmware upgrade to work on PC's and these upgrades can only be installed via Mac - so if you don't have one, tough luck! You couldn't make this up!
From everything I've read online, these units are superb - if you have a Mac. They forgot to let the user update the firmware with a PC making it 1000% useless.

Thomann Comment: You need a firmware update to use the interface on PC's!

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Universal Audio Apollo x8p Heritage Edition

16 x 22 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface