ProAudio Review - August 2008 - (Page 28)

STUDIO | REVIEW By Russ Long the Main and headphone outputs are muted. When this occurs, the LED representing the selected output flashes to indicate the mute status. Pressing and holding the encoder again releases the mute. The Ensemble’s rear panel is packed full of connections. Four female XLR connectors labeled MIC 1-4 accept balanced mic or line inputs (determined by the software setting). Channels 1 and 2 have Insert Send and Return connections (on TRS connectors) providing balanced analog insert points before the A/D conversion. The Insert Send also serves as a direct out; if only the insert send is connected, the signal to the A/D conversion stage isn’t interrupted. The Insert Return can also act as a balanced TRS line input. Apogee Ensemble Ensemble includes everything necessary for a high-quality, 24-bit/192kHz Mac-based recording. The Apogee Ensemble has been on the market for some time at this point; it was released at NAMM in 2006. But between Apogee’s commitment to consistently improving the product with routine driver updates and the excellent integration via Logic Pro 8. It is worth taking serious notice. sleek and laid out well. When the Ensemble’s AC input is connected, the power switch (located on the left side of the front panel) glows dimly, indicating that the unit is in Standby mode — good thinking! The front panel’s multi-color Status LED provides a quick visual indication of the status The Ensemble is a digitally controlled multi-channel, 24-bit/192kHz FireWire audio interface. From mic preamps to Mac OS X Core Audio connectivity to headphone outputs, Ensemble includes everything necessary for a high–quality Mac–based multitrack recording. | FEATURES The 1U Ensemble is visually stunning and its brushed-metal appearance makes it visually right at home next the current Mac machines. The front panel of the Ensemble is APPLICATIONS: Studio, project studio, broadcast, postproduction KEY FEATURES: 8 channels of Apogee A/D-D/A conversion; 36 channels of simultaneous audio; 4 digitally controlled 75 dB mic preamplifers; 8 channels of ADAT I/O; 2 channels of S/PDIF coax and optical I/O; FireWire connectivity; proprietary SoftLimit, UV22HR, and Intelliclock technology. PRICE: $1,995 list CONTACT: Apogee Electronics | ¤ 310-584-9394 | · www.apogeedigital.com of various parameters regarding FireWire connectivity. When the first four inputs are set to Mic (via the software control), the Input Encoder Knob controls mic pre gain for the selected channel. Pressing the knob scrolls through the input being controlled; each mic pre has a corresponding LED that illuminates when it is selected. The Encoder knob is encircled by LEDs, providing a visual representation of the gain setting of the selected channel. Each mic pre provides up to 75 dB of gain. Each pre also has a 48V LED that illuminates when phantom power has been engaged. The front panel features 10 plasma-style meters — eight analog and two digital. The analog meters display either inputs or outputs as determined by the software setting. An Input or Output LED illuminates to indicate the meter’s status. The first digital meter displays the presence of signal on either channel of the S/PDIF coax I/O and the second digital meter displays the presence of signal on any channel of the Optical I/O. The Output Encoder Knob selects output control the same way the Input Encoder Knob selects the input control source and, like the Input Knob, it is encircled by LEDs to provide a visual representation of the output setting. The Output Encoder can be set to Main, HP1 (headphone 1), or HP2 (headphone 2). The software allows the Main output to be configured as stereo, 5.1, or 7.1. There is also a “line out” mode that disables the main output and makes the eight analog outputs act like independent line outputs. When the Output Encoder is pressed and held for a few seconds, A pair of TRS connectors on Channels 3 and 4 provide Hi-Z input similar to the front panel Hi-Z inputs. Four more TRS connectors provide line level inputs for channels 5-8 (input level is determined in the software). Eight TRS connectors provide line level output for channels 1-8 with the output being determined by the software. Digital I/O connections are via coaxial and TOSLINK optical connections. The Optical I/O supports S/PDIF, ADAT and SMUX digital formats. The Ensemble provides eight channels of 24-bit, 192 kHz AD/DA conversion, although only the analog and coaxial I/O are supported when working with rates above 96kHz. S/MUX mode is supported for ADAT operation providing four channels of I/O at 88.2 or 96kHz. The unit includes the classic Apogee “Soft Limit” that provides maximum input level without overs. It also includes the famous Apogee “UV22HR” algorithm, which provides superior dithering from 24- to 16-bit resolution. Ensemble switches to Stand-Alone mode if it doesn’t detect a valid FireWire connection. In this mode, all routing, control, and mixing settings made when the unit was last connected to a valid computer are saved in the Ensemble’s flash memory. This allows the device to be used as a stand-alone mixer or AD/DA converter when not connected to a computer. The Maestro control panel provides control over the built-in preamps and allows the Ensemble’s hardware setup to be configured. Each preamp has a gain control as well as phase-invert and 48v phantom power toggles. Each preamp can be assigned to one of two APOGEE continues on page 30 ® 28 | ProAudio Review | August 2008 www.proaudioreview.com http://www.apogeedigital.com http://www.proaudioreview.com

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ProAudio Review - August 2008 Contents Publisher's Page Broadcast News and New Products Yamaha Pocketrak 2G Olympus LS-10 Linear PCM Recorder Bench Test Marantz PMD620 Flash Recorder TASCAM DR-1 Portable Digital Recorder Tips From The Pros: Location/Production Audio Prosumer Portables in a Pro World Studio News and New Products Apogee Ensemble Solid State Logic Duende Mini FireWire DSP Live News and New Products Avril Lavigne's The Best Damn Thing World Tour Behringer Eurolive B412DSP and B415DSP Active Loudspeakers Gear for FOH Engineers — A PAR Contributors’ Wish List Contracting News and New Products Buyer's Guide Single Slice

ProAudio Review - August 2008

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