Apogee Symphony I/O

[bakerman]

just installed a 2nd module and I'm now the proud owner of unwanted fan noise approx 4-5 times that of my Mac Pro so it's not flat out but still annoying. Plenty of space between other items and its Winter over here so the room isn't super warm. Been on about 15 mins into a mix....keen to hear solutions of this other than sticking it into another room?

PS. sounds freaking amazing though!

[nativeaudio]

According to a post earlier in this thread, Apogee has a mod kit which addresses the fan noise problem.

[bakerman]

Ok thanks I did see that and have sent Apogee an email

[Wonda]

Hi Doc, i recently saw that you helped someone with their Apogee Symphony problems so I thought I'd outline my problem and see if you'd be able to help me as well.

I just got my Apogee Symphony yesterday and the main problem is:

During my Symphony I/O Firmware Update the part where it tries to Update the PrimaryIO FPGA always fails...have tried it numerous times...so everything is up to date with Apogee's most recent firmware release except the PrimaryIO FPGA

So I leave that alone and comeback and then when I turn on my Apogee Symphony an APOGEE notification comes on my computer that says the "Symphony I/O firmware does not match software, launching updater."

So I click the OK button and it starts "Looking for a connected Symphony I/O..."

and then it states "Could not find a Symphony I/O connected." which is confusing because when I just turned on my Symphony I/O as it was connected to my computer's USB port it alerted me that firmware needed updating which clearly means it found my Symphony connected. And my Symphony shows itself as being ready and connected when I view it through Maestro 2,

When I play a song the levels on the right side of my Apogee LED move up and down but no sounds come out.

And also there is an exclamation point that just stays on my Symphony LED on the left side under the Speakers/Headphones/icon.

I'm running the Symphony_July_2012.dmg Installer/Updater from apogeedigital.com and My Mac Book Pro is Mountain Lion version 10.8.2

Thank you for your help

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by Wonda

Hi Doc, i recently saw that you helped someone with their Apogee Symphony problems so I thought I'd outline my problem and see if you'd be able to help me as well.

I just got my Apogee Symphony yesterday and the main problem is:

During my Symphony I/O Firmware Update the part where it tries to Update the PrimaryIO FPGA always fails...have tried it numerous times...so everything is up to date with Apogee's most recent firmware release except the PrimaryIO FPGA

So I leave that alone and comeback and then when I turn on my Apogee Symphony an APOGEE notification comes on my computer that says the "Symphony I/O firmware does not match software, launching updater."

So I click the OK button and it starts "Looking for a connected Symphony I/O..."

and then it states "Could not find a Symphony I/O connected." which is confusing because when I just turned on my Symphony I/O as it was connected to my computer's USB port it alerted me that firmware needed updating which clearly means it found my Symphony connected. And my Symphony shows itself as being ready and connected when I view it through Maestro 2,

When I play a song the levels on the right side of my Apogee LED move up and down but no sounds come out.

And also there is an exclamation point that just stays on my Symphony LED on the left side under the Speakers/Headphones/icon.

I'm running the Symphony_July_2012.dmg Installer/Updater from apogeedigital.com and My Mac Book Pro is Mountain Lion version 10.8.2

Thank you for your help

From Apogee;

The Symphony I/O Firmware Updater is currently not compatible with Mac OS X 10.8 & 10.7.5. Workaround - update firmware on a Mac running OS 10.7.4 or below.

http://www.apogeedigital.com/drivers..._July_2012.dmg

[Peter Stengaard]

now that I have you guys...anyone has a problem with large burst of "crunchxtghnmdfvij" when switching modes ? usb-protoolsHD and back ? or tuning on the machine...sometimes it switches with a small click - sometimes not so much, as in OMG my speakers almost blew...

[Wonda]

Originally Posted by Doc Mixwell

From Apogee;

The Symphony I/O Firmware Updater is currently not compatible with Mac OS X 10.8 & 10.7.5. Workaround - update firmware on a Mac running OS 10.7.4 or below.

http://www.apogeedigital.com/drivers..._July_2012.dmg

Thank you i noticed that when, and tried to update on a different computer running OS 10.7.4 and the same problem came up where it just keeps failing to update completely. Any other suggestions?

[sonicdefault]

^

Are you sure your firmware isn't already up to date? I notice your picture shows the same XMOS versions (top & bottom). I tried to check the current firmware release number, but the Apogee site isn't responding at the moment.

Anyway, I believe if you're installed firmware is different, you'll see a variant version number in the updater window between the top and bottom XMOS numbers.


-SD

[Wonda]

Hey SD thanks

Well everything looks up to date except the PrimaryIO FPGA: on my version it says FF and on the Updater's version it says 31...so that's what I'm trying to get right, and every time I click update, it says it's updating my PrimaryIO FPGA and then it just fails...

and my sound won't output from my Symphony so I'm guessing it's because my PrimaryIO FPGA won't update...

[sonicdefault]

I understand, and I'm not sure either. Sorry you're having trouble! Maybe you should call them in the morning.

Let us know how it works out!


-SD

[Wonda]

I definitely will, thank you though for attempting to help

[solidstate]

I tried to post a thread about the fan noise but suprisingly I haven't had any replied yet.. Anyway, from what I gather here It seems that the fan noise still remains a problem when 2 modules are installed, even after the mod/fw update. That's a shame because this is truly the best conveter I ever heard!!!! Doc care to share your thoughts?

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by solidstate

I tried to post a thread about the fan noise but suprisingly I haven't had any replied yet.. Anyway, from what I gather here It seems that the fan noise still remains a problem when 2 modules are installed, even after the mod/fw update. That's a shame because this is truly the best conveter I ever heard!!!! Doc care to share your thoughts?

I did on your other thread

The noise with two modules is not a deal breaker for me. Its not that loud. Maybe you should try it out and see if it bothers you. It doesn't bother me.

I just tracked an entire record on location with the Symphony I/O, and my Laptop four feet from the microphone. I had no issues.

[solidstate]

Originally Posted by Doc Mixwell

I did on your other thread

The noise with two modules is not a deal breaker for me. Its not that loud. Maybe you should try it out and see if it bothers you. It doesn't bother me.

I just tracked an entire record on location with the Symphony I/O, and my Laptop four feet from the microphone. I had no issues.

thanks Doc

[solidstate]

Oh btw, has anyone heard about the 2x4 module? Is coming out @ Aes?

[Doc Mixwell]

Apogee just made an announcement that they are offering pre-configured systems at a lower price, with the release of the 2x6 module

2x6 Symphony I/O is $1995
8x8x8 Symphony I/O is $2995
16x16 Symphony I/O is $3995
8x8x8 + 8MP Symphony I/O is $4490

[TheSiege]

Originally Posted by Doc Mixwell

Apogee just made an announcement that they are offering pre-configured systems at a lower price, with the release of the 2x6 module

2x6 Symphony I/O is $1995
8x8x8 Symphony I/O is $2995
16x16 Symphony I/O is $3995
8x8x8 + 8MP Symphony I/O is $4490

This is HUGE news!!! Symphony I/O 2x6? $500 less than Lynx Hilo, Sign me up

[Lupez]

finally! prices are great!
but I wasn't expecting the new Prism Lyra...gulp!

hey Doc, if you had to record pristine acoustic guitars ala Clapton, what would you choose?
the new Prism Lyra2 or Symphony I/O with the 2x6 module + an ISA TWO (or similarly priced pre)?

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by Lupez

finally! prices are great!
but I wasn't expecting the new Prism Lyra...gulp!

hey Doc, if you had to record pristine acoustic guitars ala Clapton, what would you choose?
the new Prism Lyra2 or Symphony I/O with the 2x6 module + an ISA TWO (or similarly priced pre)?

Lupez, I would choose either. Though I am not a fan of the ISA preamp, personally. I've been dreaming of upgrading my unit with the 8MP, though I would love more DA converters in there instead. I would probably opt for another 8x8 when it comes down to it, because I have more "clean" mic preamps, getting built for me soon. When it really gets down to it, I can see my rig with 16AD DA and a 8 channel mic amp board to swap out when I need to. This makes a ton of sense to me, and I would never need another preamp again. Well, for a while

Sonically, the Prism and Apogee are beyond amazing sounding. This is not a hard choice, regarding sonics. They are both truly wonderful. We do live in good times, when the choices are this good, sonically speaking. You need to evaluate what makes the most sense for your investment. And certainly if you can evaluate this hardware over a project that is even better. It is important to note that the Apogee is modular and has MANY ways of configuring it.

The Symphony obviously has more connection outcomes in addition to that. Symphony 64 [pcie and Tbolt], USB Mode up to 16 Channels, Pro Tools HD Native, HDX, and HD TDM. So it depends if you plan to upgrade your studio ever to other facility. This is what's greatly appealing about the Apogee for me, besides how good it sounds. I still really love my hardware here.

Sonically, I hear the Apogee as having a "sweet candy coated glaze on it", while it is still extremely clean and open image wise. Amazing headroom and space, it is inspiring to me. It is the best I have heard from Apogee over the years. The Prism is not at all "polished" but actually a tad smoother on top then its cousin the AD8XR. Kinda awesome. You can really feel, appreciate the spec of the Prism when you are running it, so if the Lyra fits your aesthetic and needs, I would say that's great too.

[trock]

oh yeah!

prices rock! this is my next purchase!

getting into a symphony for 2K! with the ability to expand many different ways in the future

perfect for me

[Lupez]

Originally Posted by Doc Mixwell

Lupez, I would choose either. Though I am not a fan of the ISA preamp, personally. I've been dreaming of upgrading my unit with the 8MP, though I would love more DA converters in there instead. I would probably opt for another 8x8 when it comes down to it, because I have more "clean" mic preamps, getting built for me soon. When it really gets down to it, I can see my rig with 16AD DA and a 8 channel mic amp board to swap out when I need to. This makes a ton of sense to me, and I would never need another preamp again. Well, for a while

Sonically, the Prism and Apogee are beyond amazing sounding. This is not a hard choice, regarding sonics. They are both truly wonderful. We do live in good times, when the choices are this good, sonically speaking. You need to evaluate what makes the most sense for your investment. And certainly if you can evaluate this hardware over a project that is even better. It is important to note that the Apogee is modular and has MANY ways of configuring it.

The Symphony obviously has more connection outcomes in addition to that. Symphony 64 [pcie and Tbolt], USB Mode up to 16 Channels, Pro Tools HD Native, HDX, and HD TDM. So it depends if you plan to upgrade your studio ever to other facility. This is what's greatly appealing about the Apogee for me, besides how good it sounds. I still really love my hardware here.

Sonically, I hear the Apogee as having a "sweet candy coated glaze on it", while it is still extremely clean and open image wise. Amazing headroom and space, it is inspiring to me. It is the best I have heard from Apogee over the years. The Prism is not at all "polished" but actually a tad smoother on top then its cousin the AD8XR. Kinda awesome. You can really feel, appreciate the spec of the Prism when you are running it, so if the Lyra fits your aesthetic and needs, I would say that's great too.

many thanks.

I am a big fan of Apogee (I owned both Duet and Duet2) and I am working on bringing my home studio to a new level, so the modularity of Symphony could be a big plus - I am also very familiar with Maestro so I'd feel at home with Symphony.

But I have little / no experience with mic pres, and the idea of spending 2500 eurodollars on a pair of quality pre puts me totally off, not counting that 4500 bucks would buy me the 8x8 module + the 8 mic pre module!

So, I would like your opinion since I am willing to begin with the 2x6 module but I have no clues on what to attach to it.

Unless you claim the 8 mic pre module is soooo good that it would make the most sense and would be the best deal - in that case, I will have to hold my breath a bit longer.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Doc Mixwell

Apogee just made an announcement that they are offering pre-configured systems at a lower price, with the release of the 2x6 module

2x6 Symphony I/O is $1995
8x8x8 Symphony I/O is $2995
16x16 Symphony I/O is $3995
8x8x8 + 8MP Symphony I/O is $4490

Is this for a limited time or ongoing? That $2k for an intro to symphony is... Wow. It's like the 500 series of converters. Start "cheap," upgrade as you need more down the road. Perfect.

[TheSiege]

Originally Posted by Chris

Is this for a limited time or ongoing? That $2k for an intro to symphony is... Wow. It's like the 500 series of converters. Start "cheap," upgrade as you need more down the road. Perfect.

Doesn't look like a short term promo.. they mention nothing of it being for a limited time. I hope it stays this way!

[Doc Mixwell]

the mic amps are super high fi, and damn they sound kinda like the AD/DA converters!!! Clear and clean but Fluid and round. It is not a question for me, I will get that module eventually.

[TheSiege]

I'm Sold.. at these prices.. it doesn't make sense to not buy it.. Apogee quality.. already have pro tools no need to buy an HD native if I can get Symphony for less (yes i already bought the CPTK2 which.. i don't need)

[Elogical4now]

Those prices are nice !!!

Might have to sell my Rosetta 200 and upgrade to Symphony I/O 2x6.

[Slogun]

Someone knows where I can find old Symphony I/O drivers and firmware?
I've searched their website but couldn't find anything. I've also asked their support who answered they were going to search for them as well and get back to me.
My plan was to spend this weekend configuring my setup and would really like to get this sorted a.s.a.p. So any help is appreciated

I'm looking for the latest compatible drivers and firmware for 10.5.8 and 10.6.8 (EDIT: just noticed the published 4.2 installer is compatible with 10.6.8)

Thanks!

[bakerman]

I have version 3 - just read the release notes doesn't say which OS is required but pretty sure I started using it on 10.5.8

[Slogun]

Originally Posted by bakerman

I have version 3 - just read the release notes doesn't say which OS is required but pretty sure I started using it on 10.5.8

Couldn't hurt having it around for testing. Could you send it to info[at]servantstudio.com and I'd be very happy :-)

[bakerman]

just found release 2.1 as well will send you both