Apogee Electronics has announced their new Element Series, three Thunderbolt audio I/O boxes for Mac.
Element 24, Element 46 and Element 88, each with a different number of analog and digital I/O, introduces a new “control ecosystem” that features a blend of software and hardware options.
The Element Series are designed to offer Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt recording quality in affordable audio interfaces.
The Element series uses Apogee’s rock solid Thunderbolt driver for 1.41ms round-trip latency when using Logic Pro X. As an added element, the series also features Apogee Groove’s headphone output technology. This design dynamically optimizes sound quality for a wide variety of headphones, regardless of their impedance. you have connected.
The highly configurable Element Control software for Mac lets users set up workflows that meet their needs and the Element Control for iOS App lets them control the Elements remotely over WiFi. Logic Pro X users can adjust Element I/O settings directly from their Logic Channel strips. And for those wanting more traditional desktop control, there’s the optional Apogee Control hardware, featuring a Duet like form-factor with 8 assignable buttons and a master control knob.
“The Element Series delivers incredible performance at outstanding prices,” says Betty Bennett, Co-Founder and CEO of Apogee. “The streamlined physical hardware takes a very direct approach, allowing us to maximize the components that are most important to sound quality. In addition, the Element Control ecosystem takes the audio interface user experience a step forward while giving customers more options.”
Here’s the official intro video:
https://youtu.be/-1uKKKqSu7o
Highlights:
- New family of Thunderbolt audio interfaces for Mac
- Element 24: 10 IN x 12 OUT
- Element 46: 12 IN x 14 OUT
- Element 88: 16 IN x 16 OUT
- Sound quality equal to Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt
- AD/DA conversion for recording up to 192kHz/24-bit
- World-class mic preamps built-in, with selectable 48v phantom power
- 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
Price and Availability:
- Element 24 – $595 USD – Available November 2016
- Element 46 – $895 USD – Now Shipping Worldwide
- Element 88 – $1495 USD – Now Shipping Worldwide
- Element Control for Mac – Available as download from Apogee’s website
- Element Control for iOS – Now Available for Free from Apple’s App Store
- Apogee Control Hardware Remote – $195 USD – Available November 2016
See the Apogee site for more info.
Well, they look like a DIY project
Yes. Wow. They are surprisingly visually unattractive. Not ‘inexpensive’ either, considering they’re totally software dependent (i.e. not significantly future-proof)
As with all Apogee audio interfaces, it is the outstanding sound quality that matters and software dependency means it is future proof.
Have to agree though, they do look very spartan indeed.
Or you could get a Focusrite Clarett for much less and still have excellent sound quality and actual knobs!
Absolutely, no brainer IMHO.
Hmm..I wonder why they didnt make this unit in a rack size/form. Its not really made for studio use then :/
I just have no interest in these applications where you basically need two computers to operate them. The interface needs to stand alone. Awful concept. My iPad is an instrument.
Given the lack of support for the firewire Ensemble which has essentially rendered a £1500 box useless, I’m never going to buy Apogee equipment again. Also, this does look very cheap.
What a load of rubbish. Apple stopped supporting FireWire since ElCapitan and therefore there is not much point for Apogee to release new software for their entire range of FW product line. That DOESN’T render Apogee iFW interfaces “useless”.
Nothing has changed, if your FW interface worked prior ElCapitan release, it will still work perfectly under the latest macOS Sierra as well. How do I know this..?
My humble FW Duet works like a charm under macOS Sierra on my ageing late 2009 27″ i7 iMac 🙂
BTW; Love the specs and features of new Elements, hate the built and design – very un Apogee like and looks like DIY job from RadioShack…
Wow Apogee finally went full retard. I guess not removing the headphone jack should be seen as a provocative gesture towards Apple
Specs says: ADAT: 8 channels 44.1-48 kHz on 1 Toslink connector
88 has 2 ADAT, does this mean 24 channels @ 96 Khz ?
TB2 or TB 3 hardware ? Spec doesn’t say. Windows officially only supports TB3.
Seems this is the FR Clarett competitor.
Yes, MAC MAC MAC MAC MAC MAC ONLY
Windows/Linux support please.
Why do they say the 88 has 16 channels when it’s really 8 channels, plug expandability for another 8? A lot of products tend to do this and unless I’m missing something, it seems ridiculously misleading.
Love it – Always wanted to have access to Ensemble sound quality without the bells and whistles Very very clever product positioning – I’m in – nice work guys and gals!
Glad they left all the pots off. Good move! Who needs antique interfaces like non-virtual rotational potentiometers? I am a little confused by the inclusion of headphone jacks. Apple-up people! This is the new millennium. Either sell a separate(proprietary) and expensive DAC just for phones, or forget it. I do give it 10 out of 10 for sheer ugliness however. Next Apogee offering: smooth featureless block-like thing. Power LED sold separately.