Ensemble: Setup

• Open Maestro 2 (found in your Mac's application folder) and click on the “Apogee Maestro 2″ menu in the upper left-hand corner of the desktop menu bar
• select “About Maestro 2″. This will bring up a window showing you which version you have installed (see example below)

Go Detail Page

Yes! The Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire adapter works with Ensemble and the current Ensemble software release, found on Apogee's website. There is no noticeable difference in quality or performance from using a built in FireWire port.

Go Detail Page

All Ensemble settings are made from Apogee’s Maestro software Settings panel or Logic Pro’s Apogee Control Panel. Certain settings can be also be made from OS X audio control panels. It’s possible to open multiple control panels simultaneously, as settings made on one control panel are mirrored on all others. Additionally, Mic Pre gain and Ouput level may be controlled from Ensemble’s front panel encoders, as described on the lower half of this page. What is Maestro? - Apogee Maestro provides the most complete control of Ensemble, including control of all Ensemble parameters, store/recall of configurations, expanded routing and 2 low–latency mixers. Maestro may be used with any Core Audio compatible audio application. The Logic Pro Apogee Control Panel, found in Logic Pro under the Audio menu, provides control of all Ensemble parameters and store/recall of configurations. Audio Midi Setup (AMS) – This OS X utility (found in the rootdrive/Applications/Utilities folder) provides control of Ensemble’s clock source, sample rate and output level. To set Ensemble’s output level using the Mac’s menu bar audio fader, set Default Output (in AMS) to Ensemble; OSX audio faders (including the menu bar fader) will then control the output selected on Ensemble’s front panel. For example, if the front panel  LED is lit, OSX audio faders control the  output level.

Go Detail Page

Ensemble’s clock source may be set from Maestro, Logic Pro’s Apogee Control Panel, or from OSX’s Audio Midi Setup utility. When Ensemble is locked to an external source, Ensemble’s sample rate is still determined by the selection in software. Thus, the sample rate of the external source must be manually set to match the software sample rate. For example, if you want to open a session at 88.2 kHz but lock Ensemble to word clock from an Apogee Big Ben, you must manually set the Big Ben to 88.2 kHz.

Go Detail Page

1. Set the software application’s mixer output to Out 1-2 (Stereo Output).   2. Set the software application’s mixer output to Out 1-2 (Stereo Output). In the Maestro Output Routing tab window, assign Mixer 1 to hardware output Line 1/2,     3. In the Mixer tab window, set the Software Return drop down menu, on both Mixer 1 and Mixer 2 (if desired), to Analog 1-2. Set both the Software Return and Mixer Master faders to 0dB.  

Go Detail Page

  1. MIC1–4 – These XLR connectors accept balanced mic or line inputs; input level is determined in software control. 2. INSERT SEND – RETURN (channels 1–2) – These TRS connectors provide balanced analog insert points before the A/D conversion stage; inserting a jack in the RETURN connector acti- vates insert return. • The insert send may also serve as a direct out: when only the insert send is connect- ed, signal to the A/D conversion stage is not interrupted. • The insert return may also serve as a balanced TRS line input. 3. HI–Z (channels 3–4) – These TRS connectors accept high impedance inputs for channels 3–4, similar to front panel HI–Z inputs. 4. ANALOG INPUT 5–8 – These TRS connectors accept line level inputs for channels 5–8; input level is determined in software control. 5. ANALOG OUTPUT 1–8 – These TRS connectors provide line level outputs for channels 1–8; input level is determined in software control. 6. S/PDIF – These coaxial connectors provide S/PDIF format digital I/O. 7. OPTICAL IN/OUT – These Toslink connectors provide S/PDIF, ADAT or SMUX format digital I/O; format is determined in software control. 8. FIREWIRE – These FW 400 connectors provide Firewire I/O to an Apple OSX computer. Stand-Alone Mode – If Ensemble doesn’t detect a valid Firewire connection, it will switch to Stand-Alone mode after a few moments. This is indicated either by a red STATUS LED (when the Firewire connection is present but not valid) or by a green LED (when there is no Firewire connection). In Stand-Alone mode, all routing, mixing and control settings made when the unit was last connected to a Mac are saved in Ensemble flash memory, thus allowing the use of the unit when not connected to a computer. Thus, it’s possible to use Ensemble as a Stand-Alone mixer or AD-DA converter. 9. WORD CLOCK IN/OUT – These BNC connectors provide word clock I/O. 10. WC IN 75 OHM TERM – This switch terminates the Word Clock input with a 75 ohm load. 11. AC IN – This IEC connector accepts AC input from 90–250 volts.

Go Detail Page

  1. Power Switch – Press this button to apply power to Ensemble. When Ensemble’s AC input is connected, the switch will light dimly to indicate that the unit is in Standby. 2. STATUS LED – This multi–color LED provides a quick visual indication of the status of various parameters. • A solid blue LED indicates that Ensemble is locked to the clock source chosen in software control and that the Firewire connection is valid. • A flashing LED indicates that Ensemble is not locked to the selected clock source. • A red Status LED indicates that Ensemble has not achieved a valid Firewire connection. After a few moments Ensemble will switch to Stand-Alone mode. • A green LED indicates that no Firewire connection is present, and that Ensemble is operating in Stand-Alone mode. • A flashing red LED indicates that both error conditions are present. 3. HI–Z Input 1–2 – These 1/4 inch connectors accept high impedance sources such as keyboards and guitars. When a jack is inserted in a Hi–Z connector, the input’s XLR connector is disabled. 4. INPUT Encoder Knob – When inputs 1–4 are set to Mic using software control, this knob controls the mic pre gain; To select the input being controlled, press the encoder knob until the desired PRE LED lights ; turn the encoder clockwise to increase level or counter–clockwise to decrease level. The LEDs encircling the encoder knob indicate the “position” of the knob, providing a quick visual indication of level in the same fashion as a traditional knob. If no inputs are set to Mic in software control, the en- coder has no function. 5. PRE LEDs – These LEDs indicate the selected channel in conjunction with the INPUT encoder knob. 6. 48V LEDs – These LEDs indicate that 48 volt phantom power has been engaged in software control. 7. Meters 1–8 – These meters display either analog inputs or analog outputs, as set in software control. 8. Meters D1,D2 – Meter D1 displays the presence of signal on either channel of the S/PDIF Coax I/O, meter D2 displays the presence of signal on any channel of the Optical I/O. 9. INPUT, OUTPUT LEDs – These LEDs indicate if meters are displaying input or output signals, as set in software control. 10. MAIN, Phones 1,2 LEDs – These LEDs indicate the selected output to be modified by the OUTPUT encoder knob. 11. OUTPUT Encoder Knob – This knob controls the level of the selected output as indicated by the MAIN, hp1 and hp2 LEDs. Operation is similar to that of the Input encoder knob as described above. If Main is set to None in software control, the encoder knob has no effect on the Main outputs. 12. Headphones 1,2 – These TRS connectors provide headphone outputs

Go Detail Page

Making Settings with Ensemble’s Front Panel Encoder Knobs Ensemble’s front panel encoders provide simple and immediate access to Mic Pre gain settings and Output levels. To use the left encoder to control mic pre gain: Select the mic pre gain to set by clicking the left encoder knob until the desired PRE LED is lit. Turn the encoder clockwise to increase gain or counter–clockwise to decrease gain. The LEDs encircling the encoder indicate its “position”, providing a quick visual indication of level in the same fashion as a traditional knob. To use the right encoder to control output levels: Select the output to set by clicking the left encoder knob until the desired LED is lit, and turn the knob as described above; by selecting MAIN, rear panel analog output levels may be set; by selecting either headphone 1 or headphone 2, the corresponding front panel headphone output level may be set. By pressing and holding the right encoder button for a few seconds, all analog outputs are muted. The selected output LED flashes to indicate muting.

Go Detail Page

Setting Sample Rate To set Ensemble’s sample rate, choose the desired rate in your Core Audio compatible software application; Ensemble will set itself to this rate. If the application has no sample rate setting, open the OSX utility Audio Midi Setup, select Ensemble in the Properties For field and select the desired rate in the Format field. Using 176.4–192 kHz Sampling Rates To operate Ensemble at a sample rate of 176.4-192k, it’s necessary to set I/O Allocation (found in Mae- stro under Tools>Settings>Settings tab) to either 10x10 or 8x8. As Optical I/O is not supported at these sample rates, their associated Firewire paths are disabled to conserve CPU bandwidth. After changing I/O Allocation, it’s strongly suggested to re-boot the computer and power the Ensemble off and then on.

Go Detail Page

The Ensemble's status LED should be solid blue if you are using it in standard mode and solid green if you are using it in standalone mode.   The possible status LED indications are as follows: • A solid blue LED indicates that Ensemble is locked to the clock source chosen in software control and that the Firewire connection is valid. • A flashing LED indicates that Ensemble is not locked to the selected clock source. • A red Status LED indicates that Ensemble has not achieved a valid Firewire connection. After afew moments Ensemble will switch to Stand-Alone mode. • A green LED indicates that no Firewire connection is present, and that Ensemble is operating inStand-Alone mode. • A flashing red LED indicates that both error conditions are present.

Go Detail Page