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Apogee Symphony I/O Mk II 8x8+8MP Thunderbolt Audio Interface

Loaded with a Connect 8x8 Mic Pre module, this Symphony I/O MkII offers 8 preamps with Apogee's Advanced Step Gain Architecture for 72 dB of pristine gain.

Apogee Ensemble FireWire Audio Interface (Macintosh)

No longer available at zZounds
Give your home studio 36 channels of simultaneous audio in the interface designed specifically for your Mac.

Ensemble, the first all digitally controlled, professional audio interface designed specifically for the Macintosh. Ensemble features 36 channels of simultaneous audio, including 8 channels of Apogee's legendary A/D and D/A conversion, 4 transparent, digitally controlled 75db mic preamps, 8 channels of ADAT I/O, 2 channels of S/PDIF coax and optical I/O, and FireWire connectivity to and from the computer. Ensemble also includes premium Apogee technologies such as "SoftLimit", "UV22HR", and "Intelliclock". These technologies combined with Apogee's legendary conversion, make Ensemble an ideal choice for professionals seeking a high-definition, integrated solution that's incredibly easy to use.

Dial It In

Precision digital encoders give Ensemble users the hands on option to dial in levels and ride mic pre gain more accurately without using a mouse.

The Logical Choice

Ensemble is the first and only multi-channel audio interface that is fully integrated into Logic Pro. With Ensemble, everything from mic pre and output gain to sample and bit rate selection are controllable from within Logic's Apogee Control Panel. Ensemble, combined with Logic Pro, is the professional's, easy-to-use, digital audio work station for the Mac.

The Total Package

The sound quality and versatility of Ensemble, combined with your favorite Core Audio application provides the most complete, FireWire-based digital audio workstation available.

Take Control with Maestro.

Maestro is read more an innovative software interface between OS X applications (OS 10.4 and above) and Apogee hardware. Maestro is capable of controlling Apogee hardware I/O connected to the computer via FireWire, Symphony, (Apogee's PCI Express card), or both at the same time.

Maestro at a Glance:
- Control panel for Ensemble, Rosetta 800, Rosetta 200, AD-16X and DA-16X.
- 2 Low latency mixers per connected device
- Complete I/O routing matrix
- Mic preamp controls for Ensemble
- Output/headphone gain controls for Ensemble

Take 8 Channels of Apogee Anywhere

Introducing Ensemble Mobile, a DC powered version of Apogee's popular Ensemble FireWire audio interface. Ensemble Mobile is excellent for capturing studio-perfect recordings away from an AC power source and is designed for the Location Sound and Remote Recording markets where there is no "plug in the wall".

Ensemble gives you all of the tools you need in one elegant, easy-to-use interface. It is "Made for Mac" and can be used with any of your favorite Mac Core Audio applications, such as Metacorder, ADR Studio, Soundtrack Pro, Final Cut Studio and many more.

Battery Powered Pro Recording

Power is supplied with an industry standard XLR-4 connector, while still giving you the option of plugging in with the included external AC to DC power adaptor with a standard IEC input.

Ensemble Mobile is as flexible as you are and will work with any DC power source with voltage between 11 and 16 volts. The power requirement is 20 Watts maximum or 1.7 Amps at 12 Volts, giving Ensemble Mobile an average of four hours of run time from a 7AH battery.

Power Trio

Apogee, Apple and Euphonix have been working together to provide a range of powerful integrated music creation tools that take the process of composing, recording, editing and mixing to a whole new level.

Ensemble Pack contents (optional)

1 x Apogee Ensemble FireWire Audio Interface
2 x AKG C214 Condenser Microphones (Matched Pair)
2 x CBI MLC20 Low-Z Microphone Cable (18.5 Foot)
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Specifications
- 8 channels of premium 24-bit 192K AD/DA conversion
- 4 digitally controlled 75db microphone preamps
- 2 fully balanced inserts on mic pre channels
- 4 Hi-Z instrument inputs capable of handling high level instruments
- 2 individual, controllable and assignable high level headphone outputs
- 2, 6 or 8 channel monitor outputs
- 8 channels of ADAT I/O
- FireWire 400 I/O, compatible with OS X Core Audio (no driver required)
- 2 channels of SPDIF I/O
- "Soft Limit" for maximum digital input level without overs
- "UV22HR" for superior dither of 24 bit resolution down to 16-bit
- Advanced, dual-stage "Intelliclock"
- Complete integration and control with Apple's Logic Pro Software
- Compatibility with any CoreAudio software applications
- Apogee's Maestro Software for advanced control and routing outside of Logic Pro

Stand-Alone Mode:
Ensemble will now operate without a FireWire connection to a Macintosh*. Ensemble's Stand-Alone Mode offers professionals the option to use their Ensemble as a high-end converter and mic pre, independent of the computer.

Ensemble Stand-Alone Mode
Using Maestro and a Mac, configure your low latency and routing settings only once, Ensemble remembers the settings, even when disconnected from the computer and allows access to all front panel settings, such as mic pre gain and output levels, which are fully functional while in Stand-Alone Mode.

Ensemble's Stand-Alone Mode at a Glance:- Maestro mixer and routing settings, now located in Ensemble's non-volatile memory, enable storage of settings in Ensemble.
- Allows the use of Ensemble as a converter from analog to optical, coax and optical, or coax to analog, as well as other possible configurations.
- Changes to routing or settings in Maestro still require connectivity to a Macintosh computer.

System Requirements
- Computer: Mac G4 1GHz or faster, G5 or Intel CPU
- Memory: 1 GB RAM minimum, 2 GB recommended
- OS: 10.4.10 or greater
- Connection: FireWire 400 port or 800 port**
- Dimensions (WxLxH): 4 x 6.3 x 1.5 in.

**A special FireWire 400 to 800 conversion cable is required.

Stand-Alone Connection: To any audio interface, card or computer with ADAT or SPDIF I/O

Note: Stand-Alone mode requires Ensemble to be set-up on a Mac computer via FireWire 400 or 800

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 310-584-9394
Web: https://apogeedigital.com/support

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (7 ratings)
Submitted July 22, 2010 by a customer from gmail.com

"Apogee Ensemble - An extraterrestrial look for serious work!"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
This saves me money on the converter. In fact i will shortly be selling one that i used before, before i got this piece. It does not have a built-in midi i/o, but seems to be integrated with mac platform. Becomes like a soundpiece already within your mac. The volume from the keyboard also works. Thats it by now. I own it for about a week or less.

Sound
This is my best audio interface i have ever had. For the past three months i have changed around five of them. This one has the best converters out of all (the list includes TC, RME & MOTU). Now i have to re-do certain tracks, cause it sounds like: "what in the world was i listening with?!". Answer: Another interface..

Features
Mine was bought used so i got it wrapped up in a plastic bag. I wish i have seen all the additional features that get boxed with a brand new unit. Im a straight mac user, but if i have to run windows based software (like cubase) i get stuck since ensemble is mac only platform.

Ease of Use
It is all very simple, but i have had some troubles figuring out how to use the maestro matrix correctly. Seems like this one differs from how the RME's matrix thing works. Hopefully i would be able to find how to route the same signal out of two separate stereo pairs..

Quality
It has a sexy look that reminds me of extraterrestrial technologies. Intergalactic.. Bright lights. That sort! Makes my studio read more look impressive :)

Value
A little pricey, but all good with mine. I got a used unit with a discount.

Manufacturer Support
By giving "10" i simply state that i believe that the support matches the overall score of the unit (which is "10")

The Wow Factor
I think ive stated the sexiness of the unit before. I still cant fully realize its right beside me in the rack!

Musical Background:
Recording Engeneer, Producer & Artist

Musical Style:
Rap, Dancehall
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3 of 5 people (60%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!