Universal Audio Announces Third-Generation Apollo with Hex Processing

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For more than 60 years, Universal Audio has been creating professional recording and mixing products for music producers and post-production studios. Building upon the success of the Apollo and Apollo MK2, the new Apollo x-Series Thunderbolt™ 3 Audio Interfaces up the ante with elite-class A/D and D/A conversion and a redesign of the analog circuitry, which achieves a dynamic range of 129 dB and a THD+N of -128 dB. What's more, the new interfaces now feature HEXA Core processing with six DSP chips, offering 50% more processing power over previous models. Other new features include a switchable +24 / +20 dBu headroom setting, an integrated monitor controller, and a built-in talkback mic, plus surround sound capabilities (coming soon). Combine up to four Thunderbolt-equipped Apollos and six total UAD devices for massive processing capabilities. Universal Audio is offering four new models, including the Apollo x6, x8, x8p, and x16.

The Apollo x6 is a 16 x 22 audio interface featuring two Unison-enabled preamps with XLR connectors and 6 channels of ¼" analog audio inputs and outputs, plus a pair of ¼" monitor outputs and two ¼" headphone outputs. Courtesy of a future update, the six line outputs will allow configuration for 5.1 surround sound control. Additional connections include S/PDIF in & out, word clock (BNC) in & out, and two sets of ADAT S/MUX inputs and outputs. Record with zero latency through the onboard Unison preamps, which offer authentic preamp emulations from Neve, API, Manley, SSL and more, while line-level inputs offer a wide selection of real-time processors with near-zero latency performance. Additional features include alternate speaker selection, a talkback mic, and assignable Dim or Mono.

The Apollo x8 offers the same technology, but with 18 x 24 simultaneous inputs/outputs, 8 x 8 analog I/O, and four Unison preamps with XLR connectors. The eight line inputs, eight line outputs, and stereo monitor outputs use ¼" connectors. 7.1 surround control through the 8 outputs will be supported in a future update. Additional connections include S/PDIF in & out, word clock (BNC) in & out, and two sets of ADAT S/MUX in & out.

The Apollo x8p offers 18 x 22 simultaneous inputs/outputs, 8 x 8 analog I/O, and eight Unison preamps with combo XLR-1/4" connectors. The eight line inputs and eight line outputs use DB25 connectors, while the monitor output is available on a pair of ¼" connectors. Like the Apollo x8, the x8p includes dual ¼" headphone outputs, coming-soon surround monitoring control, S/PDIF in & out, word clock (BNC) in & out, and two sets of ADAT S/MUX in & out.

The flagship Apollo x16 offers 18 x 20 simultaneous inputs/outputs with 16 x 16 analog I/O and no onboard preamps. DB25 connectors (4 total) are used for the analog inputs and outputs, while the stereo monitor output utilizes XLR connectors. As with the Apollo x8 and x8p, 7.1 surround control will be ready soon. Additional connections included digital I/O via XLR (AES/EBU) and word clock (BNC) in & output. Additionally, the dynamic range has been increased to 133 dB, while the THD+N now boasts -129 dB.

All Apollo interfaces ship with the Realtime Analog Classics Plus bundle which includes the following plugins:

  • UA 610-B Tube Preamp & 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)
  • Fairchild 670 Compressor (Legacy)
  • Precision Enhancer Hz
  • Raw Distortion
  • 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

Universal Audio's latest offerings harness the latest premium components and a redesigned signal path for Elite audio conversion, HEXA Core processing, and surround monitoring (in the near future). For more details about the Apollo x-Series audio interfaces and other Universal Audio products, check out the B&H website or stop by our SuperStore.

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