What Apogee Electronics Corp does

Apogee Electronics Corp, founded in 1985 in Santa Monica, California, designs and manufactures professional digital audio conversion hardware, audio interfaces, USB microphones, and DSP plugins used by recording engineers, producers, and musicians. The product portfolio spans entry-level interfaces ($299 BOOM) through the modular Symphony I/O Mk II flagship (Thunderbolt, Pro Tools HD, Dante, Waves SoundGrid), supported by mobile interfaces (Duet 3, Jam X, Jam+), USB microphones (HypeMiC, MiC+), and a Clearmountain-developed plugin ecosystem that includes the 8068, Domain, Spaces, Phases, and Dance processors alongside Pultec, ModComp, and ModEQ emulations. Core technology centers on proprietary AD/DA conversion circuits including the ESS Sabre 9822pro A/D chip integration, Constant Current Drive headphone amplification, Perfect Symmetry Circuitry, and C777 master clocking — anchored by 19 TEC Awards and a brand position regarded as the reference standard in pro audio.

The company operates a B2C and prosumer distribution model, selling direct through apogeedigital.com and via 500+ authorized dealers across 50+ countries, with additional placement in Apple Stores, Amazon, Guitar Center, Sweetwater, and B&H Photo. All hardware and plugins are sold as perpetual one-time licenses; pricing ranges from $19 (Soft Limit plugin) to $1,599+ (Symphony Desktop), with the EDU Program offering 20–40% discounts to qualifying students and faculty. Distribution is complemented by rent-to-own options for flagship products and bundled software sales through integrated marketing partnerships with Positive Grid, Neural DSP, and Pulse Techniques.

In November 2025, Apogee was acquired by Rockforce Tech Holding Inc., the parent of Manley Labs, with co-founder Betty Bennett continuing as CEO. The acquisition combines Apogee's digital conversion expertise with Manley Labs' analog heritage; the company retains its solar-powered Santa Monica headquarters, including the Apogee Studio recording facility, while continuing its ongoing plugin and hardware development pipeline.

Name

Apogee Electronics Corp

Legal name

Apogee Electronics Corp

Website

https://apogeedigital.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Apogee Electronics Corp, founded in 1985, manufactures professional audio interfaces, USB microphones, and DSP plugins for recording engineers and musicians. The company sells globally through 500+ dealers and was acquired by Rockforce Tech Holding in November 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Audio Equipment

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431), Sound Recording Studios (512240)

SIC

Household Audio & Video Equipment (3651)

akta.pro primary industry

Microphones, Headsets & Audio Input Devices (HDACAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Audio Plugins & Virtual Instruments (VST/AU/AAX) (MPAIAIAB), Studio / Pro Monitoring Headphones & Reference Speakers (CRACANAK)

Keywords

• Professional audio interfaces
• USB condenser microphones
• AD/DA converters
• Audio plugins
• Digital audio recording

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Audio Interfaces: One-time purchase of professional audio interfaces including Symphony Mk II (flagship), Symphony Desktop, Duet 3, BOOM, Jam+, Jam X, and Groove. Products range from entry-level ($299 BOOM) to professional rack-mount systems.
2. Hardware Sales - Microphones: One-time purchase of USB condenser microphones including HypeMiC ($399) and MiC Plus ($149.99 sale price). Includes premium accessories like tripods, pop filters, and carrying cases.
3. Software/Plugin Sales: One-time purchase of DSP plugins including individual plugins ($19-$149) and bundles (All Access Bundle $249, Clearmountain's Bundle, Pultec FX Bundle $129). Plugin formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAX Native.
4. Education Program Discounts: EDU Program offering 20% off hardware (US only) and 40% off plugins for students and faculty at qualified education institutions. Full plugin access during enrollment period.
5. Refurbished Product Sales: Sale of professionally refurbished previous-generation and current products at discounted prices through apogeedigital.com.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Apogee Electronics designs, manufactures, and sells professional digital audio interfaces (e.g., Symphony I/O Mk II, Symphony Desktop, Duet 3, BOOM, Jam X/Jam+), USB condenser microphones (HypeMiC, MiC+), and DSP/audio plugins. The company also produces reference headphone amplifiers/DACs such as the Groove, serving recording studios, audio engineers, musicians, podcasters, and immersive audio (e.g., Dolby Atmos) professionals worldwide.

Product overview

Apogee Electronics is a pro audio equipment manufacturer offering a portfolio of audio interfaces, USB microphones, and software plugins. The core hardware lineup includes the flagship Symphony I/O Mk II (modular multi-channel interface), Symphony Desktop (desktop Thunderbolt interface), Symphony Studio (portable studio interface), Duet 3 (mobile 2x4 interface), BOOM (entry-level interface), Jam X and Jam+ (guitar interfaces), Groove (headphone DAC), and HypeMiC/MiC+ (USB microphones). The plugin ecosystem centers on Bob Clearmountain-designed products including Clearmountain 8068 (EQ), Domain (reverb/delay), Spaces (reverb), Phases (flanger/phaser), and Dance (delay), plus Pultec emulations (EQP-1A, MEQ-5), modulation tools (ModComp, ModEQ 6), and channel strips (ECS, Opto-3A). Products are available as individual purchases or bundled packages (All Access Bundle, Clearmountain Bundle, Pultec Bundle, Mod FX Bundle). The company also operates Apogee Studio in Santa Monica as a recording venue and product development facility. Apogee was acquired by Rockforce Tech Holding (parent of Manley Labs) in November 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Symphony I/O Mk II
• Symphony Desktop
• Symphony Studio
• Duet 3
• BOOM
• Jam X
• Jam+
• Groove
• HypeMiC
• MiC+
• Clearmountain 8068 Plugin
• Clearmountain Domain Plugin
• Clearmountain Spaces Plugin
• Clearmountain Phases Plugin
• Clearmountain Dance Plugin
• All Access Bundle
• Pultec FX Bundle
• Apogee Studio

Quantifiable outcome

• Best AD/DA conversion of any Thunderbolt Audio Interface (Symphony Mk II)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and moderate.

• Rockforce Tech Holding Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2025Rockforce Tech Holding Inc., led by Dirk Ulrich and parent company of Manley Labs, acquired Apogee Electronics in November 2025. The acquisition unites two highly respected audio brands with complementary strengths, creating a stronger platform for innovation, engineering, and global market growth. Apogee continues operating from Santa Monica headquarters under new ownership.
• Manley LabscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2025Manley Labs, a manufacturer of high-end analog hardware including microphones, preamps, compressors, and mastering gear, is combined with Apogee under Rockforce Tech Holding. The partnership creates a powerful ecosystem of high-end audio tools spanning analog and digital domains.
• AppleminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 April 2025Apple is a coalition partner in the CSUN Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub initiative, providing technology ecosystem and learning platforms to support Hispanic-Serving Institutions learners with AI-driven economic opportunities. Apogee Electronics is also a coalition partner in this initiative alongside SUMA Wealth and Super{Power}.
• Pulse TechniquescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPulse Techniques, current manufacturer of hardware Pultec EQs, officially licensed and endorsed Apogee's software recreations of the Pultec EQP-1A and MEQ-5 plugins. This partnership ensures authentic recreation of the legendary Pultec sound.
• Positive GridminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPositive Grid provides BIAS FX Jam software free with purchase of new JAM+ from authorized Apogee dealer. Partnership offers guitar players complete recording solution with Apogee hardware and Positive Grid's amp modeling software.
• Neural DSPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNeural DSP provides exclusive 60-day trial of Archetype: Tim Henson plugin with Jam X purchase. Partnership offers guitarists access to Neural DSP's industry-leading amp modeling through Apogee's mobile guitar interface.
• KCRWmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerApogee Studio collaborates with KCRW on intimate live performance series featuring artists performing from the studio. Sessions are personally mixed by Bob Clearmountain and promoted through KCRW's radio and digital platforms. Notable performers include Alt-J, Beck, Father John Misty, Vampire Weekend, and many more.
• Bob ClearmountaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrammy and Emmy winning mixer, producer, and developer of Apogee's flagship plugins. Bob Clearmountain co-founded Apogee Studio and has developed multiple plugins including Clearmountain 8068, Domain, Spaces, Phases, and Dance. His involvement ensures products reflect real-world professional workflows and sound characteristics.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Universal Audio: Closest direct peer: designs Apollo and Volt audio interfaces with bundled UAD DSP plugins and licensed emulations (analog preamp/EQ models). Targets the same professional/prosumer recording customers with hardware-plus-plugin product strategy and similar Apple ecosystem alignment.
• Focusrite: Direct peer offering Scarlett and Clarett audio interfaces across entry-level to professional tiers. Publicly listed (LON: TUNE) with much larger volume; competes head-to-head in the prosumer USB/audio-interface market against Duet 3 and BOOM.
• Antelope Audio: Direct peer in high-end AD/DA conversion and master clocking (Antelope Orion, Zodiac, Pure 2). Competes against the Symphony Mk II in studio-grade transparency and clocking precision, recently overlapping more on Thunderbolt interfaces with built-in DSP.
• RME: Direct peer in professional audio interfaces (Babyface Pro, Fireface UCX/802) renowned for stable drivers and ultra-low latency. Competes with Apogee Duet 3 and Symphony Desktop on reliability and cross-platform (Mac/Win) parity.
• MOTU: Direct peer in multi-channel audio interfaces (UltraLite, 8M, 16A) with Thunderbolt/USB/AVB connectivity. Competes against Symphony Mk II and Symphony Desktop in professional multi-channel production environments.
• PreSonus: Direct peer across audio interfaces (Studio series), Studio One DAW, and Fender-owned commercial channel. Competes with Apogee at prosumer tiers and bundles hardware with software similar to Apogee's plugin ecosystem.
• Audient: Direct peer in prosumer/professional audio interfaces (iD14, iD44, EVO series) targeting home studios and recording engineers. Competes head-to-head with Duet 3 and BOOM in the USB-C bus-powered category.
• iZotope: Direct peer for Apogee's plugin business — Ozone, Neutron, RX — competing on AI-driven mixing/mastering tools. Now part of Native Instruments, the combined entity broadly competes with Apogee's Clearmountain and FX plugins.
• Native Instruments: Direct peer across audio plugins (Komplete, Guitar Rig) and hardware interfaces/controllers. Through the iZotope acquisition they now span mastering, repair, and instrument plugins, competing with Apogee's complete Clearmountain plugin family.

Broad incumbents

• Shure: Broad incumbent in pro microphones including USB/condenser categories that overlap with Apogee's HypeMiC and MiC+ product lines. Significantly larger scale and broader market reach make Shure a benchmark comparison for Apogee's microphone business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/apogeedigital
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/apogeedigital
• Facebookfacebook.com/apogee.electronics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apogee-electronics
• Instagraminstagram.com/apogeedigital

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Apogee Electronics Corp