Universal Audio's Apollo line of audio interfaces have been a fixture in project studios and professional recording studios around the world since the first iteration was released in 2012. Prized for their analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion, dynamic range, and low noise, Universal Audio has continued to upgrade the specifications over a number of releases.
Today, UA announced the Apollo X line—which includes four different Thunderbolt 3 interfaces for different recording needs.
The new Apollos feature 24-bit/192kHz conversion, hexa core processors to allow for quick use of UAD plugins, and for the first time include the company’s Unison-powered mic/line preamps, which offer digital modelling of classic preamps by Neve, SSL, API, Manley, and more. In addition, the new Apollos can be combined with older Apollo units for studios looking to add an additional interface to their existing setups.
The Apollo x6 offers 16x22 simultaneous inputs/outputs (6x6 analog I/O) and two mic preamps and 5.1 surround sound monitoring, making it ideal for "electronic musicians or post-production professionals," according to UA. It has a 129 dB dynamic range and includes the company’s Realtime Analog Classics Plus plugin bundle, giving you access to emulations of LA-2A and 1176 compression, Marshall and Ampeg amps, and more.
The Apollo x8 offers the same dynamic range and access to UAD plugins, while featuring 18x24 simultaneous inputs/outputs (8x8 analog I/O), four mic preamps, and allows for 7.1 surround sound monitoring (a feature it shares with the rest of the new Apollo line).
The Apollo x8p, the most powerful of the new preamp-equipped interfaces features 18x22 simultaneous input/outputs and 8x8 analog I/O, but with eight Unison-enabled mic preamps, double the amount of preamps of the x8.
The Apollo x16, meanwhile, is the new flagship converter for professional studios. It offers a larger dynamic range of 133 dB and 18x20 simultaneous inputs/outputs vid Thunderbolt 3 and 16x16 analog I/O via DB-25 connectors.
The full Apollo X line is available now through Reverb. Check out the x6, x8, x8p, and x16 today.