Product Overview

Studio Sound Meets Live Stage: The Ultimate Dante-Enabled UAD Engine

The Apollo x16D Essentials+ Edition marks a major evolution in the Apollo family, merging legendary analog modeling hardware with the industry-standard Dante Ethernet protocol. Designed to slide seamlessly into digital live sound console ecosystems (such as Avid, Yamaha, DiGiCo, or Allen & Heath) or network-driven studio complexes, the x16D handles 16 channels of digital routing directly over clean CAT5e/CAT6 cables, replacing heavy analog snakes and complex patchbays with flawless, scalable digital audio.

On stage, it acts as a massive outboard FX rack, allowing live engineers to load chains of studio compressors, EQs, and reverbs and recall them instantly via MIDI Plug-In Scenes without disrupting a performance. In the studio, it transforms into an all-in-one immersive mixing matrix, supporting monitoring formats up to 9.1.6 Dolby Atmos with internal, DSP-driven Bass Management. Connecting via ultra-fast Thunderbolt 3, you can network up to four x16D units together for a massive 64-channel Dante system with full network redundancy, all backed by UA's rock-solid driver architecture.

Product Description

Realtime UAD DSP & Live Console Integration:

The heart of the Apollo x16D is its 6-core HEXA Core processing engine. This onboard DSP runs heavy, authentic analog hardware emulations directly within the interface, bypassing your computer's CPU entirely. Live sound and broadcast engineers can apply legendary studio processing—such as Teletronix compressors, Pultec EQs, and Auto-Tune—on live vocal and instrument channels with sub-2ms latency. Thanks to the updated UAD Console App, users can build custom channel strips, configure auxiliary sends, and trigger instant MIDI scene changes mid-show to switch vocal effects or instrument processing between songs flawlessly.

Elite-Class D/A Conversion & Immersive Control Room Hub:

While the I/O routing is handled digitally over network infrastructure, the Apollo x16D features a master-grade analog stereo monitor output path. Redesigned with premium 24-bit/192kHz converters and Dual-Crystal clocking for ultra-low jitter, it hits a spectacular 133 dB of dynamic range. This lets engineers monitor live streams or studio mixes with clinical accuracy. When the concert ends and it’s time to mix the record, the x16D supports native multi-channel surround arrays up to 9.1.6 spatial configurations. Advanced internal Linkwitz-Riley crossovers handle hardware-level Bass Management to properly distribute low frequencies to subwoofers, ensuring accurate translation for Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D, and spatial streaming.

Hardware-Layer Room Correction & Redundant Safety:

To counter acoustic deficiencies in broadcast trucks or poorly treated venues, the x16D features Apollo Monitor Correction powered by Sonarworks®. You can load SoundID Reference profiles directly onto the internal hardware DSP. Your monitors or headphones receive precise EQ correction and speaker time-alignment at the hardware layer with zero system latency. For critical live environments where failure is not an option, the dual Ethernet ports can be set to Redundant Mode inside Dante Controller, guaranteeing real-time automatic failover if a primary network cable is damaged.

The Essentials+ Software Suite:

Out of the box, the Essentials+ package equips you with 28 premium UAD plug-in titles. This handpicked selection provides foundational tools for live tuning and studio polishing, including the Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection, 1176LN/SE Legacy Compressors, Pultec Passive EQ Collection, Helios Type 69 Preamp & EQ, Oxide Tape Recorder, Galaxy Tape Echo, Pure Plate Reverb, and Auto-Tune Realtime Access for low-latency pitch correction on stage.

Key Features

• 16x16 DANTE NETWORK I/O: Bidirectional digital audio streaming over Ethernet, supporting AES67 at 48 kHz for effortless system routing.

• 6-CORE HEXA CORE DSP PROCESSING: Powerhouse onboard SHARC DSP chips offload plugin modeling calculations to eliminate computer latency.

• ELITE GEN 2 MASTERING MONITOR OUT: Vanishingly clean XLR monitor outputs providing a 133 dB dynamic range and an ultra-pure -129 dB THD+N floor.

• 9.1.6 IMMERSIVE AUDIO SUPPORT: Integrated multi-channel routing and monitor switching tailored for Dolby Atmos, complete with internal bass management.

• APOLLO MONITOR CORRECTION SUPPORT: Runs Sonarworks® SoundID Reference room-calibration profiles directly on internal DSP without taxing your CPU.

• LIVE PLUGIN SCENES VIA MIDI: Save, organize, and recall entire plugin chains instantly over MIDI commands during a live set or broadcast.

• DUAL PORT NETWORK REDUNDANCY: Configure the interface in Redundant Mode for seamless, instantaneous audio failover protection in high-stakes environments.

• SCALABLE NETWORK GROWTH: Daisy-chain up to four x16D interfaces over Thunderbolt to command a massive 64-channel Dante system at 96 kHz.

• 28 ESSENTIALS+ PLUG-INS INCLUDED: Unlocks classic Teletronix leveling amplifiers, Pultec EQs, Pure Plate Reverb, and Auto-Tune Realtime Access.

• NATIVE LUNA DAW BINDING: Seamless hardware-software integration with UA’s LUNA software for an efficient, analog console-style workflow.

Technical Specifications