Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt Quick start guide

Brand: Apogee

Model: Ensemble Thunderbolt

Category: Musical Equipment

Type: Quick start guide

Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt is an all-in-one Thunderbolt™ 2 audio interface offering unsurpassed sound quality, lowest latency performance, and the most comprehensive studio functionality ever. With 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, Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt is the perfect choice for musicians, producers, and engineers who demand the best possible sound quality and performance.

Here are just a few of the things you can do with Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt:

Quick Start Guide

July 2017

Apogee Ensemble

Thunderbolt

™

Audio Interface

2 | Ensemble Quick Start Guide

Contents

Overview ........................................................................................... 3

Introduction ........................................................................................................................3

Package Contents ..............................................................................................................4

Ensemble Product Tour ......................................................................................................6

Getting Started .................................................................................. 8

System Requirements ........................................................................................................8

Install Ensemble Software ..................................................................................................8

Apogee Control ............................................................................................................8

Connect Ensemble to your Computer ................................................................................9

Connecting Multiple Units ..........................................................................................10

  PoweringtheunitOn/O ...........................................................................................12

Update Ensemble’s Firmware ..........................................................................................13

To Play Sound Out ............................................................................................................14

Setting Up Ensemble with your DAW ........................................................................15

Connect Speakers .....................................................................................................18

Connect Headphones ................................................................................................19

To Get Sound In ................................................................................................................20

Select the Input Source .............................................................................................21

Adjust the Input Gain .................................................................................................22

Toggling Phantom Power ...........................................................................................23

Monitoring the Input Signal ..............................................................................................24

Using your DAW to Monitor .......................................................................................24

Using Apogee Control for Direct Monitoring ..............................................................25

Additional Support ......................................................................... 27

Ensemble Quick Start Guide | 3

Overview

Introduction

ApogeeEnsembleistheall-in-oneThunderbolt™2audiointerfaceoering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

eortlessuserinterface,Ensemblefreesyoutocaptureinspirationwhencreativelightningstrikes.

Features

• Thunderbolt™ 2 Mac audio interface with two Thunderbolt ports

• Analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) for recording up to 24-bit/192kHz

•ProprietaryThunderboltaudiodriverandESSSabre32DACoer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 Control software

•WorkswithProTools,Logic,AbletonandanyCoreAudiocompliantapponMac

• Designed in California – Assembled in the U.S.A.

4 | Ensemble Quick Start Guide

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

• Access Apogee’s expert Technical Support for free

• Receive important product update information by email

• Take the Customer Satisfaction Survey for a chance to win Apogee gear!

www.apogeedigital.com/register

Ensemble Quick Start Guide | 5

Ensemble

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

6 | Ensemble Quick Start Guide

Ensemble Product Tour

Guitar Inputs

(11-12)

Input Select

Buttons

Input

Controller Knob

OLED

Displays

Output

Controller Knob

Headphones 1&2

Controller Knobs

Guitar Outputs

(11-12)

Assignable

Buttons

Headphones 1&2

Output Jacks

Built-In Mic

(Mono 9-10)

Power

Button

Inputs 1-4

Combi Jacks XLR Mic/Line

1/4” Hi-Z Instrument

Inputs 5-8

XLR Mic/Line

Optical

ADAT/SMUX/SPDIF

Coaxial

S/PDIF

Digital Audio I/O

BNC

Word Clock

IEC

Power

Monitor Out

1/4” TRS

Line Out 1-2

Analog Out

D-Sub Balanced

Line Out 3-10

Analog Inserts

Ch 1-2 Send/Return

1/4” TRS

Serial

Number

Thunderbolt™2

Front Panel

Rear Panel

Ensemble Quick Start Guide | 7

IN1 1

43 -30

INT

44.1

Input Display

Currently

Selected

Input

Gain Level

Sample Rate

Clock Source

Soft Limit

Insert

Group

Polarity

Invert

Hi-Pass

Filter

Input

Over

Indicator

Input

Level

Meters

G1/G2

Connected via

Thunderbolt

Standalone

Analog Inputs 1-8

Input Source

Instrument

Line In

Mic

Phantom

Power

Indicator

Output Display

Currently

Selected

Input

Indicator

Currently

Selected

Ouput

Currently

Selected

Output

Indicator

Output Level

Mute

Dim

Sum to Mono

G1/G2

Headphones

1 & 2

Analog Outputs 1-10

Output

Level

Meters

Connection Status

Output Over Indicator

Input Display Output Display

8 | Ensemble Quick Start Guide

Getting Started

System Requirements

• Computer: Thunderbolt™ equipped Mac

• Memory:4GBRAMminimum,8GBRAMrecommended

• OS X 10.10 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leanddouble-clickInstaller.pkgthat’sinside.

4. Follow the prompts. You will be required to restart your computer.

Apogee Control

Apogee Control is a controller software for the Ensem-

ble & Element Thunderbolt interfaces. All of Ensemble’s

settings and parameters can be controlled from this

application. When installing the latest Ensemble software

fromtheApogeeWebsite,ApogeeControlisplacedin

your Mac’s Application folder.

Ensemble Quick Start Guide | 9

Connect Ensemble to your Computer

Ensemble features two Thunderbolt™ 2 connections to enable daisy-chaining of other Thunderbolt peripherals to

your computer.

1. UsingacertiedThunderboltcable,connectEnsembletoaThunderboltportonyourcomputer.

2. Connectothercertied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dierencebelow:

INPUT OUTPUT

Note: Apogee cannot guarantee performance if utilizing an uncertied Thunderbolt device

in the same chain as Ensemble. To see if a device is certied, please go to:

https://thunderbolttechnology.net/products

✖ Mini Display Port ✔ Thunderbolt Port

10 | Ensemble Quick Start Guide

Connecting Multiple Units

The Ensemble can be combined with a second Ensemble Thunderbolt or any Element Thunderbolt interface. Here’s

how:

1. Connectopticalcablestoallavailableports.TheconnectionshouldgofromtheOUTportsofonedevice,to

the IN ports of the other.

2. Connect the power cables to both devices.

3. UsingacertiedThunderboltcable,connectyourprimaryEnsembletoaThunderboltportonyourcomputer.

4. UsingasecondThunderboltcable,connectfromtheremainingThunderboltportoftheprimaryEnsembleto

an available Thunderbolt port on the other Ensemble or Element.

For Macs equipped with a Thunderbolt-3 USB-C port, Apple’s Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter can be used.

Thunderbolt 3 Ports Thunderbolt-3 to Thunderbolt-2 adapter

Ensemble Quick Start Guide | 11

12 | Ensemble Quick Start Guide

Powering the Unit On

1.Ensureanyspeakersorampliersconnectedtothe

outputsareturnedo,orthevolumeturnedtothe

minimum setting.

2. Press Ensemble’s Power button.

Afteramoment,theunitwillpowerup.

3. Power on or raise the volume level of any

speakersorampliersconnectedto

Ensemble’s outputs.

Powering the Unit O

PoweringtheEnsembleoisthereverseofpowering

the unit on.

1.Powero,orturnthevolumetominimum,

anyspeakersorampliersconnectedto

Ensemble’s outputs.

2. Press Ensemble’s Power button.

Note: Thunderbolt peripherals will continue

to operate when Ensemble is powered off.

Ensemble Quick Start Guide | 13

Update Ensemble’s Firmware.

1. Open Apogee Firmware Updater.app

located in your computer’s Applications > Utilities folder.

Afterthesoftwareinstallation,youmay

bepromptedtoupdatethermware.

2.MakesureonlyoneApogeeDeviceisconnected,click

OK,thenStartUpdate.

3. Follow any prompts that may appear.

4.Whencomplete,theHardware&

Updaterversionswillmatch,and

you can quit the updater.

14 | Ensemble Quick Start Guide

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.

3. In the System Preferences

controlpanel,select“Sound”.

4. At the top of the Sound

Preferencespanel,select

the“Output”tab.

5.Under“Selectadeviceforsoundoutput:”

select Ensemble.

2.Fromthedrop-downmenu,select

“SystemPreferences...”.

Ensemble Quick Start Guide | 15

Select Ensemble in Logic Pro X

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

4.Select“ApplyChanges”andclosethe

Preferences window.

3.StartbysettingtheI/OBuerSizeto“64

Samples”.Adjustthesettingbasedonyour

computer’s performance.

2.IntheDevicesTab,select“Ensemble”inthe

Output Device and Input Device drop-down boxes.

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.

Note: “Apogee Thunderbolt” when using multiple units.

16 | Ensemble Quick Start Guide

Select Ensemble in Pro Tools

1. Go to Setup > Playback Engine. 3.StartbysettingtheH/WBuerSizeto“64

Samples”.Adjustthesettingbasedonyour

computer’s performance.

4. Select OK.

Pro Tools will restart.

2.InthePlaybackEnginedrop-downbox,

select“Ensemble”.

Note: “Apogee Thunderbolt” when using multiple units.

Ensemble Quick Start Guide | 17

Select Ensemble in Ableton Live

1. Go to Live > Preferences. Select the Audio tab. 3.InAudioInput&AudioOutputDevice,select

“Ensemble”.

4.Startbysettingthebuersizeto“64samples”.

Adjust the setting based on your

computer’s performance.

2.InDriverType,select“CoreAudio”.

Note: “Apogee Thunderbolt” when using multiple units.

18 | Ensemble Quick Start Guide

Connect Speakers

The balanced Monitor Outputs 1 & 2 on Ensemble’s rear panel

arespecicallydesignedforconnectingstudiomonitors.

From the Front Panel From Apogee Control

1.Using1/4”TRScables,connectthe

leftmonitorspeakertoMonitorOut1,

and the right monitor speaker to Monitor Out 2.

2. Turn the Output knob to adjust

the volume to your speakers.

2. Open Apogee Control and locate the

volume knobs in the bottom-right

corner of the Primary Window.

3. Press the Output knob to

toggle the monitor output

muteonando.

3. Drag the Main volume knob

up or down to adjust the speaker

volume level.

4. Click the mute button next

to the Main volume knob

to toggle the speaker output’s

muteonoro.

Ensemble Quick Start Guide | 19

Connect Headphones

Ensembleprovidestwoheadphoneoutputjacksonthefrontpanel.Bydefault,theseheadphoneoutputsmirrorthe

main monitor outputs 1 & 2.

From the Front Panel From Apogee Control

1. Connect to the headphone output with

a1/4”Stereoheadphoneplug.

2. Turn the corresponding

Headphone Output knob

to adjust the volume to

your headphones.

2. Open Apogee Control and locate the

volume knobs in the bottom-right corner

of the Primary Window.

3. Press the Headphone

Output knob to toggle

the Headphone Output

muteonando.

3. Drag the Headphone 1

or Headphone 2 volume knob

up or down to adjust the headphone

volume level.

4. Click the mute button next to the

Headphone 1 or Headphone 2

volume knob to toggle the Headphone

outputmuteonoro.

20 | Ensemble Quick Start Guide

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 to one of the two Hi-Z 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.

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.

Page is loading ...

Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt Quick start guide

Brand: Apogee

Model: Ensemble Thunderbolt

Category: Musical Equipment

Type: Quick start guide

Here are just a few of the things you can do with Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt:

Download PDF

report

Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt Quick start guide

Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt Quick start guide

Related papers

Other documents