Apogee Ensemble: Recording a band

[emoboi86]

Can you use the Hi-Z inputs on the front and all 4 pre-amps in the back or do you loose two of your pre-amps when you use the front panel? This is pretty standard for interfaces with 8-pre-amps, but when you only have 4, I would hope you can re-route them to take advantage of all 4 and use the Hi-Z inputs at the same time!

[DIRTYPAWZRECORDS]

Did you still use the Maestro software when recording with the Mic PreAmp, or did you have to disable it, to maintain a good level?

[Satyagrahaha]

Can I, and if so, how do I set channels 1-4 inputs on the ensemble to a line signal instead of using the ensemble's pres? Or can I only use the digital pre-amps for inputs 1-4?

[Satyagrahaha]

Just got an apogee ensemble. Already have 10 channels of outboard analog pre-amps without any ADAT or SPDIF (only XLR analog outputs). If I want to record eight channels with those stand alone analog pre-amps, can I run some of them into channels 1-4 input of the ensemble as a line signal and by-pass the ensemble's digital pre-amps? How do I set channels 1-4 inputs on the ensemble to a line signal instead of using the ensemble's pres? Thx

[ejvazquez6]

If I bought the ensemble, could i use the 4 mic pres 4 api pres and then somethin like adat 8 channel mic pres for 16 inputs?

[apogeedigital]

@ejvazquez6 Yes the 8 analog and 8 adat digital (and 2 channels of SPDIF) can be used at the same time giving you 18 channels of input and 18 channels of output.

[SorryArchitect]

What compressor is used?

[poopieLSY]

can all jacks be used at the same time simultaneously?

[joakimhellgren]

@poopieLSY Yes, why shouldn't it be possible? :p

[SasanMusicTV]

would like to watch this video in HD.

[xMETALLICAROCKERx]

@SasanMusicTV to bad

[kedavis]

So you can use an i/o buffer of 32 samples in Logic???? I thought Apple didn't recommend usage with Firewire below 128 samples.

[DylanSmith1997]

Was the intro recorded by you guys using these things?

[apogeedigital]

@DylanSmith1997 Yes the whole song (including the intro), was recorded with the exact set up shown in the video.

[ip0ts]

just a noob question, with apogee DUET, up to how many mic can i use in recording an acoustic drum kit and how?can i combine all the six input? i know some people record drums on a single/dual mic but im not satisfied with the sound quality..anybody please help me>>

[joakimhellgren]

@ip0ts with a duet you only have 2 inputs. Recording a drumset with 2 microphones is rather hard and you wont get that tight sound. Try using a lot of compression and EQing

[seanieboy2725]

say if i were to buy this, i would be recording drums but i have 5 mics that need phantom power but there are only 4 inputs for phantom on the apogee what would i need to do?>?

[apogeedigital]

@seanieboy2725 Often engineers like having different mic pre amps, which is why inputs 5-8 on Ensemble are just line level inputs. This way you can add your favorite mic pre amps along with the Ensemble mic pre amps. Just like in the video, we used 4 API mic pre amps with the 4 Ensemble mic pre amps.

[seanieboy2725]

@apogeedigital ohh i see, so i would just need to get a pre amp for more channels will it sound different because your using different hardware like the next 4 channels? Thanks for the feedback;.

[PattyWhomperOFFICIAL]

singer trying to sing like bono... don't do that, bono is a piece of shit all polished up...

[AhYaOk]

i'm going to buy it because it looks nice. i just want to look at it.

[okturus]

GOOD BAND/GOOD GEAR

[adrianh63]

I'm have 8 Synths and want the ability to use a patch if i choose to when recording or just playing & noodling or practicing

What Apogee hardware is required for my home studio to accomplish this

I want to be able to use all 8 Synths is i choose to at any time......

[adrianh63]

I will be adding the Ensemble to my Home Studio, i'm a hobbyist.

I have 4 Synths, they are connected to my ALESIS Multi-mix Line 8 ch rack mixer.

How do i connect from 4 to 8 Synths as my hardware fetish continues? Will i need to purchase the ROSETTA 200 AD/DA converter or does the Ensemble contain the ROSETTA converter electronics internally........Thank you...

[apogeedigital]

@adrianh63 Ensemble has 8 analog inputs, so that is enough for 4 stereo synths.If any of your synths have SPDIF or Optical out, you also have those options on Ensemble, so you could add an additional synth. The only reason you would need an additional converter, is if you were going to record more than 4 synths (with Analog outputs) at the same time.

[descargamusicalny]

@apogeedigital Or just run your hardware through a patchbay before going to the alesis that way if you need to record hardware just patch it to a channel on the ensemble

[ytxcg]

@adrianh63 hobbyist? with all ur equipments, u should go pro. (^^)

[rockoutloud364]

I am considering getting the Ensemble for my studio, but how do you connect the Ensemble to my studio monitors?

[apogeedigital]

@rockoutloud364 Ensemble has eight 1/4" TRS (Balanced) outputs, so you can connect output 1 and 2 to your monitors. As for the cables, you would use 1/4" TRS on one end, and the other end will match whatever your monitor connection is. If you have further questions, you can also reach our support department from 7 am to 7 pm PST. 310-584-9394

[HorseAmeche]

Somebody please tell me what compressor he is using, i cant find it anywhere!

[Faderjockey]

@HorseAmeche Looks like the back of a Urei 1176

[MatMurk]

Hey how can I integrate my Duet with the Ensemble? Because I wanna use the big knob from my Duet being that the Ensemble will be in a rack further away? And I do not have another available firewire port to plug them each one in separately.

[SasanMusicTV]

just wondering how to create a monitor mix for my vocalists using logic pro and ensemble? any idea how to do create a monitor mix with reverb, without using the software monitoring?

[percudrum]

I want to conect 4 phantom mics and 4 mics (xlr to 1/4) like the video demo in the drums, and the signal of the second 4 mics (xlr to 1/4) is very low, I dont know where I can see the inputs signal. I didn t found that in the user manual.

[rudeboystatus]

what is the compressor in this video for

can i get just as good quality without compressor

all i want to do is use one mic and record vocals singing and rapping thats it do i still need a compressor or is that for recording live drums and guitar only

[Jordan123x]

You can use free software compressors. Compressors on vocals are usually a must. It smooths the levels out by lowering the peaks and raising the lower volumes of your recording. Honestly though, you probably shouldn't be looking to buy the ensemble if you're new to recording.

[aceintuna]

if you don't need 8 mics preamps, choose a smaller interface. This one is high end ! look a edirol Fa-66 or a M-box (300$) they have 2 mics pre and two lines in. for a cheaper price you can have a yamaha audiogram 6 or presonus audiobox (but they are USB). You don't need an integrated compressor as you can have many software (most of them for free) used in your track through your computer.

[MrNightmareStudio]

i want to use my ensemble with logic but i also would like to use it as a stand alone with my protoold m box pro...can you tell me how ensemble connects to the m box pro...thanks

[apogeedigital]

The Ensemble can be connected in standalone mode useing either ADAT lightpipe or S/Pdif. It looks like the MBox does not have lightpipe, so you would have to use S/Pdif. For more specific connection instructions it would be best to contact our tech support. 310-584-9394 or you can reach them trough the Apogee website.

[Kollision]

We got the Apogee Ensemble, and the very best pre to use with it (in my personal opinion) is our Avalon 737 annicversary edition channel strip.

*Note* This is in reference to vocal recordings (rap/r&b), and we use Logic 9, an 8-Core mac, a Neumann u87, and other high end equip. Any questions let me know!

[TheZscrew]

what other quip connects to the essemble i got a rack was think of connecting so much stuff 2 it 2 get a good sound like the compresser, premps n all that stuff

[apogeedigital]

You may want to contact our customer service 310-584-9394 and they can go over any questions you may have about connecting other gear to Ensemble.

[TheZscrew]

what midi do i need for essemble i herd it aint got one

[apogeedigital]

That is true, Ensemble does not have MIDI on it. With a majority of our customers using USB MIDI controller keyboards and soft synths, we felt adding MIDI did not fit in with what most of our customers wanted. If you do have multiple hardware synths, you can use just about any USB MIDI interface available on the market today and it should work fine along side of the Ensemble.

[apogeedigital]

No you don't absolutely need a compressor. We used one in the video just to show you how it easily connects with Ensemble. A lot of people record with out one and just use the compressor plug ins within Logic. In fact, check out the Butch Walker video on our page, he only used a Duet (no hardware compressor at all!) and an SM7 to record a good portion of the last Pink record.

[recklessdoc]

do i need a compressor for the mics? will it still sound good plugging mics directly into ensemble and recording? Im new to all this so can i just buy ensemble or should i get a compressor too, if so what is a good compressor to use with ensemble and logic? thanks!

[apogeedigital]

You can connect Ensemble in stand alone mode via lightpipe to the 002 or 003,So you actually can use it with Pro Tools. If you don't already have Pro Tools, and you are not tied into using it, you may want to check out Logic. For $495 you get a lot for your money and Logic works directly with Ensemble.

[hareeshdigital]

i want buy the ensemble, nw i have 002. what is ur opinion?

[dompascarella]

this would be the best product ever if it worked in pro tools..

[wildcomfort88]

is it firewire?

[lapffel]

I'm trying to figure out how the ensemble gets 35 channels of simultaenous inputs/outputs... does that in fact really mean 18 in 18 out? 8 analog, 8 adat, 2 s/pdif

[apogeedigital]

Yes 18 in 18 out ....8 analog I/O, 8 adat I/O, 2 s/pdif I/O for a total of 36

[musikmann79]

Just brought Ensemble. Trying to adat i/o with tascam fw 1884 with no success. Are both units compatible?

[apogeedigital]

Yes, you can use the Ensemble in stand alone mode and connect it to the ADAT I/O of the FW 1884.

It would be best to contact our tech support and they can walk you through how to connect it step by step.

[05lramsay]

whats the link to download the song

[robdrums69]

yeah, I couldn't find the link either./.. lol

[apogeedigital]

YouTube will not let me post a link. So, if you go to our home page, under features (bottom right corner) you will see the link.