Apogee Element 88 Audio Interface

The Apogee Element 88 Audio Interface offers the best sound quality of any 8 IN x 8 OUT audio interface under $1,500. Ideal for the producer, engineer or musician, the Apogee Element 88 gives you all the I/O you need to record drums or a full band.

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. Your tracks will sound amazing and mixing your project will be easier. Whether you are recording powerful drums, dynamic vocals or delicate strings, you need a premium 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 0-75dB to provide superior bandwidth and low distortion.

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. 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.

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 plugins 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 Element 88 Audio Interface Features

• Thunderbolt audio interfaces for Mac
• Sound quality equal to Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt
• AD/DA conversion for recording up to 192kHz/24-bit
• Single port Thunderbolt connectivity to Mac for ultra-low latency performance
  • 1.41ms round-trip at 96kHz with a 32 buffer setting
• New Element Control Software for Mac provides all control of hardware parameters including input gain, output level and low latency monitoring
• New Element Control Mobile App provides wireless remote control of hardware via iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
• Works with Apogee Control – desktop hardware remote control accessory
• Multi-Unit Thunderbolt support – Connect any two Element audio I/O boxes directly to Thunderbolt ports on your computer

Apogee Element 88 Audio Interface Specifications

• 16 IN x 16 OUT Thunderbolt Audio I/O box
• AD/DA conversion for recording up to 192kHz/24-bit
• A/D conversion:
  • Max input level (+4dBu ref/Mic): +20dBu
  • Max input level (-10dBV ref): +6dBV
  • Input impedance: 5KOhm
  • Freq resp 10 Hz -20Khz: > +/-0.2dB (@44.1Khz)
  • Rel. THD + N: -110dB
  • Dyn. Range: 119dB (A-weighted)
• D/A conversion:
  • Max output level (+4dBu ref): +20dBu
  • Max output level (-10dBV ref): +6dBV
  • Line output impedance: 90 Ohm
  • Freq resp 10Hz -20 Khz: > +/- 0.05dB (@44.1Khz)
  • Rel. THD+N : -114dB
  • Dyn Range: 123dB (A-weighted)
  • Headphone Max output level:
    • 560mW into 30 Ohm
    • 90mW into 600 Ohm
  • Headphone THD+N: -107 dB with 600 Ohm load @ 19 dBu
  • Headphone Dyn Range: 117dB a-weighted
• 8 analog inputs with world-class mic preamps and selectable 48v phantom power for connecting microphones, instruments or line-level devices
  • 4 combination inputs
  • 4 XLR inputs
• 8 analog outputs
  • 2 balanced L/R XLR outputs
  • 2 balanced 1/4” outputs
  • 2 1/4” stereo headphone output
• Single port Thunderbolt connectivity to Mac for ultra-low latency performance
  • 1.41ms round-trip at 96kHz with a 32 buffer setting
• Optical IN: Supports ADAT, SMUX & S/PDIF
  • ADAT: 8 channels 44.1-48 kHz on 1 Toslink connector
  • SMUX: 4 channels 88.2-96 kHz on 1 Toslink connector
  • 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: 4 channels 88.2-96 kHz on 1 Toslink connector
  • S/PDIF: 2 channels, up to 192 kHz on 1 Toslink connector
• Word Clock IN/OUT via BNC connections for syncing with other digital audio gear
• Element Control Software for Mac provides all control of hardware parameters including input gain, output level and low latency monitoring.
• Element Control Mobile App provides wireless remote control of hardware via iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
• Works with Apogee Control – Optional desktop hardware remote control (Sold separately)
• Multi-Unit Thunderbolt support – Connect any two Element audio I/O boxes directly to Thunderbolt ports on your computer.
• Mac OS:
  • 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*
  • Power: DC Power supply included
  • Thunderbolt cable not 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

Apogee Element 88 Audio Interface Includes

• Element 88
• Universal Power Supply with standard 3 pin-IEC cable
• Rack ears and mounting screws
• Quick Start Guide
• Warranty Booklet