Hey all,

I'm looking for some recommendations/opinions. Currently I own an UA Apollo x8p, and am using my previous interface (a MOTU 828es) as an ADAT expansion. I'm thinking of adding another Apollo to the setup, and in order to maximise my I/O, would like to add an ADAT expansion unit. I'm looking for recommendations on suitable units - I have a few requirements:
- Must be rack mountable
- Ideally all I/O would be on the rear of the unit
- Must allow for an additional 8 ins - I can be a little flexible with the outs for the right product as I have a surplus as it is.
- Mic preamps would be a nice addition but are not 100% necessary

So far I've come across Ferrofish Pulse 16, which looks good and with it being 16I/O with flexible ADAT connectivity it would mean I could use the Ferrofish as the expander for both Apollo units.

I haven't found much else that fits the bill, so if you know of anything I would appreciate the advice.

Thanks,
dawghouse

 

I use two Steinberg UR 824 as adat converters after my rme raydat. They work in standalone mode, even without connection over usb, but I can use the mixer app to configure them when they're connected. After power off/on they remember the last setting. There would be enough dsp power in there to do fx/routing/channel strip stuff, but I don't use any of that atm. But I'm planning to let them do a monitormix for the headphone output and possibly maybe a fancier subwoofer management.

//EDIT// WTF? They're EOL?? I knew that yamaha put their brand name on those steinberg interfaces now, that's ok, they built it in the first place... but they took the more decent interfaces from sales all together? What's happening? Hope it's about new models and not completely giving up. I really like those yamaha usb interfaces. yamaha is one of two brands that codes its own drivers. And they were my goto for "doesn't need to be RME but better than Behringer"

 

I don’t know what your simultaneous channel count or preamp needs are (personally I wouldn’t add more), but you might want to skip the extra Apollo and go with the Ferrofish Pulse 16 instead. You already have an x8p and an 828es, so you’re not lacking I/O or routing. It’s already a pretty complete system.

A second Apollo mainly adds more UAD DSP and more Unison pres, but it doesn’t really solve expansion. Unless you’re regularly tracking larger sessions and actually need more matching pres, it’s mostly duplication.

If your goal is more inputs and better integration for outboard or synths, the Ferrofish makes more sense. It expands the system cleanly and acts more like infrastructure rather than another front end.

Unless you specifically need more DSP or more high-end mic pres, you probably don’t need another Apollo. If DSP is the only concern, something like a Universal Audio UAD-2 Satellite is a more direct (and cheaper) way to get there.

I use the 828ES also, and depending on your specific scenario; expanding the Motu's AVB connectivity might even be a good addition to your rig and something to consider. But all my UA plugins are native (Signature Bundle 2) so of course I would say that.

This is one I would even call Sweetwater about, because this is the kind of stuff they really excel at. I think you already have the best answer identified as the Ferrofish, when all is said and done.

 

The Apollo x8p only allows for a total of 16 inputs and 16 outputs - so with my current setup I'm already maxed out for ins and outs. For me to expand at all I would have to add another Apollo interface. It's quite the rort.

 

yeah. without knowing which inputs you actually need for sessions, how many ADAT/analog channels you are already using, if you want to record everything simultaneously or just some tracks at a time, how you are handling clocking between devices, and if you even want to integrate the 828es into the Apollo workflow or use it separately; it’s basically impossible to say what is the best route to go. That is a decent sized list of variables to figure out.

When I wanted to somehow connect the 24 direct outs of my mixer to the 828ES, I didn't really want to spend a lot of money. I'm not recording anything acoustic or with microphones, only synths, samplers and drum machines, so simultaneous doesn't matter to me like it does to you. I ended up running trs snakes to a Samson S-Patch+ 48 point patchbay rack mounted in my desk. It's a way different tracking workflow than what you have going on.

 

Ferrofish Pulse 16. Used to use one connected to my 828X, but retired that and now I have two Pulse 16s connected to a Digiface USB and would not hesitate to buy another Ferrofish converter should I need it.

 

I've been running an Arturia 8-Pre as an ADAT expander with an RME AIO and it's solid. Great pre-amps in it too.

 

another ferrofish vote here
although, honestly, the behringer one gets almost universally good reviews as well, especially if you only need 8 ins

 

If you go with the Ferrofish 16, you add 16 more channels and probably end up with MADI or DANTE instead of just stacking a couple of MOTU AVB boxes over Cat-5 or Cat-6 ethernet. No problem with your UA interface, but even small things can mess up your whole setup plans. Drawing a routing I/O diagram would make it way easier to see what actually works and what you don’t need to spend money on. If there’s any chance you’ll want to network stuff later, it’s better to start with something that can handle it so you don’t end up spending more later fixing it. If networking isn’t going to happen in the future, the Pulse 16 AE will cover it. Otherwise the MX is the better option since it’s MADI ready and can add some more capability later on.

You are still at the whole matched preamps decision about another Apollo. Time to ferrofish or cut bait.

 

Last edited: Mar 26, 2026 at 6:03 AM

Another Ferrofish Pulse 16 user here, in conjunction with RME UCX II. Completely dependable.

If you are sure you only need 8 I/O, Ferrofish have also just introduced the Pulse 8 AE. Although it's smaller form, it's still rackable with additional rack ears.

 

high end Audient ASP 880.Low end Behringer AdA 8200