At Musikmesse 2013, Universal Audio has announced the Apollo 16 Audio Interface.

Apollo 16 is Universal Audio’s flagship 24-bit/192 kHz audio interface, delivering 16 x 16 analog I/O – twice the analog connectivity of the original Apollo model. This uncompromising FireWire/Thunderbolt-ready* interface combines superior sound and flexible routing with powerful onboard UAD-2 QUAD processing. So you can track audio in real time through the full range of classic UAD analog emulation plug-ins – from Neve, Studer, Manley, Lexicon and more** – on both Mac and Windows 7.*

Here’s a video intro for the new Apollo 16 Audio Interface:

High-Resolution Flagship Audio Interface

Building upon decades of UA hardware expertise, Apollo 16 features meticulous analog circuit design, top-end converters, and DC-coupled outputs – providing the lowest THD and highest dynamic range of any converter in its class. Apollo 16’s deep, wide soundstage and exceptionally open and transparent sound ‘makes it the ideal centerpiece for professional recording facilities’.

With its standard UAD-2 QUAD processing onboard, Apollo 16 allows real time processing with UAD Powered Plug-Ins – with as low as sub-2ms latency – so recordists can monitor, audition, and “print” audio through analog emulations from Ampex, Lexicon, Manley, Neve, Roland, SSL, Studer and more. Apollo 16’s onboard UAD processing is also available during mixing and mastering, so that music producers can employ UAD plug-ins (VST, RTAS, AU) throughout the creative process.

Apollo 16 boasts straightforward 16×16 analog I/O via convenient DB-25 connections. Two Apollo 16 units can be cascaded over MADI for an expanded system with eight UAD processors and 32×32 simultaneous analog I/O, capable of handling large professional mixes. Dedicated XLR monitor outputs and stereo AES-EBU digital I/O round out the Apollo 16’s rear-panel audio connections.

Apollo 16’s routing capabilities include four stereo cue mixes with individually assignable outputs, and a new “Virtual I/O” feature that allows for Realtime UAD Processing of DAW tracks and virtual instruments.

Apollo 16 also offers compatibility with Intel’s high-bandwidth Thunderbolt technology on Macs via a user-installable dual-port Thunderbolt Option Card (sold separately). Thunderbolt provides greater UAD plug-in instances, improved performance at high sample rates, and reduced UAD plug-in latency in the DAW versus Apollo’s standard FireWire connection.

Pricing and Availability

Apollo 16 is expected to ship during Q2 2013, with a street price of US $2999. Apollo’s Thunderbolt Option Card is now available for an estimated street price of $499.

See the Universal Audio site for details.