Ensemble - Hi-Fi System Apogee - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL Ensemble Apogee

Ensemble Product Tour....6

Getting Started....8

System Requirements 8

Install Ensemble Software....8

Apogee Maestro....8

Connect Ensemble to your Computer....9

Powering the unit On/Off 10

Update Ensemble's Firmware 11

To Play Sound Out....12

Setting Up Ensemble with your DAW 13

Connect Speakers ....16

Connect Headphones....17

To Get Sound In....18

Select the Input Source 19

Adjust the Input Gain 20

Toggling Phantom Power....21

Monitoring the Input Signal 22

Using your DAW to Monitor 22

Using Maestro's Mixer for Direct Monitoring 23

Additional Support 26

Overview

Introduction

Apogee Ensemble is the all-in-one Thunderbolt™ 2 audio interface offering unsurpassed sound quality, lowest latency performance and the most comprehensive studio functionality ever. Ensemble includes 8 Advanced Stepped Gain mic preamps, monitor controller functionality including talkback, front panel Guitar I/O, two headphone outputs and digital I/O for a total of 30 x 34 I/O. Blending acclaimed innovations, groundbreaking new features and an effortless user interface, Ensemble frees you to capture inspiration when creative lightning strikes.

Features

• Thunderbolt™ 2 Mac audio interface
• Analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) for recording up to 24-bit/192kHz
• Proprietary Thunderbolt audio driver and ESS Sabre32 DAC offer full 32-bit playback
• Groundbreaking low latency performance
• Core Audio-optimized hardware DMA Engine frees your Mac CPU
• 2 high-resolution OLED displays show levels and settings
• Input select buttons and controller knob for convenient selection of parameters and settings
• 4 assignable buttons to control:
• Talkback mic (built-in or external)
• Output settings such as speaker set selection, mute, dim, sum to mono
• Complete input/output control with Apogee's Maestro software
• Works with Pro Tools, Logic, Ableton and any Core Audio compliant app on Mac
• Designed in California – Assembled in the U.S.A.

Package Contents

The following items are included in the box with Ensemble:

Ensemble

3-pin IEC power cable

Rubber feet

Quick Start Guide

Warranty Booklet

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Black electronic audio workstation with control knobs and a labeled 'Ensemble' button (no readable text beyond labels)

Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt Audio Interface Quick Start Guide September, 2016

3-pin IEC power cable Quick Start GuideRubber feet Warranty Booklet

Ensemble Product Tour

Front Panel

Guitar Inputs (11-12) Input Select Buttons Input Controller Knob OLED Displays Output Controller Knob Assignable Buttons Headphones 1&2 Controller Knobs INPUT SELECT INPUT IN2 SLB 44.1 OUTPUT ASSIGNABLE A B C D ensemble Thundensor® Auto Interface Built-In Mic (Mono 9-10) Headphones 1&2 Output Jacks Power Button Guitar Outputs (11-12)

Rear Panel

Panel Inputs 1-4 Combi Jacks XLR Mic/Line 1/4" Hi-Z Instrument Inputs 5-8 XLR Mic/Line Digital Audio I/O Optical ADAT/SMUX/SPDIF Coaxial S/PDIF BNC Word Clock IEC Power Analog Inserts Ch 1-2 Send/Return 1/4" TRS Monitor Out 1/4" TRS Line Out 1-2 Analog Out D-Sub Balanced Line Out 3-10 Thunderbolt™2 Serial Number

Input Display Output Display

Input Source Instrument Line In Mic Phantom Power Indicator Gain Level Soft Limit Insert Group Currently Selected Input IN11 43-30 SL INS GP Polarity Invert Hi-Pass Filter Currently Selected Input Indicator Input Over Indicator Input Level Meters Analog Inputs 1-8 G1/G2

Getting Started

System Requirements

• Computer: Thunderbolt™ equipped Mac
• Memory: 4GB RAM minimum, 8GB RAM recommended
- OS X 10.9.3 or greater

Install Ensemble Software

1. Go to http://www.apogeedigital.com/support/ensemble-thunderbolt
2. Download the latest Ensemble software installer.
3. Open the downloaded .dmg file and double-click Ensemble Software Installer.pkg that's inside.
4. Follow the prompts. You will be required to restart your computer.

Applications Favorites All My Files AirDrop Applications Desktop Documents Downloads Devices Macintosh... Applications Library System Users Apogee Maestro 2.app App Store.app Automator.app Calculator.app Calendar.app Chess.app Contacts.app Dashboard.app Dictionary.app DVD Player.app FaceTime.app Font Book.app Game Center.app Apogee Maestro 2.app App - 5.6 MB Created Yesterday Modified Yesterday Last opened Today, 1:22 PM Version 2.9.22 Add Tags...

Apogee Maestro

Apogee Maestro is a controller software for Ensemble. All of Ensemble's settings and parameters can be controlled from this application. When installing the latest software from the Apogee Website, Apogee Maestro is placed in your Mac's Application folder.

Connect Ensemble to your Computer

Ensemble features two Thunderbolt™ 2 connections to enable daisy-chaining of other Thunderbolt peripherals to your computer. It does not matter which position Ensemble is placed in the chain.

1. Using a certified Thunderbolt cable, connect Ensemble to a Thunderbolt port on your computer.
2. Connect other certified Thunderbolt devices to Ensemble's remaining Thunderbolt port.

Make sure that your Mac has the Thunderbolt logo. The Mini DisplayPort, featured on many pre-Thunderbolt Macs, is the exact size of a Thunderbolt port but does NOT support Thunderbolt devices. See the difference below:

Line drawing of a computer setup with monitor, tower, and speaker (no text or symbols)

Mini Display Port ✓ Thunderbolt Port

Note: Apogee cannot guarantee performance if utilizing an uncertified Thunderbolt device in the same chain as Ensemble. To see if a device is certified, please go to:

https://thunderbolttechnology.net/products

Powering the Unit On

1. Ensure any speakers or amplifiers connected to the outputs are turned off, or the volume turned to the minimum setting.

Close-up of a camera dial with a blue circular overlay highlighting the lens (no text or symbols visible)

1. Press Ensemble's Power button.

ENSEMBLE A B C D ensemble Thunderbolt® Audio Interface

After a moment, the unit will power up.

1. Power on or raise the volume level of any speakers or amplifiers connected to Ensemble's outputs.

Powering the Unit Off

Powering the Ensemble off is the reverse of powering the unit on.

1. Power off, or turn the volume to minimum, any speakers or amplifiers connected to Ensemble's outputs.

2. Press Ensemble's Power button.

Note: Thunderbolt peripherals will continue to operate when Ensemble is powered off.

Update Ensemble's Firmware.

Ensemble Thunderbolt firmware does not match installed software. Please run firmware updater. OK

After the software installation, you may be prompted to update the firmware.

1. Open Ensemble Thunderbolt Firmware Updater.app located in your computer's Applications > Utilities folder.

Applications All My Files AirDrop Applications Desktop Documents Downloads Devices Macintosh... Tags Red Orange Yellow Utilities Market.asp Launches.asp Logic Pro X.asp Mail.asp Maps.asp Messages.asp Mission Control.asp Netlas.asp Photo Booth.asp Preview.asp Pro Tools.asp Quick Time Player.asp Feedbackers.asp Solar.asp Stockups.asp System Preferences.asp TextEdit.asp Time Machine.asp Utilities Activity Monitor.asp Adobe Flash...I Manager.asp AirPort Utility.asp Apache Registration.asp Audio MIDI Setup.asp Bluetooth File Exchange.asp Boot Camp Assistant.asp ColorSync Utility.asp Gridbox.asp Digital Color Meter.asp Disk Utility.asp Ensemble Tha...e Update.asp Feedback Assistant.asp Grab.asp Grapher.asp Keychain Access.asp Migration Assistant.asp Script Editor.asp

1. Select "Update".

Ensemble TB Firmware Updater Ensemble Thunderbolt Current Versions in Ensemble Thunderbolt Firmware: 0.0.39.0 FPGA: 0.1A Firmware Updater Versions for Ensemble Thunderbolt Firmware: 0.0.41.2 FPGA: 0.1B Quit Update Press 'Update' to proceed.

1. Follow any prompts that may appear.

EnsembleTBFirmwareUpdater Unplug the Thunderbolt cable. Please disconnect the Thunderbolt cable from the unit. OK 66 % Please disconnect the Thunderbolt cable.

1. When the progress reaches 100% and says "Update Complete", you are done and can quit the updater.

Ensemble Thunderbolt Current Versions in Ensemble Thunderbolt Firmware: 0.0.41.2 FPGA: 0.1B Firmware Updater Versions for Ensemble Thunderbolt Firmware: 0.0.41.2 FPGA: 0.1B 100 % Quit Update Complete.

To Play Sound Out

Select Ensemble for Mac System Sound Output

To get sound from general audio applications such as iTunes and Safari to play out of Ensemble, it must be selected as the output device in Mac System Preferences:

1. Select the 📁 icon in the upper-left corner of your Mac's display.

Finder File Edit View About This Mac Software Update... App Store... System Preferences... Dock ▶ Recent Items ▶ Force Quit Finder √⌘Q Sleep Restart... Shut Down... Log Out Guest User... ⌘⌘Q

1. From the drop-down menu, select "System Preferences...".

1. In the System Preferences control panel, select "Sound".

1. At the top of the Sound Preferences panel, select the "Output" tab.

2. Under "Select a device for sound output:" select Ensemble Thunderbolt.

Sound Show All Sound Effects Output Input Select a device for sound output: Name Internal Speakers Ensemble Thunderbolt Type Built-in Thunderbolt

Setting Up Ensemble with your DAW

Most professional applications have their own audio preferences that are separate from the Mac System Preferences. Basic steps for setting up Ensemble are provided. For more detail on this topic, refer to the documentation that comes with your recording program.

Select Ensemble in Logic Pro X

1. Go to Logic Pro X > Preferences > Audio.

Logic Pro X File Edit Track Navigate Record Mix About Logic Pro X Preferences Key Command Presets Download Additional Content... Provide Logic Pro Feedback Download Logic Remote... Learn About MainStage... Services General... Audio... My Info... Advanced Tools...

1. In the Devices Tab, select "Ensemble Thunderbolt" in the Output Device and Input Device drop-down boxes.

Devices General I/O Assignments MP3 Reset Core Audio: ✓ Enabled Output Device: Ensemble Thunderbolt Input Device: Ensemble Thunderbolt I/O Buffer Size: 64 Samples

1. Start by setting the I/O Buffer Size to "64 Samples". Adjust the setting based on your computer's performance.

Devices General I/O Assignments MP3 Reset Core Audio: ✓ Enabled Output Device: Ensemble Thunderbolt Input Device: Ensemble Thunderbolt I/O Buffer Size 64 Samples

1. Select "Apply Changes" and close the Preferences window.

Select Ensemble in Pro Tools 11

1. Go to Setup > Playback Engine. 3. Start by setting the H/W Buffer Size to "64

Setup Window Marketplace Help Hardware... Playback Engine... Disk Allocation... Peripherals... I/O... Video Sync Offset... Session 36(2) Current Feet+Frames Position... Current Timecode Position... External Timecode Offset... MIDI ▶ Connect to... ▶ Click/Countoff... Preferences...

Samples". Adjust the setting based on your computer's performance.

Playback Engine Playback Engine: Ensemble Thunderlock Settings H/W Buffer Size: 32 Samples 64 Samples 128 Samples 250 Samples 512 Samples 1024 Samples Host Engine: Back/Record Video Engine: OK

1. In the Playback Engine drop-down box, select "Ensemble Thunderbolt".

Playback Engine Playback Engine: Ensemble Thunderfish Settings HW Buffer Size: 64 Samples Host Engine: Ignore Errors During Playbox/Recent (may cause clicks and stops) ✓ Dynamic Plug-in Processing Video Engine: Enable OK

1. Select OK. Pro Tools will restart.

Playback Engine Playback Engine: Ensemble Thunderbolt Settings HW Buffer Size: 54 Samples Host Engine: Ignore Errors During Playback/Record (may esude clicks and pops) Dynamic Plug-in Processing Video Engine: Enable OK

Select Ensemble in Ableton Live

1. Go to Live > Preferences. Select the Audio tab.

Live File Edit Create View Options Help About Live Preferences... %. Services Hide Live %H Hide Others \%H Show All Quit Live %Q 1 MIDI 2 MIDI 3 Audio 4 Au ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ PLACES ● Play For Live ● Plug-in ● Clips ● Samples ● Play In ● Play Mier

1. In Driver Type, select "CoreAudio".

Preferences Look Foot Audio MID Bytes File Folder Library Record Warp Launch Audio Device Driver Type CoreAudio Audio Input Device Ensemble Thunderbolt (30 In 34 Out) Audio Output Device Ensemble Thunderbolt (30 In 34 Out) Channel Configuration Input Config Output Config Sample Rate In/Out Sample Rate 96000 Default SR & Pitch Conversion High Quality Latency Buffer Size 64 Samples

1. In Audio Input & Audio Output Device, select "Ensemble Thunderbolt".

Preferences Audio Device Driver Type CoreAudio Audio Input Device Ensemble Thunderbolt (30 In 34 Out Audio Output Device Ensemble Thunderbolt (30 In 34 Out Channel Configuration Input Input Output Config Sample Rate In/Out Sample Rate 96000 Default SR & Pitch Conversion High Quality Latency

1. Start by setting the buffer size to "64 samples". Adjust the setting based on your computer's performance.

File Folder Library Record Warp Launch CPU Licenses Maintenance Sample Rate In'Out Sample Rate 96000 Default SR & Pitch Conversion High Quality Latency Buffer Size 64 Samples Input Latency 1.40 ms Output Latency 1.40 ms Driver Error Compensation 0.00 ms Overall Latency 2.47 ms

Connect Speakers

The balanced Monitor Outputs 1 & 2 on Ensemble's rear panel are specifically designed for connecting studio monitors.

1. Using 1/4" TRS cables, connect the left monitor speaker to Monitor Out 1, and the right monitor speaker to Monitor Out 2.

Front and back view of a dual-chamber electronic device interface with labeled ports and buttons

From the Front Panel From Maestro

1. Turn the Output knob to adjust the volume to your speakers.

1. Press the Output knob to toggle the monitor output mute on and off.

2. Open Maestro and locate the volume knobs in the upper-right corner of the window.

Ensemble Thunder...

1. Drag the speaker volume knob up or down to adjust the speaker volume level.

2. Click the mute button next to the speaker volume knob to toggle the speaker output's mute on or off.

Connect Headphones

Ensemble provides two headphone output jacks on the front panel. By default, these headphone outputs mirror the main monitor outputs 1 & 2.

1. Connect to the headphone output with a 1/4" Stereo headphone plug.

APPRO ensemble

From the Front Panel From Maestro

1. Turn the corresponding Headphone Output knob to adjust the volume to your headphones.

1. Press the Headphone Output knob to toggle the Headphone Output mute on and off.

2. Open Maestro and locate the volume knobs in the upper-right corner of the window.

Ensemble Thunder...

1. Drag the headphone 1 or Headphone 2 volume knob up or down to adjust the headphone volume level.

2. Click the mute button next to the Headphone 1 or Headphone 2 volume knob to toggle the Headphone output mute on or off.

To Get Sound In

Ensemble is equipped with eight premium-quality Advanced Stepped Gain microphone preamps and four instrument inputs on the rear panel, as well as two guitar inputs on the front panel.

Connect a microphone or line level input to any of the eight XLR inputs on Ensemble Thunderbolt's rear panel.

Front panel of a computer interface showing multiple ports, connectors, and control buttons with labels like 'Control', 'Display', and 'USB'.

Connect a high impedance (Hi-Z) instrument such as a keyboard or guitar with a 1/4" cable to one of the combi connectors on the rear panel.

Front panel of a black electronic device showing multiple ports and connectors (no visible text or labels)

Connect to one of the two Hi-Z guitar inputs on the front panel.

APOGUE NEXT SWITCH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 ENSEMBLE 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Select the Input Source

From the Front Panel From Maestro

1. Press and hold the desired Input Select button for at least 1 second.

1. Turn the Input knob to highlight "Input".

1. Press the Input knob to change the input source.

- Set to "Mic" if connecting a microphone. - Set to "Inst" if connecting instruments. - Set to "+4dBu" or "-10dBV" if connecting a line level signal such as an external preamp or mixer.

1. Press and hold the Input Select button for at least 1 second to return to the Input level meter screen.

1. Open Maestro and select the Input tab at the top (or use the keyboard combination [command 1]).

2. To the right of Analog Level, click the box in the desired input channel to select your input source.

Input Output Device Settings Analog Analog Level Mic 1 Mic +4dBu -10dBV ✓ Mic Instrument

- Set to "Mic" if connecting a microphone. - Set to "Inst" if connecting instruments. - Set to "+4dBu" or "-10dBV" if connecting a line level signal such as an external preamp or mixer.

NOTE: G1 and G2 are always instrument inputs and therefore have no option to change the input source.

Adjust the Input Gain

From the Front Panel From Maestro

1. Press the desired Input Select button.

1. Turn the Input knob.

1. Open Maestro and select the Input tab at the top (or use the keyboard combination [command 1]).

1. On the desired input channel, drag the Gain knob up or down to adjust the gain level.

1. Alternatively, you can type a gain value in the box below the knob.

Toggling Phantom Power

Phantom power is required to use condenser microphones.

From the Front Panel From Maestro

1. Press and hold the desired Input Select button for at least 1 second.

1. Turn the Input knob to highlight "48v".

1. Press the Input knob to toggle "ON" or "OFF".

1. Open Maestro and select the Input tab at the top (or use the keyboard combination [command 1]).

1. At the bottom of the desired input channel, click the "48" button to toggle phantom power on or off.

Monitoring the Input Signal

Using your DAW to Monitor

By default, Ensemble assumes monitoring will be handled by your recording software or DAW. Basic steps on enabling the monitor feature for the most popular recording programs are below. For more detailed information on this topic, see the documentation that comes with your recording program.

Enable Input Monitor in Logic Pro X

Select the "I" button in each track you'd like to input monitor.

Audio 1 M S R I

Enable Input Monitoring in Pro Tools

Audio 1 S M waveform dyn read

Record enable the track to activate input monitoring (Pro Tools Native).

Enable Input Monitoring in Ableton Live

Audio From Ext_In II 1/2 Monitor In Auto Off Audio to Master

In the track I/O section, set the Monitor switch to "Auto", or "In".

Using Maestro's Mixer for Direct Monitoring

If you do not have any recording software open, or do not want to use its monitoring function due to issues such as high latency, then you can use one of the Low Latency Maestro Mixers built into Ensemble to monitor your signal instead.

1. Disable input monitoring in your DAW.
2. Open Maestro and select the Output Routing tab (or use the keyboard combination [command 5]).

Software Outputs Monitor 1/2 Line 3/4 1-2 N.A. 3-4 A Line 3/4 5-6 A Line 5/6 7-8 A Line 7/8 9-10 A Line 9/10 11-12 A Guitar 1/2 13-14 A SPDIF Cx L/R 15-16 A ADAT 1/2 17-18 A ADAT 3/4 19-20 A ADAT 5/6 21-22 A ADAT 7/8 23-24 A ADAT 9/10 25-26 A ADAT 11/12 27-28 A ADAT 13/14 29-30 A ADAT 15/16 31-32 N.A. 33-34 N.A. 35-36 Mixer 1 X 37-38 Mixer 2

1. To monitor using speakers connected to Ensemble's Monitor Out 1&2, click the left-most box next to Software Output "35-36 Mixer 1". Now the signal from the Maestro Mixer 1 will be sent to your speakers.

Using Maestro's Mixer for Direct Monitoring (Cont'd)

1. To monitor using headphones connected to Headphone Output 1, click the box to the right of the Software Output "Mixer 1" and below Hardware Output "HP 1 L/R". Now the signal from the Maestro Mixer will be sent to your headphones.

Using Maestro's Mixer for Direct Monitoring (Cont'd)

You can control the amount of input signal verses software playback volume heard using the Maestro Mixer controls:

1. Select the Mixer tab (or use the keyboard combination [command 6]).

1. Select "Mixer 1".

Mixer 1 Mixer 2 Mixer 3

A Mic 1 10> -9 S M

1. Adjust the level of input heard by adjusting the Input Fader.

Software Return 0 S M Out 1-2

1. Adjust the audio playback level from software with the Software Return Fader.

Additional Support

For more information

• Ensemble User's Guide
• Apogee KnowledgeBase and FAQs
  • Apogee Product Registration
  • How to contact Apogee Technical Support

Please visit: www.apogeedigital.com/support

APOGEE

Designed in California Made in U.S.A.

Apogee Electronics Corp. Santa Monica, CA www.apogeedigital.com

7010-0072-0160 Revision 1.0