Universal Audio APL8Q Apollo 8 Interface w/ QUAD Processing (Rack/Mac/Win/TB2)

Universal Audio APL8Q Apollo 8 Interface w/ QUAD Processing (Rack/Mac/Win/TB2)

The Universal Audio APL8Q, or the Apollo 8 Quad, is known as the world’s most acclaimed professional recording interface for both Windows and Mac, it is also giving project and commercial studios superior D/A and A/D conversion with the realtime, tone, and feel workflow of classic analog recording.

The Universal Audio APL8Q is created upon the UA’s 60-year heritage of audio craftsmanship, and it distinguishes itself with UAD-2 QUAD Core processing, four Unison™-enabled mic preamps, and an included bundle of award-winning UAD plug-ins, which is designed to give the users the capability to track through with near-zero latency, able to shape the sounds like a classic analog studio, even without taxing your host PC or Mac.

The Universal Audio APL8Q is making the users capable to:

• Record with world-class Apollo A/D and D/A conversion — as heard on hundreds of hit records
• Produce music with UAD plug-ins like the included Teletronix® LA-2A, 1176, and Fairchild® compressors, Pultec® EQs, and 610-B Preamp
• Cascade up to 4 Apollo interfaces and 6 UAD-2 devices over Thunderbolt, adding DSP and I/O as your studio grows
• Track with near-zero latency through preamp emulations from Neve®, API®, Manley®and more using Unison technology

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

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.

The Universal Audio APL8Q is created with four Unison-enabled mic preamps designed for letting the users to track through exacting mic preamp emulations from Universal Audio, API, Neve, Manley, and SSL. The Unison technology, which is an Apollo exclusive, nails the tone of these solid state mic pres and sought-after tube - including their gain stage “sweet spots,” input impedance, and the component-level circuit behaviors of the original hardware.

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.

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.

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 2016 TEC Award for computer audio hardware.

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.

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
• 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, or 10.14 Mojave

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

Universal Audio APL8Q Specs