Designed to take pride of place as the structural anchor of professional studio racks, the Apollo x8 Gen 2 Studio+ Edition targets producers and engineers who require substantial processing power, elite mixing translation, and extensive analog connectivity. With four onboard analog combo preamps, eight channels of dedicated line I/O via standard 1/4" TRS connections, and integrated digital expandability, the x8 Gen 2 effortlessly accommodates live band tracking, multi-microphone drum setups, complex synthesizer arrays, and multi-layered outboard analog signal chains.
The core engineering breakthrough of the Gen 2 series centers around its entirely overhauled monitoring signal path. Combining top-tier digital-to-analog converters with ultra-stable Dual-Crystal Clocking, it yields a massive 130 dB dynamic range for transparent, analytical playback. Operating over high-speed Thunderbolt 3 connectivity with premium low-latency drivers across macOS and Windows, its built-in HEXA Core hardware processing matrix takes complete charge of running your UAD plugins internally, ensuring your computer's native DAW timeline remains responsive and fluid during heavy production sessions.
Product Description
Premium Studio+ Software Suite: A Boutique Outboard Rack:
The core highlight of the Studio+ Edition is its extensive software footprint. Moving far beyond entry-level tracking plug-ins, this comprehensive bundle provides a virtual boutique outboard rack with over 50+ premium titles modeled down to the component level:
Elite Outboard Preamps & Channel Strips: Track through legendary signal paths like the Avalon VT-737sp Tube Channel Strip, Manley Reference Microphone Preamp, and Helios Type 69 Preamp & EQ.
Classic Dynamic Control: Sculpt your sounds with the Empirical Labs Distressor, dbx 160 Compressor/Limiter, and UA 175B/176 Tube Limiters, plus complete legacy collections of the Teletronix LA-2A and UA 1176.
Premium Reverb & Tape Warmth: Inject deep depth and vintage tape saturation using the Lexicon 224 Digital Reverb, Capitol Chambers, and the Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder.
Virtual Instruments: Compose tracks with flagship engines like the Moog Minimoog synthesizer, Opal Morphing Synth, and the pristine Ravel Grand Piano.
Four Unison Preamps with Assistive Auto-Gain:
For multi-channel tracking, the interface features four Unison-enabled microphone/line combo preamps alongside dual front-panel Hi-Z instrument inputs. Unison technology creates a physical, bi-directional hardware circuit sync that matches the precise input impedance, gain-stage sweet spots, and component interactions of iconic vintage gear from Neve, API, SSL, and Manley. To accelerate tracking setups, the Gen 2 introduces Assistive Auto-Gain. By clicking a single software button in the UAD Console app, the Apollo analyzes your incoming signal and sets the perfect input level gain structures automatically, safeguarding your tracking session from sudden digital clipping.
Elite Gen 2 Audio Fidelity & Room Calibration:
The foundation of the Apollo X Rackmount Gen 2 series is its masterfully updated digital conversion layout. With a monitor path delivering 130 dB of dynamic range and an astonishingly low -127 dB THD+N, the x8 Gen 2 ensures that your multi-track arrangements, transient details, and stereo fields translate with absolute accuracy.
To counteract imperfect room acoustics, the interface runs Apollo Monitor Correction powered by Sonarworks®. This allows engineers to import custom SoundID Reference room correction filters directly into the interface’s internal DSP hardware chip. The system applies up to 20 precision EQ filters with speaker time-alignment under zero added system latency, letting you monitor through a perfectly flattened frequency curve without sacrificing host computer performance.
Surround Sound Monitoring & Bass Management:
The Apollo x8 Gen 2 is a fully capable multi-channel hub, offering native mixing and monitoring support for surround formats up to 7.1. Inside the upgraded UAD Console App, users gain access to comprehensive hardware-driven Bass Management. This lets you integrate studio subwoofers and configure custom low-frequency crossover boundaries directly within the DSP matrix, rendering deep low-end control. The sleek front panel also includes physical keys for Alt speaker switching, Mono summing, Dim, Alt monitor options, and an integrated Talkback Microphone for instant studio communication.
Key Features
6-CORE HEXA CORE DSP PROCESSING: Six dedicated internal SHARC chips offload heavy analog modeling tasks from your host computer’s CPU.
GEN 2 ELITE-CLASS AUDIO CONVERSION: Overhauled D/A monitoring paths deliver an ultra-wide 130 dB of dynamic range with a -127 dB THD+N floor.
EXPANDED STUDIO+ BUNDLE: Includes over 50+ premium UAD titles, featuring world-famous Avalon channels, Distressor compressors, Pultec EQs, and virtual instruments.
FOUR UNISON MIC PREAMPS: Record in real time through authentic, variable-impedance circuit profiles of Neve, Manley, API, and SSL hardware units.
ASSISTIVE AUTO-GAIN: Instantly listens to and establishes optimal input level gain mapping across recording channels in seconds.
APOLLO MONITOR CORRECTION: Runs Sonarworks® SoundID Reference speaker and headphone profiles directly on internal DSP with near-zero latency.
7.1 SURROUND & BASS MANAGEMENT: Hardware-driven speaker calibration and subwoofer crossover tools directly inside the UAD Console app.
DUAL-CRYSTAL CLOCKING: Ultra-low jitter environment across all sample rates ensures clean, artifact-free audio recording and imaging.
THUNDERBOLT 3 CONNECTIVITY: Two Thunderbolt 3 ports provide rock-solid driver stability and simple daisy-chaining for up to 4 Apollo interfaces.
Technical Specifications
Feature
Official Specification
Interface Form Factor
Professional 19" 1U Rackmount Audio Interface & Monitor Controller
Simultaneous I/O Channels
18 Inputs x 24 Outputs (Analog: 8 In / 8 Out, Digital: 10 In / 16 Out)
Host Connectivity
2 x Thunderbolt 3 Ports (Type-C High-Bandwidth Protocol with Daisy-Chaining)
Audio Resolution
Mastering-Grade 24-Bit / 192 kHz Gen 2 A/D and D/A Conversion
Onboard Hardware DSP
UAD-2 HEXA Core Processing (6 x High-Performance SHARC DSP Chips)
Analog Inputs
4 x XLR-1/4" Combo (Mic/Line), 8 x 1/4" TRS Balanced Line In, 2 x 1/4" TS Hi-Z In (Front)
Analog Outputs
2 x 1/4" TRS Balanced Monitor Out, 8 x 1/4" TRS Balanced Line Outs (Alt / 7.1 Surround)
Headphone Outputs
2 x 1/4" TRS Independent Stereo Headphone Jacks with Front Volume Pots
Digital I/O
2 x Optical TOSLINK (8-Ch ADAT S/MUX), 1 x RCA Coaxial pair (2-Ch S/PDIF)
System Synchronization
1 x BNC Word Clock Input, 1 x BNC Word Clock Output (75-ohm termination switch)
Dynamic Range (D/A)
130 dB (Elite Gen 2 Monitor Playback Converters)
Total Harmonic Distortion
-127 dB THD+N (Measured at Main Monitor Outputs)
Preamplifier Gain Range
+10 dB to +65 dB (Variable Impedance and Digital Control)
Surround Modes Supported
Stereo, 2.1, 5.1, and Multi-channel formats up to 7.1 Surround Sound
OS Requirements
macOS 11 Big Sur or later / Windows 10 & 11 (64-Bit System Editions)
Power Requirements
12V DC Center-Positive External Power Supply Unit (Included)
Dimensions (W x D x H)
19" x 13.5" x 1.75" / 48.3 cm x 34.3 cm x 4.4 cm (1U Rack Space)
Net Unit Weight
8.8 lbs / 4.0 kg
What’s Included in the Box
1 x Universal Audio Apollo x8 Gen 2 1U Rackmount Audio Interface
1 x External 12V DC Power Supply Adapter with Region-Specific AC Power Cable
1 x Set of Four (4) Professional Rack-Mount Screws
1 x UAD Studio+ Edition Plug-In Bundle Activation and Authorization Guide
1 x Official Universal Audio Factory Registration and Warranty Documentation
(Note: Connecting Thunderbolt 3 / Thunderbolt 4 cables are sold separately)
