The flagship Apollo x16 allows music producers, project, and post-production studios to track, overdub, and mix with elite-class A/D and D/A conversion, HEXA Core UAD plug-in processing, Dual-Crystal clocking, and 7.1 surround sound monitoring — all in a sleek rackmount Thunderbolt 3 audio interface for Mac or Windows. With 133 dB dynamic range and THD+N of -129 dB, the Apollo x16’s open, natural sound quality bests every interface in its class and is the perfect starting point for applying UAD processing.
With thousands of chart-topping songs and hundreds of Grammy-winning albums under their belt, Apollo interfaces are no strangers to tracking stellar-sounding records. To improve on the previous generation Apollo interface’s class-leading audio conversion, UA engineers obsessively auditioned the latest A/D and D/A converters — ultimately pairing elite-class 24-bit/192 kHz converters with all-new analog circuitry for an ultra-pristine signal path.
The Apollo X series also introduces new Dual-Crystal clocking — featuring dedicated crystals for 44.1/88.2/176.4k and 48/96/192k sample rates — resulting in stunningly low jitter, measured at less than 10 picoseconds. This translates into pure, artifact-free recordings and solid stereo imaging you can trust.
Apollo x16 features new HEXA Core processing, with six DSP chips and 50% more UAD plug-in processing power than previous Apollos. This lets you run more UAD plug-ins, whether you’re tracking in real time with channel strips from Neve,® Manley,® or API,® or running high UAD plug-in counts when mixing in your DAW.
From the tube warmth of Pultec EQs on guitars to the musical tube limiting of the LA-2A on vocals, or the pump of a genuine 1176 or Fairchild 670 tube compressor on drums, your recordings will take a giant leap forward with a rich, three-dimensional analog sound that UAD plug‑ins provide.
Going beyond the included Realtime Analog Classics Plus plug-ins, Apollo x16 lets you tap into the full UAD Powered Plug-In library of legendary vintage EQs, compressors, reverbs, tape machines, channel strips, and more — at near-zero latency, regardless of your audio software’s buffer size and without taxing your computer’s CPU.
The Apollo x16 features built-in front-panel monitoring functions including a Talkback mic, Alt Speakers, and assignable Dim or Mono control. Plus, with its comprehensive 7.1 surround monitoring support, Apollo x16 is a boon for engineers and producers working on audio and music for video games, television, and the web. In addition, Apollo x16 offers selectable +24 dBu operation for out-of-the-box compatibility with professional mixing consoles and other high-end pro audio equipment.
Apollo x16 offers 18 x 20 simultaneous inputs/outputs (16 x 16 analog I/O) and two built-in Thunderbolt 3 ports. This allows users of any Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo Twin or Apollo rackmount audio interfaces to easily combine up to four Apollos and six total UAD-2 devices — adding fast, high-bandwidth I/O and DSP as your studio grows.
Universal Audio Apollo x16 Features
- Record with UA's flagship A/D and D/A conversion
- Easily connect to professional studio gear with 16 x 16 analog I/O via DB-25 connections, plus switchable +24 dBu headroom settings
- Mix with powerful HEXA Core processing, featuring 6 UAD DSP chips for running more UAD Powered Plug-Ins in real time
- Includes LUNA Recording System: a fully-integrated and inspiring music production application
- Full suite of classic analog processing onboard
- Surround sound, talkback, and more
- Thunderbolt lets you easily expand your system
- Apollo x16 Thunderbolt 3 audio interface1
- Realtime Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle1
- Inputs
- Line inputs (DB25): 16 Balanced via (2) 25-pin D-sub
- Digital inputs (XLR): AES/EBU 2 channels @ 44.1 – 192 kHz
- A to D Conversion, Line Inputs
- Dynamic range: 124 dB (A-weighted)
- THD+N: -115 dB (0.00018%)
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.05 dB
- Outputs
- Line outputs (DB25): 16 Balanced via (2) 25-pin D-sub
- Monitor outputs (XLR): 2 Balanced (Left/Right)
- Digital outputs (XLR): AES/EBU: 2 channels @ 44.1 – 192 kHz
- D to A Conversion
- Line Outputs
- Dynamic range: 127 dB (A-weighted)
- THD+N: -123 dB (0.00007%)
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.02 dB
- Monitor Outputs
- Dynamic range: 133 dB
- THD+N: -129 dB (0.00004%)
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.02 dB
