Apogee Symphony I/O - Convertor AD/DA

Simply the best sounding interface Apogee has ever made

The culmination of 25 years of Apogee's design excellence and experience

Next generation converter quality

Refined and updated circuitry with fewer, more advanced components:

Fewer components means a shorter audio path and more recording clarity and transparency

Lower converter latency

More efficient power distribution

Enhanced C777 clocking performance

"Sound Amazing" remixed and remastered

Optional mic preamp module

Front panel control of headphone and output levels, and mic preamp gain (mic preamps optional)

Symphony I/O builds upon the award-winning design approaches of Apogee’s X-Series* and Rosetta Series converters*, the Big Ben master clock and the Trak2 mic preamps. It also refines and updates these proven designs with fewer but more advanced components while optimizing their performance with efficient power distribution. These enhancements allow audio to travel through less circuitry, offering lower converter latency, more accurate clocking and even more transparency and clarity in your recordings.

*As of July 2010, Symphony I/O will replace AD-16X,

DA-16X and Rosetta 800

Apogee's engineers do not merely rely on specs and data sheets when selecting converter components, they listen. Each component is auditioned and carefully selected to best reflect the characteristics of the Apogee sound. Symphony I/O’s audio path design is elegant and efficient, incorporating the most advanced opamps that offer better performance than multiple parts used in previous designs.

This design improvement minimizes the audio path circuitry and maximizes sound quality. And in the tradition of the X-Series and Rosetta series, the entire audio path is DC coupled, resulting in ultra flat frequency response and extremely low phase error.

Elegant and easy to use, the front panel of Symphony I/O is streamlined to present the visual

feedback you need to monitor levels, sample rate and clock status while providing the controls

required to adjust gain, output levels and select the Audio Interface Mode (AIM).

Highlights:

Dual multi-function encoder knobs

GUI display for adjustment of function parameters and selection of Audio Interface Mode

Assignable 10 segment peak/over metering

2 high-quality independent 1/4” headphone outputs

The rear panel tells the story of Symphony I/O’s adaptable design architecture with two I/O Module

slots capable of up to 32 channels of system input and output and PCI, USB and Ethernet connectivity for

complete compatibility with popular workstations. The base unit also features essential word clock

connectors and termination, and a quiet, digitally-controlled fan to keep it all running cool.

Highlights:

2 I/O Module slots capable of up to 32 channels of I/O

PCI, USB and Ethernet connectivity

High-performance, temperature controlled fan

Symphony I/O is an audio hardware platform, designed to deliver the most advanced recording technology available and the flexibility, scalability, and longevity required to power the modern studio. Modular I/O design, total software control, and direct connection to all popular DAWs make Symphony I/O a long-term sound investment.

What makes Symphony I/O a great choice for your studio now and for years to come:

Flexible design architecture with a base unit and two I/O module slots

Up to 32 channels of I/O per unit

Future proof connectivity with PCI, USB, Ethernet and all popular digital formats

Compatibility with Logic, Pro Tools HD, Pro Tools LE and any Core Audio driven application

Total software control of Symphony I/O with Maestro

Apogee’s software control application, Maestro, has been totally redesigned for Symphony I/O. Featuring a familiar single window, multiple tab interface for quick access to all device and system settings, the new Maestro makes routing, mic preamp adjustment, input and output calibration and low latency monitoring clear and easy to use. To reduce screen clutter, Maestro also features a minimized tool bar view with System Status display, volume controls and buttons to mute outputs and clear meters.

Highlights

Speaker, headphone, and mic preamp level control

Clock source, sample rate setting

Audio Interface Mode (AIM)

Minimized tool bar view with System Status, volume controls, mute and clear meters buttons

Software controlled A/D & D/A calibration

Comprehensive metering

Intuitive audio routing

4 Soft Limit settings: -2 dBfs, -4 dBfs, Soft Saturate and Soft Crush

The all new Maestro. Redesigned for Symphony I/O.

Maestro is the command center for Symphony I/O. As the Symphony I/O system is completely scalable from a single interface to more complex setups, Maestro puts everything in one place making it your system dashboard. Need just the essential information? Maestro can be minimized to show you only what you need to keep the session running smoothly, reducing clutter and complimenting Logic or the DAW of your choice.

Setting up a microphone has never been easier with the new Maestro and Symphony I/O. Add system gain, engage phantom power and set polarity on each channel. Maestro remembers all of your settings in the digital domain so next time you load your session, you are right back to where you left off.

Maestro lets you take advantage of Symphony I/O's comprehensive routing flexibility by visually displaying available I/O resources in a familiar grid pattern for easy setup and changes during sessions. Both hardware and software audio paths are represented making Maestro your session's Grand Central Station.

Maestro allows you to quickly and easily adjust input and output levels without the need to have any audio application open. Calibrating your system is accomplished with a pop up menu, providing your reference level in an instant. Trimming your audio levels has never been easier, or more accurate, thanks to Maestro's trim function of +/- 0.1 dB.

The new Maestro also offers 4 flavors of Apogee's Soft Limit: -2 dBfs, -4 dBfs, Soft Saturate and Soft Crush. Soft Limit may be engaged on each analog input in Maestroʼs Input tab window and is ideal for managing the peaks of dynamic sources like drums, percussion and plucked string instruments.

With Maestro's all new control panel, setting up your system is complete with just a few mouse clicks. Set up your audio metering preferences, digital audio formats and assign unique ID's to each of your peripherals. From a simple setup to the most complex, all of your settings are stored in Maestro so you have complete control of your system, all without leaving your chair.

Highlights:

A/D THD+N: -113dB @ +20dBu (0.00024%) unweighted

D/A THD+N: -117dB @ +20dBu (0.00014%) unweighted

D/A Dynamic Range: 129dB A weighted

Apogee’s proprietary Perfect Symmetry Circuitry (PSC)

Software controlled AD/DA reference setting

Variable gain input for keyboards

Ultra low latency AD/DA conversion

Analog to Digital:

THD+N: -113dB @ 20dBu (0.00024%)

Dynamic range: 120dB A weighted

Maximum input levels:

+4dB setting - 24dBu

-10dB setting - +6dBV

Variable gain setting - 25dB of gain

Frequency response at 44.1kHz 1-20,000 Hz (+/- 0.05dB)

Input impedance: 10K

Digital to Analog:

THD+N: -117dB @ 20dBu (0.00014%)

Dynamic Range: 129dB A weighted

Max output levels - ∞ to +24dBu

Frequency response at 44.1 kHz: dc to 20kHz (+/- 0.05dB)

Output impedance: 25 Ohm

Outputs are balanced through Apogee's proprietary Perfect Symmetry Circuitry (PSC)

Headphones:

THD+N: -105dB @19dBu

Dynamic Range: 119db A weighted

Output impedance: 30 Ohm

Power:

90-240VAC, 50-60Hz, 150W

Operating System:

Mac OS only 10.5.8 and above

Package Contents:

Symphony I/O Interface

USB Cable

Power Cable

Rack Ears and Bolts

Quick Start Guide

Symphony I/O Dimensions:

Inches: 17.75" (19" with Rack Ears) x 11.5" x 3.5" (4" with feet installed)

Centimeters: 45 (48.26 with Rack Ears) x 29.2 x 8.9 (10.2 with feet installed)

Packaging Dimensions:

Symphony I/O Chassis Box

Inches: 22.875 x 17.75 x 9.25

Centimeters: 58.1 x 45.1 x 23.5

I/O Module Box

Inches: 13.75 x 12.25 x 3.25

Centimeters: 34.9 x 31.1 x 8.3