Apogee Ensemble: Recording a band

http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/hear-ensemble.php

With the help of the Los Angeles based band Blue Judy we will show you how to record a full band using the Apogee Ensemble. Ensemble is the first all digitally controlled, professional audio interface designed specifically for the Macintosh. Ensemble has 8 channels of Apogees legendary A/D and D/A conversion, 4 transparent, digitally controlled 75db mic preamps, 8 channels of ADAT I/O, 2 channels of S/PDIF coax and optical I/O, and FireWire connectivity to and from the computer.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Rock Band
• Ensemble
• Recording
• Logic
• Pro Tools
• Nuendo
• Blue Judy
• recording a band
• neumann
• API
• Music
• Guitar
• drums

[FigureInDots]

This is kind of misleading wont you say? - Using API preamps for the best sounding part... And with a high-end compressor... Whats the deal guys?

[apogeedigital]

@FigureInDots Not sure why you felt mis-led. Ensemble is professional piece of recording gear that can be used with other professional recording gear. The Kick, snare, and toms were recorded with API.

Drum overheads, room microphones, vocals, guitars, and bass were all recorded using the Ensemble mic preamps and D.I.

"High-end compressors" are used in professional recordings, sometimes they are not. We used one to demonstrate Ensemble's insert, and we like them.

[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.

[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.

[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