Is the Apogee ensemble a top option for firewire interface?

[splicktik]

Hi, I am planning on upgrading from an Mbox 2 mini to a more complete interface (8 channel). I have the Apogee ensemble in mind, but as it is a really major expense, I would like to hear from you if anyone uses it.

 

Can you get a pro sound with the built in preamps (for vocals and acoustic guitar mainly)? Or do you in fact need to also get a good tube preamp i.e. Universal Audio or Avalon?

 

Thanks!

[BadOrange]

it is a good interface with decent latency, As far as pro sound, there is alot more to it than a soundcard. If you aren;'t getting decent results with what you have now, the soundcard is not going to make much of a difference. I suppose what i'm saying is that don't get fooled into thinking an expensive sound interface will solve your issues.

[splicktik]

Thanks BadOrange

 

Mbox 2 mini preamps are not actually that good. What I´m looking for is to get a more profesional capture of sound, specially for vocals and acoustic guitars. I have the doubt of either get a good mic preamp (even though I believe the mbox ones cannot be fully bypassed) or uploading the interface.

 

By the way, the 8 channels are an upgrade I am looking for in order to actually be able to record drums for instance.

 

What are your recomendations to get a more PRO like sound (My mixes already sound pretty good to me, but I want to achieve pro sound).

 

Thanks

[Jordi Torres]

suppose what i'm saying is that don't get fooled into thinking an expensive sound interface will solve your issues.

 

He said he needed more channels.

 

And the preamps, they're supposed to be of the "transparent" kind, so if you're looking to get "character" or "color", you'd need to get a preamp(s) with those qualities...or maybe just treat the sounds with plug-ins in the mix...

 

J.

[allsound]

other brands to look into are motu and rme they are also really good, but from the m-box to the ensemble the jump is big, the pre are great and it works really good with apple

[ski]

I have an RME Fireface800 interface. The mic pre's sound dead, just dead. My Mackie 1642 utility mixer's pre's sound tons better. Goes to show ya...

 

Regarding this idea of getting a "pro" sound... What does "pro" mean? Are you looking for more clarity? More warmth? A flatter, less colored sound? Better dynamic range? Some combination?

 

You've mentioned preamps, but that's only one part of a signal chain that should start (IMO) with your choice of microphones. And more importantly, the right microphones for what you're recording.

 

So I'm going to suggest that you start by identifying what it is about your sound that you want to improve (i.e., what this "pro" thing is). Combine that with BadOrange's advice and have a think!

[redlogic]

In addition to all of the excellent advice above, don't forget your room.

Is it acoustically treated at all?

 

 

Acoustic Treatment & Soundproofing Links

 

http://forum.studiotips.com/index.php

http://recording.org/studio-construction-forum/

http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/index.php

[splicktik]

Thanks everyone for your advices.

 

My room is ot treated at all, but unfortunately is not an option just now. I plan on placing a full time studio business in a near future. I plan on getting areflexion filter at least for vocals.

 

By Pro I mean (I hope I can express myself clear) a more "in its place sound", not messy. So I mean a more clear sond that fits better in a mix. But for vocals I want a warm sound (i.e. coldplay´s Chris Martin vocals, big, wide and very warm).

 

What I record acustaly are pretty much vocals and acoustic guitar, but I want to have the capacity of recording drums and not having to spend in another interface again in the future.

 

Your posts are very helpful, I know I have to work many aspects of the recording proces to get a pro sound. Thanks!

[Matt Mayfield]

My room is ot treated at all, but unfortunately is not an option just now.

 

Save the money for room treatment, and don't buy an interface now.

[allsound]

ski you saying your rme sounds dead, well imo dont think the interface its there to add any life or to change the sound, i think it just needs to transfer the sound from the mic or the the source into the your daw

[Eriksimon]

imo dont think the interface its there to add any life or to change the sound, i think it just needs to transfer the sound from the mic or the the source into the your daw

 

...which will always do something to the sound, there is no such thing as a "neutral" transfer of sound. Over to Ski.

[Rockdude9k]

I have lusted over an ensemble for years and have always heard great things about it. I used one recently and was slightly disappointed in one respect. I have a MOTU 8pre and do a lot of drum tracking with it. Every time i use it I secretly wish I had a better rig so I was really happy when I got to track drums with an ensemble. Along with some other pre-amps.

 

Here's where I ran into trouble. The ensemble has no Pads so my mic signals were constantly way to hot and clipping. Even with my high end pre-amps which had pads on them I had to lower the signal to the point where I wasn't getting much character out of the pre's. It came to the point where we couldn't use the ensemble's pre-amps because they were just to sensitive and we didn't have any pads lying around. This is easily fixed buy going out and buying some in line pads but that day every music store in LA was sold out. Just one thing about the ensemble I've never heard discussed. Other than that it sounded it great.

 

Hope this helps your decision.

[Nublu]

(for vocals and acoustic guitar mainly)

The Ensemble is generally, very well thought of.

 

The quality of the mics and/or pick-ups... and their placement.

The quality and capacity of the Audio Interface...

The quality of the room (or venue) you are recording in... and the "tone" it produces...

What you would like to do with the performance file(s) in Logic.

 

This package of considerations moves through time and requires budget, research, learning curves, experience curves, feedback.

For instance, if you are doing almost all "location" recording of your live performances you might buy the Audio Interface first. (We all have to learn how to use these devices, does it matter where?) And observe, note, intuit, what various rooms are producing.

At bit of research and you'll find that there are some very common sense, practical, inexpensive room treatments. This will give you a nice consistent environment for listening enjoyment and hopefully clear decision making. If you plan on doing all your recording here, then you might consider the treatment first, then the technology.

 

etc. etc. The point is, most of us approach the package one step at a time, but we strive to be aware of what the package is...

and avoid driving ourselves crazy in the process.

[splicktik]

Thank you all, I feel more prepared to take my decision now. One step at a time.

 

Cheers