Universal audio Apollo X16 Gen 2 Essentials+

The Apollo X16 Essentials+ is a sound card from Universal Audio.

The new generation of UA's Apollo x16 interfaces has arrived, for artistic directors and professional studios needing 16 channels of digital audio conversion offering the highest possible resolution, and the HEXA Core DSP processor. They'll be able to connect their interface to a console and mix large projects with UAD's famous plug-ins, including Auto-Tune, emulations of equipment from Neve, Manley, Avalon, SSL and hundreds of other treatments.

The Apollo x16 has been a fixture in the world's most famous recording studios for years. Now it's your turn to enjoy UA's legendary sound and craftsmanship in your rack.

Apollo X16 Essentials+ highlights

• Work with state-of-the-art audio converters: never before has the Apollo boasted such a wide dynamic range and low distortion.


• Connect professional studio equipment with ease, thanks to 16 analog inputs/outputs available via DB-25 connectors, plus a switchable +24 dBu gain reserve setting.


• Access over 200 UAD DSP and native plug-ins, including the famous Capitol Chambers, Sound City Studios, EL8 Distressor and more.


• Record and work quickly and intuitively with LUNA. This STAN integrates seamlessly with the Apollo to give you the big analog sound of the most iconic studios, in real time.


• Mix anywhere with confidence, thanks to Apollo Monitor Correction powered by Sonarworks® technology.


• Hear the bottom end of your mixes in the finest detail using the Bass Manager when you add a subwoofer to your monitoring system.


• Set up low-latency headphone networks, plug-in scenes and immersive monitoring in just a few clicks with the UAD Console application.


• Choose between Essentials+ and Ultimate+ editions and receive thousands of dollars worth of UAD plug-ins, including Auto-Tune, Fairchild processors, Teletronix and more.

Apollo X16 Essentials+ Key Features

The famous Apollo X sound for your console and gear

Universal Audio has designed the second-generation Apollo x16 for sound engineers and producers who need the best sound quality in their professional analog studio. They'll enjoy the widest dynamic range and lowest distortion in the history of the Apollo. This model interfaces easily with analog equipment and patches, thanks to its DB-25 connections offering +24 dBu gain reserve, its 16 x 18 channels of A/D and D/A conversion, and its stereo AES input.

Hundreds of analog sounds in a single rack unit

The Apollo x16 is available in two editions, each accompanied by a generous suite of UAD plug-ins. You'll be able to mix with classic Teletronix LA-2A and 1176 compressors, Pultec equalizers and API and SSL console slices, not to mention modern processing such as Antares Auto-Tune, Avalon effects and more.

Mix in surround

The Apollo x16 supports mixing formats up to 9.1.6. This means you can easily create immersive 16-channel audio mixes for Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D, Sony 360 Reality Audio and other configurations.

UAD Console, the application that adapts to your needs

The Apollo x16's powerful digital mixing engine lets you control plug-in routing and monitoring. And thanks to new features such as a bass manager, immersive sound support up to Atmos 9.1.6 and plug-in scenes, you'll have no trouble creating an optimal working environment.

A hybrid system for all your projects

Combine the Apollo x16's HEXA Core DSP with plug-ins running on your host computer to work on large-scale sessions with complex processing chains, a powerful hybrid environment that outperforms any native recording setup.

Your studio grows with you

Chain up to four Apollo x16s to benefit from 64 channels of state-of-the-art A/D and D/A conversion, an ideal configuration when you need to work with large recording consoles. You can also combine an x16 with other Apollo Thunderbolt rack-mounted interfaces, and control everything from your desk with an Apollo Twin or x4. No matter how far your music takes you, you'll always find an Apollo close at hand.

Expert opinions

• The Apollo X16 Essentials offers unrivalled audio quality thanks to its high-precision A/D and D/A conversion. With an outstanding signal-to-noise ratio and wide dynamic range, this interface ensures that every nuance of your recording is faithfully captured.


• The Apollo X16's preamps are world-renowned. With features such as auto-gain and real-time UAD processing, this sound card offers incredible flexibility for vocal and instrumental recordings. Users particularly appreciate the warmth and transparency of these preamps.


• The Universal Audio Apollo X16 Essentials is an exceptional choice for audio professionals looking for a high-quality sound card. Its blend of audio performance, advanced features and flexibility makes it a wise investment for modern music studios.