ReviewFinder Audio Recording Interfaces

Apogee Element 46

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3 Verified Hands-On Reviews

To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.

Expert reviews [3]

90
Total expert reviews: 3
  • with a score: 1
  • without a score: 2
Highest score by Music Radar
90
Average score based on 3 reviews
90
Lowest score by Music Radar
90

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
ReviewFinder: authentic product reviews summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The Apogee Element 46 is a versatile and reliable audio interface with world-class mic preamps, low latency, and minimal round-trip latency, making it a great choice for musicians, podcasters, and other content creators who need to monitor their recordings in real-time.

The Apogee Element 46 is a high-quality audio interface that offers a range of input and output options for musicians and producers on the go. It has four world-class mic preamps that offer very low noise levels and can handle up to 75dB of gain, making it ideal for recording vocals, acoustic instruments, and other sources that require high-quality preamps.

The interface also has low latency and minimal round-trip latency when recording or sending to external equipment, making it a great choice for musicians, podcasters, and other content creators who need to monitor their recordings in real-time. The Apogee Element 46 is a reliable and versatile audio interface that is suitable for a wide range of recording needs, including professional audio production and mixing.

It is a complete solution for producers on the go, with minimal external requirements and plenty of routing options. The interface is compatible with Mac and iOS devices and can be used with any Mac-based digital audio workstation that supports Core Audio, including Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Cubase, and GarageBand.

Overall, the Apogee Element 46 is a high-quality device that offers premium AD/DA conversion and mic preamp technology, making it an excellent choice for professional audio recording needs.

Input/output options

The Apogee Element 46 audio interface offers a range of input and output options for high-resolution recording, with minimal latency and a rugged design.

The Apogee Element 46 audio interface offers a range of input and output options for musicians and producers on the go. It has 4 analog inputs (XLR/1/4” combo jacks) that can handle mic, line, or instrument level signals, and 6 outputs (2 XLR and 2 balanced 1/4" TRS for main monitoring, and an additional 2 balanced 1/4" TRS outputs).

The interface also has optical I/O with ADAT, SMUX, and S/PDIF support, and word clock I/O via BNC connections. This allows for recording up to 192kHz, 24-bit audio via the four analog inputs, making it a great option for high-resolution recording. The lack of knobs and pots make it rugged and roadworthy, with not much to break off in the case of a fall or drop.

The Apogee Element 46 can be used for recording and playback simultaneously with minimal latency, making it a versatile option for musicians and producers who need a reliable and high-quality audio interface.

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Latency

The Apogee Element 46 offers low latency and excellent performance for real-time monitoring during recording, making it a great choice for musicians, podcasters, and other content creators.

The Apogee Element 46 has been reviewed by experts who have found that it has low latency and minimal round-trip latency when recording or sending to external equipment. The Thunderbolt connection keeps the latency ultra-low, making it ideal for real-time monitoring during recording.

This is important for performers who need to hear themselves in real-time without any noticeable delay, which can help with timing and overall performance. The low latency of the Apogee Element 46 makes it a great choice for musicians, podcasters, and other content creators who need to monitor their recordings in real-time.

Overall, the Apogee Element 46 is a high-quality audio interface that offers low latency and excellent performance for a variety of recording and monitoring needs.

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Preamp quality

The Apogee Element 46 is a high-quality audio interface with four world-class mic preamps that offer very low noise levels and can handle up to 75dB of gain, making it ideal for recording vocals, acoustic instruments, and other sources that require high-quality preamps.

The Apogee Element 46 is a high-quality audio interface with four world-class mic preamps that offer very low noise levels and can handle up to 75dB of gain. The preamps are known for their warm and clear sound quality, which is a hallmark of Apogee's audio gear.

The Element 46 provides 48v phantom power, making it suitable for powering condenser microphones. The product does not have any additional features or technologies that affect the quality of the preamps such as analog modeling or digital processing. The preamps are among the best-sounding available, according to soundtech.

co. uk, and Music Critic's review states that they are "the best mic preamps. " The Apogee Element 46 is ideal for recording vocals, acoustic instruments, and other sources that require high-quality preamps. It is also suitable for professional audio production and mixing.

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DSP processing

The Apogee Element 46 is a professional audio recording device with powerful and flexible DSP processing, premium AD/DA conversion, and mic preamp technology, making it an excellent choice for professional audio recording needs.

The Apogee Element 46 is a professional audio recording device that features powerful and flexible DSP processing through its Element Control software. The DSP processing includes a range of EQ, compression, and reverb plugins that can be easily accessed and adjusted through the user-friendly interface.

While there are no specific limitations or restrictions on DSP processing, the device is primarily designed for professional audio recording and may not be the optimal choice for heavy DSP workloads. The Apogee FX Rack software provides a suite of plugins that are easy to use and sound great, making it a fantastic option for processing audio recordings.

Overall, the Apogee Element 46 is a high-quality device that offers premium AD/DA conversion and mic preamp technology, making it an excellent choice for professional audio recording needs.

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Compatibility

The Apogee Element 46 is a Thunderbolt audio interface that is compatible with Mac and iOS devices, offering reliable and versatile performance for music production and recording.

The Apogee Element 46 audio interface is a Thunderbolt interface that is only compatible with Mac and iOS devices. It can be used with any Mac-based digital audio workstation that supports Core Audio, including Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Cubase, and GarageBand. The interface can also work with any Audio Units (AU) compatible application on Mac, and any AU plugins.

The Apogee interfaces have their software and plugins, such as the Apogee FX Rack, which is specifically designed to be used with their interfaces. There are no known compatibility issues with the Apogee Element 46 when used with any software or plugins. Setting up the interface is straightforward, and the Element Control software offers a range of template starting points to help configure how the GUI looks.

The software is available for Mac and iOS platforms, but it is not compatible with Windows operating systems. Overall, the Apogee Element 46 is a reliable and versatile audio interface for Mac-based music production and recording.

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Brand reputation

The Apogee Element 46 is a highly regarded audio interface with strong preamps and AD/DA conversion, versatile routing options, and consistent performance for a wide range of recording needs.

The Apogee Element 46 has a strong brand reputation in the audio recording industry for its high-quality preamps and AD/DA conversion. It is considered a complete solution for producers on the go, with minimal external requirements and plenty of routing options. The Element 46 is known for its high specs, consistent performance, and ability to handle even the highest resolution audio with little latency.

Experts have noted that the Element 46 is easily integrated into an existing rig or used as the heart of a recording studio, and never produces an issue, always enhancing creativity and never getting in the way or holding users back. Overall, the Apogee Element 46 is a reliable and versatile audio interface that is suitable for a wide range of recording needs.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all audio recording interfaces.

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Apogee Element 46 did not receive any endorsements this month.