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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 14, 2015 16:47:13 GMT -6
Apollo 8p is a dramatic 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 16 x 20 Thunderbolt interface features eight onboard Unison™ mic preamps — perfect for mobile rigs and tracking full bands — as well as powerful onboard UAD-2 QUAD processing. Built on genuine UA analog design and next-generation A/D and D/A conversion, the Apollo 8p puts class-leading sonic performance in a sleek new package.
Apollo 8p further distinguishes itself with Realtime UAD Processing and Unison™ technology, letting you record at near-zero latency through the full range of UAD plug-ins from Neve, Studer, Manley, Lexicon, and more — including new mic preamp emulations from Neve, API and Universal Audio.* Apollo Expanded software now allows cascading up to four Apollos and six total UAD-2 devices in a single system over Thunderbolt (Mac), so you can scale up your studio as your needs grow.
Features:
Next-generation Apollo A/D and D/A conversion for professional music production
Onboard UAD-2 QUAD Core DSP allows Realtime UAD Processing - record through plugins from Neve, Lexicon, Studer, Marshall, Ampex and more
8 Unison-enabled mic preamps for tracking through preamp emulations from Neve, API and Universal Audio
16 x 20 Thunderbolt 2 audio interface for Mac with powerful Console 2.0 software control
Cascade up to 4 Apollo interfaces and 6 UAD devices total overr Thunderbolt (Mac)
Convenient front panel monitoring functions including Alt Speakers, Dim and Mono
Includes "Realtime Analog Classics Plus" UAD plug-in bundle with 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, Raw Distortion, Softube Amp Rooms, legacy LA-2A, 1176 and Fairchild compressors, Pultec Eqs and more
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 14, 2015 16:49:31 GMT -6
Good update if you're looking for more pres. I am not however. Coulda been a home run with an octo card in it...but now you can add a satellite. Wonder what "next generation" adda means?
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 14, 2015 17:17:45 GMT -6
Without an Octo inside you only have 4 chips for ua plugs while tracking or buy another apollo
Apparently new converters and only 1 unit has sad if !?
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Post by jeromemason on Apr 14, 2015 18:15:49 GMT -6
Wonder what "next generation" adda means? Probably the same chipset that's in the Motu and Symphony... pretty sure that's what most manufacturers are going to go to... the sound is definitely there, and companies like UA will design it right. It's definitely on another level. People will be shocked by how much more open and better that new Apollo will sound if that's in fact what they are going to use. |
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 14, 2015 18:54:26 GMT -6
is that the sabre chip ?
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 14, 2015 19:18:24 GMT -6
The problem is, now, I've heard the Burl...and even though it might only be a tiny subjective difference...I know that subjective difference is there. Can't wait to try out the Svart box though, maybe I'll be able to get rid of the Burl. Honestly, I haven't been using it lately to send the 2 mix out and then back in...sometimes it can bee too much.
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Post by jeromemason on Apr 14, 2015 19:19:44 GMT -6
Yep, it's very very good. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 14, 2015 19:32:36 GMT -6
We're assuming that's the case, though.
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 15, 2015 5:08:26 GMT -6
info from Gannon/Ua Forum re: new converters and why no octo:
a) We're really excited about our new conversion - not only have we substantially improved the measurable specs, but we have listened extensively to ensure the new interfaces sound great. Internal and external double blind tests have proven without a doubt that we've achieved an incredible depth and clarity in sound that outperforms highly regarded interfaces costing twice as much as Apollo. We use AKM A/D and D/A on the Apollo 8 and 8P and AKM and ESS on the Apollo 16mkII. Though, it's not just the converter chipset that makes the difference - it's the surrounding circuitry that supports the chip to produce better or worse results. We've made literally hundreds of tweaks to the power supply, routing and other surrounding topologies to gain the improvements.
b) It is not physically possible for us to fit 8 DSPs in an Apollo. We use every single pin on our FPGA to host I/O and virtual paths, so there are no connections left. OCTOs are possible in a processor format like a PCIe card or Satellite Thunderbolt because there is no I/O, so we can support a larger number of DSPs.
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 15, 2015 9:46:08 GMT -6
So, smart people, what are/is AKM?
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 15, 2015 15:03:57 GMT -6
a little blurb about the new converters; "top of the line ":
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Post by jeromemason on Apr 15, 2015 15:20:27 GMT -6
info from Gannon/Ua Forum re: new converters and why no octo: a) We're really excited about our new conversion - not only have we substantially improved the measurable specs, but we have listened extensively to ensure the new interfaces sound great. Internal and external double blind tests have proven without a doubt that we've achieved an incredible depth and clarity in sound that outperforms highly regarded interfaces costing twice as much as Apollo. We use AKM A/D and D/A on the Apollo 8 and 8P and AKM and ESS on the Apollo 16mkII. Though, it's not just the converter chipset that makes the difference - it's the surrounding circuitry that supports the chip to produce better or worse results. We've made literally hundreds of tweaks to the power supply, routing and other surrounding topologies to gain the improvements. b) It is not physically possible for us to fit 8 DSPs in an Apollo. We use every single pin on our FPGA to host I/O and virtual paths, so there are no connections left. OCTOs are possible in a processor format like a PCIe card or Satellite Thunderbolt because there is no I/O, so we can support a larger number of DSPs. The Symphony is a 2U.... seems like if they were going to overhaul the Apollo to compete on the AD/DA side of things and to actually upgrade it they would had went this route. Seems odd to just offer more options and an improved conversion. I think people really believed UA would double the Sharc's in the Apollo on the next roll out, I sure did. |
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Post by donr on Apr 15, 2015 16:03:04 GMT -6
Yeah, it wouldn't kill 'em to go 2U. Looks more professional.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2015 17:44:57 GMT -6
Because John asked...AKM is one of the well known suppliers of ADC and DAC chips, like Cirrus and others. For a while these brand chips have been found in various consumer up to high quality pro audio converter devices.
I am not up-to-date about the quality of their latest chips, though.
Well, "it's all about surrounding circuitry" is something i wouldn't say anymore after listening to the recent devices utilizing the top of the line TI and ESS Sabre chips. If your surrounding design is alright, the ADC/DAC IS the bottleneck. Even the evaluation boards show off what the chips are capable to do. It is not black magic, svart, RM and others proved already that a single educated engineer/developer can design very impressive devices in a considerable amount of time.
Not saying that i know *anything* about how good the new UA devices actually sound. Sure they could sound excellent or maybe even stellar. At least one unit DOES have ESS (Sabre?) on board.
But one thing is clear, they really have very strong competitors nowadays...
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Post by wiz on Apr 15, 2015 18:29:15 GMT -6
I looked in my crystal ball here....
wooooooo.... woooooo...... (wiz goes wobbly and dream sequence ensues)
"I forsee endless arguments about the convertors.. I foresee people loving and hating them without using them ... i forsee null tests ahead..... I foresee ... I foresee.... I foresee... coffee in my future"
(dream sequence ends)
8)
cheers
Wiz
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2015 20:08:24 GMT -6
Spooky. I instantly got a strange feeling......(shudder)
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Post by NoFilterChuck on Apr 15, 2015 22:53:59 GMT -6
Where's my popcorn? I'm glad i decided to go with a symphony 3 years ago and an octo card so I don't have to suffer from GAS like the rest of you guys every time an apollo update comes out lol
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Apr 17, 2015 6:52:02 GMT -6
Where's my popcorn? I'm glad i decided to go with a symphony 3 years ago and an octo card so I don't have to suffer from GAS like the rest of you guys every time an apollo update comes out lol I don't suffer from GAS Chuck. I've learned that new release stuff is 99.9% hype and .01% improvement (usually). If a person couldn't make a good sounding record with the first one, what's the chances. They can do any better with negligible gains on the second? Here's the upside to all this, first generation Apollos will be popping up everywhere on the used market for pennies on the dollar!! Gotta love progress. |
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Post by levon on Apr 17, 2015 7:54:57 GMT -6
I looked in my crystal ball here.... wooooooo.... woooooo...... (wiz goes wobbly and dream sequence ensues) "I forsee endless arguments about the convertors.. I foresee people loving and hating them without using them ... i forsee null tests ahead..... I foresee ... I foresee.... I foresee... coffee in my future" (dream sequence ends) 8) cheers Wiz So, you saw the 'other site'?  |
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 17, 2015 8:09:24 GMT -6
On the UA Forum, people are referring to the silver face apollo as the "Classic", recognizing that it has more i/o functionality and may be more versatile as it now is the only Apollo that is cross platform.
UA is hinting that it is looking at the built in bay as a source for another com protocal to develop more capacity for window's users.
1-2 mark increment differences in measurement of sonic differences (someone at ua forum printed a long list of comparison data), do not suggest significant differences in sound but we won't know til we hear one.
I don't expect used apollo prices to fall much at all unless you are selling to someone who wants a tbolt card and your unit does not have a tbolt card.
The current FW silver face quad model list for $1,999 ( no tbolt ( still list at $499) card), new 4 pre blackface with on board tbolt list at $2499, 8 pre $2999, so I see used fw quad apollo going for/asking around $13-500 and with tbolt card $18-2,000 ?
IF you were thinking about selling and buying a blackface for improved sonics, svart's box at $800 usd is a very interesting alternative would add more functionality to the original apollo ( 2 more hi end AD and DA ) channels for tracking and for print.
Probably a lot less than the net effect of selling your current Apollo and paying price difference tax on new and probably will sound better ?
my ,02 cents !
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 17, 2015 9:09:46 GMT -6
On the UA Forum, people are referring to the silver face apollo as the "Classic", recognizing that it has more i/o functionality and may be more versatile as it now is the only Apollo that is cross platform. UA is hinting that it is looking at the built in bay as a source for another com protocal to develop more capacity for window's users. 1-2 mark increment differences in measurement of sonic differences (someone at ua forum printed a long list of comparison data), do not suggest significant differences in sound but we won't know til we hear one. I don't expect used apollo prices to fall much at all unless you are selling to someone who wants a tbolt card and your unit does not have a tbolt card. The current FW silver face quad model list for $1,999 ( no tbolt ( still list at $499) card), new 4 pre blackface with on board tbolt list at $2499, 8 pre $2999, so I see used fw quad apollo going for/asking around $13-500 and with tbolt card $18-2,000 ? IF you were thinking about selling and buying a blackface for improved sonics, svart's box at $800 usd is a very interesting alternative would add more functionality to the original apollo ( 2 more hi end AD and DA ) channels for tracking and for print. Probably a lot less than the net effect of selling your current Apollo and paying price difference tax on new and probably will sound better ? my ,02 cents ! Awesome post |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2015 9:19:07 GMT -6
+1
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 17, 2015 16:14:11 GMT -6
Comparing I/O Don S from the Ua forum did some comparisons : "Interesting Silverface Advantage Over The New Blackface Apollos In looking at the photos of the back of the new Blackface Apollos I noticed the way the input/output jack s are set up. You can't plug in mics and line inputs and switch them from the front of the Apollo like you can with the Silverface. And they can't be wired to a patchbay, because the mic and line inputs use Neutrik combo jacks. Imagine having several Apollos in racks. This means going behind the racks anytime you want to change from mic to line. That would drive me nuts. Also, the Blackface 8P has fewer line-outs on the back - 6 plus 2 monitor. The Apollo 8 and the Silverface have 8, plus the 2 monitor. Comparison photos:"  Some of you may know that I got to know cowboy on his apollo thread on the other site and one thing we talked about there is the benefit of hybrid ITB and OB gear. I'm thinkin if you have a classic apollo you better have the best of both worlds, if you get some OB pres, you can use unison and real pres, patch things up for workflow, and buy better converters run that on spdif and you still have 2 banks of adat and can run fw ( windows/mac) or real pci-e over tbolt on mac; what's not to like ? |
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 17, 2015 17:22:07 GMT -6
When do we get to the "vintage Apollos sound better" threads?
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 17, 2015 17:43:29 GMT -6
Ha Ha that will be a matter of opinion. I expect the new apollo to sound more linear.
If you listen to the clip behind the new promo video, if that is the new apollo, t me it does sound different but we will really need to have two units (Silver/black face) side my side and mult a signal to really tell ?
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