Universal Audio Apollo x16D Essentials+ 18 x 20 Audio Interface with Dante I/O and UAD DSP
Description
Ideal for live sound engineers and networked recording studios alike, the Universal Audio Apollo x16D gives you industry-leading Apollo X sound and real-time UAD plug-in processing over both Thunderbolt 3 and Dante. Track and mix with 50% more processing power than previous-generation Apollos, thanks to UA’s powerful 6-core HEXA Core processor. Experience top-shelf sound quality, by way of the Apollo x16’s upgraded elite-class DA conversion and Dual Crystal clocking. Pro users will appreciate native 7.1 surround and 9.1.6 immersive audio monitoring support, selectable +24dBu operation, built-in talkback, and more. Beyond that, you get near-zero latency and ample expandability, thanks to the Apollo x16D’s ultra-fast Thunderbolt 3 connectivity and 16 channels of Dante I/O. Apollo x16D Essentials+ comes with a premium suite of 28 plug-ins, arming you with accurate emulations of vintage analog hardware. Finally, the Apollo x16D boasts compatibility with UA’s LUNA software, giving you a tightly integrated recording, editing, and mixing environment, with full software-based control over your interface’s parameters, global console and tape emulations, and advanced real-time tracking. If there was ever a time to upgrade to the newest Apollo, now’s the time!
Track and mix with powerful HEXA Core processing
There are times when your computer doesn’t have enough power and speed to run all the plug-ins your recording session requires. That’s where UA’s powerful 6-core HEXA Core processor comes in. This processor yields 50% more power than the previous generation. This means that you can track in real time with Neve, Manley, or API channel strips, or run large UAD plug-in counts while mixing in your DAW.
Elite-class DA conversion offers ultra-pristine sound
Apollos have always sounded great, but the Apollo x16’s DA conversion takes it to the next level. When they were designing the latest generation of Apollos, UA engineers auditioned the latest leading-edge DA technology, ultimately pairing elite-class 24-bit/192kHz converters with overhauled analog circuitry. The result is an ultra-pristine signal path with 133dB dynamic range and –129dB THD+N. Beyond that, Dual Crystal clocking supplies a low-jitter environment for pure, artifact-free recording and solid stereo imaging. Dive in, and you’ll hear for it yourself — the Apollo x16’s DA rivals any high-end standalone converter on the market.
A bevy of pro-level features
You can find Apollos in professional studios worldwide. That said, users have been clamoring for certain pro-level features. Good news — Universal Audio has been listening! So what’s new? First of all, the Apollo x16D includes 7.1 surround monitoring support, complete with speaker calibration and fold-down. This is great news for engineers working on audio and music for video games, film, television, and the web. Beyond that, the Apollo x16D was tailor-made for your analog console and other high-end gear, courtesy of its selectable +24dBu operation. Thanks to these and other great features, the Apollo x16D makes a great centerpiece for any studio.
Thunderbolt: ultra-low latency and unrivaled bandwidth
Thunderbolt is one of the most important technologies to impact audio production in years, and UA was one of the first to adopt it. Thanks to its blazing-fast connectivity, Thunderbolt offers lower latency and greater stability than USB or FireWire, clocking in with the speed and ultra-fast performance of a PCI Express system. In fact, the Apollo x16D’s Thunderbolt 3 connection runs projects with high track counts at latencies of less than 2ms! On top of that, multiple Apollo interfaces can be networked over Thunderbolt to add fast, high-bandwidth I/O and DSP to your studio. You don’t even need a brand-new computer — the Apollo x16D’s two built-in Thunderbolt 3 ports are backward-compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 Macs (adapter sold separately).
Features:
- 18-in/20-out Thunderbolt 3 audio interface for Mac or PC, with Dante I/O and onboard UAD-2 HEXA Core processing
- 16-in/16-out Dante I/O (supports AES67 mode at 48kHz)
- 6-core HEXA Core offers 50% more processing power than previous Apollos
- Upgraded elite-class DA conversion supplies an ultra-pristine signal path with 133dB dynamic range and –129dB THD+N
- Dual Crystal clocking supplies a low-jitter environment for pure, artifact-free recording and solid stereo imaging
- Native 7.1 surround and 9.1.6 immersive audio support for engineers working on video games, film, television, and the web
- Selectable +24dBu operation for easy integration with analog consoles and other high-end studio gear
- Integrated talkback for easy communication and slating takes
- Ultra-fast Thunderbolt 3 connectivity provides less than 2ms of latency and ample expandability
- Includes a premium plug-in suite of 28 award-winning UAD plug-ins with accurate emulations of vintage analog hardware
- Track and monitor through plug-ins with no latency
- Compatible with UA’s LUNA software for ultra-tight hardware/software integration
- Backward-compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 Macs (adapter sold separately)
Specs:
- Computer Connectivity: Thunderbolt 3
- Form Factor: Rackmount
- Simultaneous I/O: 18 x 20
- A/D Resolution: Up to 24-bit/192kHz
- Analog Inputs: 2 x XLR
- Analog Outputs: 2 x XLR
- USB: 2 x USB-C
- Thunderbolt: 2 x Thunderbolt 3
- Data I/O: 2 x Ethernet (Dante)
- Network: Dante
- Clock I/O: In/Out
- Power Supply: 12V DC power supply