Superior Sound Quality. Powerful Plugin Performance. Lowest Latency.

Ensemble Thunderbolt™ is the best sounding all-in-one audio recording interface for Mac. With ultra-low latency performance, comprehensive studio functionality and legendary Apogee quality, Ensemble is the ideal choice to meet the diverse demands of the professional home or commercial studio. Ensemble features premium Apogee AD/DA conversion, 8 Advanced Stepped Gain™ mic preamps, monitor controller functionality including talkback, front panel Guitar I/O, two headphone outputs and digital connectivity for a total of 30 x 34 I/O.

Ensemble Thunderbolt Highlights

8 Mic preamps with up to 75 dB of gain and Advanced Stepped Gain circuit
Legendary Apogee AD/DA conversion
Thunderbolt connectivity for ultra-low latency (1.1ms round trip with Logic Pro X)
Front panel Guitar I/O with Class A JFET inputs, dual mode re-amp outputs
Talkback functionality with built-in mic and control button
2 PurePower headphone outputs
10 separately assignable analog inputs

16 analog outputs of premium Apogee conversion
Core Audio optimized DMA engine frees up Mac CPU for plugins and software instruments
Apogee Control software offers highly customizable workflow and Essentials Control Strip window
Compatible with Apogee Control hardware remote studio controller
Connect two Ensembles to your Mac and double your analog inputs and outputs
Connect any Apogee Element series interface to Ensemble for additional Ensemble quality inputs and outputs

The Best of Apogee.
The Power of Thunderbolt.

Blending the best of Apogee’s acclaimed innovations with groundbreaking new features and the power of Thunderbolt technology, the completely redesigned Ensemble sets a new standard for personal studio interfaces.

Great-sounding plugins for Ensemble
that work the way you want to

Apogee FX Rack Plugins are made with the same quest for quality and obsessive attention to detail as Apogee hardware products. Thanks to Apogee’s unique DualPath DSP-Native technology, Apogee FX Rack plugins can run both on the hardware DSP in Ensemble Thunderbolt and Element Series interfaces and as native plugins on your Mac. Apogee’s DualPath technology opens up a variety of popular, simplified workflows, always with the lowest latency. No other system offers this level of flexibility and sound quality.

Featuring DualPath monitoring, available exclusively
with Ensemble and Element Series interfaces

Learn More about Apogee FX Rack

Product Tour

Inputs & Outputs

Ensemble-Thunderbolt-Close-Up-Guitar-Inputs

Guitar I/O

Directly connect your guitars & other instruments to Ensemble using the 2 front panel ¼” inputs.
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8 Analog Inputs

Connect up to 8 microphones or a combination of instruments, external mic preamps, and other analog audio devices.
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Ensemble-Thunderbolt-Close-Up-Analog-Out

10 Analog Outputs

2 balanced monitor outputs on ¼” TRS connectors & 8 balanced line outputs on 1 D-Sub 25-pin connector.
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Ensemble-Thunderbolt-Close-Up-Headphone-Controllers

2 headphone outputs

Drive 2 sets of high impedance headphones louder than you’ll ever need.
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Ensemble-Thunderbolt-Close-Up-Talk-Back-Mic

Built-in Microphone + Talkback

Instantly capture your inspirations, keep an audio archive of the session, or record a “crushed room” sound when tracking drums. Most importantly, the built-in mic may be used for talkback.
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2 Analog Inserts

Easily integrate your favorite analog compressor or EQ, in mono or as a stereo pair, into your recording chain with separate ¼” balanced send and return connector for each channel.
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Digital I/O

Up to 18 channels of digital I/O, in ADAT, SMUX, S/PDIF optical and S/PDIF coaxial formats, to easily integrate expanders, hardware synths and digital effects.
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Word Clock

Use Ensemble as the master clock to take advantage of Apogee’s superior built-in clocking technology.
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True Thunderbolt Performance

Ensemble delivers the full potential of Thunderbolt 2 performance with the lowest latency, unmatched CPU efficiency, 2 ports for expanding your system and a revolutionary 32-bit playback signal path.

The Lowest Latency of any Audio Interface

Ensemble’s proprietary Thunderbolt driver has been written from the ground up for Mac OS X Mavericks, resulting in unmatched performance and efficiency. Latency has been reduced to an astounding 1.1ms round-trip*, allowing you to monitor through your DAW, plug-ins included, simplifying your workflow and leveraging the power of your Mac. Even when your session’s DSP demands require a higher buffer setting, Ensemble’s ultra-low latency means no longer having to choose between power and speed.

To accommodate different workflow preferences, Ensemble features optional direct hardware monitoring through Apogee’s Control Software with 0.6ms of latency.

* Logic Pro X at 96kHz / 32 buffer setting

Devours Bits, Sips CPU

Ensemble’s custom driver includes two innovative features to maximize the performance of the software-hardware interface: a full 32-bit signal path from the output of your DAW straight to the high-performance ESS DAC, and a revolutionary Direct Memory Access (DMA) engine to more efficiently read and write data directly to Mac memory independent of the Mac CPU.

The DMA engine, running on Ensemble’s hardware logic chip, reads digital audio data directly from your Mac’s memory in a 32-bit format, increasing the driver’s efficiency and providing the highest resolution signal possible to the DAC stage. This implementation allows the driver to crunch an enormous amount of data at an amazing speed, while making a very light demand on your Mac CPU. You benefit with lower latency, more plug-in power, and a transparent and encompassing
listening experience.

Multi-unit Support for Ensemble and Element Series

Expand your studio with two Ensembles or connect any Apogee Element Series interface to an Ensemble

Intel’s Thunderbolt™ technology was made for connecting multiple high bandwidth peripherals to your Mac. Ensemble includes two Thunderbolt™ 2 ports, allowing you to connect hard drive arrays, video capture devices, Thunderbolt monitors with up to 4k resolution, a second Ensemble or an Apogee Element.

Connect a second Ensemble Thunderbolt or an Element Series interface to your Ensemble Thunderbolt and expand your studio. Element series interfaces feature Ensemble sound quality at unprecedented prices.

Watch this video to see how easy it is.

A Difference You Will Hear

Apogee is an award-winning industry leader in digital recording technology with over 25 years of experience. Preferred by recording pros around the world, Apogee products like Duet, Quartet, the original Ensemble and Symphony I/O have been instrumental in creating countless GRAMMY® and OSCAR® winning recordings and have set the industry standard in professional recording for over two decades. Ensemble is built solidly on this reputation.

From the mic preamps to the AD/DA converters and the clocking, Ensemble is best-in-class and cutting-edge Apogee technology. With components carefully selected in critical listening tests and a highly efficient circuit design, Ensemble was built by Apogee engineers to make a difference you can hear.

Measurably Superior A/D Conversion

Ensemble’s analog-to-digital conversion stage has been upgraded from previous generations of Apogee products such as Duet and Quartet to provide greater dynamic range, lower distortion and an almost non-existent noise level.

Dynamically Optimized Mic Preamps

Ensemble’s 8 uniquely designed mic preamps feature Apogee’s Advanced Stepped Gain Architecture™, in which the circuit is dynamically optimized to provide superior bandwidth, ultra low noise and nonexistent distortion across the unprecedented gain range of 0-75 dB. Whether recording powerful drums, dynamic vocals or delicate strings, your recordings retain the full impact, intricate detail and lifelike dimension of the original performance.

ESS Sabre32 DAC Technology

ESS Sabre32 32-bit Hyperstream DAC with Time Domain Jitter Eliminator offers unequalled dynamic range, ultra low distortion, and unmatched audio clarity free from input jitter.

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Custom Power Regulation for Ultra-Low
Noise Performance

Ensemble’s mic pre, A/D and D/A circuitry are powered by discrete, Apogee-designed power regulators for ultra-low noise not obtainable with off-the-shelf components. This design was first implemented in Apogee’s flagship Symphony I/O’s 3-Stage Cascaded power supply.

Soft Limit for protection from digital overs

An Apogee technology first introduced in 1992 on Apogee’s AD-500 converter, Soft Limit can be heard on countless platinum selling records around the world. Once a technology exclusively reserved for Apogee’s most advanced audio converters, Soft Limit is included in Ensemble and can be enabled in Apogee Control software or from the front panel.

This superior FET-based analog design prevents the digital clipping that causes distortion by instantaneously rounding off transient peaks before they hit the analog-to-digital converter. Soft Limit allows several more decibels of apparent level to be recorded while subtly providing an analog tape-like warmth to the sound.

Videos

Swedish Artist Karin Park On Apogee Ensemble

September 24, 2020

Karin Park is a singer, songwriter, and producer based in Leksand, Sweden, and has a particular intrigue with Apogee Ensemble. With vast experience as a producer and artist, Karin has extensive knowledge with recording equipment and what she likes in an audio interface. Karin takes us through her church turned studio Djura Missionshus, in this Artist Q & A.

Run Lots of Plugins While Recording with Ultra-low Latency

May 23, 2016

WATCH NOW

How to Record Drums with Multiple Microphones

May 20, 2015

WATCH NOW

See All Ensemble Videos

Reviews

Swedish Artist Karin Park On Apogee Ensemble

September 24, 2020

Karin Park is a singer, songwriter, and producer based in Leksand, Sweden, and has a particular intrigue with Apogee Ensemble. With vast experience as a producer and artist, Karin has extensive knowledge with recording equipment and what she likes in an audio interface. Karin takes us through her church turned studio Djura Missionshus, in this Artist Q & A.

Electronic Musician – Apogee Ensemble Review

March 22, 2016

"Ensemble Thunderbolt represents a sizable investment compared to some other interfaces with similar I/O counts, but you get a lot for your money. This versatile piece of hardware could easily function as the sole piece of outboard gear in your studio, because it handles not just the functions of an audio interface with eight mic preamps, but also a monitor controller and a high-quality guitar DI and reamping box. When you factor in the vaunted Apogee sound quality, super low latency, Thunderbolt bandwidth, and the flexible and generous I/O, it starts to look like one heck of a deal."

Future Music – Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt review

August 4, 2015

"Apogee's preamp reputation is second to none; this interface sounds sumptuous and there's no doubt that it will turn the heads of guitar-led producers as much as those requiring more 'regular' microphone and line inputs via its neat and well thought- through re-amping capabilities.

See All Ensemble Reviews

Customer Reviews

Swedish Artist Karin Park On Apogee Ensemble

Swedish Artist Karin Park

On Apogee Ensemble

Karin Park is a singer, songwriter, and producer based in Leksand, Sweden, and has a particular intrigue with Apogee Ensemble. With vast experience as a producer and artist, Karin has extensive knowledge with recording equipment and what she likes in an audio interface. Karin takes us through her church turned studio Djura Missionshus, in this Artist Q & A.

Karin Park - Wikipedia

“I think I’ve been recording in over a 100 studios over the years and really been able to make up my mind about what I like and don’t like in a studio.

In my studio I focus a lot on atmosphere, the light, the colours….. It’s what I appreciate when I go somewhere myself. Surroundings that brings out the best in people which is ultimately what we’re dealing with in a studio. Recording peoples performances. And of course it has to feel and sound great.”

Djura Missionshus, Leksand, Sweden

“So I wanted the perfect recording chain. That’s why I use Apogee Ensemble.

I have two Ensembles next to each other which I’ve connected. I used one at first but eventually I needed more channels but I still didn’t want a mixing desk.

I also wanted to bring one of the Ensembles on tour with me occasionally so now I just use two Ensembles which are connected and it works really well.”

“After I built the studio in this church along side my analague synthesizers I’ve collected many old organs, pianos, a tape Mellotron and even a big church organ so I hardly ever use midi anymore. Therefor, recording the instruments is such a big part of my sound and the Apogee ensemble allows me to capture that sound in a great way. I think I got my first Apogee Duet in 2007. Min brother bought for me.

So I’ve used Apogee for a good 13 years now. Still works great for me!”

Thomas Blondet & Steven Rubin Track, Mix and Master with Ensemble and FX Plugins

Swedish Artist Karin Park On Apogee Ensemble

David Greenbaum – GRAMMY Winning Engineer

Chris Stein – Musician

Ensemble Customer Review

“A couple of years ago I was looking to overhaul my music studio setup and trying to decide between an iZ Radar system or the new Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt. I went with the Ensemble due to the combination of high end DA/AD conversion, in built guitar re-amping, the ability to squeeze 10 mic inputs out of it (for drum recordings) plus the extra cash I’d have left over for pre-amps/microphones. The Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt is the centrepiece of my studio. I love using it and am producing some of my best work – musically & sonically – as a result. Thanks Apogee!”

Alastair Blackwood / Apogee Customer & Ensemble Thunderbolt owner

Ensemble Customer review

“I’ve used an Apogee Ensemble as my interface for about 10 years. Literally every album, film, tv, commercial and video game score I’ve recorded has gone through an Ensemble.

It’s reliable, easy to use, and sounds great.”

– Silas Hite

Emmy-winning Composer & Apogee Customer

See All Ensemble Customer Reviews

Recordings

Thomas Blondet & Steven Rubin Track, Mix and Master with Ensemble and FX Plugins

December 17, 2020

My experience recording with the Ensemble for the Sea Sons album was amazing!

Swedish Artist Karin Park On Apogee Ensemble

September 24, 2020

Karin Park is a singer, songwriter, and producer based in Leksand, Sweden, and has a particular intrigue with Apogee Ensemble. With vast experience as a producer and artist, Karin has extensive knowledge with recording equipment and what she likes in an audio interface. Karin takes us through her church turned studio Djura Missionshus, in this Artist Q & A.