New Interface
New Interface
hey guys,
sorry this has probably been covered but not as recently.
Basically im getting a new interface, pretty set on an apogee ensemble. 4 pres 4 ins from my desk. enough outs to my desk. sweet. the downside, i am poor an impatiant. Are there any other alternates that are great, within a simular price range that might be a little more readliy avalible? i hear alot of people raving about the apogee, but if you had to spend simular money for the main inferface in your studio.... what would you get?
sorry this has probably been covered but not as recently.
Basically im getting a new interface, pretty set on an apogee ensemble. 4 pres 4 ins from my desk. enough outs to my desk. sweet. the downside, i am poor an impatiant. Are there any other alternates that are great, within a simular price range that might be a little more readliy avalible? i hear alot of people raving about the apogee, but if you had to spend simular money for the main inferface in your studio.... what would you get?
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- gimme a little kick & snare
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Not really answering your question...but, I just picked up a lightly used, several month old Ensemble off Ebay for $1300 shipped to my door. They come up regularly on Gearslutz classifieds as well. I bought it as it seems like the best option for stripping down my studio for more personal & location work. I'm still putting it through the paces & comparing mixes etc. with an Aurora 16 with the LT-USB card. So far, the Aurora sounds more open & detailed where the Ensemble has a slightly softer tone & tightened low end. As another comparison, I used to own a MOTU 896HD with the BLA mod & it sounded a little cloudy or smeared with not much depth compared to the Aurora. Though, when clocked to the Aurora the 896HD opened up slightly. I would say the Ensemble is somewhere between the Aurora & the 896HD. The Ensemble pres are pretty fantastic, tons of headroom for low output mics & they sound good...smoother than I expected. I also like having the two headphone jacks/amps as I typically work solo or with one other person. The unit did not ship with an installation disc so I dreaded going through the process of downloading software off Apogee's site. I had the software downloaded & the Ensemble up & running with current PT sessions within 5 minutes. The Maestro console is easy to use/understand as well. Another test I found interesting is that when tracking with the Aurora I typically lower the PT session buffer to 64 to achieve the lowest delay/closest natural sound without crashing the session & with the Ensemble I get the same or better results at 128.
Another option in the same range that I was considering was the Metric Halo 2882. I opted for the Ensemble as the pres seem to be more useful & it has the dual headphone jacks. There's an RME interface in the same range that gets compared with these two units quite a bit as well but I can't remember the model #.
Anyhow, I'll be putting the Aurora up for sale in the next day or two. I need the funds & I feel confident the Ensemble will fulfill all my current & future needs as my main interface for a solid while.
Another option in the same range that I was considering was the Metric Halo 2882. I opted for the Ensemble as the pres seem to be more useful & it has the dual headphone jacks. There's an RME interface in the same range that gets compared with these two units quite a bit as well but I can't remember the model #.
Anyhow, I'll be putting the Aurora up for sale in the next day or two. I need the funds & I feel confident the Ensemble will fulfill all my current & future needs as my main interface for a solid while.
- Nick Sevilla
- on a wing and a prayer
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- re-cappin' neve
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I can't tell you how it compares to the Ensemble, but I have an older version of the Metric Halo 2882. The new one: https://www.mhsecure.com/mhdirect/produ ... t=3&page=1 is probably better. Great tech support. Mine sounds wonderful (and it's almost 10 years old).
Ok Cool.
still looking like apoggee could be the winner.
Im looking to set up a semi serious studio at home so its looking like the strongest interface to get. just need to find one at a good price (as all the mentioned places are american, im running on 240V over here).
any other suggestions/places to buy are welcome
still looking like apoggee could be the winner.
Im looking to set up a semi serious studio at home so its looking like the strongest interface to get. just need to find one at a good price (as all the mentioned places are american, im running on 240V over here).
any other suggestions/places to buy are welcome
Oh, didn't realize you were in the UK...that might've helped to mention in your first post. Just dig a little & you'll find both units in your country or in one that has 240 & is willing to ship. Here's what I turned up in just a few minutes:
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gearslut ... ntrol.html
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gearslut ... ralia.html
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gearslut ... ntrol.html
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gearslut ... ralia.html
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- audio school
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Hi Tim,
I think Nick got it right!
I sold my ensemble to buy the apollo, I was already using their plugs anyhow. I noticed a significant improvement in the overall sound immediately. Hard to describe but more detail/cleaner, wider, etc. But noticeable for sure!!
You get a lot for your money: Interface comparable to the ensemble, UA analog classics plug-In bundle to get you started -the ability to record through those plugs as well as use them later in the mixing stage.
I would at least add it to your list:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/universal_audio_apollo_duo.htm
I think Nick got it right!
I sold my ensemble to buy the apollo, I was already using their plugs anyhow. I noticed a significant improvement in the overall sound immediately. Hard to describe but more detail/cleaner, wider, etc. But noticeable for sure!!
You get a lot for your money: Interface comparable to the ensemble, UA analog classics plug-In bundle to get you started -the ability to record through those plugs as well as use them later in the mixing stage.
I would at least add it to your list:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/universal_audio_apollo_duo.htm
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- re-cappin' neve
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