Universal Audio | Apollo x16 Heritage Edition 18 x 20 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface with UAD DSP Universal Audio

Universal Audio Apollo X16

16 Channels of Elite Audio Conversion, HEXA Core Processing, and Surround Sound Monitoring.

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.

Built upon UA’s 60-year heritage of audio craftsmanship, this 18 x 20 interface delivers the widest dynamic range (133 dB) and lowest THD+N (-129 dB) of any integrated audio interface on the market, all-new HEXA Core processing — yielding 50% more DSP for running acclaimed UAD Powered Plug-Ins in real time — plus it includes LUNA Recording System, giving you a fully-integrated music production application.

 

UA’s Flagship A/D and D/A Conversion

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.

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 — regardless of price — and is the perfect starting point for applying UAD processing.

Realtime UAD HEXA Core Processing

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.

Unison Technology: The Genuine Sound of Neve, API & Manley Preamps

Perfect for engineers, producers, and project studio owners, Apollo x8p features eight Unison-enabled mic preamps, letting you track large projects through exacting mic preamp emulations from Neve, API, Manley, Helios, SSL, and Universal Audio. A Universal Audio exclusive, Unison technology nails the tone of these sought-after tube and solid state mic pres — including their input impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and the component-level circuit behaviors of the original hardware.

The secret to Unison is its hardware-software integration between Apollo’s mic preamps and its onboard HEXA Core DSP Acceleration. Simply place a Unison preamp plug-in on your mic input in Apollo Console software, and it physically reconfigures the Apollo interface’s impedance — so you can tap into the classic sounds of the world’s most recorded mic preamps.

LUNA Recording System Deep Apollo Integration with a Fast, Natural Workflow

Apollo X series interfaces work with all major DAWs. But they become a fully integrated recording system with LUNA, Universal Audio’s groundbreaking music production application for Mac. Harness LUNA’s Accelerated Realtime Monitoring™ and power your workflow with a host of built-in features and optional extensions — from genuine Neve summing and integrated Studer tape, to inspiring LUNA instruments, and more.

Surround Sound, Talkback, and More

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.

Build an Expanded Studio System Over Thunderbolt

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.

Realtime Analog Classics Bundle

With the Realtime Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle, you not only get legendary compressors such as the Fairchild^® 670 and EQs like the Pultec^® EQP-1A, but also stunning guitar and bass amp emulations from Softube, and UA’s landmark 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ plug-in.

• UA 610‐B
• Marshall Plexi Classic Amplifier
• Teletronix LA‐2A Legacy
• Fairchild^® 670 Legacy
• UA 1176LN Legacy
• UA 1176SE Legacy
• Pultec EQP‐1A Legacy
• Pultec Pro Legacy
• Ampeg® SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp
• Precision Channel Strip
• Precision Reflection Engine
• Precision Delay Modulation
• Precision Delay Modulation L
• Raw Distortion
• RealVerb‐Pro

Key Features

• 18 x 20 Thunderbolt 3 audio interface with class-leading 24-bit/192 KHz conversion (backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 1 & 2 on Mac)
• HEXA Core Realtime UAD Processing for tracking through UAD plug-ins at near-zero latency, regardless of audio buffer size
• Produce with LUNA Recording System — a fully-integrated recording application made for Apollo (Mac/Thunderbolt)
• Surround monitor controller up to 7.1 format
• Includes the “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” UAD plug-in bundle. Other UAD plug-ins sold separately.
• UAD-2 HEXA Core processing onboard for additional mixing horsepower for Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Ableton, and other major DAWs
• Combine up to 4 Thunderbolt-equipped Apollos and 6 total UAD devices
• Selectable +24 dBu operation for easy compatibility with professional mixing consoles and tape machines
• Convenient front panel monitoring functions including Alt Speakers, Talkback mic, and assignable Dim or Mono
• Uncompromising UA analog design, superior components, and premium build quality
• Free, industry-leading technical support — on the phone and online — from knowledgeable audio engineers

Available as Apollo Heritage Edition

Featuring 10 premium UAD titles — including complete plug‑in Collections of our award-winning Teletronix,^® UA 1176, and Fairchild^® compressors, Helios^® Type 69 and UA 610 mic preamps, Pultec^® EQs, and more.

System Requirements

All

• Thunderbolt 3 cable (not included)
• Internet connection to download software and authorize UAD plug-ins
• 10 gigabytes available storage

Mac

• Available Thunderbolt 1, 2, or 3 port
• macOS 10.14 Mojave, 10.15 Catalina, or 11 Big Sur
• Thunderbolt 1 and 2 connections require an Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter (not included)

PC

• Available Thunderbolt 3 port
• Windows 10 64-bit edition