User`s guide
APOGEE ELECTRONICS
Ensemble – User’s Guide
3
Introduction
Ensemble is a digitally–controlled Firewire audio interface specically designed for Apple Macintosh
computers. From mic preamps to Mac Core Audio connectivity to headphone outputs, Ensemble includes
all that’s necessary for a high–quality Mac–based recording system.
Ensemble includes several of Apogee’s Core technologies, including:
SoftLimit
Soft Limit is an analog peak limiting circuit that instantaneously and gracefully controls transient peaks,
thereby allowing an additional 4 dB of headroom. Soft Limit may be engaged on all 8 Ensemble analog
inputs.
UV22HR
UV22HR is Apogee’s industry standard dither algorithm for reducing the word–length of a digital audio
signal from 24 to 16 bits. UV22HR is also being employed to produce dramatically improved internet and
computer audio content without increased le sizes or data rates.
Apogee Sample Rate Conversion (SRC)
Ensemble’s hardware sample rate conversion provides a high quality, exible solution for working with
digital audio hardware and software running at different sample rates. Ensemble’s sample rate conversion
may be applied to a digital input (to convert an input stream to Ensemble’s sample rate) or to a digital
output (to provide an output stream at a user selected sample rate different than Ensemble’s rate).
Ensemble Requirements
1. Apple PowerMac 1.5GHz or higher, 512MB of RAM required, 1GB recommended
2. OS X 10.4.11 or 10.5 and above; OS X 10.5.3 or above highly recommended
3. Apple Logic Pro 7.2.3 or 8.0 and above
4. One Firewire 400 cable
Please note:
The functionality described in this User’s Guide is based on Ensemble rmware and software
release version 1.3, released in February, 2007.