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• 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)

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No, the 2 XLR / Multi jack Inputs on the 2x6 module are for line level inputs only.

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"Why would Apogee use USB rather than Firewire for its recent Mac audio products like Symphony I/O, Duet 2 and ONE?"

    Historically, Firewire has been the superior interface audio format on the Mac.  However, since the release of OS X 10.6.4, USB Audio is more stable, offers lower latency and provides the ability to connect your audio interface separate from an external audio hard drive on your Mac. Apple Logic configured at a 96kHz sampling rate and 64 buffer setting, Duet USB's analog in to analog out latency is 4.2 milliseconds, while Duet Firewire's latency is 5.3 milliseconds. Most audio software developers agree that recording audio to an external Firewire hard drive renders the best results. When the audio interface is connected to a different computer port than the audio drive, system performance is more stable. Thus, it's preferable to use a Firewire hard drive and a USB audio interface.  

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Audio Interface Mode (AIM)

Introduction

The audio interface mode (AIM) adapts Symphony I/Oʼs hardware and software interface to the primary host system (the DAW or hardware device) that youʼre recording with. The following audio interface modes, described below, are available with the latest Symphony I/O firmware and software release:  

	Symphony - to connect to Symphony 64 PCI and Symphony Mobile Express/34 cards.
	Pro Tools HD - to connect to Pro Tools HD and HD Native PCI cards. Symphony I/O may be controlled from a Mac via USB, though the Mac connection isnʼt required for audio operation.
	USB Audio - to use Symphony I/O as a USB Audio interface with an Apple Intel Mac.
	Standalone - to connect Symphony I/O to recording devices and other host systems via ADAT, S/PDIF or AES inputs and outputs. Symphony I/O may be controlled from a Mac via USB, though the Mac connection isnʼt required for audio operation.

 

Setting the audio interface mode

To set the audio interface mode, press and hold the front panel right-hand encoder. The currently selected audio interface mode is shown on the OLED in solidly illuminated text. Select the desired audio interface mode by turning the right-hand encoder - inactive audio interface modes are shown in flashing text. Once the desired audio interface mode is shown, press the right-hand encoder to confirm the selection. Symphony I/O will re-boot in the new Audio Interface Mode.   The currently selected audio interface mode is also indicated in Maestro's Device Settings tab. When connecting multiple Symphony I/Os to Symphony or Pro Tools PCI cards, be sure set the audio interface mode on each unit first.  

Parameter Storage between Audio Interface Modes

When switching between audio interface modes, all settings are saved independently for each mode. For example, it's possible to configure different routing for Symphony and Standalone audio interface modes and freely switch between them using the front panel control described above. Note that calibration settings for are saved independently for each audio interface mode.

Symphony Audio Interface Mode

Symphony I/O has been designed to seamlessly interface with the Symphony 64 and Symphony Mobile PCI cards. All audio and control data is transmitted via Apogee PC-32 cables (included with the Symphony 64 or Mobile card). When audio interface mode is set to Symphony, the basic signal flow of Symphony I/O is shown below.    

Pro Tools HD audio interface mode

Symphony I/O may connect directly to Pro Tools HD Core, Accel Core and Accel PCI cards, using Apogee PC-32 or Avid DigiLink cables. Digital audio and clock configuration data, such as the session sample rate and hardware clock source, is transmitted via the PC-32 cable (referred to as a DigiLink cable in Pro Tools documentation). Software control data between Symphony I/O and Apogee Maestro software is transmitted via a USB connection.   Connect Symphony I/O's USB port to a USB port on your Apple Mac to set these parameters in Maestro:

• Calibration
• Meter Configuration
• Digital I/O format
• Mic Pre settings such as phantom power, high pass (if a Mic Pre I/O Module is installed)

Once settings have been completed, USB may be disconnected, as it's not required for operation with Pro Tools.   These Symphony I/O parameters may be set using the front panel encoders:

• Speaker and Headphone Output Levels;
• Mic Pre Input gain (if a Mic Pre I/O Module is installed).

These parameters are set from Pro Tools software:

• Clock Source and Sample Rate;
• Audio routing.

  When audio interface mode is set to Pro Tools HD, the basic signal flow of Symphony I/O is shown below.  

Pro Tools HD on a Mac

 

Pro Tools on a PC (or Mac G5)

       

USB Audio Interface Mode

      Symphony I/O may be used as a USB Audio interface with any Apple Intel-based Mac. All audio and control data is transmitted via the USB connection to the Mac.      

Standalone Interface Mode

In the case where the digital host system isn't computer-based (or is a computer-based system that interfaces with Symphony I/O using standard digital I/O such as AES or Optical), Symphony I/O's Standalone mode offers the ability to route any I/O Module input to any I/O Module output. The most common Standalone application is the use of Symphony I/O as a standalone A/D - D/A converter, where analog inputs are routed to the I/O Module's AES or Optical outputs and AES or Optical inputs are routed to analog outputs. Software control data between Symphony I/O and Apogee Maestro software is transmitted via a USB connection. Connect Symphony I/O's USB port to a USB port on your Apple Mac to set these parameters in Maestro:

• Calibration
• Meter Configuration
• Digital I/O format
• Mic Pre settings such as phantom power, high pass (if a Mic Pre I/O Module is installed)

Once settings have been completed, USB may be disconnected, as it's not required for Standalone operation. These Symphony I/O parameters may be set using the front panel encoders:

• Sample rate and clock source
• Speaker and Headphone Output Levels;
• Mic Pre Input gain (if a Mic Pre I/O Module is installed).

When audio interface mode is set to Standalone, the basic signal flow of Symphony I/O is shown below.  

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Symphony I/O Release 4.2 Requirements

 

Symphony Audio Interface Mode

Requirements to connect Symphony I/O to Apogee Symphony 64 or Mobile PCI cards:

• Apogee Symphony 64 or Apogee Symphony Mobile PCI card (sold separately)
• OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or OS X Lion 10.7 or greater (64-bit and 32-bit kernel modes)
• Symphony 64 - Apple Mac Pro - 2GB memory required, 4 GB recommended
  • Important - Use Symphony 64 Driver 1.1.4 or greater, included in the Symphony I/O Release 4.2 Software Installer.
• Symphony Mobile - Apple MacBook Pro with an Express/34 card slot - 2GB memory required, 4 GB recommended
  • Important - Use Symphony Mobile Driver 1.0.53 or greater, included in the Symphony I/O Release 4.2 Software Installer.

 

Pro Tools HD Audio Interface Mode

A Symphony I/O based Pro Tools system consists of two independent computer connections: audio (to a Pro Tools HD PCI card) and software control (via USB to an Intel Mac running Maestro 2). In the case where PCI cards are installed in a PowerPC Mac or Windows computer, it’s possible to run Maestro from a separate Intel Mac, such as Mac Mini or MacBook.   Requirements to connect Symphony I/O to Avid Pro Tools PCI Cards:

• Avid Pro Tools HDX, HD Native or HD Core/Accel/Process card installed in a computer in accordance with the Pro Tools HD Compatibility Grids, available at www.avid.com
• Pro Tools 8.1, 9.0 or greater, 10.0 or greater

Requirements to run Apogee Maestro software, to control Symphony I/O via USB:

• OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or OS X Lion 10.7 or greater (64-bit and 32-bit kernel modes)
• Apple Intel Mac

USB Audio Interface Mode

  Requirements to connect Symphony I/O as a USB audio interface:

• OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or OS X Lion 10.7 or greater (64-bit and 32-bit kernel modes)
• Apple Intel Mac - 2GB memory required, 4 GB recommended

 

Standalone Audio Interface Mode

In Standalone audio interface mode, all audio connections are made using the standard analog and digital i/o found on the I/O Module(s). For software control, connects Symphony I/O's USB port to a Mac.   Requirements to run Apogee Maestro software, to control Symphony I/O via USB:

• OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or OS X Lion 10.7 or greater (64-bit and 32-bit kernel modes)
• Apple Intel Mac

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More than the latest high-end product from Apogee, Symphony I/O is the completion of the Symphony System and the platform for Apogee development and technology for years to come. Built to last and designed to meet the demands of the most discerning musicians, producers and engineers, Symphony I/O sets a new standard in digital audio interface quality, flexibility and ease of use.

• Next-generation A/D and D/A conversion quality
• Audio interface mode (AIM) selection for simple and direct connection to all popular audio workstations and formats
• Flexible and scalable I/O architecture to fit the needs of any studio
• Total software control with the new Apogee Maestro control software
• Unprecedented value

Audio Interface Mode (AIM)

The audio interface mode (AIM) setting transforms the most fundamental characteristics of the Symphony I/O system to best match the host device to which Symphony I/O is connected. Rather than create a single hardware and software user interface that must adapt to all connection scenarios, the audio interface mode customizes the user interface to your specific scenario, thus simplifying operation. If you change the way you connect your setup, select the appropriate AIM from the front panel. When switching between AIMs as your workflow demands, the settings of each mode are recalled automatically!

The following audio interface modes are available:

	Symphony - Connect to Symphony 64 PCIe and Symphony Mobile Express/34 cards.
	Pro Tools HD - Connect to Pro Tools HD and HD Native PCIe cards. Symphony I/O may be controlled from a Mac via USB, though the Mac connection isnʼt required for audio operation.
	USB Audio - Use Symphony I/O as a USB audio interface with an Apple Mac computer.
	Standalone - Connect Symphony I/O to recording devices equipped with ADAT, S/PDIF or AES inputs and outputs. Symphony I/O may be controlled from a Mac via USB, though the Mac connection isnʼt required for audio operation.

See Audio Interface Mode for details.

Flexible Input/Output Architecture

Several I/O Modules are available, allowing the customization of Symphony I/Oʼs inputs and outputs to your particular requirements.

The following I/O Modules are available:

8 Analog I/O + 8 AES I/O

8 channels of Analog and 8 channels of AES I/O simultaneously

• 8 analog inputs and outputs
• 8 AES inputs and outputs
• Stereo S/PDIF Coax input and output.

8 Analog I/O + 8 Optical I/O

8 channels of Analog I/O and up to 8 channels of Optical I/O simultaneously

• 8 analog inputs and outputs
• 8 channels of ADAT/SMUX inputs and outputs or a stereo S/PDIF optical input and output
• Stereo S/PDIF coax input and output.

16 Analog IN + 16 Optical OUT

16 channels of Analog INPUT and up to 16 channels of Digital OUTPUT simultaneously

• 16 analog inputs
• 16 channels of ADAT/SMUX outputs or 2 stereo S/PDIF optical outputs
• Stereo S/PDIF coax input and output

16 Analog OUT + 16 Optical IN Module

16 channels of Analog OUTPUT and up to 16 channels of Digital INPUT simultaneously

• 16 analog outputs
• 16 channels of ADAT/SMUX inputs or a 2 stereo S/PDIF optical inputs
• Stereo S/PDIF coax input and output

16 Analog IN + 16 Analog Out Module

16 channels of Analog OUTPUT and up to 16 channels of Digital INPUT simultaneously

• 16 analog inputs
• 16 analog outputs
• Stereo S/PDIF coax input and output

Upgrade Module: 8 Mic Preamp

8 Mic preamps with 4 instrument inputs and 8 insert points

• 8 Mic Pre inputs, with 85 dB of gain, 48v phantom power
• 4 Instrument inputs
• 8 assignable analog insert sends and returns

Hardware and Software Control

Symphony I/Oʼs operating parameters may be set from a variety of hardware and software controls, listed below. Though several options are offered, you may choose the hardware and software controls that best suit your individual preferences.

	Symphony I/O Front Panel Basic parameters such as levels and clocking may be set using the two front panel encoders.
	Apogee Maestro Software Apogee Maestro provides complete control of all Symphony I/O settings.
	Apple OS X Control Panels Levels and some clock parameters may be set from the OS X System Preferences > Sound window and the Audio MIDI Setup utility.
	Apple Mac Keyboard Set output levels directly from your Mac keyboard’s volume control.

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The Symphony I/O Chassis does not function without any modules installed.  You must have at least one I/O module.

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No. The rule for using Symphony I/O's with Symphony64 or ProTools HD (HD, HD-Native, HDX) is: "1 Symphony I/O per PCIE card port." Since it is possible to fill a Symphony I/O up with 32 channels of i/o, the thru port functionality of the Symphony I/O has not been enabled yet.

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