ONE: User Guides

The OS X System Preferences Sound window provides settings to choose ONE for Mac sound input and output and control ONE’s input/output parameters. If you didn’t choose ONE for Mac sound I/O in step 3 of the Quickstart guide, you may do so in this window.   1. Choose Apple > System Preferences and click Sound. 2. Click Output. 3. In the devices list, select an operating characteristic for ONE’s output: Select ONE: Stereo when connecting to headphones, powered speakers, a mixing console or a home stereo. Select ONE: Amp when connecting to an instrument amplifier. 4. Set ONE’s output level with the Output volume slider. 5. Click Input 6. In the devices list, select the active ONE input: Select ONE: Int Mic to use the internal mic; Select ONE: Ext Mic to use a mic connected to the breakout cable’s (XLR) input; Select ONE: Ext 48V Mic to use a phantom-powered mic connected to the input; Select ONE: Inst, to use an instrument connected to the input. 7. Set ONE’s input gain with the Input volume slider.  

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ONE for Mac (first generation) offers a choice of two sample rates, 44.1kHz or 48kHz. So, what’s the best sample rate to record your project at? It’s a good idea to avoid unecessary sample rate conversion stages, so the answer is determined by the sample rate of media on which you plan to distribute your recording. If the final distirbution media is CD, record at 44.1kHz. If the media is video or TV, most often 48 kHz is the best choice. If you’re part of a larger production chain, and aren’t sure, ask whomever is responsible for assembling the final product - they’ll undoubtedly appreciate the forethought.   ONE for iPad & Mac (second generation) offers a choice of four sample rates: 44.1kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2kHz or 96kHz.    

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The Apogee Control Panel, found in Apple’s Logic Pro and GarageBand software, provides control of ONE settings.    

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The top panel level meter displays either the input or output level, depending on the encoder selection. When an input has been selected, the signal level after the application of input gain is displayed. When the output has been selected, the signal level after the output level control is displayed.

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The OS X utility Audio MIDI Setup provides settings to choose ONE for Mac sound input/ output and control ONE’s parameters. To open Audio MIDI Setup, choose Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.   Selecting ONE for Mac Sound Input/Output 1 Select ONE in the Default Input menu. 2 Select ONE in the Default Output. 3 Leave System Output set to Built-In Audio to send OS X alert sounds and user interface sound effects via the Mac’s built-in speakers.

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When Input is set to Ext 48V Mic, a red LED above the  LED lights to indicate the presence of 48 volt phantom power on the breakout cable’s XLR connector. This voltage is necessary to power condenser mics.

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Once your microphone or instrument is connected, your audio software is configured and you’ve created a new recording track, just how do you set the input gain for a proper recording level in your audio software? There’s no simple answer, but with a few guidelines and a bit of experience, you’ll master this. Ideally, the input gain should be set so that when the input signal is at its loudest, the level in audio software (or in Maestro) is just below maximum without lighting the Over indicator.   In reality, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to guess just the right gain setting to accomplish this - when your gain is too low, the signal never gets close to maximum and when your gain is too high, a digital Over may occur. Now, with a 24-bit system (such as ONE), the noise floor is so low that there’s no real penalty for undershooting the gain setting and recording at a lower level. There IS a penalty for overshooting the gain setting - a digital Over that results in significantly increased distortion. Thus, it’s better to work with a recording level that’s a bit too low than a level that’s a bit too high. Just how much to undershoot the gain setting is determined by the nature of the sound being recorded. As a general rule, instruments such as bass and organ have a more consistent level than percussive instruments, such as a tamborine, and may be recorded at a higher level. Also, the performer’s skill and playing style can dictate more or less caution when setting levels. As you gain experience, you’ll be able to more accurately set a good recording level while avoiding digital overs.

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ONE operates at a sample rate of 44.1kHz or 48kHz . In most cases the sample rate is set by the audio application with which ONE is streaming audio. For example, when working with GarageBand, ONE’s sample rate is automatically set to 44.1kHz, to match the GarageBand song’s sample rate. For those audio applications that don’t include a sample rate selection, such as Apple’s iTunes, ONE’s sample rate may be selected in either Format menu under Audio Input or Audio Output.  

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To mute the output, press and hold down the encoder until the  LED blinks; press and hold again to unmute the output.  

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To set the gain (i.e the recording level) of ONE’s active input, click the encoder until the input LED   or   lights. Now, turn the encoder until the desired recording level is obtained (as seen in your recording software).     To select another input as the active input, open a software control panel (either Apogee Maestro, Audio MIDI Setup, or the GarageBand/Logic control panel) and select the desired input, as described on the following pages.

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