How does your current workflow look? Do you have quick connectivity and access to all your I/O? Do you have on-the-fly interchangeability at your fingertips? Can you swap instruments or mics quickly?
If you answer no to any of those questions, then you should consider evaluating your workflow and workflow processes. Let’s dig into creating functional workflow processes, using one of the most popular interfaces in today’s professional audio realm, the Universal Audio Apollo x8P.
The
Apollo x8P is a jack-of-all-trades. 8 channels of mic preamps, 8 channels of Line inputs, 8 channels of Line outputs, a pair of dedicated Monitor outputs, ADAT and word clock connections. All of this, packaged in a 1RU chassis that connects to your computer with a Thunderbolt cable. We haven’t even considered its power DSP heart that gives you access to Universal Audio’s incredible plugin ecosystem. Many would argue that UAD plugins are some of the best in the industry – in which case, the
Apollo x8P (or really, any Apollo) is the key to it all.
Normally, you would plug your mics and instruments that require mic preamps directly into the combo jack inputs on the back of the Apollo x8P.
This is straight forward but what if you need to switch out mics or instruments? What if you need them plugged into the
x8P in a specific numerical order? You will have to go behind your desk and fish around. If you are working with one of two sources, then this is not a major issue. Anything more and you are getting into some considerable time behind the desk. Depending on the location of your desk and layout of your room, this may be a pain. So you think “a snake or box would be cool…” and indeed it would!
Pro Audio LA has made hundreds of the Apollo x8P breakout panels and boxes. The simplest configuration would be 8 combo jacks on either a stage box or rack panel. The other end of this box or panel would be 8 XLR-Male connectors that would plug straight into the mic inputs of the x8P.*
What if you also have outboard mic preamps or Line level instruments, like synths, guitar amp modelers or DI’s? Then you need access to the Line inputs of the x8P. In this case you will need either a DB25 breakout cable or the more elegant solution – a larger stage box or panel that has additional TRS inputs to plug all your other goodies into.
What if you want access to the Line outputs as well, because you want to route the signal coming out of your DAW into processors and other cool stuff. You will need yet more TRS connections on your panel or box and a DB25 on the cable end that will plug into the Line Output section of the
x8P.
At this point, it might be worth considering talking to the cable nerds at
Pro Audio LA and figuring out a bespoke solution for your needs.
Custom rack panels with color coded labels look and work great! They provide an easy access solution for all Apollo users who don’t want to leave their desk but want the ability to access all the connections of their Apollo.
Craving a little more customizability and maybe something a bit more snazzy or unique?
Then you can check out these wooden breakout boxes for the Apollo. The wooden boxes are custom built to every individual clients specifications. The size you want, the color you want and the type of labelling you want. A wooden or metal stage box gives you access to as many or as few connections as you want.
Workflows vary from person to person. We understand that and that is why we
offer workflow consultations! You discuss your needs with a member of our team (most likely me) and we can recommend the best way to outfit your Apollo, based on your workflow preferences. Want to integrate a
patchbay into your setup as well? No problem! We do
consultations for that too!
*Note: this configuration assumes that you mostly use the mic preamp inputs on the x8P – even when you plug in a line level instrument into the combo jack with a ¼” TRS cable, you toggle that specific channel from “Mic” to “Line” in UAD console.