Universal Audio Apollo 8 DUO Thunderbolt 2

The Quality and Power You Need!
Universal Audio's Apollo line has been one of the all-time most popular series of audio interfaces Sweetwater has carried, and when you pick up an 18-in/24-out Apollo 8 DUO, we're confident you'll know why. Loaded with top-shelf digital converters and a pair of Analog Devices SHARC processors, your Apollo 8 DUO gives you pristine sound and access to a world of amazing UAD Powered Plug-in processors. When you combine that with its super-fast Thunderbolt 2 connectivity, you get extremely high bandwidth and virtually no latency, plus the capability to track with insanely detailed plug-ins. And if you ever need more I/O or DSP than your Apollo 8 DUO can deliver, the Apollo Expanded line makes adding on to your rig a piece of cake.
Second-gen signal path delivers superior sound quality
For many of us who first picked up an Apollo audio interface for the onboard UAD-2 processing, the impressive sound quality was a seriously nice bonus. Then again, Universal Audio has always been known for their top-notch analog gear. Now they've raised the bar again by upgrading the Apollo lineup's digital converters and refining the signal path even more. The results are absolutely astonishing, offering you superb stereo imaging a level of clarity that gives your sound serious breathing room. Whether you buy it for the DSP, the high-speed Thunderbolt connectivity, or the sound quality itself, you're sure to be satisfied with your Apollo audio interface.
Universal Audio Apollo 8 DUO Thunderbolt Audio Interface at a Glance:

UAD-2 DSP delivers dedicated power for amazing plug-ins
Thunderbolt gives you ultra-low latency and unrivaled bandwidth
Unison Technology makes Apollo Pres mimic classic gear
Realtime Analog Classics Plus bundle includes amazing UAD-2 plug-ins
Grow your system with Apollo Expanded and Console 2.0

UAD-2 DSP delivers dedicated power for amazing plug-ins
Ask anyone at Sweetwater, and they'll tell you that Universal Audio's UAD Powered Plug-ins are some of the best-sounding virtual processors ever created. Apollo 8 DUO packs UA's super-powerful UAD-2 processing, which lets you use UAD Powered Plug-ins at below 2ms of latency in real time! That means you can record, mix, and master with some of the best plug-ins in the industry, without requiring any external processing. You can also use the Virtual I/O feature to process virtual instruments and DAW tracks in real time too!
Thunderbolt gives you ultra-low latency and unrivaled bandwidth
You haven't experienced low latency until you've gotten your hands on a Thunderbolt audio interface such as this Apollo 8 DUO. But the Apollo 8 DUO doesn't just benefit from the Massive track count and less than 2ms latency ultra-high-speed Thunderbolt 2 connectivity has to offer, it also lets you track and record with extremely processor-intensive plug-in processors, all without experiencing any significant stress on your computer.
Unison Technology makes Apollo Pres mimic classic gear
No matter how good a plug-in emulation may be, there are just some things that software can't do. That's why Universal Audio developed their Unison preamp technology. Unison technology allows your Apollo 8 DUO to reconfigure the impedance, gain structure, and other physical circuitry of its four preamps as well as its instrument-level inputs to match the specific behavior of select UAD plug-in processors. As a result, your signal undergoes the dynamic saturation the original hardware would provide in the analog domain, long before it reaches the DSP-driven plug-in. The effect is a level of realism you simply won't get with standard plug-ins.
Realtime Analog Classics Plus bundle includes amazing UAD-2 plug-ins
You're ready to dive right into the world of UAD-2 plug-ins from the moment you install your Apollo 8 DUO's software. That's because Universal Audio includes their impressive Realtime Analog Classics Plus UAD-2 plug-in bundle, which provides you with eight amazing DSP-driven processors. In addition to vintage UA gear, such as 1176 and LA-2A dynamics processors, as well as preamp and EQ models, this bundle comes with hits from Fairchild, Pultec, and more. And when you want other amazing UAD-2 plug-ins, there are dozens of options, from SSL and Neve consoles to Studer tape machines and more all available in the UAD store.
Grow your system with Apollo Expanded and Console 2.0
Thanks to the phenomenal speed of Thunderbolt and the flexibility of Universal Audio's Console 2.0 UAD software, combining Apollo Expanded interfaces to create high-power, high-channel systems that can handle the demands of extremely large recording sessions. Console 2.0 lets you cascade up to six UAD-2 devices, including four Apollo interfaces. Need more inputs? Add another Apollo 8 DUO choose from a selection of compatible Apollo models. Need more DSP? Upgrading your system is as simple as adding on a UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt processor.
Universal Audio Apollo 8 DUO Thunderbolt Audio Interface Features:

18-in/24-out Thunderbolt 2 audio interface for Mac, with onboard UAD-2 DUO processing
Onboard UAD-2 DUO Core DSP provides realtime UAD processing you can use for recording
4 Unison-enabled microphone preamps work with select UAD plug-ins to emulate popular hardware
Next-gen digital converters provide pristine sound and superior stereo imaging
Front-panel monitoring functions include alt speaker selection, dim, and mono toggling
Thunderbolt 2 connectivity provides high bandwidth I/O with under 2ms of latency
Apollo Expanded and Console 2.0 let you cascade up to 4 Apollo interfaces and 6 total UAD devices
Realtime Analog Classics Plus UAD plug-in bundle included, featuring 8 amazing plug-in emulations


Universal Audio's Apollo 8 DUO delivers amazing sound and jaw-dropping UAD plug-in power!


Tech Specs



Computer Connectivity
Thunderbolt


Form Factor
Rackmount


Simultaneous I/O
18 x 24


A/D Resolution
24-bit/192kHz


Built In DSP/FX
Yes


Analog Inputs
4 x XLR/TRS Combo, 4 x 1/4" (Line), 2 x 1/4" (Hi-Z)


Analog Outputs
2 x 1/4" (Monitor), 4 x 1/4" (Line/Alt), 4 x 1/4" (Line), 2 x 1/4" (Headphones)


Digital Inputs
1 x Coax, 2 x Optical


Digital Outputs
1 x Coax, 2 x Optical


Number of Preamps
4


Phantom Power
Yes


Clock I/O
2 x Word Clock


Rack Spaces
1U


Depth
12.125" (chassis only), 13.5" (including knob & jack protrusions)


Width
19"


Height
1.75"


Weight
9.1 lbs.




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