Ensamble or Fireface or what a/d?

[Biofunk]

Hey i just got an Ensemble and there is a lot of noise coming from it so I plan on sending it back. So now what? I need something, something good so I may go for a Rosetta. But that Fireface 800 looks nice. Anyone have experience with both that can give me some input?

Sadly my mixer's power supply just died - so I kinda wanted to satisfy both mixing and a/d with one device without getting to insane on cost. I have 56 audio signals that i would like to be able to patch in, and 32 outs to various things so I can get a patchbay to handle a lot of that.

I was considering a neve 8816 with the digital outs, but then how would I monitor the mix out of the mac properly? Maybe I missed something with this device but i don't see a way to get a monitor signal from the computer out unless I come out of the headphone jacks into an aux on the 8816 or something.

Thanks for any and all ideas you guys are the best

[macleodgrant]

well i'm sending my ensemble back too because of the noise.
i'm considering the Metric Halo MIO 2882 with DSP which looks mighty interesting. Apogee have disappointed me.
Max was asking me in another thread when i was talking about issues with the DUET whether i had called support because he raved about their support so for this issues with the noise on the ensemble outputs i contacted them and haven't heard back from them...

look up the Metric Halo, the new DSP released look incredible

[swafford]

The Metric Halo stuff just took a great leap forward.
http://www.mhlabs.com/metric_halo/

[Mr.HOLMES]

I know both.
My opinion is the RME stuff is working stable a lot.
I never had trouble with drivers and support.

The Metric-Halo stuff is in my ears a little better in resolution of the music.
There is just one reason why I have not bought the MH stuff. During the test phase we had huge trouble with their drivers on a Intel Mac.

But I guess they have become better, I hope so because one day I will look again for an MH.

[msquared]

I don't have any experience with Ensemble stuff, but I picked up a Fireface 800 recently after having used MOTU gear for years. I've been very impressed with how rock solid the Fireface has been. I've been abusing the hell out of it and it just keeps going.

[phaedrus]

For those having trouble with the Ensemble, what kind of computer are you using (ie. IMac, Mac Pro, PC, etc.)?

[nickolo]

I have the smaller fireface400 and its quiet,even with the headphone amp turned up high etc..I ve been very happy with its performance and sound quality and feel i would have to go beyond the £1500 range for any real improvement!!IMHO anyway..
I would not expect the apogee to be noisy though!!However ,i would say buy RME with confidence,its proper gear!

[Biofunk]

Originally Posted by phaedrus

For those having trouble with the Ensemble, what kind of computer are you using (ie. IMac, Mac Pro, PC, etc.)?

PowerPC Mac g5 dual 2.5ghz / OSX 10.4.11

The Apogee site says I should update to the newest version of the driver software - but it all fails to function correctly. I was able to get the firmware updated but none of the Maestro software works beyond 1.4 on this machine. I'm kinda bummed about the whole experience, it's been a huge time waste for me. One thing I did notice is that the headphone outs seem to be quieter than the main outs - weird.

[rlg]

I have experience with the Fireface, the Apogee Duet, and the MH ULN-2. In terms of stability, the Fireface (or any other RME product I've had the pleasure to use) is absolutely rock solid, and has absolutely killed the MH and Apogee stuff. With that said, the new Apogee and MH drivers are working reasonably well for me so far.

In terms of converter quality, though, I would choose the MH or Apogee over the Fireface. My solution, for getting the best of both worlds in my studio, is Mytek converters through the stable Fireface. I use the Duet and the ULN-2 for portable recording.

Good luck with your decision.

[James Lehmann]

Move over to Metric Halo gear! 2882/ULN-2 has never let me down, and as pointed out the latest updates add some kickin' new features.

[swafford]

I've not had any problems with MH drivers on either my G4 (10.4.11) or Intel G5 laptop or ULN/2882.

I just did a field install of the new 2D card last night on my 2882 and have been perusing the new console/mixer. As Phil Razuto used to say "Holy Cow!" I got some simple to stuff to mix this week, perfect opportunity to try out the new haloveb and character plugs.

[Studioklocka]

RME