User`s guide

APOGEE ELECTRONICS
2
AD-16X – User’s Guide
Introduction
The AD-16X, Apogee’s latest and most advanced analog to digital converter, takes the legendary quality of
Apogee a significant step forward. Features such as a redesigned power supply, standard 192kHz sampling rates,
the C777 clocking technology found in Big Ben, and optional Pro Tools HD and FireWire expansion cards, make
the AD-16X the most powerful and flexible A-to-D converter ever.
Advanced High-Definition Conversion
With up to 192k standard sample rates, the AD-16X combines Apogee’s legendary conversion quality with
the very latest in high-definition digital to provide unrivaled flexibility and quality.
C777 Clocking used by Big Ben
The AD-16X uses Apogee’s C777 clocking technology. Famous for keeping Big Ben on time, the C777
utilizes an entirely digital process that Apogee has developed with the most advanced Direct Digital
Synthesis (DDS) technology and DSP-based digital filtering. With a stable, crystal based digital PLL
handling the clocking, the AD-16X is able to intelligently manipulate incoming signals and adapt to them
accordingly, resulting in unprecedented jitter attenuation and an astonishing and noticeable difference in
sound quality.
Advanced Option Routing
With version 2 firmware, both digital inputs and analog outputs may be routed in conjunction with an
installed X-Option card. Please see page 7 for details.
Universal Connectivity
With it’s wide array of standard and optional digital outputs, the AD-16X can be connected to virtually any
digital system. The AD-16X includes AES and ADAT Optical digital outputs as standard, while either the
X-HD or X-FireWire cards may be installed for connectivity to Pro Tools HD or any FireWire equipped
computer.
SoftLimit
Soft Limit is an analog peak limiter that instantaneously and gracefully controls transient peaks,
thereby allowing an additional 4-6 dB of headroom. Short of purchasing a very expensive stand-alone
compressor/limiter, there is currently no product on the market that handles this process better than
SoftLimit.
UV22HR
UV22HR is Apogee´s industry standard technology for reducing the word-length of a high-resolution digital
signal to 16 bits. UV22HR is also being employed to produce dramatically improved internet and computer
audio content without increased file sizes or data rates. It is estimated that 8 out of 10 hit records are
mastered using Apogee’s UV22HR technology.