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 34 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 plug-in bundle included with the Heritage Edition empowers you with 34 top-notch plug-ins ranging from vintage compressor and EQ collections to virtual guitar/bass amps, time-based processors, and tape emulation. 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    34 UAD Plug-Ins & Mac Recording Software

The Heritage Edition features the same Apollo x8p interface found in the standard edition, but with more plug-ins. The standard Apollo x8p includes the Realtime Analog Classics Plus bundle (16 plug-ins), and the Heritage Edition adds 18 more plug-ins for a total of 34 revered UA-powered plug-ins.

• 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 plus 18 additional plug-ins to complete the compressor, EQ, and preamp collections and provide tape emulation and another reverb (plug-ins support VST, RTAS, Audio Units, and AAX 64-bit for compatibility with all major DAWs):

• UA 610-A Tube Preamp and EQ (Vintage)
• UA 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ (Modern)
• Marshall Plexi Classic Guitar Amp
• Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp
• UA 1176LN Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
• UA 1176SE Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
• UA 1176 Classic Limiter Collection (1176LN Rev E, 1176 Rev A, and 1176AE 40th Anniversary Edition)
• Pultec EQP-1A EQ (Legacy)
• Pultec MEQ-5 EQ (Legacy)
• Pultec Passive EQ Collection (EQP-1A, MEQ-5, and HLF-3C)
• Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier (Legacy)
• Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection (LA-2A Silver, LA-2A Gray, and LA-2)
• Teletronix LA-3A Audio Leveler
• Helios Type 69 Preamp and EQ Collection (Helios Type 69 and Helios Type 69 Legacy)
• V76 Preamplifier
• Raw Distortion
• Fairchild 670 Compressor (Legacy)
• Fairchild Tube Limiter Collection (Fairchild 660 and Fairchild 670)
• 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)
• Pure Plate Reverb
• RealVerb Pro Custom Room Modeler
• UA Oxide Tape Recorder

• Apollo Heritage Editions include plug-ins featured in UAD Spark, UA's subscription plug-in collection that runs natively on Mac—no UA hardware required
• With UAD Spark, you can expand your plug-in processing power, balancing your DSP load between Apollo and your computer's onboard processing
• Receive the 1176 Classic Limiter Collection, Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection, and Pure Plate Reverb
• Current owners of any plug-ins available in UAD Spark will receive the UAD Spark versions free

• 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 using 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. 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: 2. 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: 3. 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: 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. 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: 6. Anyone using this with ipDTL or Cleanfeed?

A: Users on web forums seem to have mixed results when using the Apollo with ipDTL and Cleanfeed. Some have been able to get it to work on a Mac, but not Windows, while others have had no luck on either system. You may want to contact Universal Audio directly for more information regarding compatibility. You can reach UA tech support by phone at 831-440-2436 or 877-698-2834. Their business hours are 9 AM to 1 PM Pacific Standard Time on Monday,

Q: 7. Looking to use interface for phone interviews for radio broadcast and recording. I notice the XLR port is not standard...will this call for an adapter or different cable?

A: Hi. I have one of these units. May I ask, what you mean by not standard? What connector do you need? There is a 3 pin female XLR for audio into the unit and a 3 pin male XLR for audio out of the unit. They are below the keypad.

Q: 8. Approximately how much watts or milliwats of power can this provide to my Beyerdynamic Dt 1990 pro headphones?

A: The specific information regarding the headphone output impedance or power on the Antelope Zen Q Synergy Core Desktop 14x10 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface is not made publicly available by the manufacturer.

Q: 9. 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: 10. Can I daisy chain other Thunderbolt 3 interface (apollo, volt or others/not Universal Audio) and record 4to6 mics same time?

A: You cannot daisy chain other Thunderbolt 3 interfaces with the Apollo Solo Heritage Edition Desktop 2x4 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface with SOLO.