Apogee Ensemble question

[John_McEnroe]

I am currently using a MOTU 828 mk2, which is by far the weakest link in my chain. I am thinking of going for the apogee enseble as I use Logic. I would never use the pre's as I have two channels of great pres and I only ever record two things at a time. Can I use the first four inputs of the ensemble as line inputs? Bypassing the pre's? I really want an 8 in 8 out firewire interface, just want to make sure im not getting a 4 in 8 out interface. Thanks!

[Schmacko]

Yup, you can use channels 1-4 simply as line-in's for A/D @ +4 or -10. You just have to configure the inputs as "line-in" within Maestro or Logic's "Apogee Control Panel".

I'm not quite sure if the XLR's on inputs 1-4 are made to accept line level signals, or only 600ohm mic signals though. I just use the TRS's for those inputs. Maybe Max can chime in on this one.

[Open Sky]

Thanks for asking, Mac. I was wondering the same thing and I'd be moving up from an old MOTU converter, too. Ensemble seems to be a good piece for Logic users. I'd also be using other pres, but what's the word on the Ensemble pres?

[Killahertzz]

Yes... you can. All you have to do is switch it in Logic or Maesro (if you aren't using Logic)


And FYI the built in pres sound really really good.

[Marzzz]

I am looking to replace a MOTU 828 MK II with the Ensemble, but just in case I needed more than 8 line ins, what would be the best way to expand the Ensemble? Getting a second one is a bit pricy......!

[John_McEnroe]

Originally Posted by Schmacko

I'm not quite sure if the XLR's on inputs 1-4 are made to accept line level signals, or only 600ohm mic signals though. I just use the TRS's for those inputs. Maybe Max can chime in on this one.

Im not quite sure what you mean here. I was under the impression from looking at the pictures on apogee's site that inputs 1 and 2 were XLR only, that 3 and 4 were XLR and high Z, and that 5,6,7,8 were TRS. I could be mistaken. I would love to hear from Max on this.

[ALL*MYTEE]

I'm no Max, but mine has XLR on 1 and 2 and send and returns. The high Z is on 3 and 4 as stated. (That's all on the back).

On the front there are 2 high Z inputs that may correspond to channels 1 and 2, although I've never used them. Mine is wired from my outboard pres to the XLR inputs--selecting line or mic input in Maestro determines as far as I can tell what the Ensemble thinks the XLR is.

I like the Maestro interface more than I thought I would (I'm a little software adverse and it seemed like they might be skimping on rack controls to save money. But you can control the necessities like volume and pre gain from the unit very easily. Works great with Logic.

[flwehr]

Originally Posted by Marzzz

I am looking to replace a MOTU 828 MK II with the Ensemble, but just in case I needed more than 8 line ins, what would be the best way to expand the Ensemble? Getting a second one is a bit pricy......!

It has an ADAT in - I have a Focusrite 428 with digital card wired to my Ensemble via ADAT for extra inputs (Focusrite + RNP + Brick). Works great, although I find myself going to the Ensemble pres first most of the time - they really sound wonderful.