User Manual

Apollo 8 Hardware Manual Introduction 4
Introduction
Welcome to Apollo 8!
Next-Generation Audio Conversion with Classic Analog Sound
Apollo 8 is an elegant update to one of the world’s most popular professional audio
interfaces — delivering enhanced sound with the tone, feel, and flow of analog recording.
This 18 x 24 Thunderbolt 2 interface offers genuine UA analog design, and next-
generation A/D and D/A conversion, putting class-leading audio quality in a sleek new
package.
Built on UA’s 50 year legacy of analog design excellence, Apollo 8 also features powerful
UAD-2 QUAD or DUO processing and four onboard Unison™ mic preamps, delivering
sonic performance that surpasses anything in its class.
World-Class Sound with Superior Apollo A/D and D/A Conversion
The original Apollo, introduced in 2012, quickly became a gold standard among modern
music producers and engineers — it now counts many of the world’s top artists as users.
Apollo 8 improves upon the original Apollo’s sound quality with completely redesigned,
class-leading A/D and D/A conversion — giving you increased dynamic range and even
lower THD.
Building upon a 50-year legacy of circuit design, UA engineers started with an obsessive
audition of the latest converters, pairing them with completely redesigned analog
circuitry. Confirmed by extensive double-blind listening tests, the end result is 3 dB
better dynamic range on both A/D and D/A conversion versus the original Apollo, placing
the Apollo 8 as the measurable class leader.
Realtime UAD Plug-In Processing for Tracking, Mixing, and Mastering
Imagine having a classic analog studio, in single rack space. Apollo 8 lets you record
through UAD Powered Plug-Ins — including vintage EQs, compressors, reverbs, tape
machines and more — at near-zero latency, regardless of your audio software buffer size.
With award-winning UAD plug-ins from Ampex, Lexicon, Neve, Manley, SSL, Studer, and
more,* Apollo 8 serves up authentic analog tone and warmth.
The key to its analog sound is onboard UAD-2 DUO or QUAD DSP Processing, which
powers the UAD plug-ins while reducing the strain on your host computer.
Apollo 8 comes bundled with “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” suite of UAD plug-ins.
From there, you can choose from a vast and expanding collection of plug-ins in the UA
Online Store.
*All trademarks are recognized as property of their respective owners. Individual UAD Powered Plug-Ins sold separately.