Should I keep my new Apogee Ensemble?

Tripi · Post by **Tripi** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:42 am

Of course I want to keep it.... but in the words of my mentor "It might not be ready for prime time."

I could certainly use some reassuring words from anyone else here with this audio interface. I've had mine for 1 week. While it certainly sounds awesome, and is very convenient... it's got some definite hang-ups. Possibly deal breakers.

First biggest issue, is that when you put your computer to sleep, it rarely will recognize the Ensemble when it wakes back up. Apogee told me that this is a known problem, and is caused by the Firewire drivers (Apple's FW drivers... which Apogee uses). I tried updating my operating system, resetting the Ensemble, and re-installing the Maestro software with no luck. Now, I can live without the Maestro software, but if I wake the computer up from sleep to start working.... DP (and Logic for that matter) will never start up. Just spins forever. Only way to get work done is to reboot the computer and make sure Maestro recognizes the Ensemble.

Anyways, this is a huge pain. Especially since my 4gig of sounds are loaded in Bidule all the time. I don't have time to restart and reload the template each morning. Ok... I do have time... but I don't have patience. My old 828 never had this issue... but it never sounded as good as the Ensemble either.

Has anyone else gone through this issue? I've got a couple days left to return my Ensemble if I'm not happy with it. I really want to be happy with it though.

thanks!

dix · Post by **dix** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:05 am

I love the way my Ensemble sounds, but it is rather finicky and loses touch with FW bus easily. I don't have the specific problem you have because I never let my Mac go to sleep. Never. There's so many things that get messed up by sleep that I learned long ago that it's best to never let this happen. …my main issue with the Ensemble is the dated and barely useful Maestro software. Since the unit has so few hardware knobs you have to use the software to make most config changes. I really wish someone smart would update that software.

Tripi · Post by **Tripi** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:17 am

That seems to be the general consensus from people with the Ensemble. But... I sleep better at night knowing that I turned off my studio (i know... i'm nuts). Thing is, if it hadn't worked so great with my 828 all these years, I might not expect it from the Ensemble. Except the the Ensemble is 3 times the price, and supposed to work "Seemlessly with Apple products". Ehh?

I don't actually need to use Maestro, but it's an easy way to check whether the Ensemble is being recognized or not. Anyways, no one wants a audio interface that only half works.

dix · Post by **dix** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:46 am

Actually, I shut down my Mac entirely at night (as opposed to sleep). It does mean long morning load-times, but it seems to remain stable, possibly because of the daily restarts.

I mainly use the Ensemble as an A/D with my 2408mk3. The 2408 works more seamlessly with DP. Is there a way to do something similar with your old 828 by light-piping the Ensemble to it? That way only the 828 would need to remain stable with FW. The Ensemble would just be a front end converter.

Tripi · Post by **Tripi** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 12:16 pm

I did consider using it as a front end. Maybe even with the built in optical in/out on the MacPro. I'd rather get an RME pci card though. Still seems like a shame to only have a 1/2 working Ensemble.

n2mpujack · Post by **n2mpujack** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 5:41 am

Tripi wrote:That seems to be the general consensus from people with the Ensemble. But... I sleep better at night knowing that I turned off my studio (i know... i'm nuts). Thing is, if it hadn't worked so great with my 828 all these years, I might not expect it from the Ensemble. Except the the Ensemble is 3 times the price, and supposed to work "Seemlessly with Apple products". Ehh?

I don't actually need to use Maestro, but it's an easy way to check whether the Ensemble is being recognized or not. Anyways, no one wants a audio interface that only half works.

I'm confused. In one post you talk about putting the computer to sleep and in this one you talk about turning off your studio for the night. Which is it? They are different things. A good thing with any daw software is to NEVER let the computer go to sleep.

Tripi · Post by **Tripi** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:28 am

I could see how that's confusing. I should have stuck to one term. In the past, I had always put the computer to sleep and turned off all of my studio equipment. Now, after a lengthy discussion here and on my facebook page, I'm trying a new approach: computer totally powers down at night. I have the scheduler set to turn the computer on at 8am each day, then an apple script turns on Jack OSx, and then Quickeys loads my Bidule template. All before the coffee is finished brewing. Guess we'll see if this works out better.

slybass3000 · Post by **slybass3000** » Thu May 19, 2011 3:36 pm

I have the same problem sometimes at start up but if i turn the ensemble off and on it is recognizes by the mac and ready to go.

nick danger · Post by **nick danger** » Wed May 25, 2011 2:01 pm

Somewhat off topic, but I see where Black Lion Audio is going to offer a mod for the Ensemble.

Phil O · Post by **Phil O** » Fri May 27, 2011 7:25 am

Tripi wrote:Now, after a lengthy discussion here and on my facebook page, I'm trying a new approach: computer totally powers down at night.

I don't know how the current OS handles it, but there was a time when some periodic maintenance routines were run in the wee hours. I think that still might be the case. If you shut your computer down at night you may want to run these manually from time to time. There are plenty of on-line instructions for doing so from Terminal, or if you are Terminal shy, a program like Onyx will do it.

Phil

OMNICELL · Post by **OMNICELL** » Tue Aug 02, 2011 3:08 pm

Hi;

This is a general reply to the subject... I have never used Apogee, However, I know of their reputation... However, Im hearing something more important then hardware...

If Im focused and serious about a specific, I will do what necessary to accommodate for that specific.

For example... If Im a song writer and need to learn how to write songs, I wont worry about the details being perfect or cumbersome or frustrating.. At first I might, However, after a long period of time I know that I have to put in the hard work for learning the craft of song writing.. With this perspective, it doesn't matter what the equipment is... the gaol is the frame work...

IF I have a specific goal for a piece of equipment and the other equipment cant match it, or its purpose.. I would keep the equipment and use it only when I need it.... For example. I have a roland Fantom s88... keyboard, with the mic hooked up to its lousy dacs and pres in the back of this beast, its supposed to create horrible vocal parts...., when Im using patch " New age #1 Piano from the Arc Card.. , When Im singing and playing with the reverb from onboard this old beast, it creates the most intimate experience Ive ever had for recording or playing and vocalizing singing... Yet, according to Producers, its all a waist of recording time and energy..

My point is, the above creates a wondrous artistic experience for me, so much so, that the whole of a piece sounds great coming from this idea...

So it has its place... I Would not know how to put the vocals and piano into a mix... I don't think it would be possible.. yet, on its own , its a deep emotional combination of the most intense intimate art experience...

Does the Apogee do the same... Is their a purpose for it.... Ok... Im done with Philosophy you didn't ask for..

-------

When I realize just a few years ago , it was either a guitar or a keyboard and a tape recorder to make music, and no other effects or promises, I know that frustration is OK with modern gear... The real question is whether I use the equipment for the intended use... IS it possible to use other equipment for general use and the Apogee for special higher detailed moments.

Just a random thought on things;...

OMNI

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Tue Aug 02, 2011 3:48 pm

I would agree. Totally random thoughts.

MOTUnation.com