Apogee Symphony I/O

[ezpmuzik]

I could not be happier.... Received mine 3 weeks ago.. Been in Mixing bliss ever since..

[alternative4]

hi guys, just got the symphony to replace my ensemble and roughly did a 14 drum tracks. the difference is wow! but have a question about the trims control.
do I have to set the trims right in all AD channels to get the sound better? and the digital Ref level?
I run directly a mackie onyx into symphony and tried to record all tracks below -10dB in logic, the drum buss went to -4dB in peak level, is the level still too hot?
since the direct out of the mackie doesn't have a level control, the gain of the micpre controls the level, while I kept all tracks at -18dB in logic, it sounds lifeless.

[Sony Anderson]

@daddyrockbone

Calling the Symphony Cards "crap" is where you lost me on the point you were trying to make.

I believe the only moment where HD should be brought up here is to when they say the Symphony has COMPETITIVE sound to HD systems...but NOT REPLACEABLE... I don't think they ever implied that.

Now, for the type of projects you would use a Symphony, I also do believe it probably one of the best sounds out there before you go HD.

@DocMixwell

I like how your comments are based on what you heard and not the numbers. We all know specs don't necessarily make anything sound better. Now, I have to check it for myself that it does sound better than the Orpheus. If it does, my credit card will have to be used.

Good review, man.

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by Sony Anderson

@DocMixwell

I like how your comments are based on what you heard and not the numbers. We all know specs don't necessarily make anything sound better. Now, I have to check it for myself that it does sound better than the Orpheus. If it does, my credit card will have to be used.

Good review, man.

Kool! Thanks for that! I am happy to help out here at gearslutz forumz.

I haven't posted here on this thread in a while, cause it seemed to be steam rolling along just fine without me, and all the end users, but I am here today to say I am still absolutely loving my Symphony I/O. Sound wise, between the Prism and Apogee, its REALLY TOUGH, to say which one your going like better, because they are both over the top slamming, and really, its all just concentrating down to a personal preference thing in the end, after you hash through the details of your rig and budget.

[Doc Mixwell]

You gonna do us like that RighteousBunktard?? Eh??? Spam'ya-later...

call it what you want. I've used my hardware everyday for TWO YEARS

Seems there have been a lotta trolls spamming us with some nonsense for TWO YEARS as well, what bout dat, eh?

[sonicdefault]

Originally Posted by RighteousBasturd

oh the point?...well that is easy...people come here when they are interested in buying gear...the fact of the matter is that this piece of gear was in development for the last two years...people were ripped off because they couldn't use it the way it was intended.

there is plenty of evidence of that. My post is a reminder..and a response to a ridiculous comment comparing it to Avid products....which work when you take them out of the box generally....not two years later.


You see. This IS actually important for folks to know. It's called being realistic.

Adam I'm glad you had yours working for the last two years. Many others didn't as I'm sure you have noted.


I'd really love to here an example of a serious recording you've done completely on the symphony system in the last two years...

My history with Apogee products tells me that the conversion more than likely sounds great, but the system in it's entirety is clunky and fraught with issues...see this thread for the last two years...

You guys get all bent out of shape because of one post that is criticizing Apogee.

Well this is high end. I've used tons of Apogee stuff...owned and continue to own a bunch of converters (and other gear)...and own and run a studio.

I would never consider the Symphony system with a native rig a viable option for a studio...would I load the front end with apogee conversion...if it is truly as good or better than 16x then YES I would....but the interface is confusing and doesn;t seem PTHD friendly...and apogee has a habit of discontinuing things that work...so I won;t be doing that anytime soon...because oh yeah guess what also...the new Avid converter works great...right outta the box...need 16 more channels...buy another...open the box...five minutes you have 32 channels all happening the way they are supposed to.

It's not clear exactly what you're intent is here. You're comments are rather strong for a product you don't even own. You realize Apogee isn't the only manufacturer who's had issues with product releases? Have you not paid attention to the many gripes in the Avid camp?



-SD

[Doc Mixwell]

What?!?!?!! are you calling me out on the records I work on!?!?!? pfffffttt

Check out the Jago Thorne "Fire in the Wake" record. I did not "completely" produce this record...I cut three vocal tracks and mixed 97% of the Record with my hardware...

C'mon, Glissando, I mean daddyrockbone, I mean StewyFang and all the other names you get banned on...

You cannot call me out, without a real name...I have a real name, and my name is supposed to be on records, which I am trying very hard to accomplish everyday.

fellas....this dude is shorty to be banned again...don't waste your words

[ShadowAMD]

Hey DOC, I demo'd the symphony against the ULN 8 and proffered the ULN.. Have you tried both?

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by ShadowAMD

Hey DOC, I demo'd the symphony against the ULN 8 and proffered the ULN.. Have you tried both?

Well, I own and use the Symphony. I have not tried the MH ULN8 against it. If Metric Halo would send me a unit to try out, I will surly report my findings.

It is awesome that you found the right hardware for your studio. The Symphony is the right hardware for mine.

[ShadowAMD]

Originally Posted by Doc Mixwell

Well, I own and use the Symphony. I have not tried the MH ULN8 against it. If Metric Halo would send me a unit to try out, I will surly report my findings.

It is awesome that you found the right hardware for your studio. The Symphony is the right hardware for mine.

Actually it's gone, I downsized to an Allen and Heath Zed R16.. It was the best two years of my life when I had it though, tough times call for tough measures.

[Doc Mixwell]

It sucks you had to sell something that worked for you. When times get rough for me, I work more, so I can keep my gear. And then use my gear!! I can't bring myself to sell off my investments, and I don't sell stuff on ebay, or sell my used stuff, ever. I only buy stuff that I will use for the duration.

[ShadowAMD]

Originally Posted by Doc Mixwell

It sucks you had to sell something that worked for you. When times get rough for me, I work more, so I can keep my gear. And then use my gear!! I can't bring myself to sell off my investments, and I don't sell stuff on ebay, or sell my used stuff, ever. I only buy stuff that I will use for the duration.

Well it was a long and hard decision, although I am really surprised at the zed it has surpassed a lot of my expectations.. Things are starting to pick up again and looking at the GSR24 for the end of the year

I wish there was more work to work harder at, a lot of bands I hang with are complaining at paying £9 an hour for a practice room LOL! I may need a location change or open my horizons past rock and metal..

[SeeDub]

Originally Posted by RighteousBasturd

oh the point?...well that is easy...people come here when they are interested in buying gear...the fact of the matter is that this piece of gear was in development for the last two years...people were ripped off because they couldn't use it the way it was intended.

there is plenty of evidence of that. My post is a reminder..and a response to a ridiculous comment comparing it to Avid products....which work when you take them out of the box generally....not two years later.


You see. This IS actually important for folks to know. It's called being realistic.

Adam I'm glad you had yours working for the last two years. Many others didn't as I'm sure you have noted.


I'd really love to here an example of a serious recording you've done completely on the symphony system in the last two years...

My history with Apogee products tells me that the conversion more than likely sounds great, but the system in it's entirety is clunky and fraught with issues...see this thread for the last two years...

You guys get all bent out of shape because of one post that is criticizing Apogee.

Well this is high end. I've used tons of Apogee stuff...owned and continue to own a bunch of converters (and other gear)...and own and run a studio.

I would never consider the Symphony system with a native rig a viable option for a studio...would I load the front end with apogee conversion...if it is truly as good or better than 16x then YES I would....but the interface is confusing and doesn;t seem PTHD friendly...and apogee has a habit of discontinuing things that work...so I won;t be doing that anytime soon...because oh yeah guess what also...the new Avid converter works great...right outta the box...need 16 more channels...buy another...open the box...five minutes you have 32 channels all happening the way they are supposed to.

Everything you note here is completely old news. Love the HDIO's, best box Avid has ever released but Symphony is just more modular, expandable and flexible. 32X32 in one box as opposed to two HDIO's. Symphony rocks with my laptop and plays perfect with PCI. Now emulates an HDIO so all the Pro Tools 11 and HDX support mumbo jumbo taken care of. Thunderbolt coming and not a peep from Avid about that.

[Doc Mixwell]

I had to change out my outboard rack yesterday, [switched it over to a road case with wheels] so I had everything unhooked, and when I got everything working again, I was bored so I started to switch good audio between my Rosetta 200 and my Symphony. Anyone who doesn't hear this is missing out. It is not a small difference, and has a huge emotional impact on me. I want to keep my Rosetta 200, its a good box, but man, this is ridiculous...I think I'm going to wait to upgrade my unit with the new 2x module they are releasing. Either that or the Eight Banger Mic Preamp module, which sounds really spectacular to my ears.

[Nick Morris]

I can appreciate your point. Regardless of the sound, if you can't get the work you need to get done, how useful is it?

I don't own the symphony, decided to travel down the burl road instead, but if you need to get work done, buy what works completely at the time of purchase. If you can afford down time, well there you go. -and I'm not saying the apogee would cause you downtime

[ShadowAMD]

Originally Posted by RighteousBasturd

The ULN8 That I had for a while....also worked right out of the cardboard...no waiting...no update this...CS that...reboot and cross your fingers nonsense...that thing just goes...and really well I might add.

Agreed, shame it's only for mac.

[Peter Stengaard]

I bought my Symphony 4 months ago and it sounds better than anything I've tried - including the new Avid, on par with the Burl, better than the Lynx Auroras. It worked right away for me and the features are well beyond anything else, usb/protools hd modes, 2 headphone outs, I use it for monitor control as well and it works great. The 4 soft limit modes and software trims are great extras as well that I didn't know were included. Metering is awesome and the unit is quiet here, sitting right in front of it. I highly recommend it.

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by RighteousBasturd

DOC...no idea what you are talking about, but yes, Im asking you to point us to a record that you worked on start to finish ON THE SYMPHONY RIG...not tidbits here and there...not questioning YOUR ability...questioning the ability of the rig to function as a centre piece of a studio under the rigours of making real records.


...other news...still folks comparing this 2 debacle to AVID releases????

not even close I'm afraid...the AVID converters worked IMMEDIATELLY when they were released...as advertised...no comparison on that front.

You can't release a product that is supposed to improve your rig and have to wait 6 months, 1 year or even 6 days frankly, to be able to GET WORK DONE.


If you are playing around in the basement or are a weekend warrior...fine...no problem...But working dudes can't rely on products that don't work as they were intended when they come out.

if i wanted to play "whack-a-mole", I'd go to chuckie-cheese and put a token in the machine...

I reject your commentary, and laugh audibly

What is your real name?

Your comments echo other known trolls, trolling the same made up argument you and the other trolls (still you?) made up on the first few pages of every Apogee Symphony thread there is.

I would prefer to know your real name, and maybe then I can converse with you on your points.

But, at this point, I really don't care what you think of Apogee, or me, or anything really.

I have to go work a session now....with my non-functional hardware, that you've apparently never been successful at configuring.

[sonicdefault]

Originally Posted by Nick Morris

I can appreciate your point. Regardless of the sound, if you can't get the work you need to get done, how useful is it?

I don't own the symphony, decided to travel down the burl road instead, but if you need to get work done, buy what works completely at the time of purchase. If you can afford down time, well there you go. -and I'm not saying the apogee would cause you downtime

I bought my Burl converters before the Symphony. I wouldn't sell either, if that tells you anything.

-SD

[ShadowAMD]

Originally Posted by Doc Mixwell

if i wanted to play "whack-a-mole", I'd go to chuckie-cheese and put a token in the machine...

I reject your commentary, and laugh audibly

What is your real name?

Your comments echo other known trolls, trolling the same made up argument you and the other trolls (still you?) made up on the first few pages of every Apogee Symphony thread there is.

I would prefer to know your real name, and maybe then I can converse with you on your points.

But, at this point, I really don't care what you think of Apogee, or me, or anything really.

I have to go work a session now....with my non-functional hardware, that you've apparently never been successful at configuring.

Who exactly was that aimed at?

[Nick Morris]

Originally Posted by sonicdefault

I bought my Burl converters before the Symphony. I wouldn't sell either, if that tells you anything.

-SD

Agreed. Both sound stellar

[Pavement Charmer]

anyone with Symphony IO with original 8+8+8AES having trouble with the AES showing any IO? Still haven't gotten mine to work.

Im using two DIGI Snake DB25-AES cables daisy chained to UA 4-710, no signal showing up on the Apogee end.

Also I have to reinstall Apogee Firmware when using Mac Pro and Macbook Pro, it seems the Mac Pro only works with an older driver, but its really annoying as I work 4 mobile sessions a week and must show up early and make sure I have an internet connection each session.

I realize there are people who have not had problems with their Symphony but we calculated we lost $20,000 last year in downtime and cancelled jobs due to problems with
Apogee. I enjoy the sound of the Apogee but as I get more work I am realizing I cannot work without a backup interface...

Im so far beyond frustrated I don't even know what to do. I cannot afford an Avid set up at
the moment.

any suggestions on my AES issues?

best

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by Pavement Charmer

anyone with Symphony IO with original 8+8+8AES having trouble with the AES showing any IO? Still haven't gotten mine to work.

Im using two DIGI Snake DB25-AES cables daisy chained to UA 4-710, no signal showing up on the Apogee end.

Also I have to reinstall Apogee Firmware when using Mac Pro and Macbook Pro, it seems the Mac Pro only works with an older driver, but its really annoying as I work 4 mobile sessions a week and must show up early and make sure I have an internet connection each session.

I realize there are people who have not had problems with their Symphony but we calculated we lost $20,000 last year in downtime and cancelled jobs due to problems with
Apogee. I enjoy the sound of the Apogee but as I get more work I am realizing I cannot work without a backup interface...

Im so far beyond frustrated I don't even know what to do. I cannot afford an Avid set up at
the moment.

any suggestions on my AES issues?

best

Yea,

You have the wrong AES/EBU cable, if you are using one Wired for the DIGI-TASCAM standard for AES/EBU.

Apogee uses the Yamaha Bi-Directional DB25 Pin Out Configuration.

[Pavement Charmer]

Thanks Doc

I ordered the Yamaha connection, but perhaps they sent the wrong one?

Part # DB-XM+F-ROHS / Avid DigiSnAES4

also if you are a Dealer perhaps you could PM me, you seem knowledgeable
about the Symphony, and know more than my current sales rep...

best

EDIT: AFTER CONSULTING WITH DOC MIXWELL I THINK WE MAY HAVE FIGURED OUT MY ISSUE, THANKS DOC!
(if you can filter out the noise, this site can be a powerful resource)

[dogcatstudios]

I am testing Symphony I/O (2 modules - 8 IOs and pre ams) right now with Prism Orpheus beside it on K&H O300. The first thing that can be noticed is the lows. Apogee sounds much bigger there - I can't find better words because it is not muddy or slower - just bigger - there is some extra harmonic content that is not present in Prism. Also it is more snappy in lower mids - the compression on drums and percussion instruments is more pronounced for example. Prism on the other hand is more forward in mids - vocals, for example, are a tad more closer and a bit bigger. Both units have phenomenal high frequencies and the sound stage with amazing depth and width.
Symphony I\O has got much better preams and instrument inputs - no doubt about that. But there is this awful fan that spoils the fun. Mine is whining with both cards installed and if the mod kit doesn't help I will have to send the device back - with much regret.

[Clawson]

Originally Posted by dogcatstudios

I am testing Symphony I/O (2 modules - 8 IOs and pre ams) right now with Prism Orpheus beside it on K&H O300. The first thing that can be noticed is the lows. Apogee sounds much bigger there - I can't find better words because it is not muddy or slower - just bigger - there is some extra harmonic content that is not present in Prism. Also it is more snappy in lower mids - the compression on drums and percussion instruments is more pronounced for example. Prism on the other hand is more forward in mids - vocals, for example, are a tad more closer and a bit bigger. Both units have phenomenal high frequencies and the sound stage with amazing depth and width.
Symphony I\O has got much better preams and instrument inputs - no doubt about that. But there is this awful fan that spoils the fun. Mine is whining with both cards installed and if the mod kit doesn't help I will have to send the device back - with much regret.

Hi,

Have you contacted our support department about the fan mod kit? If not, please email me your information and I will make sure they send one out to you. Also, once you get the mod kit, please let me know you received it and how everything is going.

Chris Lawson
Apogee Electronics

[mixerguy]

Originally Posted by dogcatstudios

....
Symphony I\O .... awful fan that spoils the fun. Mine is whining with both cards installed and if the mod kit doesn't help I will have to send the device back - with much regret.

just a thought - do you have it mounted NOT above another hot thing?

and do you have an open (rack) air space both above and below the unit?

and what temperature is your room at?

just trying to offer suggestions.

good luck.

[SeeDub]

Originally Posted by mixerguy

just a thought - do you have it mounted NOT above another hot thing?

and do you have an open (rack) air space both above and below the unit?

and what temperature is your room at?

just trying to offer suggestions.

good luck.

Yea - a heck of a lot of analog - especially with the Pre's. Must be in rack and the mod kit helps a lot. With the latest software the fan comes on but at lower rpm's. In a rack it is acceptable.

[Clawson]

Originally Posted by Thephoenix

Hey Chris - when are the 2x4 cards gonna be out?

We don't have an exact date at this time. We will post on our website and email all registered Symphony I/O owners when it's available.

Chris Lawson
Apogee Electronics

[alternative4]

Originally Posted by Clawson

We don't have an exact date at this time. We will post on our website and email all registered Symphony I/O owners when it's available.

Chris Lawson
Apogee Electronics

just got the 16x16 module. I will get one more symphony if the 2x4 module is out. does it have any digital in/out?