Apogee Ensemble 30x34 Thunderbolt Audio Interface

Full Description

NEW Software Update

Apogee proudly introduce new control software designed for the Ensemble Thunderbolt audio interface, opening up a whole new world of features and functionality. One of the most prominent features of the update is the all-new Apogee Control software, replacing Maestro 2 to deliver a dedicated user interface you can customise to your own workflow. The software also allows you to control the interface via the iOS remote app and the Apogee Control hardware remote for optimal flexibility. In addition to the control software, two Ensemble Thunderbolt interfaces can be connected to your mac to expand your analog I/O. It also gives you the ability to connect any Apogee Element interface to your Ensemble Thunderbolt interface to expand your system even more.

Super Low Latency

Ensemble's proprietary Thunderbolt driver has been written from the ground up for Mac OS X Mojave, resulting in unmatched performance and efficiency. Latency has been reduced to an astounding 1.1ms round-trip (96kHz / 32 buffer setting ), allowing you to monitor through your DAW, plug-ins included, simplifying your workflow and leveraging the power of your Mac. Even when your session's DSP demands require a higher buffer setting, Ensemble's ultra-low latency means no longer having to choose between power and speed.

Devours Bits, Sips CPU

Ensemble's custom driver includes two innovative features to maximise the performance of the software-hardware interface: a full 32-bit signal path from the output of your DAW straight to the high-performance ESS DAC, and a revolutionary Direct Memory Access (DMA) engine to more efficiently read and write data directly to Mac memory independent of the Mac CPU. The DMA engine, running on Ensemble's hardware logic chip, reads digital audio data directly from your Mac's memory in a 32-bit format, increasing the driver's efficiency and providing the highest resolution signal possible to the DAC stage. This implementation allows the driver to crunch an enormous amount of data at an amazing speed, while making a very light demand on your Mac CPU. You benefit with lower latency, more plug-in power, and a transparent and encompassing listening experience.

Expanding Your System

Intel's Thunderbolt™ technology was made for connecting multiple high bandwidth peripherals to your Mac. Ensemble includes two Thunderbolt™ 2 ports for conveniently connecting hard drive arrays, video capture devices and Thunderbolt monitors with up to 4k resolution from a single port.

A Difference You Will Hear

Apogee is an award-winning industry leader in digital recording technology with over 25 years of experience. Preferred by recording pros around the world, Apogee products like Duet, Quartet, the original Ensemble and Symphony I/O have been instrumental in creating countless GRAMMY® and OSCAR® winning recordings and have set the industry standard in professional recording for over two decades. Ensemble is built solidly on this reputation.

TEC Awards

From the mic preamps to the AD/DA converters and the clocking, Ensemble is best-in-class and cutting-edge Apogee technology. With components carefully selected in critical listening tests and a highly efficient circuit design, Ensemble was built by Apogee engineers to make a difference you can hear.

Measurably Superior A/D Conversion

Ensemble's analog-to-digital conversion stage has been upgraded from previous generations of Apogee products such as Duet and Quartet to provide greater dynamic range, lower distortion and an almost non-existent noise level.

Dynamically Optimized Mic Preamps

Ensemble's 8 uniquely designed mic preamps feature Apogee's Advanced Stepped Gain Architecture™, in which the circuit is dynamically optimized to provide superior bandwidth, ultra low noise and nonexistent distortion across the unprecedented gain range of 0-75 dB. Whether recording powerful drums, dynamic vocals or delicate strings, your recordings retain the full impact, intricate detail and lifelike dimension of the original performance.

ESS Sabre32 DAC Technology

ESS Sabre32 32-bit Hyperstream DAC with Time Domain Jitter Eliminator offers unequaled dynamic range, ultra low distortion, and unmatched audio clarity free from input jitter.

Custom Power Regulation for Ultra-Low Noise Performance

Ensemble's mic pre, A/D and D/A circuitry are powered by discrete, Apogee-designed power regulators for ultra-low noise not obtainable with off-the-shelf components. This design was first implemented in Apogee's flagship Symphony I/O's 3-Stage Cascaded power supply.

Features

• 8 Mic preamps with up to 75 dB of gain and Advanced Stepped Gain circuit
• Thunderbolt connectivity for ultra-low latency (1.1ms round trip)
• Front panel Guitar I/O with Class A JFET inputs, dual mode re-amp outputs
• Talkback functionality with built-in mic and control button
• 2 PurePower headphone outputs
• 10 separately assignable analog inputs
• 16 analog outputs of premium Apogee conversion