Apollo 8 Thunderbolt Audio Interface w/ QUAD Processing
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.
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’s 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’s “natural” 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’s DSP Acceleration allows for recording through UAD Powered Plug-Ins — with as low as sub-2ms latency — letting you monitor and “print” audio using classic analog emulations from Ampex, Lexicon, Manley, Neve, Roland, SSL, Studer, and more.*
The Apollo 8’s bundled “Realtime 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’s Unison technology gives you the tone of the world's most sought-after tube and solid state mic preamps — including their impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and component-level circuit behaviors.
Based on unprecedented hardware-software integration between Apollo’s 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’s Console 2.0 application — a complete re-imagining of Apollo’s 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’s system scalability to make it the new standard in professional multi-channel audio recording.
Impedance and Gain Matching
Apollo 8 is further enhanced by adding Unison technology to its front-panel Hi-Z instrument inputs, giving you dead-on impedance and gain matching for new stompbox models like the Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808.
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
Features/Specs
Audio Interface
Sample rates up to 192 kHz at 24-bit word length
18 x 24 simultaneous input/output channels:
Eight channels of analog-to-digital conversion via mic, line, or high-impedance inputs
14 channels of digital-to-analog conversion via:
Eight mono line outputs
Stereo monitor outputs (switchable to fixed line outputs)
Two stereo headphone outputs
10 channels of digital I/O via:
Eight channels ADAT Optical Lightpipe I/O with S/MUX for high sample rates
Two channels coaxial S/PDIF I/O with sample rate conversion
Two Thunderbolt 2 ports facilitates daisy-chaining of other Thunderbolt devices
Cascade up to 4 Apollo interfaces and 6 UAD devices total over Thunderbolt (Mac)
Microphone Preamplifiers
Four high-resolution, ultra-transparent, digitally-controlled analog mic preamps
Unison™ technology for deep integration with UAD preamp and pedal plug-ins
Front panel and software control of all preamp parameters
Switchable low cut filter, 48V phantom power, pad, polarity inversion, and stereo linking
Monitoring
Stereo monitor outputs (independent of the eight line outputs)
Digitally-controlled analog monitor outputs maintains highest fidelity
Front panel control of monitor levels and muting
Two stereo headphone outputs with independent mix buses
Independent front panel volume controls for headphone outputs
Front panel pre-fader metering of monitor bus levels
S/PDIF outputs can be set to mirror the monitor outputs
Up to two alternate stereo monitor outputs selectable via front panel or Console software
Assignable front panel monitor function switch for alternate speakers, dim, & mono
UAD-2 Inside
DUO and QUAD models featuring two or four SHARC processors
Realtime UAD Processing on all analog and digital inputs
Same features and functionality as other UAD-2 devices when used with DAW
Can be combined with other UAD-2 devices for increased mixing DSP
Includes UAD Powered Plug-Ins “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” bundle
Complete UAD plug-ins library is available at the UA online store
Software
Console application
Analog-style control interface for realtime monitoring and tracking
Enables Realtime UAD Processing with UAD plug-ins
Remote control of Apollo 8p features and functionality
Virtual I/O for routing DAW tracks through Console
Console Recall plug-in
Saves Console configurations inside DAW sessions for easy recall
Convenient access to Console’s monitor controls via DAW plug-in
VST, RTAS, AAX 64, and Audio Units plug-in formats
UAD Meter & Control Panel application
Configures global UAD settings and monitors system usage
Other
Easy firmware updates
1U rack-mountable form factor
System Requirements
Thunderbolt Systems
UAD Powered Plug-Ins version 8
Apple Mac computer with available Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port
Mac OS X 10.8.5 Mountain Lion, 10.9.x Mavericks, or 10.10.x Yosemite
4 gigabytes available disk space
Internet connection to download software and authorize UAD plug-ins
Compatible VST, Audio Units, RTAS, or AAX 64 plug-in host DAW software
Thunderbolt cable (sold separately)
System
I/O Complement
Microphone Inputs 4
High-Impedence (Hi-Z) Instrument Inputs 2
Analog Line Inputs 8
Analog Line Outputs 8 (ten including monitor outputs)
Analog Monitor Outputs 2 (one stereo pair)
Headphone Outputs 2 Stereo
ADAT Up to eight channels via dual I/O ports with S/MUX
S/PDIF One stereo input, one stereo output
Thunderbolt 2 ports 2 (Thunderbolt 1 compatible)
Word Clock 1 input, 1 output
A/D – D/A Conversion
Supported Sample Rates (kHz) 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192
Bit Depth Per Sample 24
Simultaneous A/D conversion 8 channels
Simultaneous D/A conversion 14 channels
Analog Round-Trip Latency 1.1 milliseconds @ 96 kHz sample rate
Analog Round-Trip Latency with four serial UAD-2 plug-ins via Console application 1.1 milliseconds @ 96 kHz sample rate
Analog I/O
Frequency Response 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.1 dB
Microphone Inputs 1 - 4
Connector Type XLR Female, pin 2 positive (Combo XLR/TRS)
Phantom Power +48V (switchable per mic input)
Dynamic Range 120 dB (A–weighting)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 120 dB (A–weighting)
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise –110 dBFS
Common-Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) 73 dB (10’ cable)
Default Input Impedance 5.4K Ohms (variable via Unison plug-ins)
Gain Range +10 dB to +65 dB
Pad Attenuation 20 dB (switchable per input)
Maximum Input level +25 dBu (minimum gain, pad engaged)
Hi-Z Inputs 1 - 2
Connector Type ¼” Female TS Unbalanced
Dynamic Range 118 dB (A–weighting)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 118 dB (A–weighting)
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise –101.5 dBFS
Input Impedance 1M Ohms (variable via Unison plug-ins)
Gain Range +10 dB to +65 dB
Maximum Input Level +12 dBu
Line Inputs 1 – 4
Connector Type ¼” Female TRS Balanced (Combo XLR/TRS)
Dynamic Range 120 dB (A–weighting)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 120 dB (A–weighting)
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise –110 dBFS
Common-Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) 60 dB (10’ cable)
Input Impedance 10K Ohms
Gain Range +10 dB to +65 dB (Line Input Gain = ON)
Reference Level +4 dBu (Line Input Gain = BYPASS)
Maximum Input Level +20.2 dBu
Line Inputs 5 – 8
Connector Type ¼” Female TRS Balanced (Combo XLR/TRS)
Dynamic Range 120 dB (A–weighting)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 120 dB (A–weighting)
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise –110 dBFS
Common-Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) 60 dB (10’ cable)
Input Impedance 10K Ohms
Gain (selectable per input) +4 dBu or –10 dBV
Maximum Input Level (+4 dBu setting) +20.2 dBu
Maximum Input Level (–10 dBV setting) +6.2 dBV (unbalanced)
Line Outputs 1 – 8
Connector Type ¼” Female TRS Balanced
Dynamic Range 121 dB (A–weighting)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 121 dB (A–weighting)
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise –110 dBFS
Stereo Level Balance ±0.05 dB
Output Impedance 100 Ohms
Maximum Output Level +20.2 dBu
Monitor Outputs Left & Right
Connector Type ¼” Female TRS Balanced
Dynamic Range 121 dB (A–weighting)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 121 dB (A–weighting)
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise –110 dBFS
Stereo Level Balance ±0.01 dB
Output Impedance 100 Ohms
Maximum Output Level +20.2 dBu
Stereo Headphone Outputs 1 – 2
Connector Type ¼” Female TRS Stereo
Dynamic Range 118 dB (A–weighting)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 118 dB (A–weighting)
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise –101 dBFS
Maximum Output Power 160 mW into 300 ohm load
Digital I/O
S/PDIF
Connector Type Female Phono (RCA)
Format IEC958
Supported Sample Rates (kHz) 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192
ADAT
Connector Type (shared with ADAT) Optical TOSLINK JIS F05
Format ADAT Digital Lightpipe with S/MUX
Supported Sample Rates (kHz) 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192
Channel Assignments @ 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz Port 1 = Channels 1 – 8, Port 2 = 1 – 8 (mirrored)
Channel Assignments @ 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz Port 1 = Channels 1 – 4, Port 2 = Channels 5 – 8
Channel Assignments @ 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz Port 1 = Channels 1 – 2, Port 2 = Channels 3 – 4
Word Clock
Connector Type BNC
Lock Range ±0.5% of any supported sample rate
Word Clock Input Termination 75 Ohms, switchable
Synchronization Sources
Internal, Word Clock, S/PDIF, ADAT
Electrical
Power Supplies External AC to DC Power Supply, Level V compliant
AC Input Connector Type IEC Male
AC Requirements 100V – 240V AC, 50 – 60 Hz
DC Connector Type XLR 4-Pin Locking Male (Neutrik P/N NC4MDM3-H)
DC Requirements 12 VDC, ±5%
Maximum Power Consumption 50 Watts
Mechanical
Dimensions
Width 19”
Height 1.75” (1U rack space)
Depth, Chassis Only 12.125”
Depth, Including Knob & Jack Protrusions 13.5”
Shipping Box (Width x Depth x Height) 24” x 17” x 8”
Weight
Shipping Weight (with box & accessories) 18 pounds
Weight (bare unit) 9.1 pounds
Package Contents
Apollo 8 Audio Interface Unit
External Power Supply
AC Power Cable (IEC)
Set of (4) Rack-Mount Screws
Getting Started URL Card