2x4 I/O Module for Apogee Symphony

[Dpro]

Originally Posted by Clint at Apogee

Hello -

Curious ---- with the 2x6, USB would smoke it for breakfast, lunch and still have some in the tank for dinner and desert. Agreed - PCI speed is the best possible data path for high bandwidth audio. ThunderBridge is the most robust solution for non PCI based systems and very needed when you go beyond 16x16 I/O, with 2X6 ..... why not USB?

I don't disagree with your thoughts at all - but I just want to make sure there is not misconception at the stability and performance of USB audio right now.

Clint

Oh I don't doubt it work fine with USB except I do not plan on staying with the smaller card. I do plan on expanding and having the Thunderbridge would just make that simpler down the the road.

The smaller card would get me in the door. Then down the road more i/o cards.
I love the concept of the modularity of the Symphony System! It basically simplifies the upgrade process . No more changing the whole converter box just yank a card and install one with more i/o or add different i/o alongside current stuff.

Win win situation in my eyes.

[Clint at Apogee]

Originally Posted by Dpro

Oh I don't doubt it work fine with USB except I do not plan on staying with the smaller card. I do plan on expanding and having the Thunderbridge would just make that simpler down the the road.

The smaller card would get me in the door. Then down the road more i/o cards.
I love the concept of the modularity of the Symphony System! It basically simplifies the upgrade process . No more changing the whole converter box just yank a card and install one with more i/o or add different i/o alongside current stuff.

Win win situation in my eyes.

Thank you -- I get your point of view now. USB for small I/O configs and mobility and then when you expand - ThunderBridge. Thank you for noticing the modularity and flexibility of the modes.

Clint

[Lupez]

is the new module 2x4 or 2x6 then?

[therecordinghous]

Originally Posted by Duardo

I know that every perfect configuration can't be met, but...I think an awesome combination would be a 2-in 8-out card, but the two inputs would be a choice of mic/instrument/line...and that card would obviously be more than the 2x6 card. Maybe $1995, maybe $1495...who knows? It would be great for basic tracking as well as mixing through something like a D Box. And you could call it something like a Trak 2. Oh, wait...

i think they nailed it with 2 in, 6 out. there are 8 total channels of conversion and 8 analog stages. exactly half of an 8x8. if you want to use a DBox you still have 6 channels, or you can add 2 more channels of conversion via ADAT or SPDIF.

[Clint at Apogee]

Originally Posted by Lupez

is the new module 2x4 or 2x6 then?

It was announced as a 2x4 project that expanded to the 2x6. The final module will be a 2x6 with the specifics I already posted in this thread. It's not over until is is released - so I will reiterate - the specs posted are the release candidate right now. That's me be overly cautious. It is GS, right?

Clint

[Johnkenn]

Doesn't sound like it's coming out anytime soon...Can you confirm that it will be this year, Clint?

[Clint at Apogee]

Originally Posted by Johnkenn

Doesn't sound like it's coming out anytime soon...Can you confirm that it will be this year, Clint?

No - actually I like before the end of the year a lot! It's pretty close and only unforeseen complications would be the culprit now. Being I am here and speaking in GS print, I am trying to avoid anything concrete for obvious reasons. I hope you can understand.

Clint

[trock]

personally cannot wait for this. for someone like me it allows me into this world at a price point i can make. with a patchbay i can set my whole studio up the way i need. i am a lone songwriter and never ecord more than 1 stereo source at a time, i also only have need for one stereo out to my opals and one stereo out to my headphone amp

and for 2500 or so i can enter this world AND as finances or growth permits i can ADD modules down the road.

win, win, win for me or someone in my same position at least

[BrickzPorter]

Clint will it still be released 3rd quarter??? The money has seriously been burning a hole in my pocket... Wish I could just pre order and get it over with lol

[chrisrulesmore]

Any plans for a 6 in/ 2 out card? That would make more sense to me as it would allow enough inputs to do drums and still provide the bare necessity of outputs that most people use, provided they aren't summing or doing artist cue mixes.

[sigmatibet]

is the input section also Microphonic?

[Melgueil]

It would be great to see a mod with 2 of those Mic pre's. The concept of onboard pre's is interesting.

I am beginning to see the advantage of this being a "platform". The entry price is the base unit (not cheap, but what of quality in life ever is ?). Once in the door you build it as you wish. This could end up being the converter version of the Lunchbox - if they continue to build a larger selection of modules. It took me a while to get my head around this ....hard to compare it to anything else right now.

Cdlt

[Clint at Apogee]

Originally Posted by chrisrulesmore

Any plans for a 6 in/ 2 out card? That would make more sense to me as it would allow enough inputs to do drums and still provide the bare necessity of outputs that most people use, provided they aren't summing or doing artist cue mixes.

The very fact you are requesting this really supports the modular nature of the Symphony concept. The challenge for Apogee is to create the correct module at the correct price points to expand the options in a way that grows the platform. If you really think about it - your idea is a good one - but quickly, the stock 8x8 is a good 'catch all' card. My profile would fit the 2x6 - but I could also fit the 8x8. Now these are options that I can change at anytime once I have the platform!

Clint at Apogee

[Clint at Apogee]

Originally Posted by sigmatibet

is the input section also Microphonic?

Do you mean it has a Mic Pre? If that is the case, the answer is no. The inputs are balanced XLR. The concept is with so many excellent Pre's on the market --

Clint at Apogee

[Duardo]

i think they nailed it with 2 in, 6 out. there are 8 total channels of conversion and 8 analog stages. exactly half of an 8x8. if you want to use a DBox you still have 6 channels, or you can add 2 more channels of conversion via ADAT or SPDIF.

Oh, I agree that they nailed it with this one, especially considering the lower price. What I suggested (2-in with mic pre/DI and 8 outs) would be an additional option, and it would be more expensive...probably the same price as most of the other cards. It would be great for an all-in-one basic tracking/mixing box, and would essentially the about the same as an old Trak 2 with the 8-channel output card...which I thought was one of the more underrated boxes to come out over the years.

[Convectuoso]

I think they realized 6 outputs would be the minimum needed for 5.1. Good move!

[Melgueil]

All we need now is the price ...hmmm TBA
Apogee Symphony I/O Modules > Apogee Electronics

Cdlt

[andremattos]

Originally Posted by Clint at Apogee

Hello Everyone -

I have some good news. Below is what the new 2X6 module will be in detail. There is little chance this will change but until it ships, lets take this as an excellent final candidate spec. It's pretty impressive if you ask me.

To give an exacting ETA would be just too difficult. We are close, it is being tested and everything looks great so far.

I am completely excited about this module as it will bring the entry level price of a Symphony system below 3K. Price is still TBD - but it will be under 1K for this module.

Same quality in all respects with the other Symphony modules.

Modular & Flexible.

Also - someone noted about Thunderbolt. We where using a ThunderBridge at Potluck - worked great. Release TBD as well.

Please stay tuned for the official announcements on the Apogee website

Clint



2x6 Analog I/O + 8x8 Optical/AES I/O

INPUTS
Analog IN: 2 balanced inputs on 2 female XLR connectors
AES IN: Stereo input on 1 female XLR connector
Optical IN: Supports ADAT, SMUX & S/PDIF
ADAT: 8 channels 44.1-48 kHz on 1 Toslink connector
SMUX: 4 channels 88.2-96 kHz on 1 Toslink connectors
S/PDIF: 2 channels, up to 96 kHz on 1 Toslink connector
S/PDIF Coax IN: 2 channels, up to 192 kHz on 1 RCA connector


OUTPUTS
Analog OUT: 6 balanced outputs on 1 DSUB 25-pin connector
AES OUT: Stereo output on 1 male XLR connector
Optical OUT: Supports ADAT, SMUX & S/PDIF
ADAT: 8 channels 44.1-48 kHz on 1 Toslink connector
SMUX: 4 channels 88.2-96 kHz on 1 Toslink connectors
S/PDIF: 2 channels, up to 96 kHz on 1 Toslink connector
S/PDIF Coax OUT: 2 channels, up to 192 kHz on 1 RCA connector

Great news!
Perfect for me , mastering !!
ETA ?? ??
thx

[alternative4]

Yes!! It's perfect for me to do little tracking and mixing at home. I'm buying one more symphony with this module!

[andremattos]

I've just ordered today one Brand new Symphony Chassy from my local dealer , i just can wait for this new Module(2x6)

I will have to forget HILO at this time ..

[Johnkenn]

I'm telling you, try the Hilo before you buy the symphony. A reputable dealer will send you both and let you choose.

[andremattos]

Hi, sorry
i"ve just ordered and it will arrive here in a few days ..i am happy ..

i just prefered for 8x8 module(analog + aes + spdif) .. next try with Antelope 10M ..

i will try HILO , but here in brazil the oficial dealer charge me something around 6k .tax and duties is to high , :(
for Symphony i just paid (with module) .5k ..

[Clint at Apogee]

Originally Posted by Johnkenn

I'm telling you, try the Hilo before you buy the symphony. A reputable dealer will send you both and let you choose.

Hilo is a great sounding I/O - they did a great job with it.

However, with the Symphony 2x6 you get USB, PTHD, Symphony and stand alone connectivity.

Plus a system that can be expanded at anytime up to 32x32 in one box.

That's pretty cool.

Clint

[trock]

I personally only need 1 or 2 inputs but at some point i wanted to have the ability to sum out 16 channels, and i needed 4 outputs right off the bat for monitors and a headphone amp

this card allows me to get into the symphony at the HiLo price point and like clint said, have the ability to expand down the road.

i am pretty excited this is coming out. already have my sweetwater rep ready to tell me when available!

[Clint at Apogee]

Originally Posted by trock

I personally only need 1 or 2 inputs but at some point i wanted to have the ability to sum out 16 channels, and i needed 4 outputs right off the bat for monitors and a headphone amp

this card allows me to get into the symphony at the HiLo price point and like clint said, have the ability to expand down the road.

i am pretty excited this is coming out. already have my sweetwater rep ready to tell me when available!

Wow - that's an awesome configuration.

2x6 plus the 16 out card.

2 in 22 analog out. As you described - you could sum the 16 and then us the other outs for monitors.

I think that is a pretty heavy summing solution.

Clint

[andremattos]

i"ve just tried HILO, amazing Unit , sounds great!

But ... Symphony sounds great, too! for MY ears , a bit better , and ... i get PTHD, , modules .. "price"
Amazing job, Mr. Clint!
thanks apogee !!

[trock]

yes for me, the lone home singer songwriter, record some friends kind of guy, who only needs one mic at a time at MOST a stereo setup this card is fantastic


i have one set of opal monitors, and a headphone amp to break out some headphones so 4 outs are needed

SO i get into the symphony for 2500 US or so AND i can add down the road, tons of different setups. i am seriously looking into some external summing at some point. having been to see Fab Dupont at gearfest and seeing and hearing the summing he does i know for me its worth looking into. i can add a 16 analog out card at some point and sum out 18 channels!

i also have a bunch of front end gear, so i can add a patchbay and patch in anything i want into the 1-2 inputs. things like an LA 610 or pendulum audio quartet etc

i am pretty stoked

[Johnkenn]

Yeah - I had the Symphony 8/8 for a long time - loved it...just needed to cut some corners, so I sold it, pocketed the difference and bought the Hilo at a sick price. Of course, right after that, Apogee announces this thing. (damnit) I had planned to pick this up, but I'm really happy with the Hilo right now. I've always been an Apogee guy, so this is gonna be tempted!

[TS211]

Anyone know what preamps are able to be connected to the AES input on this module. Any 2 or 4 ch preamp? API A2d does it support multi ch AES? maybe the Grace m201 w/ converters?

[andremattos]

Apogee Symphony I/O + 8x8 module + db25 cables, just arrived here!!!

Great!!!!!!!
The unit sounds amazing!!!!!!
Very happy with it!!!
:D thx Apogee!!