Apollo x16
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Apollo x16
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N. PICCIOTTO
APOLLO X16 (2 UNITS)
I'm a Blessed owner of the following hardware from Universal Audio: Apollo DUO Thunderbolt, UAD-2 SATELLITE OCTO, Apollo X4, and finally 2 X16 units. Unique Top Notch Hardware I've been dreaming for years finally come true into our Swiss Vintage Studio!
As previously expressed: Blessed!!!
A. Cataldo
From black to X series
I updated my Apollo system from black to X seires. I've always been happy with apollo. Configurations, routing, connections, uad cores ... but above all today I have to enjoy the new converters on board! I love them. upgrade fully successful with so much satisfaction!
E. Yun
Finally~
I upgraded to an Apollo x16. I had used a lot of highend interface.
X16 is the best sounding audio I’ve heard.
R. Marchante Angulo
Just awesome
A great addition to my UAD set up. I'm eagerly waiting for the Satellite Octo too!!
j. kalaf
Apollo X16
I upgraded from the original Apollo 16 (silver face) which I have been using non-stop since its inception. The original was a fantastic interface that ran my studio without a glitch for 5 or 6 years and the X16 seems like I'm going to be using it for many years as well. There is an improvement in the audio quality, I would imagine as a result of the newer converters (mostly in the low end) and some additional perks in terms of routing and increased processing power. Still waiting on the satellite which will give me more options. A great upgrade for the audio quality alone. Well done UAD!!!
A. Carlsson
10 out of five stars!!!
Not much to say, a knock-out victory compared to my old interface.
A. Maietta
A new level of audio recording for my home studio for sure
I upgraded to an Apollo x16 after about 14 years building up preamps while recording on other audio interfaces. I have found that with my old audio interfaces, I ended up spending SO MUCH time using eq/compression/other plugins, just tweaking my tracks to 'un-muddy' the mix in order to hear all the elements in it. I've not changed my technique, preamps, microphones, or anything: With the Apollo x16 the things I record are just clearly recorded, and my mixes from the get-go sound the way I had always thought I've been tracking them. Now I spend far more time in the mix on the important things; composition, identifying a few problem sound issues in tracks perhaps, and putting together the song as a whole.
The 6-core CPU provides for a pretty usable amount of UAD plugs in a session. I can have plugins on all 16 tracks (Studer tape deck, for example) and have some CPU to spare for a few more of the really nice sounding UAD plugins.
I also appreciate how the routing and other variables can be changed in software, and how the plugins through the console work with zero latency even when I'm software monitoring in Logic because I'm tracking myself in the control room!
Overall this unit is the best sounding audio interface I've ever used and has already helped me create the best sounding material I've ever recorded. I'm appreciative of UA support for helping me out with some issues/questions I had, and I look forward to years of tracking cool stuff with the x16
J. A
Amazing
Amazing product great customer service incredible plug-ins I can’t say nothing but great things and the sound is incredible !!
J. Poole
Put through the paces
After having an X16 for a few months I cannot find any weaknesses in the platform. The only thing that could be an improvement is allowing the user to add effects on the monitor output channel like the Soundgrid platform, that way I can add a compressor and normalize the playback of a movie when the dialog is too quiet and the sound effects are too loud. That's not a complaint, but it would be nice...
B. Harvey
Dissapointed
After a few weeks of some issues, I finally got the Apollo x16 and x8p working well together. A few times I sat on hold with UAD tech support for over an hour waiting for someone to answer the phone (once it was 2 hours on hold after calling just 5 minutes after they opened their support). They must be busy fixing a lot of issues or very short handed. Their turn around on public forums is near nothing where their customers have posted questions and listed issues with no responses. Their staff si nice and friendly, when you get them, but be prepared to wait on hold a long LONG time.
As for the gear, I have the Apollo x16 and x8p. I also bought EVERY plugin they have. All of them - which according to my account is over 162 plug-ins.
The signal passes well and the sound is good for sure. I had upgraded from a Focusrtie Clarett expecting this to be outstanding in comparison, but it's really only a slight negligible improvement in sound. However, the Focusrite software is far FAR superior for routing IMHO, which is a huge surprise given all the hype around UAD Console. But after some research, I found many others offering similar reviews in comparison. Yes you get lots of outputs in the x16 and x8p combined, but the software ties your hands on how well you can configure it with only 4 cues to route multi signal paths too. Also, the ALT monitoring, only sends through one at a time. For some this might be fine, for, I found it useless. I wish I could us the Focusrtite software over Console. Focusrtie isn't fancy, but the routing is a breeze and very flexible. I spent a few days learning the Console, and finally accepted that it is just limited in comparison. Check the reviews, look deep and you'll find the same comments from many others.
The UAD plugins are okay. But to be honest, I don't think they are really that spectacular. I have about 3,000+ plugins from many vendors. The UAD holds their own fine, but they are NOT much better then many others I have. Many I doubt I would ever use. And they are very expensive. Be prepared to spend a lot of money if you want them all.
I spent more than $15,000 on this system and wish I never looked at it. I wish I never even knew about it. Huge regrets. Save youresefl the money and hasle and check out the Focusrite Clarett, save a LOT of money, get better routing and just as good latency. (yes the Clarett shows thee same latency with USB and I see with TB3). And seriously, the pre-amps on the Clarett are not as good, but they are very close in the ballpark, You'd be surprised.
My comments here are very similar to many others I have found, but I think UAD and other suppress (Sweetwater included) these types of reviews. As an experiment, I am going to pose this on other sites as well, including UAD. You check and see if it posts.
Oh man, I so wish I never bought this. Don't get me wrong, it is decent for sure, and the preamps are really good. No doubt. But it is definitely not worth the extra aggravation and loss of flexible routing ease at a huge price tag. Not even close to worth it.
Summary:
Pros:
- great pre-amps. Unsion is great. Even the basic line ins on the x16 are really good. This is the best feature of the system.
- Console app can handle some plugins and offer near zero latency (it is NOT zero). So, tracking is nice and that part is flexible
- the hardware seems solid.
- the staff is friendly
Cons:
- Expensive plugins - but only marginally average performance over others that cost much less
- Horrible routing options. I mean horrible when you consider the hardware's capability and what Console does not allow you to do! Makes me wonder why even have the expensive outputs when they are so limited. This is my biggest gripe at this point. I needed to put my x32 back in action to do what it can't. grr!
- their support is friendly, but you may need to take vacation day to a hold of them!
L. Powell
Thing is excellent
Solid converter, bought it to replace an Apogee Symphony that had an unbearable amount of fan noise. Sounds just as great, takes up 1RU (though you need to leave a space above for air flow) and the DSP on board is handy too. The converter quality is pretty much up there with anything pro level these days (Apogee, Avid etc).
w. shenck
Awesome x16.
Once you learn the unit, it's truly amazing. Quality product. If it's in your budget get it. Linkable for plenty of i/o.
R. Tiburcio
The hart of my studio
This is just amazing , those monitors out are just the best !!
A. BOUCHER
Finally have the outs I need!
This is a great addition to my UA lineup of interfaces: Apollo x16, Apollo 8p, Satellite quad duo, 4710d, Apollo Twin duo. I finally have enough outs to send my mix busses to the summing mixer for mixdown! Not to mention the awesome flexibility of having multiple Cue Mixes to send to the band.
I have only tracked a few sessions of drums and guitar, bass but am pleased w the outcome, clean highs more detail from the mids and lows and plenty of headroom! Makes tracking a breeze! I am a Committed UA Fan and user! Thank you!
V. Manoukian
A Natural Solid Sound
I just purchased two X16s and I am very happy. I moved to the Windows platform last year and my previous interface was an Apogee Symphony. The Apollo X16 makes me just as happy on the Windows platform.
A. Nwankoti
Depth and Clarity...Horse Power!!!
This is a great innovation and the dsp gives my cpu freedom to breath, I am running on a 2013 imac was about to upgrade but now I do not need to!! I used an orion 32(which is a great converter) and played back those mixes through the Apollo x16...I realized that I over compensated on the low end and less detail on stereo image. In essence this card will reveal the depth and spaces of your project, tweaking sounds and shaping the dynamics is now fun and quicker!! You have to use great studio monitors like Amphions or Unity Rocks or any precise high end monitors, to hear the detail that this card projects.
Thanks for the Vouchers and legacy plus classic collection bundle!! They sound Amazing and the crafting is an engineers dream! I love the X16! DOPE! DOPE! DOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
J. van de Ven
Awesome
Love the new converters, clock and extra DSP!
w. wang
非常感谢UA的产品！
目前使用一切满意，希望将来能支持 Pro Tools HD接口！
D. Spatharakis
Astra Studio Chicago
Very impressive conversion on the new Apolo X this is my this third interface from UAD.
Thank you for a quality product!!!!
D. Spatharakis
Astra Studio Chicago
Very impressive conversion on the new Apolo X this is my this third interface from UAD.
Thank you for a quality product!!!!