Inputs & Outputs
Guitar I/O
Directly connect your guitars and other instruments to Ensemble using the two front panel ¼” inputs. The inputs’ Class A JFET circuits reproduce the feel and tone of a vintage tube amp for more realistic modeling and add harmonic character to keyboards and other electronic instruments. A “bootstrapping” circuit design provides an ultra-high impedance load to the connected instrument to preserve its tone and high frequency response.
Connect your amp to either ¼” output for effortless re-amping. Dual mode switching allows you to easily record your direct guitar signal while listening through your amp, then play the recorded signal back through your amp to refine amp settings and mic placement.
You can also use the Guitar I/O inputs & outputs to insert stomp boxes into your session as an alternative to software plugins. Impedance or level mismatches are not a concern – these connections were made for any guitar gear.
Analog Inputs
Ensemble features 4 Combo inputs (XLR or ¼”) and 4 XLR inputs for connecting up to 8 microphones or a combination of instruments, external mic preamps, and other analog audio devices. Ensemble’s analog inputs now include a line level bypass relay for the purest unity gain signal path to the analog-to-digital converter when the input source is set to line level.
Analog Outputs
Ensemble includes 2 balanced monitor outputs on ¼” TRS connectors and 8 balanced line outputs on 1 D-Sub 25-pin connector. These outputs can be configured for a wide variety of workflows, whether you’re integrating Ensemble with an external console, mixing in the box, or any hybrid of the two.
Headphone Outputs
With the kind of discrete transistor output stage found on power amps, Ensemble’s two independently controlled front panel headphone outputs offer more pristine power than ever before. Drive high impedance headphones louder than you’ll ever need while maintaining ultra low distortion throughout the level range.
Built-in Microphone
Ensemble features the same high quality built-in mic capsule found in Apogee’s ONE for iPad & Mac. 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.
Analog Inserts
Analog inputs 1 and 2 feature the ability to add a hardware insert between Ensemble’s built-in mic preamp and analog-to-digital converter stage. 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.
Digital I/O
As the centerpiece of your creative setup, Ensemble provides 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. Thanks to Thunderbolt’s high bandwidth, all of Ensemble’s analog and digital I/O are available in your DAW simultaneously.
Word Clock
Ensemble provides Word Clock IN and OUT for syncing with other digital audio gear. Use Ensemble as the master clock to take advantage of Apogee’s superior built-in clocking technology.
Creative User Interface
Hybrid of Software and Hardware
Apogee pioneered a simplified user interface that has inspired countless other competitors. This is a hybrid approach – essential hardware control complemented by comprehensive software control. Ensemble’s front panel represents the next level of refinement, offering the perfect balance of dedicated control and flexibility.
Input control with selection buttons and controller knob
Ensemble makes it easy to access all important recording and monitoring functions. Simply press an input selection button on Ensemble’s front panel to select a desired input and easily adjust your level with the input controller knob. All input selection buttons feature an LED highlight ring. The highlight ring of the selected input is brighter so you can see at a glance which channel is in focus. Press and hold the input select button to select and adjust different parameters for each channel such as input type, +48v phantom power, Soft Limit, grouping, polarity invert and hi-pass filter.
Dual, high-resolution displays show all input and output details
Two high-resolution OLED displays deliver all the visual feedback critical for recording and monitoring. Without looking at your computer, Ensemble lets you see metering, levels, grouping and polarity, muting, phantom power and Soft Limit for all inputs and outputs.
Monitor/Output Controls
Ensemble’s Monitor control provides everything you need to master your listening environment. Choose between the two 1/4” monitor outputs, one of three stereo speaker sets (depending on which is selected) or a 5.1 surround sound system. Set your speaker and headphone levels with dedicated front panel controller knobs, Apogee Control software level controls or your Mac volume controls.
2 Independently Controlled Front Panel Headphone Outputs and Controls
With the kind of discrete transistor output stage found on power amps, Ensemble’s two independently controlled front panel headphone outputs offer more pristine power than ever before. Drive high impedance headphones louder than you’ll ever need while maintaining ultra low distortion throughout the level range.
Assignable Buttons
Four configurable buttons (labeled A, B, C, D) allow you to quickly access functions such as “Engage Talkback”, “Mute Outputs”, “Dim Outputs”, “Sum to Mono”, “Clear Meters” or “Engage Speaker Set”. Each function can be assigned to a button using a drop-down menu in the Apogee Control software.
Talkback
When asked to identify his favorite microphone, one savvy producer answered “the talkback mic!” Effortless communication enhances the flow of your session, so Ensemble includes flexible and convenient talkback functionality. Use either Ensemble’s Built-in microphone or your Mac’s built-in mic to communicate directly with the recording performers through both headphone and line outputs. Engage talkback from Apogee Control or from the front panel Assignable buttons. No other audio interface offers such a comprehensive talkback system.
Speaker Set Selection
Ensemble’s assignable buttons can be configured in Apogee Control software to switch between up to 3 pairs of speakers, allowing you to use Ensemble just like a standard monitor controller. Simply connect 1, 2 or 3 pairs of studio monitors and press the corresponding assignable button (A, B, C or D) to select which pair you would like to listen to.
Apogee Control has been built from the ground up and replaces Apogee’s Maestro software for Ensemble Thunderbolt. Apogee Control delivers all the functionality of Maestro in a new, highly customizable user interface along with innovative features like the simplified “Essentials” control window and an FX Send mixer feature. Apogee Control brings together Ensemble Thunderbolt and Element Series interfaces allowing them to work together giving you more premium sound quality and a seamless and powerful user experience.
Apogee Control software highlights
- Streamlined new interface
- Easily adapt layout to fit your workflow
- Essentials control strip maximizes screen space
- FX send lets you use your DAW’s effects with low latency monitoring
- Use your Mac’s Built-in mic for Talkback
- Configure main output for multiple speakers up to 9.1 surround
Mix tab includes all inputs, mix controls and monitor section.
Out tab includes all outputs and monitor section.
Essentials Control Strip
Maximize and arrange your workspace around your DAW with the compact Essentials Control strip.
The Essentials Control strip can be oriented vertically or horizontally.
Ensemble + Element 88 Essentials Control strip.
Real-time FX Send lets you use your DAW’s reverb and other effects with
Apogee Control’s low latency mixer. Learn more>
Select Ensemble’s built-in mic or your Mac’s built-in mic for talkback
and activate via software to communicate with musicians over headphones.
Configure the Main output for multi-speaker systems up to 9.1 surround.
Apogee Control Mobile for iOS
Apogee Control Mobile for iOS provides you with wireless control of the hardware settings included in the Apogee Control Essentials Window. Download the iOS App for free on your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.
Apogee Control Hardware Remote
The Apogee Control hardware remote gives you instant access to Ensemble and Element input and output levels using the large control knob and 3 control knob focus buttons, plus direct access to a wide range of software functions using the 8 user-configurable hardware buttons. Apogee Control hardware remote connects directly to your Mac using the included USB cable.
Remote Control configuration window with dozens of assignable functions.
Apogee hardware control is
integrated directly into Logic Pro X
If you are using an Ensemble or Element series interface, you can adjust hardware input parameters directly from the Mixer view in Logic Pro X, including mic pre gain, input type selection, 48V phantom power, direct monitoring and more. This simplified user experience helps you focus on a single session window when recording, and offers comprehensive visibility and control of input parameters.
Available only for Apogee Ensemble and Element Series Audio Interfaces
Easily eliminate recording latency with Direct Monitoring in Logic Pro X
Apogee’s Ensemble Thunderbolt and Element Series audio interfaces now offer Direct Monitoring support in Apple’s Logic Pro X (10.3.2) that easily eliminates recording latency with the simple click of a button. Pressing the new “Direct” button causes your monitoring signal to come directly from the hardware input, bypassing any I/O buffer or plug-in induced latency. The new feature makes it possible to end distracting input delays for the performer without having to constantly change audio monitoring preferences or interact with a separate low latency monitoring mixer.
Control Apogee hardware and Logic Pro X from an iOS device
Apogee hardware input controls are also accessible through the Logic Remote App on iPhone or iPad, enabling Apogee users to wirelessly adjust their input levels and settings from anywhere in the studio. Drummers can adjust mic pres without having to get up from behind the kit, engineers can do a line check while still setting up mics, and home musicians recording themselves can switch between a microphone and directly connected instrument without having to be in front of their computers.
The new Ensemble Thunderbolt software will be available July, 2017 as a free download for all Ensemble Thunderbolt users.
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