
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.
Related Videos






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:
Chris Vandeviver
Producer, Engineer, Founder of Why Logic Pro Rules
“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
“Apogee’s tight integration with macOS is really something that stands out from the competition.”
“I purchased my Element 24 to replace my old interface from another company. I honestly did not expect such a big difference in sound quality, but Element 24 is a lot cleaner and without any distorting or harsh frequencies.
Apogee’s tight integration with macOS is really something that stands out from the competition. For example, the fact that you can easily change the output volume with the volume keys on your keyboard without reaching over to the interface is super convenient. Personally, I do not miss having any knobs on the interface especially because the potentiometer on my old interface was the first thing that broke.”
Oliver Wosnitza
Apogee Element Customer
“It’s the perfect interface for my needs.”
“The Element 24 offers me the amazing sounding D-A that Ive always loved from Apogee. This makes it an amazing output for my ITB mixes. Using optical inputs I can seamlessly use my rig when dry hiring tracking rooms. The software control is simple, elegant and intuitive. It’s the perfect interface for my needs.”
James Aparicio
Apogee Element Customer
The Apogee Element 88 is a true game-changer!
“The Apogee Element 88 is a true game-changer. Despite owning a collection of top-level preamps and other outboard gear, I find myself frequently using Element’s onboard preamps for a reliably massive and honest sound. It’s true to life, just warmer. The intuitive layout of Apogee Control’s GUI has instantly streamlined my workflow at tracking which suits both me and my clients. The unit itself is constructed like a beast and I smile every time I look at it — not a single knob or digital display to ever fail on me, and I feel totally at ease bringing the unit around for location work. As expected, setup was a total breeze and the deep integration with my Mac and with Logic is worth about a million bucks to me. ”
Matthew James
Apogee Element 88 Customer
Element 24 Customer Review
“I purchased Element24 to replace my old rosetta-Big Ben combo, I thought I was settling for a slightly lesser converter but boy I was so wrong! Don’t be fooled by the price, Element 24 is one hell of a device and for the price-point it’s really silly cheap. The only workaround in this unit is the almost-nihilistic front panel, they don’t compromise with the AD/DA, and you should check out the headphone amps, bloody stellar! Usually other manufacturers overlook this section, but not Apogee.
Sound wise, obviously it has that Apogee sound that people love dearly, compared to my mastering DAC from another company, I dare say that Apogee is musical, while my mastering DAC is critical, I need musical converters to inspire me from the get go. Oh well, I guess I’m bound to this company for life, LOL.”
Reyner Ferdinand
Apogee Element 24 Customer
Thank you Apogee for a marvelous piece of gear!
“I have used my Element 24 for a couple of weeks now and I am very satisfied with everything about it. I absolutely love the software and its “easy to understand layout” no problems for me at all. Just working. The preamps and the way they response to anything i put in there sounds fantastic even if i push them really hard. My money well spent and if it gets stolen I will buy a new unit as soon as the music store opens.”
Johan Edman
Apogee Element 24 Owner
Apogee was the best studio move I’ve ever made
“Clear and full preamps. Detailed and articulate sound that’s also astonishingly smooth — there’s no frequency smearing here, nor congested low mids or abrasive upper mids. I have yet to play through a better hi-Z instrument/bass DI. My Duet 2 was very good, and the Element is even better.
I came back to Apogee after owning an interface from another company; I loved my Duet 2 but had wanted to have an interface that supported DSP. The other interface, while costing four times the amount of the Duet, just didn’t sound as good.
Coming back to Apogee was the best studio move I’ve ever made. The Element’s sound is so clear and yet is in no way clinical or sterile… I can only describe it as full, smooth, balanced and musical. Outstanding.”
Jay Swartzfeger
Apogee Element 24 Customer
Element 88 Customer Review
“The mic preamps are the usual high-quality from Apogee: very clean and plenty of low-noise gain, but now I have more of them. At first I was concerned about not having any physical control knobs or switches, but I found the Control software is very well designed; you simply hop from one channel to another with the left-right arrow keys, and adjust the mic gain in 1 dB increments using the up-down arrow keys. Very simple, efficient, and precise. Or, you can control mic gain directly from within Logic. As a result, the Element 88 takes up even less space on my cramped workspace desk than the Duet – since I never need to touch it, I keep it on a shelf underneath my desk. Awesome!”
Colm Boran
Apogee Element 88 owner
A benchmark that’s hard to beat
“Apogee Element series removes the latency issue when playing guitar with amp emulation software. Combine Apogee’s super high quality pre-amp circuits and easy to use mixer software and you have a benchmark that’s hard to beat. I use a lot of different audio interfaces in my work and I can honestly say that I was blown away by the performance of the Element 24. We recently used the Apogee Element 24 to demonstrate our guitar amp emulation software at a trade show in Germany, we’ll be using the device again at Winter NAMM.
Mike Scuffham
Apogee Element Customer
Element 88 customer review
“The first time I plugged Element 88 at my studio, I already felt the sound with exceptional quality, and that’s something I will never give up!! What for me was something liberating, being accustomed to analog equipment, was the fact that Element 88 works perfectly in my workflow even if it has no knobs at all!!! I’ve been using Element 88 live and in the studio and today I no longer see myself having to go to the interface to make adjustments, I think when a product improves the way your work flows, without giving up the sound quality, it’s worth every penny!!!”
Daniel (Faadiah)
Apogee Customer
The Element 88 is the perfect fit!!!
“The Apogee Element 88 is exactly what I needed. I wanted a simple, streamlined interface with eight built-in mic preamps so I could record my drums, or a combination of other instruments, without having to hook up additional devices—and the Element 88 is the perfect fit.
I’m also digging the Element Control software. Since I normally set levels from my computer anyway, using Element Control makes perfect sense. I love being able to access Element Control from my tablet and smartphone—that’s especially handy when I’m positioned a little too far from the computer.
Most importantly, the Element sounds great. The preamps are among the best I’ve used. And the output quality is excellent, just as it is with all my Apogee products. I’m very happy with the purchase.”
Greg Thomas
Apogee Element Customer
Works Great with No Issues so Far
Apogee Element 46 / Controller
“Sound quality, hardware / software control, ergonomics of having the controller anywhere, ease of use, and dependability, all add up to a stellar experience for me. The price just makes it one of the best purchases I’ve made in years. NO buyers remorse for me for the Apogee Element!!”
Dennis Kim from Hawaii
From Sweetwater
What an Interface!!!!! No frills just great sound!!!!!
“I personally am not someone who needs tons of bells and whistles in his interface. What I do want is the cleanest and best preamps I can find for a reasonable price. If that is what you are looking for…this is the interface for you. Pair it up with the Apogee remote, and you have an amazing mobile recording studio in the quality that only Apogee can provide. I have used other brands in the past, but I am proud to say the only interface that I have been perpetually loyal to is Apogee. The software integration and quality of sound make it a sure winner!!!!!”
Matthew T from Boston, MA
From Sweetwater
Wow — Yes, Thank you APOGEE!
“I’ve worked on SSL, Neve, API, and Focusrite consoles in major studios. I’m no longer in the music business, but I wanted a little home set up to make some music, and listen to music….This thing sounds amazing!
4 decent mic pres / great instrument and line inputs, two great main outputs, awesome conversion, two FANTASTIC headphone outs. This box complements the Focal Alpha 50s well. Such a simple little setup and I feel like I’m in a recording studio again, it sounds like a mini console, the mute and dim features sound like an SSL – and the element control software feels like it might be intuitive.
In this budget, for my purpose I’m happy to sacrifice buttons and features for SOUND QUALITY, after all as far as I recall that is the purpose of this stuff.”
Element 46 Customer
From Sweetwater
Brilliant

Element 88 Product Overview

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

Recording Magazine – Apogee Element Review

Music Radar – Apogee Element 46 Review

Sound on Sound – Element Series Review

Ask Audio – Apogee Element 24 Review

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