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Apogee EnsembleThunderbolt Audio InterfaceUser’s GuideFall 2014

Getting StartedPrecautions when powering Ensemble On/OffBefore powering Ensemble On, ensure that any speakers or amplifiers connected to Ensemble’s anal

Ensemble SoftwareSystem RequirementsComputer: Thunderbolt equipped MacMemory: 4 GB RAM minimum, 8 GB RAM recommendedOS X 10.9.3 or greaterThunderbolt

Update Ensemble FirmwareThe first time Ensemble is used after the software installation, you will likely need to update the firmware.Warning: Do not dis

Connection Examples Diagram13

Front Panel ControlsMany Ensemble settings can be controlled from the front panel. For full control over all settings, use the Maestro software (page

Adjust Output Volume1. Turn the Output Controller, Headphone 1, or Headphone 2 knob to adjust the respective output level.2. Press the Output Controll

Getting Started with Audio SoftwareSelect Ensemble for Mac System Sound OutputTo get sound from general audio applications such as iTunes and Safari t

Route Mac System Sound to Different Outputs1. Open the Audio/MIDI Setup Utility, found in the Applications > Utilities folder of your Mac2. In the A

Select Ensemble in your DAWMost professional applications have their own audio preferences that are separate from the Mac System Preferences. Basic st

Select Ensemble in Ableton1. Go to Live > Preferences. Select the Audio tab.2. In Driver Type, select “CoreAudio”.3. In Audio Input & Audio Out

Contents...Overview! 5...

Monitoring the Input SignalUsing your DAW to MonitorBy default, Ensemble is configured for your recording software or DAW to perform the monitoring dut

Using Ensemble’s Hardware Direct MonitorIf you do not have any recording software open, or do not want to use it’s monitoring function due to issues s

Guitar I/OIntroductionEnsemble provides two high impedance (Hi-Z) inputs and two instrument level outputs on the front panel. The capabilities these c

Stage 1: Record the PerformanceThe dry guitar signal is recorded directly onto a track in the DAW.To do this on Ensemble:1. Connect a guitar to a fron

Stage 2, Part 1: Playback Through Your Guitar RigThe dry guitar recording is played out to your effects and/or amplifier.To do this on Ensemble:1. Rout

Notes about re-amping with Ensemble:If you decide to use Ensemble’s guitar input preamp to increase the dry guitar signal level into your DAW, be awar

Inserting Effects pedalsEnsemble’s Front Panel Guitar inputs and outputs are perfect for inserting external hardware processors designed for Hi-Z and i

Main FeaturesAnalog Audio InputsEnsemble’s 12 analog audio inputs provide a multitude of connectors and options coupled with Apogee’s dynamically opti

Channel 1 & 2 Analog Insert Send/Return jacksThe Insert Send and Return jacks are for connecting external equipment - such as a compressors, EQ, o

Built In MicEnsemble features a built-in mic on the front panel that can be recorded, or used for the Talkback function (page 31).Recording the Built-

...Guitar I/O! 22...

Guitar OutputsSee the Guitar I/O section on page 22.Digital I/OEnsemble provides multiple ports of digital inputs and outputs, providing up to 18 chan

Monitor Control CenterEnsemble is equipped with several monitoring features to provide for your monitoring needs.TalkbackThe Talkback feature is activ

Choosing the Talkback Mic Destination1. Open Maestro and select the “Device Settings”tab at the top (or use the keyboard combination[⌘+3]).2. Sound fr

How to set the Monitor Outputs as a fixed Line-OutThis setting changes the Monitor Outputs from a variable volume controlled by the Output Controller k

Using the Assignable Buttons to Change Speaker SetsThe Assignable buttons can be programmed to change speaker sets.1. Open Maestro and click the “Devi

Adjust for Volume Differences Between SpeakersThere may be cases where the perceived volume of one of two or three speaker sets, or a speaker in a surr

Setup Multiple Headphone/Speaker Mixes via Maestro MixerSince there are four low-latency mixers in Maestro, these can send different mixes to the vario

Clocking with External EquipmentWhen connecting digital audio cables between Ensemble and another digital audio device, a clocking relationship must a

Configure Ensemble as Clock Slave1. Set the external device as the clock master.2. Connect a digital audio cable (optical or coaxial) out of the extern

MaestroApogee Maestro is a controller software for your Ensemble Thunderbolt. Though you do not need Maestro open to use your Ensemble Thunderbolt, it

...Setup Multiple Headphone/Speaker Mixes via Maestro Mixer! 36...

Input Tab WindowSettings for Ensemble’s analog and digital inputs are found in the input tab.1. Analog Level-Use this drop down menu to choose the ana

Output Tab WindowSettings and controls for Ensemble’s analog and digital outputs are found in the Output tab.1. Analog Level-Use this drop down menu t

The following settings control the configuration and level of the rear panel analog outputs and front panel headphone outputs.1. Speaker Level-Controls

Device Settings Tab Window 1. Peripheral Prefix-Choose which Peripheral Prefix (A-Z) is displayed on the ID button.2. Assignable Buttons-Use these menus

Input Routing Tab WindowThe number of input channels that are available to a computer recording program is determined by Ensemble’s Core Audio driver.

Output Routing Tab WindowThe number of output channels that appear to audio programs in the computer is determined by Ensemble’s Core Audio driver. T

Mixer Tab WindowThe Maestro Mixer provides a low latency patch from Ensemble’s inputs to its outputs. This is useful for when latency through software

Mixer Tab Window (Continued)System Setup Tab WindowIn most cases, Ensemble hardware interface is part of a larger Mac-based audio system. Settings tha

Menu Bar MenusAbout Apogee Maestro - Choose this menu item to display version information for all the hardware connected and software elements install

ReferenceBNC Termination Best PracticesEnsemble provides an internal termination mechanism for the BNC input. This mechanism is manipulated by the Wor

OverviewIntroductionThe new Apogee Ensemble is the first Thunderbolt™ 2 audio interface to offer superior sound quality, the lowest latency performance

Why is Word Clock Termination Important?Word Clock is used to determine the timing of when an audio sample is taken. On a standard CD, there are 44,10

Understanding LatencyWhat is latency?When recording with most computer-based digital audio applications, a delay between the input and output of the r

How does Maestro resolve latency?By routing the hardware input directly to the hardware output and mixing in playback as shown in Figure B, it’s possi

How do I set my software’s I/O Buffer?The I/O Buffer setting found in most audio software is one of the most crucial, but often ignored, settings in a M

SpecificationsSystem Requirements•Computer: Intel Thunderbolt™ Equipped Mac•Memory: 4GB RAM minimum, 8GB recommended•OS X 10.9.3 or later•Thunderbolt c

Inputs, preamps, and outputsInputs, preamps, and outputsAnalog Inputs4 Combi mic/line/instrument inputs- 2 1/4” balanced analog inserts4 XLR mic/line

GeneralGeneralDimensions (W x D x H)19” X 12.125” X 1.73Weight11.15 lbs.PowerAC IN 100-240V, 50-60 Hz, 65W MAXAdditional SupportFor more information:•

APOGEE ELECTRONICS CORPORATION warrants this product to be free of defects in material and manufacture under normal use for a period of 12 months. The

Software NoticeRedistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions ar

Industry Canada NoticeThis Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations. Cet appareil n

Package ContentsThe following items are included in the box with Ensemble:•3 pin-IEC power cable•QuickStart Guide•Rubber Feet•Warranty BookletRegister

Ensemble Thunderbolt Panel TourFront Panel1. Guitar I/O (see page 22):a. Inputs ch 11/12: Connect highimpedance (Hi-Z) instrumentssuch as guitar or ba

Rear Panel1. Inputs 1-4:Combination (combi) jacks receive XLR or 1/4”connectorsa. Use XLR for a microphone or line level input.b. Use 1/4” for high-im

DisplayInput Settings Display ScreenThis screen appears when an Input Select button is held for 1 second. The parameters available will change dependi