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

Borrowing the technology from the highly-regarded Symphony I/O MKII, Ensemble Thunderbolt, and Groove, the Element 88 from Apogee Electronics offers 16×16 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 analogue 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.

Key Features:
Analogue to Digital Conversion
A high-quality A/D convertor 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 minimise unwanted noise and maximise 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 analogue circuit is designed to dynamically optimise across a gain range of 0-75 dB to provide superior bandwidth and low distortion.

Digital to Analogue Conversion
With a high-quality D/A convertor, 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 synchronised. 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 customise 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 analogue 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.

Specifications
AD/DA Conversion 24-bit/192 kHz
Analogue Inputs Inputs include microphone preamps and selectable 48 V phantom power for connecting microphones, instruments, or line-level sources

4 x Combo XLR-1/4″ / 6.35 mm
4 x XLR
Analogue Outputs 2 x Balanced XLR
2 x Balanced 1/4″ / 6.35 mm
2 x 1/4″ / 6.35 mm TRS stereo headphone
Digital Input/Output Optical IN: Supports ADAT, SMUX & S/PDIF
ADAT: 8 channels 44.1-48 kHz on 1 TOSLINK connector
SMUX: 8 channels 88.2-96 kHz on 2 TOSLINK connectors
S/PDIF: 2 channels, up to 192 kHz on 1 TOSLINK connector

Optical OUT: Supports ADAT, SMUX & S/PDIF
ADAT: 8 channels 44.1-48 kHz on 1 TOSLINK connector
SMUX: 8 channels 88.2-96 kHz on 2 TOSLINK connectors
S/PDIF: 2 channels, up to 192 kHz on 1 TOSLINK connector
Computer Connection Single port Thunderbolt connectivity to Mac for ultra-low latency performance

Latency: 1.41 ms round-trip at 96 kHz with a 32-sample buffer setting
Word Clock I/O Word Clock IN/OUT via BNC connections for syncing with other digital audio gear
Mac System Requirements Computer: Thunderbolt-equipped Mac (iMac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Pro)
Memory: 4 GB RAM minimum, 8 GB recommended
OS: 10.10 or greater
Connection: Any available Thunderbolt port (Thunderbolt cable not included)
Power: DC Power supply included
Compatible Software Any Mac Core Audio compatible application
Recommended apps: Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, GarageBand, MainStage, Final Cut, Digital Performer, Studio One, Cubase, and Nuendo