Apogee’s Element 24, 46 and 88 are Thunderbolt audio I/O boxes for Mac. The Element Series takes the best of cutting-edge Apogee gear like Symphony I/O Mk II, Ensemble Thunderbolt and Groove and puts it into simple form factors. With streamlined hardware features and advanced software control, the Element series delivers ultimate recording quality and performance at unprecedented prices.

Element 24 and Element 46 are no longer available

The Elements of Excellent Audio

Analog to Digital Conversion

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.

Microphone Preamps

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.

Digital to Analog Conversion

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.

Clocking

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.

Thunderbolt Connectivity

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.

Great-sounding plugins for Element
that work the way you want to

Apogee FX Rack Plugins are made with the same quest for quality and obsessive attention to detail as Apogee hardware products. Thanks to Apogee’s unique DualPath DSP-Native technology, Apogee FX Rack plugins can run both on the hardware DSP in Ensemble Thunderbolt and Element Series interfaces and as native plugins on your Mac. Apogee’s DualPath technology opens up a variety of popular, simplified workflows, always with the lowest latency. No other system offers this level of flexibility and sound quality.

Featuring DualPath monitoring, available exclusively
with Ensemble Thunderbolt and Element Series interfaces

Learn More about Apogee FX Rack

Control the Elements

Element 24, 46 and 88 are built to be controlled by a powerful software eco-system. With the Element series you have more control options than ever before.

Learn more

Compare the Elements

Element 24

Element 46

Element 88

Analog Inputs	2 Combi mic/line/instrument inputs with mic preamps and selectable 48v phantom power	4 Combi mic/line/instrument inputs with mic preamps and selectable 48v phantom power	4 Combi mic/line/instrument inputs with mic preamps and selectable 48v phantom power 4 XLR IN with mic preamps and selectable 48v phantom power
Analog Outputs	2 balanced L/R XLR monitor outputs 1 independent 1/4″ stereo headphone output	2 balanced L/R XLR monitor outputs 2 independent 1/4″ stereo headphone output	2 balanced L/R XLR outputs 2 balanced 1/4″ outputs 2 independent 1/4″ stereo headphone output
Digital I/O	8 ADAT/Optical inputs and outputs	8 ADAT/Optical inputs and outputs	16 ADAT/Optical inputs and outputs
Power	External power supply (included)	External power supply (included)	External power supply (included)
AD/DA Conversion Quality	Comparable to Ensemble Thunderbolt	Comparable to Ensemble Thunderbolt	Comparable to Ensemble Thunderbolt
Connection to Computer	Thunderbolt	Thunderbolt	Thunderbolt
Hardware DSP	Apogee FX Rack	Apogee FX Rack	Apogee FX Rack

Element 24, 46 and 88 are built to work together. Connect any two Elements directly to a Thunderbolt port on your computer and increase the number of Analog I/O in your recording system. When using multiple Elements, the Optical I/O is for the low latency mixer internal bussing.

Combine the Elements

Element 24 and Element 46

Element 46 and Element 88

Element 88 and Element 88

Element 24, 46 and 88 are built to work together. Connect any two Elements directly to a Thunderbolt port on your computer and increase the number of Analog I/O in your recording system. When using multiple Elements, the Optical I/O is for the low latency mixer internal bussing.

Expand your Ensemble studio for less with any Element Series interface

Ensemble and Element 24

Ensemble and Element 46

Ensemble and Element 88

Plug any Element Series interface directly into an Ensemble Thunderbolt to expand your studio with Ensemble quality I/O. Element and Ensemble are made to work together using Apogee Control software and the Apogee Control desktop hardware remote. Watch this video to see how easy it is.

Reviews

Element 88 Product Overview

Element 88

Product Overview

Take a look at Apogee’s feature-packed 16×16 Thunderbolt audio interface, Element 88.
With onboard DSP, flexible control options, Thunderbolt connectivity and superior Apogee audio circuitry, Element 88 delivers a supercharged recording experience at an unprecedented price.

To get started, let’s look at the first stage of your audio signal path, Element 88’s analog inputs. Element includes 8 of our Advanced Stepped Gain mic preamps, whose quality and performance rival those of much more expensive standalone preamps. With a class-leading 75 dB gain range plus an analog circuit that dynamically optimizes for the lowest distortion and noise at every gain setting, Element 88’s mic preamps capture everything from the thunderous impact of a drum kit to the delicate nuances of fingerpicked acoustic guitar.

Analog inputs 1 to 4 also include quarter-inch instrument inputs with a high impedance bridging circuit, so keyboards, guitars and other instruments maintain a bright and present sound. The next stage of your signal path is the analog to digital conversion, a technology for which Apogee has led the field for over 35 years. Element 88 continues this tradition of excellence, offering the best A to D and D to A conversion performance in its class. Thanks to Element’s Thunderbolt connectivity and Apogee’s custom driver, you’ll experience vanishingly low latency while maintaining a low CPU load, so more of your Mac’s processing power is available to your DAW. Element 88’s analog outputs offer exactly what you need – 2 XLR and 2 TRS line outputs that can be configured to switch between 2 speaker sets or independent stereo outputs, plus 2 high power headphone outputs with completely independent routing. So, how is it that we can offer superior conversion and mic preamps while maintaining affordability? We’ve made Element’s chassis extremely robust and, as you may have noticed, rather minimalist. By omitting hardware controls, we’re able to offer higher quality audio circuitry at a price per channel that’s unmatched in today’s audio interface market. That said, there are more options to control Element 88 than we’ve ever offered before:

Apogee Control for Mac is our highly customizable software app that features the convenient Essentials window. This compact arrangement of mic pre, headphone and speaker level controls can be positioned next to your DAW window for quick access during your session. Apogee Control for iOS gives you control of Element mic pre, headphone and speaker level controls via WiFi – a great feature for artists who engineer their own sessions. Finally, the Apogee Control Remote accessory gives you comprehensive, customizable hardware controls right at your fingertips.

Perhaps one of Element’s most innovative features is our DualPath plugin workflow, which allows you to run Apogee FX plugins on Element’s internal hardware DSP AND natively in your favorite DAW. Using our Dualpath Link feature that interconnects DSP and Native plugin parameter control, Direct monitoring with plugins becomes easy and intuitive. For a detailed look at DualPath, check out our standalone video.

Now, If you’re a Logic Pro user, Element 88 includes integration features that aren’t available from any other brand audio interface. With mic pre controls right in the Channel strip, the Apogee-exclusive Direct button that magically eliminates latency, and unique support for DualPath plugins, the Element 88 – Logic Pro system offers integration that other systems can only dream of. Regardless of your DAW, Element 88 offers superior audio quality, uniquely flexible and intuitive workflows plus innovative plugin functionality that will enhance your creativity and supercharge your studio.

Getting Started with Symphony Desktop

FX Plugins Product Overview

DualPath Plugin Monitoring Product Overview

Clearmountain’s Plugins Product Overview

Symphony I/O Mk II Product Overview

Symphony Desktop Product Overview

Apogee Element’s Tight Integration with Logic Pro X – Chris Vandeviver | Why Logic Pro Rules

Apogee Element’s Tight Integration with Logic Pro X

Chris Vandeviver | Why Logic Pro Rules

Chris Vandeviver is a Youtube music educator and founder of the channel and blog Why Logic Pro Rules, a site dedicated to helping Logic users achieve more with their music.

He recently reached out to share his recent 3-part video series of his journey to find and test the best audio interface to use with Logic Pro X.

Check out his videos to learn how after comparing audio interfaces Chris determined Apogee Element’s sonic quality and tight integration is the best user experience for Logic users, and how Dual-Path DSP and FX Rack enable Logic users to monitor with plugins without latency.

What’s the Best Audio Interface For Logic Pro Users? I Decided to Find Out
– Why Logic Pro Rules

How the Element Tightly Integrates With Logic Pro X

Apogee’s FX Rack and Dual Path DSP in Logic Pro X

Read The Complete Blog Post of Chris’s Journey:

What’s the Best Audio Interface For Logic Pro Users? WLPR Decided to Find Out And Compare the Top 3 Audio Interface Brands

Chris Vandeviver
Producer, Engineer, Founder of Why Logic Pro Rules

@vandeviper
whylogicprorules.com

Element Series

“I recently upgraded to the Apogee Element Series, and I can honestly say the DIFFERENCE IS INCREDIBLE! “

“I’ve been in love with Apogee products ever since I was introduced to the Apogee Duet2. I owned 2 of them for several years and admired them and their sound quality. I recently upgraded to the Apogee Element Series, and I can honestly say the DIFFERENCE IS INCREDIBLE! The sound out of the element 88 is round with tons of depth. The top end gives air and pristine clarity WITHOUT EVER becoming harsh or sterile. The midrange and bottom end is round, clear, and tight. These sound characteristics remain true through out the entire element interface, whether it be recording or playback. Essentially everything just sounds better with an Apogee element interface, much BETTER.

The Element 88’s design is simple, functional and made with precision to detail. The build quality is sturdy and seems bullet proof!

The Apogee Control software is user friendly, intuitive, and just looks flippin sweet on Mac or iPhone. I love the minimalist design and color schemes. The intergration between Logic and Apogee is impressive and makes recording much easier and more efficient. OH and did I mention ZERO LATENCY??

I’ve had to wait several years to purchase this product and I can honestly say it was WORTH IT. THANK YOU APOGEE for making excellent products, and for being a company that cares about quality and their customers. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the FUTURE! “

Thanks,

-Luke

Apogee Element Customer

Element 88 Product Overview

July 8, 2020

Learn how after comparing audio interfaces Chris determined Apogee Element's sonic quality and tight integration is the best user experience for Logic users, and how Dual-Path DSP and FX Rack enable Logic users to monitor with plugins without latency.

Pro Sound News – Review of Apogee Element Series Thunderbolt Audio Interfaces

September 18, 2017

"It is the perfect blend between functionality, portability and cost without compromise in quality. The elimination of physical controls is the primary contributor to the Element Series’ affordability; while that made me a bit reluctant, I haven’t missed the controls a bit.”