rme fireface or apogee ensemble

[halfguard]

ok, im looking at getting a new audio interface. a fireface or an ensemble. any opinions on the difference in converters ???

[e.maynard]

I'd think a Metric Halo 2882 would trump both of those units. Or, you could save some loot and get an Echo Audiofire 12. Do you need mic pre's? Because that's the weak link on all of those units, if there is a weak link. I really like the Echo unit with separate (nicer) pre's.


Erik

[mixerguy]

i think the ensemble is very good, all around.

[tomdarude]

on a Mac: Metric Halo 2882 I/O

[halfguard]

have any of you heard the metric halo against the ensenble or duet?

[harry_seldon]

If you don't already have very nice Mic pre amps, and you are bound to the Mac platform, I think the Ensemble is a solid choice. However, non of the other recommended products are going to make you unhappy. Ultimately, it is all about the Benjamins.

[halfguard]

well the fireface 400 is about 1300$, the ensemble is about 2000$ i dont have nice pres, im concerned about the converters of each piece. im also considering a line mixer with a duet.

[andremattos]

ensemble , no doubt
good converters , good pre's

[larrygates]

I have A/B'd the ensemble Mic Pre's with a pair of MSS-10 Mic pre's. Ensembles Pre's are very narrow and crunchy.

FF400 had very nice mic pre's, and is more flexible with it's routing than the Ensemble.

Metric Halo is pretty expensive, and I've never used it.

So, for me, I'd go FF400.

[liquidorange]

just picked up an ensemble. sounds great and no problems .the mic pres are clean and is a nice compliment to my pacifica.

[MattiMattMatt]

Either one. But to break it down:

Converters: Draw.

I doubt the converters in the Fireface or Ensemble are going to significantly outperform the other, one way or the other.

Pres: Draw

Depends on who you ask. I have a Fireface but don’t use its pres. My impression is they're OK, nothing special. Listening to the Ensemble (not controlled A/B, however), I thought the mic preamping sounded better, although maybe it was the grass is greener phenom at work.

Flexibility: Fireface

The Fireface is more flexible with more inputs/outputs.

Stability: Fireface

The Fireface is rock solid. The Ensemble, while it seems to work fine for some people, generally seems to be more finicky and problematic.

Looks: Ensemble

The Ensemble has a prettier face.

Support: draw

RME and Apogee both offer good customer support.

PR: Depends on your point of view

Apogee has an aggressive PR machine with a high tech headquarters that is widely reported to be the basis for the CTU set on 24. The few lay people who've visited report multiple large display banks monitoring every forum on the internet so that any time Apogee is mentioned online, an agent is able to just happen to show up, Matrix style, to “correct” any negative sentiments. On the other hand, RME runs their comparatively modest PR efforts from an Amiga 2000, requiring compuserve IDs to gain access to a hypercard-based Newsgroup.

Sound: draw

They both sound good.

Conclusion:

if the Ensemble works on your system and you value potentially better pres over more i/o, I’d get the Ensemble. At it’s worst, it’s like a high maintenance girlfriend that’s pretty but an unpredictable PIA.

If you prefer more i/o and value a reliable system with no surprises, I’d get the Fireface. At it’s worst it’s like a reliable old car that will get you there every time but won’t get you laid.

[halfguard]

Originally Posted by MattiMattMatt

If you prefer more i/o and value a reliable system with no surprises, I’d get the Fireface. At it’s worst it’s like a reliable old car that will get you there every time but won’t get you laid.

isnt that want we are all really after????lol

[wildstar]

Excellent post, MattiMattMatt. Such a concise, clear-headed, and amusing analysis of the two units in question. Really, good on ya.

Originally Posted by MattiMattMatt

Either one. But to break it down:

Converters: Draw.

I doubt the converters in the Fireface or Ensemble are going to significantly outperform the other, one way or the other.

Pres: Draw

Depends on who you ask. I have a Fireface but don’t use its pres. My impression is they're OK, nothing special. Listening to the Ensemble (not controlled A/B, however), I thought the mic preamping sounded better, although maybe it was the grass is greener phenom at work.

Flexibility: Fireface

The Fireface is more flexible with more inputs/outputs.

Stability: Fireface

The Fireface is rock solid. The Ensemble, while it seems to work fine for some people, generally seems to be more finicky and problematic.

Looks: Ensemble

The Ensemble has a prettier face.

Support: draw

RME and Apogee both offer good customer support.

PR: Depends on your point of view

Apogee has an aggressive PR machine with a high tech headquarters that is widely reported to be the basis for the CTU set on 24. The few lay people who've visited report multiple large display banks monitoring every forum on the internet so that any time Apogee is mentioned online, an agent is able to just happen to show up, Matrix style, to “correct” any negative sentiments. On the other hand, RME runs their comparatively modest PR efforts from an Amiga 2000, requiring compuserve IDs to gain access to a hypercard-based Newsgroup.

Sound: draw

They both sound good.

Conclusion:

if the Ensemble works on your system and you value potentially better pres over more i/o, I’d get the Ensemble. At it’s worst, it’s like a high maintenance girlfriend that’s pretty but an unpredictable PIA.

If you prefer more i/o and value a reliable system with no surprises, I’d get the Fireface. At it’s worst it’s like a reliable old car that will get you there every time but won’t get you laid.

[EKG Productions]

My ff 400 and my dynaudios BM5a have been the best purchases I have EVER made. My purchases include but are not limited to UA6176, MotifES, RODE NTK. By far the FF400 and BM5a's have made the biggest difference in my sound from start to finish. So what I'm saying is if you don't have good monitors get some along with the FF400.

[JPZ]

Originally Posted by MattiMattMatt

Either one. But to break it down:

Converters: Draw.

I doubt the converters in the Fireface or Ensemble are going to significantly outperform the other, one way or the other.

Pres: Draw

Depends on who you ask. I have a Fireface but don’t use its pres. My impression is they're OK, nothing special. Listening to the Ensemble (not controlled A/B, however), I thought the mic preamping sounded better, although maybe it was the grass is greener phenom at work.

Flexibility: Fireface

The Fireface is more flexible with more inputs/outputs.

Stability: Fireface

The Fireface is rock solid. The Ensemble, while it seems to work fine for some people, generally seems to be more finicky and problematic.

Looks: Ensemble

The Ensemble has a prettier face.

Support: draw

RME and Apogee both offer good customer support.

PR: Depends on your point of view

Apogee has an aggressive PR machine with a high tech headquarters that is widely reported to be the basis for the CTU set on 24. The few lay people who've visited report multiple large display banks monitoring every forum on the internet so that any time Apogee is mentioned online, an agent is able to just happen to show up, Matrix style, to “correct” any negative sentiments. On the other hand, RME runs their comparatively modest PR efforts from an Amiga 2000, requiring compuserve IDs to gain access to a hypercard-based Newsgroup.

Sound: draw

They both sound good.

Conclusion:

if the Ensemble works on your system and you value potentially better pres over more i/o, I’d get the Ensemble. At it’s worst, it’s like a high maintenance girlfriend that’s pretty but an unpredictable PIA.

If you prefer more i/o and value a reliable system with no surprises, I’d get the Fireface. At it’s worst it’s like a reliable old car that will get you there every time but won’t get you laid.

I've owned both and prefer the Ensemble. I have had no problems with the Ensemble at all. It sounds noticeably better, the mic pres are actually pretty good, better than the FF800, and it looks spiffy. The FF800 is very versatile though I will say that. I use Ensemble for music and the 800 for TV location production (non musical) because of the greater amount of I/O available

[allencollins]

I have not used the ensemble but the FF sounds pretty crappy

[kingswood6]

Originally Posted by allencollins

I have not used the ensemble but the FF sounds pretty crappy

Compared to what, Allen? High-end converters? No, not in the same league. I've got both the FF 800 and the Ensemble. I'd say the preamps in the FF are nothing to write home about, but the converters are pretty good, IMHO.

Not trying to start a debate, but I've never heard the Fireface referred to as "crappy."

Just curious.

Regards,

Bill

[erikjamesmusic]

i have used the ensemble for a year. before that i had the 828mkII. There is a definite difference between the pre's and converters between the motu and the apogee. i have nothing but good things to say about the way apogee sounds, and makes my final product sound. people seem to love the FF as well. not revealing anything here, just adding my .02.

[EKG Productions]

Originally Posted by allencollins

I have not used the ensemble but the FF sounds pretty crappy

Well thats your feeling on the situation but if RME's good enough for Elton John's music and its good enough for Brian Michael Cox's logic rig then I can't see why it would be so crappy that little old me and the OP couldn't find it usefull.

[Cello1]

• I am led to believe that the ff800 and the ensemble use the exact same converters? I use the ff800 and for the money it's great but I recently recorded an album with Lynx aurora 8 and now I am saving for an aurora 16. For not that much more cash you get a hell of a lot more from Lynx. Good luck