Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt

Legendary Apogee Quality
Setting a new standard for music creation technology
In 2006, Apogee brought us the original Ensemble, setting a new precedent for sound quality and performance for personal studio interfaces. Now, building on over 25 years of digital audio innovation, Apogee has squeezed every ounce of their considerable expertise into the newly rebuilt Ensemble Thunderbolt, setting yet another standard for sound quality, performance, and functionality.
Record more tracks and process more plug-ins!
By utilizing blazing-fast, cutting-edge Thunderbolt 2 technology, the Ensemble Thunderbolt gives you ultra-low latency and unmatched CPU efficiency, allowing you to monitor more effectively, record more tracks, and process more plug-ins. That being said, the truly mind-blowing thing about the Ensemble Thunderbolt is its phenomenal sound quality. From its eight digitally controlled mic preamps to its premium AD/DA converters and clocking, the Ensemble Thunderbolt makes a difference that you can hear whether you're recording, mixing, or mastering.



High-speed Thunderbolt 2 Performance
Get ultra-low latency and unmatched CPU efficiency
Apogee developed a revolutionary new software driver for the Ensemble Thunderbolt, resulting in an astounding 1.1ms round-trip at 96kHz with a 32-sample buffer size. This means that you can monitor straight through your DAW in real time (even with loads of plug-ins), streamlining your workflow and making maximum use of your Mac's capabilities. Even at higher buffer settings, the Ensemble Thunderbolt's low-latency design means that you'll no longer have to compromise on speed when you need more power.
How does this work? Well, the software driver utilizes a Direct Memory Access (DMA) engine that resides on the Ensemble Thunderbolt's hardware logic chip to efficiently read and write data directly to your Mac's memory. Since this happens independent of your Mac's CPU, it doesn't run out of resources, and the driver is able to crunch an enormous amount of data at blazing speeds. Featuring a full 32-bit signal path directly from your DAW's output straight to its D/A converter, the Ensemble Thunderbolt's driver also ensures that your audio doesn't need further data processing before it hits your studio monitors or headphones. What does this mean for you? Well, in the real world, it means that you get insanely efficient performance with remarkably transparent audio playback.

Monitor through your DAW with plug-ins
Direct Memory Access (DMA) engine conserves CPU
32-bit signal path for insanely efficient performance


Phenomenal Audio Quality
Exceptional-sounding converters, whether going in or coming out
Whether we're talking about the boutique brickwall filters they designed in the 1980s or their current top-shelf Symphony I/O systems, Apogee's converter technology has set the industry standard for over two decades. That's why it should come as no surprise that the Ensemble Thunderbolt is built solidly on this well-deserved reputation. By utilizing carefully selected, critically tested components and an all-new highly efficient circuit design, the Ensemble Thunderbolt's A/D conversion has received a significant upgrade over its predecessor, giving you greater dynamic range, lower distortion, and an almost nonexistent noise level.
The icing on the cake, however, is the Ensemble Thunderbolt's inclusion of an ESS Sabre32 32-bit Hyperstream D/A converter with a Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, providing you with unbelievably clear, jitter-free audio playback. When compared to older 24-bit technology, the ESS Sabre32 D/A converter's 32-bit filter processing results in an astonishingly low THD+N specification and a large dynamic range, improving upon the audio fidelity and transparency for which Apogee is renowned. While already wildly popular with the audiophile community, Apogee is one of the first manufacturers to utilize the ESS Sabre32 D/A converter for pro audio applications.

Upgraded A/D converter delivers ultra-clean recordings
ESS Sabre32 D/A converter provides crystal-clear playback
32-bit filter provides low distortion and large dynamic range


Dynamically Optimized Mic Preamps
Pristine preamps result in detailed, distortion-free recordings
Featuring eight uniquely designed mic preamps, the Ensemble Thunderbolt utilizes Apogee's Advanced Stepped Gain Architecture, which uses a dynamically-optimized circuit to give you superior bandwidth, ultra-low noise, and nonexistent distortion, for up to 75dB of clean, usable gain. Whether you mic up a manic drummer's kit, record a dynamic vocalist, or capture delicate orchestral instruments, these pristine preamps will ensure that your recordings retain all of the focus, intricate detail, and three-dimensional impact of the original performance.
If you're a longtime Apogee user, you know that no Apogee AD/DA converter would be complete without Soft Limit. First introduced on the AD-500 converter in 1992, Soft Limit has been heard on countless platinum-selling records. So what does it do? Soft Limit prevents the digital clipping that causes distortion by instantaneously rounding off transient peaks before A/D conversion. This not only gives you more headroom, but it also lends an analog tape-like warmth to your recordings. Originally reserved exclusively for Apogee's most advanced audio converters, the Ensemble Thunderbolt puts this amazing technology right at your fingertips!

Up to 75dB of clean, usable gain
Preamps deliver focus, detail, and dimension
Soft Limit prevents digital clipping


Plenty of I/O
Lots of recording and monitoring options
The Ensemble Thunderbolt gives you so much I/O; you'll never find yourself coming up short, regardless of how you work. Featuring four combo inputs and four XLR inputs, the Ensemble Thunderbolt lets you connect up to eight microphones, external mic preamps, or any other pieces of analog gear. You also get 10 highly configurable balanced line outputs (two balanced monitor outputs and eight balanced line outputs) that are designed to accommodate a wide variety of workflows. Whether you mix in-the-box or on an external console, the Ensemble Thunderbolt makes it easy to get to work quickly and efficiently. On top of that, you get two independently controlled headphone outputs, two hardware inserts, 18 channels of digital I/O, and a word clock input and output.
With all of the incredibly realistic amp-modeling software available, most of us have a virtual treasure trove of vintage guitar amplifiers in our studios. Unfortunately, even the best software can't replicate the true dynamic response and reaction of a real guitar amplifier. Fortunately, when you plug your guitar into the Ensemble Thunderbolt's dedicated guitar inputs, their Class A JFET circuits utilize a "bootstrapping" design, providing an ultra-high impedance load to your guitar, preserving every drop of its feel, tone, and harmonic character. This design also makes for effortless re-amping and allows you to connect stompboxes to your recording rig without worrying about impedance or level mismatches.

4 combo inputs and 4 XLR inputs
10 highly configurable balanced line outputs
Dedicated guitar inputs provide realistic playability


Intuitive User Interface
Hardware/software hybrid approach for a refined user experience
The Ensemble Thunderbolt gives you easy access to all of its important functions. To adjust the level of an input, you simply press its corresponding button on the front of the unit and then turn the input controller knob. Setting the input's other parameters, such as type, grouping, and polarity, is just as simple. You can also turn the input's phantom power, Soft Limit, and highpass filter on and off right from the Ensemble Thunderbolt's clearly lit front panel. Also, dedicated front-panel controller knobs and integrated monitor management features make adjusting speaker and headphone levels a snap, without the need for a separate monitor controller. If that isn't enough, you also get four configurable multifunction buttons and a talkback function with a built-in microphone.
Like all of Apogee's other interfaces, the included Maestro control software lets you control virtually every parameter of the Ensemble Thunderbolt right from your Mac. You can manage inputs and gain levels, change routing, control volume, set up headphone mixes, and much more. From setting microphone levels to monitoring your final mix, Maestro software's easy-to-use single window interface gives you fast, full control of the Ensemble Thunderbolt — right from your Mac!

Easy access to important functions
Integrated monitor management
Software control of the Ensemble Thunderbolt's parameters


Packed with premium AD/DA converters and clocking, as well as amazing-sounding mic preamps and a phenomenal array of features and I/O, the Ensemble Thunderbolt is sure to find a home in a wealth of professional and serious project studios. If you're serious about performance and want truly professional results, you owe it to yourself to check out the newly redesigned Ensemble Thunderbolt by Apogee!
Tech Specs



Computer Connection Type
Thunderbolt 2


Form Factor
Rackmount


Simultaneous I/O
30 x 34


A/D Resolution
24-bit/192kHz


Audio Input Types
4 x XLR/TRS Combo, 2 x 1/4" ( Balanced Inserts), 4 x XLR (Mic/Line), 2 x 1/4" (Guitar/Instrument)


Audio Output Types
2 x 1/4" (Monitor), 8 x DB-25, 2 x 1/4" (Headphones), 2 x 1/4" (Guitar/Instrument)


Digital Input Types
2 x ADATF (Optical), 1 x S/PDIF (Coax)


Digital Output Types
2 x ADAT (Optical), 1 x S/PDIF (Coax)


Phantom Power
Yes


Clock I/O
1 x BNC (In), 1 x BNC (Out)


Rack Units
1U


Depth
12.125"


Width
19"


Height
1.73"


Weight
11.15 lbs.






THSD : www.music-blvd.com




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