Product Overview

The Standard for Group Tracking: Eight Unison Preamps Meet Six-Core DSP & Premium Software

Designed to serve as the heavy-duty recording core of professional production racks, the Apollo x8p Gen 2 Studio+ Edition targets engineers, bands, and producers who need to capture high microphone counts simultaneously without sacrificing elite sonic clarity, while gaining access to UA's most comprehensive software package. With eight onboard analog combo inputs all featuring Unison preamp technology, DB25 connectivity, and ADAT digital expansion, the x8p Gen 2 seamlessly manages multi-mic drum setups, live ensembles, and full analog tracking sessions.

The defining engineering leap of the Gen 2 series is its entirely redesigned monitoring 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-bandwidth Thunderbolt 3 connectivity with premium low-latency drivers across macOS and Windows, its built-in HEXA Core hardware processing matrix handles heavy UAD plugin tracking and monitoring completely internally, leaving your computer's native DAW timeline agile and unburdened.

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.

Eight Unison Preamps with Assistive Auto-Gain:

The structural headline of the x8p Gen 2 is its eight Unison-enabled microphone/line combo inputs and dual front-panel Hi-Z instrument jacks. 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 complex multi-microphone sessions, the Gen 2 introduces Assistive Auto-Gain. By clicking a single software button in the UAD Console app, the Apollo analyzes incoming signals across your active tracking channels and automatically calibrates perfect gain levels, keeping your multi-tracks clear of 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 x8p 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 x8p 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, pale-grey 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.

• EIGHT UNISON MIC PREAMPS: Track drums or live bands in real time through authentic, variable-impedance circuit profiles of Neve, Manley, API, and SSL hardware units.

• 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.

• ASSISTIVE AUTO-GAIN: Instantly listens to and establishes optimal input level gain mapping across multiple 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.

• UPGRADED HEADPHONE AMPS: Re-engineered discrete front headphone amplifiers deliver higher output gain with pristine signal-to-noise performance.

• THUNDERBOLT 3 CONNECTIVITY: Two Thunderbolt 3 ports provide rock-solid driver stability and simple daisy-chaining for up to 4 Apollo interfaces.

Technical Specifications

What’s Included in the Box

• 1 x Universal Audio Apollo x8p 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)