Apollo X16 16-Channel Thunderbolt Audio Interface

Built on UA’s 60-year heritage of audio craftsmanship, Apollo x16 distinguishes itself with the widest dynamic range and lowest THD+N available on any interface in its class. Plus, all-new HEXA Core processing—yields 50 percent more DSP for running UAD Powered Plug-Ins from Neve, API, Manley, Helios, SSL, and more in real time. In addition, Apollo x16 features optimized level compatibility with professional +24 dBu gear, as well as an integrated monitor controller and a built-in talkback mic.

The Apollo X series is the largest leap forward in history for Universal Audio’s award-winning Apollo interface, allowing engineers, music producers and post-production studios to track, overdub, and mix with new elite-class A/D and D/A conversion, HEXA Core UAD plug-in processing, and 7.1 surround sound monitoring—all in a sleek Thunderbolt 3 interface for Mac** or PC. The Apollo x16 is backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 on Mac computers with an adapter.

The Apollo x16 comes with the Realtime Analog Classics Plus Bundle:
UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ
Marshall Plexi Classic Guitar Amp
Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp
UA 1176LN Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
UA 1176SE Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
Pultec EQP-1A EQ (Legacy)
Pultec Pro EQ (Legacy)
Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier (Legacy)
Fairchild 670 Compressor (Legacy)
Precision Enhancer Hz
Raw Distortion
Precision Channel Strip (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
Precision Reflection Engine (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
Precision Delay Mod (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
Precision Delay Mod L (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
RealVerb Pro Custom Room Modeler

LUNA Recording System for Mac

Included as a free download with all UA Thunderbolt audio interfaces, the LUNA Recording System is designed to give Apollo owners the most natural, inspiring and analog-sounding music production environment available for Mac. This digital system integrates directly with the hardware to deliver analog sound and creative immediacy. It uses real-time processes more commonly associated with analog recording, versus typical digital audio workstation (DAW) workflows.

Deep Integration With the Apollo Interface

In addition to its seamless hardware-software integration with Apollo and Arrow, the LUNA Recording System allows capturing audio through DSP-powered UAD plug-ins with no discernible latency. The system also includes Accelerated Realtime Monitoring, which provides fast analog-style tracking and overdubbing workflows using Apollo’s onboard DSP acceleration. LUNA's deep Apollo integration will be a revelation for anyone who has not recorded music on a highly expensive, DSP-assisted recording system. LUNA makes music production feel more robust, dependable and intuitive, without latency and monitoring hassles.

Extensions Built Directly Into the Software

The LUNA system works with a variety of exclusive LUNA extensions, including two that come free with download. These are not plug-ins that require multiple instances and windows—they are controlled from within the app. The Oxide LUNA extension comes free with download and features multitrack tape emulation, bringing the warmth and punch of tape to any audio or instrument track. For those who want to delve deeper into magnetic tape sounds, there is the Studer A800 multichannel tape recorder extension (sold separately). Other available options include the Neve Summing extension, which recreates the audio summing circuitry of the Neve 80-Series audio mixing consoles designed by Neve Electronics in the 1960s and early 70s.

LUNA Virtual Instruments

LUNA also features the first-ever virtual instruments from Universal Audio. Using their expertise in electrical and acoustic modeling, sampling, synthesis and signal processing, UA was able to make their LUNA instruments realistic, responsive and "alive." Free with download, LUNA includes the Shape creative toolkit with modern and vintage keys, drums/percussion, guitar/bass, orchestral content and real-time synthesis, courtesy of Universal Audio, Spitfire Audio, Orange Tree Samples, Loops de la Creme and more. Sold separately are premium instruments including the Moog Minimoog synthesizer and the Ravel grand piano, which is based on UA-exclusive samples of a Steinway Model B.

Other features include auto-saving, UAD and AU compatibility, auto-saving and AAF session imports from other DAWs. The LUNA system is free to all owners of Thunderbolt-equipped Universal Audio interfaces including Apollo and Arrow. It requires a modern Mac running macOS Mojave or later.