Thunderbolt Audio Interface with 8 Analog Inputs, 8 Mic Preamps, 2 Balanced XLR Outputs, 8 x 8 ADAT Optical I/O, 2 Stereo Headphone Outputs, and Word Clock I/O - Mac
Apogee's Streamlined 16 x 16 Thunderbolt Interface
If you record music to a Mac, the Apogee Element 88 is for you. The Element 88 is a 16-in/16-out audio interface that takes the best of cutting-edge Apogee gear and packs it into a streamlined, cost-effective unit. The Element 88 gives you eight balanced front-panel analog inputs, two rear-panel XLR outputs plus two balanced 1/4" outputs, two stereo headphone outs, and word clock I/O. Eight of Apogee's world-class mic preamps are onboard, with selectable phantom power. For expansion flexibility, optical I/O is also provided with ADAT (8 x 8), SMUX (8 x 8), and S/PDIF (2 x 2) compatibility. Apogee's Element Control software gives you remote control of your hardware on your Mac and wireless control via iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Apogee Element 88 at a Glance:
- Superior conversion for tracks that blend harmoniously
- Microphone preamps that can do it all
- State-of-the-art Apogee clocking
- Ultra-low latency Thunderbolt connectivity
Superior conversion for tracks that blend harmoniously
Top-notch A/D conversion is an essential ingredient for capturing every nuance of your digital recordings. Apogee's Element series interfaces feature high-quality Apogee A/D conversion that minimizes noise and maximizes signal quality, for tracks that sound amazing and sit perfectly in your mix. You'll hear enhanced definition in every track and virtual instrument. Tracks will blend more harmoniously, making precision adjustments - and achieving the perfect mix balance - easier.
Microphone preamps that can do it all
Drums, vocals, guitar, strings, brass - each source places unique demands on your mic preamp. You need a preamp that can do it all, capturing the minute details of every performance. Apogee's Element series mic preamps are engineered with the company's Advanced Stepped Gain Architecture, an analog circuit that dynamically optimizes across a 0-75dB gain range to provide exceptional bandwidth with the lowest possible distortion.
State-of-the-art Apogee clocking
Your audio interface's clock source is like a conductor, meting out tempo to the orchestra. A digital audio clock delivers a timing signal to all parts of a digital audio system, synchronizing every part of the AD/DA process. Every Apogee Element series interface is spec'd with its own onboard clock source that provides pro-studio-grade word clock I/O for syncing with other digital audio equipment. Slave your Element to other gear, or take advantage of Apogee's superior clocking technology, by using your interface as a master clock.
Ultra-low latency Thunderbolt connectivity
Apogee's Element Thunderbolt driver delivers impressive low-latency round-trip performance (1.41ms), along with rock-solid stability. This proprietary driver also draws less CPU power thanks to Apogee's Direct Memory Access (DMA) technology. We can confirm that the DMA implementation in the Element series lets you run more plug-ins and monitor through your DAW at low buffer settings. With Apogee Element interfaces, you no longer have to choose between speed and power!
Apogee Element 88 Features:
- 16-in/16-out Thunderbolt audio interface for Mac computers
- Up to 24-bit/192kHz AD/DA conversion for recording
- 4 front-panel mic/line/instrument inputs on combi connectors
- 4 front-panel mic/line inputs on XLR connectors
- 8 world-class Apogee mic preamps, selectable phantom power
- 8 analog outputs:
- 2 balanced rear-panel XLR outputs
- 2 balanced 1/4" outputs
- 2 x 1/4" stereo headphone outputs
- Single-port Thunderbolt connectivity with ultra-low latency:
- 1.41ms round-trip at 96kHz (with buffer setting 32)
- Optical In - supports ADAT, SMUX, and S/PDIF:
- ADAT - 8 channels; 44.1kHz-48kHz on 1 TOSlink connector
- SMUX - 8 channels; 88.2kHz-96kHz on 2 TOSlink connectors
- S/PDIF - 2 channels; up to 192kHz on 1 TOSlink connector
- Optical Out - supports ADAT, SMUX, and S/PDIF:
- ADAT - 8 channels; 44.1kHz-48kHz on 1 TOSlink connector
- SMUX - 8 channels; 88.2kHz-96kHz on 2 TOSlink connectors
- S/PDIF - 2 channels; up to 192kHz on 1 TOSlink connector
- Word clock I/O (BNC connectors) for sync with other digital audio gear
- Element Control Software for Mac provides control of hardware parameters, including:
- Input gain, Output level, and low-latency monitoring
- Element Control Mobile App for wireless remote control via iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- Compatible with optional Apogee Control hardware remote control
- Multi-unit Thunderbolt support for connection of any 2 Element units to your Mac