Apollo 8

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Overview
Included Plug-Ins
Features
Customer Reviews

4.8/5

(486)

4.8/5

(486)

Next-Generation Audio Conversion with
Classic Analog Sound.

Apollo 8 is the world’s most acclaimed professional recording interface for Mac and Windows, giving project and commercial studios superior A/D and D/A conversion with the tone, feel, and realtime workflow of classic analog recording.

Built upon UA’s 60-year heritage of audio craftsmanship, Apollo 8 distinguishes itself with four Unison^™-enabled mic preamps, UAD-2 QUAD or DUO Core processing, an included bundle of award-winning UAD plug-ins — which you can track through with near-zero latency, shaping sounds like a classic analog studio — plus it includes LUNA Recording System, giving you a fully-integrated music production application.

Record with world-class Apollo A/D and D/A conversion — as heard on hundreds of hit records

Cascade up to 4 Apollo interfaces and 6 UAD-2 devices over Thunderbolt, adding DSP and I/O as your studio grows

Produce music with UAD plug-ins like the included Teletronix^® LA-2A, 1176, and Fairchild^® compressors, Pultec^® EQs, and 610-B Preamp

Includes LUNA Recording System — a fully-integrated and inspiring music production application

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

Apollo 8 features four Unison-enabled mic preamps, letting you track through exacting mic preamp emulations from Neve,^® SSL,^® API,^® Manley,^® and Universal Audio. An Apollo 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 UAD-2 QUAD 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.

Watch the Unison Shoot Out (hardware vs. software) video

A Full Suite of Classic<br>Analog Processing Onboard

A Full Suite of Classic
Analog Processing Onboard

Right out of the box, Apollo 8 provides a suite of incredible analog emulation plug-ins including the world’s only authentic Teletronix LA-2A, 1176LN, and Fairchild compressors, the legendary Pultec EQs, and the Unison-enabled UA 610-B Tube Preamp. Developed by UA’s world-renowned team of algorithm engineers, these Realtime Analog Classics plug-ins set the standard by which all other hardware emulation plug-ins are judged.

From the tube warmth of the Pultec EQ on guitars, to the gentle limiting of the LA-2A on vocals, or the pump of a genuine Fairchild 670 compressor on drums, your recordings will take a giant leap forward in rich, sonically complex analog sound.

See Included Plug-Ins | Watch the live tracking video

Access the World of UAD Powered Plug-Ins

Beyond the included Realtime Analog Classics plug-ins, you can tap into the full library award-winning UAD Powered Plug-Ins — including vintage EQs, Compressors, Reverbs, Tape Machines and more — at near-zero latency, regardless of your audio software’s buffer size and without taxing your computer’s CPU.

With exclusive emulations from Neve, Studer, Manley, API, Ampex, Lexicon, Fender, and more,^† it’s like having an endless analog studio, in a single rack space. And unlike competing interfaces, these DSP-powered plug-ins are also available in your DAW for mixing.

Next-Generation A/D and D/A Conversion

Of course, the heart of any audio interface is the quality of its conversion. In designing the next-generation Apollo range, UA engineers started with an obsessive auditioning of the latest A/D and D/A converters, ultimately pairing the selected 24-bit/192kHz converters with all-new analog circuitry for the optimal signal path. Apollo 8 provides increased dynamic range and lower THD versus other interfaces — rivaling dedicated converters costing thousands more.

The Apollo Story

Watch UA’s Lev Perrey explain the innovative thinking behind the next-generations Apollos.

Apollo: The Choice of New-School Professionals

Apollo is the confirmed choice of hit-making professionals, used to record landmark albums by Kendrick Lamar (DAMN.), Chris Stapleton (From A Room: Volume 1), Arcade Fire (Everything Now), Post Malone (Beerbongs & Bentleys), and many more. The Apollo range of interfaces has earned numerous industry awards from Sound on Sound, Future Music, and Electronic Musician — as well as the prestigious TEC Award for computer audio hardware five years running.

“Apollo's A/D and D/A conversion sounds incredibly detailed, with great clarity and a tight, punchy low end. And with the Console 2.0 app, I have all of the routing and monitoring options I need.”
– Dave Pensado (Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, Maroon 5)

“Apollo is a platform that grows more powerful with every innovation – the UAD plug-in processing onboard has changed the way I work forever.”
– Tony Platt (AC/DC, Bob Marley, Buddy Guy)

“I'm really impressed with the Apollo X8. I hear more detail in the several sets of monitors I use, and I'm getting that little bit extra out of the Unison mic pre emulations – and they were already extremely close.”
– Jacquire King (James Bay, Kings of Leon, Tom Waits)

“The Apollo is the best I/O we've ever used, and we've tried them all. It has an incredibly clean, transparent, and accurate sound.”
– The Glitch Mob

“Having the Apollo with UAD plug-ins at my disposal is like carrying a giant studio with outboard racks at all times. Minus the tech fees, down time, and electricity bill!”
– Andrew Dawson (Jay-Z, Fun.)

“My Apollos are my sound.
Where I go, they go.”
– Trevor Lawrence Jr. (Dr. Dre, Herbie Hancock, Eminem)

“The Apollo's ability to do low latency – I mean that's the whole ballgame right there.”
– Joey Waronker (Atoms for Peace, Beck, Other Lives)

“With the Apollo 8 in the studio and an Apollo Twin on the go, I know I've got the best sound quality and an incredible arsenal of plug-ins — wherever I'm working.”
– Jeremy Ruzumna (Fitz And The Tantrums)

“UAD plug-ins are amazing...
I’ve used them on all my projects
for the last few years.”
– Dan Auerbach The Black Keys

“Overall, Apollo 8 sounds smooth and sweet, revealing subtle details with superior phase response and lower distortion than the original Apollo... UA has certainly improved on an already excellent device.”
– Mick Guzauski (Daft Punk, Mariah Carey, Eric Clapton)

“I knew about the ingredients of Apollo, but this is truly a special dish. The Apollo just set a new standard of excellence for audio interfaces, in terms of both its sound and its feature set.”
– Fab Dupont (Shakira, Santigold, Jennifer Lopez)

“Using my Apollos and Console 2.0, I'm able to front a live mix, create a monitor mix, and record, all at the same time. That’s pretty awesome.”
– Chris Dugan (Green Day, Iggy Pop, U2)

“The Apollo is a powerhouse and a game changer for my studio.”
– Grieves

Creating a Multi-Unit Apollo Setup

Watch producer/engineer Fab Dupont (Jennifer Lopez, Mark Ronson) install a powerful studio system by combining multiple Apollo interfaces over Thunderbolt.

LUNA Recording System<br />Deep Apollo Integration with a Fast, Natural Workflow

LUNA Recording System
Deep Apollo Integration with a Fast, Natural Workflow

Apollo 8 works with all major DAWs. But it becomes a fully integrated recording system with LUNA, Universal Audio’s groundbreaking music production application for Mac. Harness LUNA’s Accelerated Realtime Monitoring™ and power your workflow with a host of built-in features and optional extensions — from genuine Neve summing and integrated Studer tape, to inspiring LUNA instruments, and more.

Build a Networked Studio System Over Thunderbolt

Apollo 8 offers 18 x 24 simultaneous inputs/outputs, with two built-in Thunderbolt ports. Thanks to Apollo Expanded software, users of any 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 your studio grows. Apollo 8 also provides seamless integration with previous generation Apollos over Thunderbolt.

A Sleek, Low-latency App

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 new user-requested features such as Channel Strip presets, Drag & Drop functionality, dynamically resizable windows, and more.

Now with Vintage Amps

New for Apollo 8 is Unison technology on the front panel instrument inputs, giving you dead-on, impedance-matched emulations of guitar and bass amps like the Fender '55 Tweed Deluxe, Marshall Plexi Super Lead 1959, and the Ampeg B-15N Bass Amplifier.

Apollo Artist Sessions

Watch producer/engineer Fab Dupont (Jennifer Lopez, David Crosby) record Latin superstars Monsieur Periné live in Colombia with Apollo X audio interfaces.

View All Apollo Artist Sessions

Watch The Reviews

Customer Reviews

D. De Araújo Lopes

December 11, 2020

Great equipment and consumer support

Great piece of equipment. Best consumer support. Excelent job from UA.

R. Eccleston

December 10, 2020

Back For My Third Apollo!!

Loved my first Apollo 8 so much I decided to buy a second one. My system now consists of 2 x Apollo 8 DUO's, 1 Apollo Twin and a UAD Satellite QUAD TB. Now it's time to load up on some cool...

G. Landry

December 8, 2020

Great stuff

Solid like all the other UAD products!

G. Landry

December 8, 2020

Great stuff!

Solid like all the other products made by UAD.

R. Lamm

December 3, 2020

Second hand but works well

although the used Apollo 8 has a TB 2 connection with the help of 2 Apple TB2 to TB3 converter and the proper cables I could daisy-chain the unit with my Apollo Twin X and...

R. Whiteman

December 3, 2020

Clean - amazing

I recently upgraded to an Apollo 8 and what an upgrade. The preamps are so clean - my guitar has never sounded so great. I’m really enjoying having access to the UAD amps in unison and...

See All Reviews

Realtime Analog Classics Plus Bundle

With the Realtime Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle, you not only get legendary compressors such as the Fairchild^® 670 and EQs like the Pultec^® EQP-1A, but also stunning guitar and bass amp emulations from Softube, and UA’s landmark 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ plug-in.

UA 610‐B
Marshall Plexi Classic Amplifier
Fairchild 670 Legacy
Teletronix LA‐2A Legacy
UA 1176LN Legacy
UA 1176SE Legacy
Pultec EQP‐1A Legacy
Pultec Pro Legacy
Ampeg^® SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp
Precision Channel Strip
Precision Reflection Engine
Precision Delay Modulation
Precision Delay Modulation L
UA Precision Enhancer Hz
Raw Distortion
RealVerb‐Pro

UA 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ

Impart your tracks with the iconic warmth and character of the classic hardware used to track everyone from Duke Ellington to Coldplay. By emulating the entire signal path, including tube amplifiers, transformers, and circuit nonlinearities, the 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ plug-in injects organic detail and saturation to any signal — whether you’re re-amping or tracking through the 610-B via Universal Audio’s Unison™ technology.

Marshall<sup>®</sup> Plexi Classic Amplifier

Marshall^® Plexi Classic Amplifier

The undisputed alpha dog of rock and roll guitar amps, the Marshall “plexi” amplifier is as legendary as the music it helped create. From Jimi Hendrix to Jimmy Page, Duane Allman to Eric Clapton, the Plexi’s punishing melange of snarl, sustain, smoothness, and raunch defined the sound of rock. Developed by Softube, the Marshall Plexi Classic Amp plug-in gives you the sound of this iconic amp with a perfectly placed microphone from engineer Tony Platt who recorded AC/DC’s Back in Black and Highway to Hell.

Fairchild^® 670 (Legacy)

The world’s most coveted compressor, the classic Fairchild 670 tube limiter will give your tracks and mixes unmistakable tube warmth and character. Whether you’re looking for subtle compression on a lead vocal, or grittier textures that can work on guitars, bass, or a drum bus, the Fairchild 670 plug-in adds a classic “glow” to anything you run through it.

Teletronix<sup>®</sup> LA-2A Classic Leveling Amplifier (Legacy)

Teletronix^® LA-2A Classic Leveling Amplifier (Legacy)

With its gentle, program dependent optical compression and meticulously designed tube amplifier, the LA-2A is the go-to compressor for professional mixers around the world — especially for vocals. Incredibly easy-to-use Peak Reduction and Gain controls gives you the ideal optical compression sound for guitar, bass, drums, and more.

1176SE/LN<sup>®</sup> Classic Limiting Amplifiers (Legacy)

1176SE/LN^® Classic Limiting Amplifiers (Legacy)

Get classic, ultra-fast FET compression from the world’s most recognized compressor. The 1176 will impart punch, presence, and character as well as its signature distortion overtones on drums, vocals, guitars, and bass. The 1176LN has graced countless recordings, from Led Zeppelin, to the White Stripes and Michael Jackson.

Pultec<sup>®</sup> Pro Equalizers (Legacy)

Pultec^® Pro Equalizers (Legacy)

Mix with two of the most sought-after hardware EQs ever made — the MEQ-5 Midrange Equalizer and the EQP-1A Program Equalizer. Both of these tube-based icons deliver smooth and silky EQ curves with an abundance of warm analog character.

Ampeg<sup>®</sup> SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp

Ampeg^® SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp

Introduced in 1969, the Ampeg SVT bass amp is still the reigning king of high-powered tube bass tone. Developed by Brainworx, the Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp plug-in perfectly captures the raw power and punch that has made this the go-to amp for rock, funk, and soul players. Track in real time using Unison™ preamp technology for the tone, touch, and feel of a real SVT bass amp, or transform bland DI tracks with the thunderous roar of a stone cold classic.

Precision Mix Rack Collection

Featuring the Precision Channel Strip, Precision Reflection Engine, and Precision Delay Modulation plug-ins, the Precision Mix Rack Collection offers four modern, high-fidelity plug-ins for recording and mixing. Powerful and intuitive, Precision Mix Rack Collection gives you an impressive tool set — perfect for beginners and seasoned professionals alike.

UA Precision Enhancer Hz

Expertly dial-in your music’s low-end frequencies with the Precision Enhancer Hz plug-in. Able to yield exacting results with minimal adjustment, the Precision Enhancer Hz can add weight to kick drum samples, fatten up a synth bass, or simply make the low-end of your tracks more audible on smaller speakers.

Raw Distortion

Modeled from a vintage early-’80s Pro Co Rat, Raw Distortion delivers all the gritty dynamic raunch of the legendary stompbox. And with Unison™ technology, you can plug in to Apollo Twin, 8, or 8p’s front-panel Hi-Z instrument jack and experience the same circuit interaction, gain range, and clip points for the true tone, feel, and response of the original hardware.

RealVerb Pro

RealVerb Pro is a flexible, natural sounding reverb based on UA’s own unique set of algorithms. Allowing you to design the room just as you hear it, the RealVerb Pro goes beyond simply big/small or dark/bright, giving your sources distortion-free, smoothing diffusion control and ultra-long reverb tail.

Features: 18 x 24 Thunderbolt audio interface for Mac and Windows* with powerful Console 2.0 software control

4 Unison^™-enabled mic preamps for recording through exacting preamp emulations from Neve, API, Manley, and Universal Audio

Built-in UAD-2 QUAD Core allows Realtime UAD Processing — tracking through DSP-assisted UAD plug-ins with near-zero latency, without draining CPU

Produce with LUNA Recording System — a fully-integrated recording application made for Apollo (Mac/Thunderbolt)

Includes the "Realtime Analog Classics Plus" UAD plug-in bundle. Other UAD plug-ins sold separately.

Next-generation 24-bit/192 kHz Apollo A/D and D/A conversion as heard on hundreds of hit records

Cascade up to 4 Apollo interfaces and 6 UAD devices total over Thunderbolt

Convenient front panel monitoring functions including Alt Speakers, and assignable Dim or Mono

World-class UA analog design, superior components, and premium build quality

Free, industry-leading technical support — on the phone and online — from knowledgeable audio engineers

Thunderbolt System Requirements

MAC:

Apple Mac computer with available Thunderbolt port

macOS 10.12 Sierra, 10.13 High Sierra, 10.14 Mojave, 10.15 Catalina, or 11 Big Sur

WINDOWS:

PC computer with built-in Thunderbolt 3 port

Windows 10 (64-Bit Edition)

Qualified Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter (sold separately)

ALL:

Thunderbolt 2 cable (sold separately)

6 gigabytes available storage

Internet connection to download software and authorize UAD plug-ins

Compatible VST, Audio Units, RTAS, or AAX 64 plug-in host DAW software

Quad Core i7 or better processor recommended

For additional compatibility information, visit help.uaudio.com

Customer Reviews