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Apogee Electronics Element 88 16x16 Thunderbolt Audio I/O Box for Mac

BH #APELEMENT88 • MFR #ELEMENT 88
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Apogee Electronics Element 88 16x16 Thunderbolt Audio I/O Box for Mac
Key Features
  • High-Quality AD/DA Conversion
  • 24-Bit / 192 kHz
  • Boutique-Quality Microphone Preamps
  • 8x Analog Inputs & 8x Analog Outputs
Borrowing the technology from the highly-regarded Symphony I/O MKII, Ensemble Thunderbolt, and Groove, the Element 88 from Apogee Electronics offers 16x16 of audio I/O for Mac, well suited for producers, engineers, bands, or anyone looking for professional-quality conversion. The Element features boutique-quality mic preamps and selectable 48V phantom power for connecting microphones, instruments, or line-level sources. The 88 offers eight analog inputs via four XLR-1/4" combo and four XLR connectors, while the eight outputs are offered via two balanced XLR, two balanced 1/4", and two 1/4" TRS stereo headphone connectors.
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Apogee Electronics Element 88 Overview

Borrowing the technology from the highly-regarded Symphony I/O MKII, Ensemble Thunderbolt, and Groove, the Element 88 from Apogee Electronics offers 16x16 of audio I/O for Mac, well suited for producers, engineers, bands, or anyone looking for professional-quality conversion. The Element features boutique-quality mic preamps and selectable 48V phantom power for connecting microphones, instruments, or line-level sources. The 88 offers eight analog inputs via four XLR-1/4" combo and four XLR connectors, while the eight outputs are offered via two balanced XLR, two balanced 1/4", and two 1/4" TRS stereo headphone connectors.

Additional I/O is offered from two sets of optical TOSLINK ports providing ADAT, SMUX, and S/PDIF protocols. Word clock I/O is also provided for syncing with other digital audio gear. The modern, streamlined Apogee Control interface app with Essentials Control Strip window gives you access to all controls and settings for the Element hardware. Adjust input/output levels, select input type, configure up to three low-latency mixes, and more. Additionally, the unit can be wirelessly controlled from an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, via the free Apogee Control Remote for iOS app, which gives you access to the hardware settings included in the Apogee Control Essentials Window.

Analog to Digital Conversion
A high-quality A/D converter is critical for capturing every detail of your recordings into your computer. The Element series features some of the best Apogee A/D conversion. Recording through an Element ensures you will minimize unwanted noise and maximize the signal quality.
Microphone Preamps
Whether you are recording powerful drums, dynamic vocals or delicate strings, you need a high-quality mic preamp to capture the finest details of the performance. The Element Series mic preamps feature Apogee's Advanced Stepped Gain Architecture™. This analog circuit is designed to dynamically optimize across a gain range of 0-75 dB to provide superior bandwidth and low distortion.
Digital to Analog Conversion
With a high-quality D/A converter, you will hear more definition in each track and virtual instrument. This clarity makes it easier for you to make precise adjustments and achieve the ideal balance when mixing your music. When you listen to your sessions through an Element, tracks will blend more harmoniously and mixing will be easier. The high end will sound crisp and clear and the low end will be tight and well defined.
Clocking
An audio interface relies on a clock source like an orchestra relies on a conductor. A digital audio clock provides a timing signal to all the parts of a digital audio system so that each part of the AD/DA process may be synchronized. Element has its own built-in clock source and provides professional Word Clock IN and OUT for syncing with other digital audio gear. Use Element as the master clock to take advantage of Apogee's superior built-in clocking technology.
Thunderbolt Connectivity
The Element Series Thunderbolt driver offers incredible low-latency performance (1.41 ms round-trip) and rock-solid stability. Apogee's custom driver uses less of your computer's CPU power with the help of Direct Memory Access (DMA) technology. This allows you to run more plug-ins and monitor through your DAW at a low buffer setting. Element's low-latency driver means you don't have to choose between power and speed.
Apogee Control Software
The modern, streamlined Apogee Control interface app with Essentials Control Strip window offers extensive flexibility to customize your workflow and adapt to your creativity. It lets you access all I/O controls and settings for your Element hardware. Select your input type, adjust input/output levels, configure up to 3 different low-latency mixers, and more. You can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to quickly select any input or output and adjust the level.

The unit can be wirelessly controlled via the free Apogee Control Remote for iOS app (iPad, iPhone or iPod touch), which gives you access to the hardware settings included in the Apogee Control Essentials Window.

The Element is compatible with Apogee Control hardware remote (available separately).
Combine Elements
Element 24, 46, and 88 are built to work together. Connect any two Elements directly to a Thunderbolt port on your computer and increase the number of analog I/O in your recording system. When using multiple Elements, the optical I/O is for the low-latency mixer internal bussing.
Logic Integration
When you're using Logic Pro X, you can set Element input settings like gain, input source and more directly from with Logic's Channel Strip, for the ultimate integrated system. Element's I/O settings are saved with each Logic session, for instant and effortless recall.

Apogee Electronics Element 88 Specs

Key Specs
Channels of I/O
16 Input / 16 Output
Maximum Sampling Rate
192 kHz / 24-Bit
Number of Microphone Inputs
8 Preamps
Analog Audio I/O
4x Combo XLR-1/4" TRS Mic/Line/Hi-Z Input
4x XLR 3-Pin Input
2x XLR 3-Pin Output
2x 1/4" TRS Line Output
2x 1/4" TRS Headphone Output
Digital Audio I/O
TOSLINK Optical ADAT / S/PDIF Input
TOSLINK Optical ADAT / S/PDIF Output
Channels of I/O
16 Input / 16 Output
Maximum Sampling Rate
192 kHz / 24-Bit
Number of Microphone Inputs
8 Preamps
Connectivity
Analog Audio I/O
4x Combo XLR-1/4" TRS Mic/Line/Hi-Z Input
4x XLR 3-Pin Input
2x XLR 3-Pin Balanced Output
2x 1/4" TRS Balanced Line Output
2x 1/4" TRS Headphone Output
Phantom Power
48 V (Selectable on Individual Inputs)
Digital Audio I/O
2x TOSLINK Optical ADAT / S/PDIF Input (S/MUX Support)
2x TOSLINK Optical ADAT / S/PDIF Output (S/MUX Support)
Host Connection Protocol
Thunderbolt 1
Sync I/O
1x BNC Word Clock Input
1x BNC Word Clock Output
MIDI I/O
No
Digital Audio
Sample Rates
192 kHz (AD/DA Conversion)
Bit Depths
24-Bit (AD/DA Conversion)
Latency
1.41 ms at 96 kHz (Dependent on Buffer Size, Input to Output)
Compatibility
OS Compatibility
macOS 10.10 or Later
RAM Requirements
4 GB, 8 GB Recommended
Required Hardware
Available Thunderbolt Port
Thunderbolt Cable (Not Included)
Packaging Info
Package Weight
6.2 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
20.4 x 8.5 x 4.3"

Apogee Electronics Element 88 Reviews

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