Born from the ever-popular Apollo line of interfaces used on loads of Grammy-winning albums and chart-topping songs, the Universal Audio Apollo x8p Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interfacerackmount 16x22 Thunderbolt 3 audio interface combines the sound, feel, and flow of analog studio recording with upgraded clocking, surround monitoring, a robust bundle of 16 stellar UAD plug-ins, and 50% more DSP than earlier Apollos thanks to its supercharged HEXA Core real-time UAD processing.

Furnished with elite-class 24-bit / 192 kHz conversion rivaling dedicated high-end converters, the Apollo x8p gives music creators, record producers, and postproduction engineers the appreciable value of crystal-clear, high-resolution recording and mixing with ultralow distortion (-119 dB) and immense dynamic range (129 dB). Additionally, its switchable headroom setting facilitates proper level-matching with a variety of audio equipment.

The interface features eight XLR-1/4" mic/line inputs and two 1/4" Hi-Z inputs, all with Unison integration for precise UAD emulations of classic analog preamps—impart vintage character of your choosing on microphone and instrument recordings while bypassing the unpredictable nature of old equipment. Plus, the 8-channel DB25 connector on the rear panel can be used to patch in line-level signal from virtually any outboard mic preamp, or direct output from a console.

Thanks to the switchable low-cut filter, pad, polarity inversion, 48V phantom power, and stereo linking on each preamp, you can efficiently optimize your incoming signals with straightforward buttons on the Apollo x8p's face. In addition to the eight primary analog inputs, you can record up to eight more channels by connecting ADAT-equipped external preamps to the Apollo x8p's TOSLINK optical input ports (SMUX is supported for sample rates over 48 kHz).

ADAT optical outputs are also featured on the Apollo x8p, allowing it to route up to eight channels from your DAW to a digital mixer, headphone distribution system, or external D/A converter. Utilize the BNC wordclock input and output jacks to accurately sync clock to the house, or lock other digital equipment to the Apollo.

The built-in HEXA Core processing utilizes six DSP chips, granting 50% more DSP than earlier Apollos and the ability to monitor and record audio using classic analog emulations with near-zero latency and no burden on your computer's CPU. The included Realtime Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle empowers you with 16 top-notch plug-ins ranging from compressors and EQs to virtual guitar and bass amps, and time-based processors. The included Console application provides control and recall of all interface and UAD plug-in settings including channel-strip presets, drag-and-drop functionality, and dynamically resizable windows.

Mac and Windows drivers ensure compatibility with all major DAWs including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, and more. The interface also integrates seamlessly with LUNA, Universal Audio's free Mac-based, single-window recording system with unlimited track counts and full Audio Units support.

The Apollo x8p offers a comprehensive monitor section with talkback functionality and dedicated front-panel controls for alt speakers, dim, and mono functions, as well as input and output metering capabilities. In addition to the dedicated stereo monitor feed and two front-panel headphone outputs (great for handling multiple cue mixes), eight line outputs are available on a DB25 connector for hooking up a second set of monitors and outboard processors. In fact, the Apollo x8p is capable of acting as a 7.1 surround-sound monitor controller.

At any point, you can increase the power and capability of the Apollo x8p through integration of qualified Universal Audio hardware. Up to four Apollo interfaces and six total UAD-2 devices can be combined, allowing Thunderbolt users the ability to expand their I/O and DSP without abandoning the Apollo x8p. The two Thunderbolt 3 ports are backward compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 via a qualified adapter (available separately).

Bands, Producers & Studio/Film Engineers    2 High-Speed Thunderbolt 3 Ports    8 Unison Mic Pres, 2 Hi-Z In, 8 Line In    2 Headphone Outs, 10 Line/Monitor Outs    Elite-Class 24-Bit / 192 kHz AD/DA    External Power Supply / Mac, Windows    Monitoring & Talkback Control, ADAT I/O    HEXA Core Processing with 6 DSP Chips    Wordclock I/O, Expandable DSP & I/O    16 UAD Plug-Ins & Mac Recording Software

• Track, overdub, and mix with elite-class AD/DA conversion and DSP-powered plug-ins
• Dual-crystal clocking features dedicated crystals for 44.1 / 88.2 / 176.4 kHz and 48 / 96 / 192 kHz sample rates, resulting in stunningly low jitter (under 10 picoseconds) for pure, artifact-free recordings and solid stereo imaging
• HEXA Core UAD processing for tracking through models of vintage compressors, EQs, tape machines, mic preamps, and guitar amps with near-zero latency and 50% more DSP than earlier Apollos, all with no burden on your computer's CPU
• Unison technology nails the tone of 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
• Two high-speed Thunderbolt 3 ports for connectivity with Mac and Windows computers (Thunderbolt cable available separately)
• 1 RU rackmount form factor with reliable AC power (secure locking external power supply included)
• Free, industry-leading phone/online technical support from knowledgeable audio engineers

• 16x22 audio interface with eight Unison-enabled microphone preamps (via XLR-1/4" combo mic/line inputs), providing emulations of classic analog preamps with near-zero latency
• Two front-panel, Unison-enabled 1/4" Hi-Z inputs for direct connection of guitars, basses, or keyboards
• Eight analog line-level inputs via a DB25 multipin connector for tapping straight into the A/D converters
• Stereo 1/4" monitor output and two independent 1/4" headphone outputs, each with adjustable level
• Eight additional line-level outputs on a DB25 connector may be used for feeding alternate monitor outputs, analog outboard processors, or a 7.1 surround-sound speaker setup
• Selectable operating level of +20 dBu or +24 dBu for out-of-the-box compatibility with professional mixing consoles and other high-end pro audio equipment
• Four TOSLINK optical ports provide up to eight channels of ADAT I/O (supports SMUX) for integrating external converters, ADAT-equipped mic preamps, and headphone distribution systems
• BNC wordclock I/O with selectable 75-ohm termination, crucial for accurate synchronization with other digital equipment

• Built-in monitor controller with monitor remote functions and mono, mute, dim, and alt monitor controls
• Integrated talkback and cues for easy communication and slate functionality
• Comprehensive front-panel metering and fast, intuitive controls, no menu-diving required

• Cascade up to four Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo interfaces and six UAD-2 Thunderbolt devices for expanded I/O and DSP
• Backward compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 via a qualified adapter (available separately)

Includes Realtime Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle, which supports VST, RTAS, Audio Units, and AAX 64-bit for compatibility with all major DAWs:

• UA 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ
• Marshall Plexi Classic Guitar Amp
• Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp
• UA 1176LN Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
• UA 1176SE Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
• Pultec EQP-1A EQ (Legacy)
• Pultec Pro EQ (Legacy)
• Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier (Legacy)
• Raw Distortion
• Fairchild 670 Compressor (Legacy)
• Precision Enhancer Hz
• Precision Channel Strip (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
• Precision Reflection Engine (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
• Precision Delay Mod (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
• Precision Delay Mod L (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
• RealVerb Pro Custom Room Modeler

• Works with all major DAWs including Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, and more
• Apollo x8p becomes a fully integrated recording system with LUNA, a powerful free recording application for Mac from Universal Audio
• Bolstered by Accelerated Realtime Monitoring, LUNA lets you track and mix in an intuitive single-window workflow with unlimited track counts, full Audio Units plug-in support, and access to a suite of exclusive LUNA Instruments and Extensions such as Studer multitrack tape and Neve Summing

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Does this work well with newer Macs using USB-C?

A: It depends on what you define as "newer". USB-C refers to the connector type, not the protocol used. The current lineup of Macs all have Thunderbolt 3 on USB-C ports, so yes it works with all of these, as well as older Macs with Thunderbolt 1, 2 ports. Some Macs as recently as 2017 (MacBook and Air) had USB-C ports that did not have Thunderbolt going through them. Apollo x8 works with Thunderbolt 1, 2, or 3 but you must make sure that any Mac that has USB-C connectors is actually using Thunderbolt protocol.

Q: 2. Can this device work with a hub like "Belkin Connect Thunderbolt 4 Core Hub" being connected to it instead directly to a Mac?"

A: Technically, you could connect the Universal Audio Apollo Solo Heritage Edition Desktop 2x4 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface with SOLO Core Real-Time UAD Processing to a Mac via a Thunderbolt 4 hub. However, I would not suggest doing this. A hub like this essentially has its own computer inside, so passing audio through it before it hits your computer could introduce unwanted artifacts into your recordings.

Q: 3. Approximately how much power willl this provide to my Beyerdynamic Dt 1990 pro 250 ohm headphones in watts and milliwatts? Is the interface enough power alone with out an after market headphone amp?

A: I contacted technical support at Antelope directly and while they do not have a specification for the power of the headphone output on the Zen Q Synergy Core Desktop 14x10 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface, they did tell me that they had previously tested this interface with different 250 ohm headphones and felt that the volume level was sufficient for general monitoring purposes. However, what each person considers sufficient volume is subjective and what works for one person may not work well for another person. If you will want to have high volume or very strong bass, then you will most likely want to use a separate headphone amp with the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro headphones.

Q: 4. Then, if I have this interface connected to a mac mini via Thunderbolt and use ProTools, how can I add preamps/inputs?

A: There is no way to add preamps or physical inputs to the Apollo Solo Heritage. For that, you would need an Apollo Twin that has an ADAT port so that you can add an ADAT preamp for additional channels than what is included with the Apollo Twin. Or, you can add tracks in Pro Tools and record those tracks separately, while listening to the existing audio tracks already recorded, when using the Apollo Solo Heritage.

Q: 5. Which cable is suitable to connect the device to my computer (Windows)?

A: The Universal Audio Apollo Twin X DUO Heritage Edition Desktop 10x6 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface can be connected to a Windows computer equipped with Thunderbolt 3 by using a Thunderbolt 3 cable like the Xcellon Thunderbolt 3 Cable - 1.6', 40 Gb/s (B&H # XCTB354005) or the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 USB Type-C Male Cable - 3' (B&H # BEUSBCC3BLK).

Q: 6. Does it accept an rj45 port and do you have to contact the I.T. department to allow the device on their network?

A: The Compak does not have an RJ-45 but if you have a network phone system, keep the base of phone connected into network via the RJ-45 jack. Replace the handset from said phone with the JK Audio Compak. The Compak will now act as a handset and will require no special access because the base station phone is already connected into the network.

Q: 7. Can you connect from spdif to optical?

A: To connect a SPDIF output signal to the optical input of the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X DUO Heritage Edition Desktop 10x6 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface with Real-Time UAD Processing you will want to use a converter to change the coax SPIDF connection to a Toslink Optical connection.

Q: 8. does this come with luna recording?

A: Any Mac user with a thunderbolt equipped Apollo can download Luna for free from Universal Audio's website.

Q: 9. Does it work for first generation apollo quad silverface?

A: Yes, the Universal Audio Thunderbolt 3 Option Card is compatible with the Apollo Quad Silverface.

Q: 10. how do you connect to speakers that only have xlr inputs?

A: A cable such as the Pearstone PM Series 1/4" TRS Male to XLR Male Professional Interconnect Cable (6'), BH #PEPMTRSXM06 will allow you to connect to the balanced 1/4-inch output of the audio interface into the balanced XR input of a studio monitor.