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:
  • Less 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, the highest end

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.

 
Analog design, the cornerstone of Apogee quality

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.

Front Panel Tour

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 
   

Symphony I/O's removable rack ears

Rear Panel Tour

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
   

Total Flexibility: Symphony I/O is built to grow with your studio

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

The All New Maestro

Advanced Software Control for Advanced I/O

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 dB, -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.

Mic Pre control panel

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.

Input and output routing panels

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.

Input, output levels, calibration panels and Soft Limiter

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 dB, -4 dBfs, Soft Saturate and Soft Crush. Soft Limit may be engaged on each analog input in Maestro?s Input tab window and is ideal for managing the peaks of dynamic sources like drums, perucussion and plucked string instruments.

Device and system control panels

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.

I/O Modules

The Magic is in the Modules

The I/O Modules are the sound and soul of Symphony I/O, and represent 25 years of Apogee R&D and design excellence. These powerful Modules deliver Apogee’s core competency, superior sounding digital audio recording. With 5 available I/O Modules, you can choose from standard configurations or customize the following: channel count, analog to digital input, digital to analog output, mic preamps and digital I/O. You compose your Symphony I/O.

Highlights:

• The culmination of 25 years of Apogee’s digital recording technology
• The most advanced AD/DA conversion available
• 5 I/O Modules to choose from
• 8 channel mic preamp module with 4 instrument inputs and 8 inserts points

8 Analog I/O + 8 AES I/O

8 channels of Analog I/O and up to 8 channels of Digital I/O simultaneously

INPUTS Analog IN: 8 balanced channels, DSUB 25-pin connector AES-EBU IN: 8 balanced channels, DSUB 25-pin connector (192k single wide compatible) Coax IN: Supports SPDIF on 1 RCA connector		OUTPUTS Analog OUT: 8 balanced channels, DSUB 25-pin connector AES-EBU OUT: 8 balanced channels, DSUB 25-pin connector (192k single wide compatible) Coax OUT: Supports SPDIF on 1 RCA connector

8 Analog I/O + 8 Optical I/O

8 channels of Analog I/O and up to 8 channels of Digital I/O simultaneously

INPUTS Analog IN: 8 balanced, DSUB 25-pin connector Optical IN: Supports ADAT, SMUX & SPDIF on 1 Toslink connector ADAT: 8 channels 44.1-48 kHz SMUX: 8 channels, 88.2-96 kHz over 2 Toslink connectors SPDIF: 2 channels up to 192 kHz Coax IN: Supports SPDIF on 1 RCA connector		OUTPUTS Analog OUT: 8 balanced, DSUB 25-pin connector Optical OUT: Supports ADAT, SMUX & SPDIF on 1 Toslink connector ADAT: 8 channels 44.1-48 kHz SMUX: 4 channels, 88.2-96 kHz SPDIF: 2 channels up to 192 kHz Coax OUT: Supports SPDIF on 1 RCA connector

16 Analog IN + 16 Optical OUT

16 channels of Analog INPUT and up to 16 channels of Digital OUTPUT simultaneously

INPUTS Analog IN: 16 balanced inputs, 2 DSUB 25-pin connectors Coax IN: Supports SPDIF on 1 RCA connector		OUTPUTS Optical OUT: Supports ADAT, SMUX & SPDIF on 1 Toslink connector ADAT: 16 channels 44.1-48 kHz SMUX: 8 channels 88.2-96 kHz SPDIF: 4 channels up to 192 kHz Coax OUT: Supports SPDIF on 1 RCA connector

16 Analog OUT + 16 Optical IN Module

16 channels of Analog OUTPUT and up to 16 channels of Digital INPUT simultaneously

INPUTS Optical: Supports ADAT, SMUX & SPDIF on 1 Toslink connector ADAT: 16 channels 44.1-48 kHz SMUX: 8 channels 88.2-96 kHz SPDIF: 4 channels up to 192 kHz Coax: Supports SPDIF on 1 RCA connector		OUTPUTS Analog OUT: 16 balanced outputs, 2 DSUB 25-pin connectors Optical: Supports ADAT, SMUX & SPDIF on 1 Toslink connector ADAT: 16 channels 44.1-48 kHz SMUX: 8 channels 88.2-96 kHz SPDIF: 4 channels up to 192 kHz Coax: Supports SPDIF on 1 RCA connector

8 Mic Preamp Module

8 Mic preamps with 4 instrument inputs and 8 insert points

MIC PREAMPS 8 digitally controlled, 85dB microphone preamps Upgrades functionality of Analog I/O Module by adding mic preamps to the existing line inputs Creates a direct connection between the Mic Preamp Module and the Analog I/O Module by inserting a mic preamp stage before the line inputs
INPUTS 4 Hi-Z 1/4” instrument inputs capable of handling high level instruments		INSERTS 8 fully balanced insert points Send 1-8 and Return 1-8 on 2 DSUB 25-pin connectors
How does the 8 Mic Preamp Module work?      The Mic Preamp Module upgrades the functionality of any Analog I/O Module by adding mic preamps to the existing line inputs. A direct connection between the Mic Preamp Module and the Analog I/O Module inserts a mic preamp stage before the line inputs.

Technical Specifications

Highlights:

• A/D THD+N: -113dB @ +20dBu (0.00024%)
• D/A THD+N: -117dB @ +20dBu (0.00014%)
• 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 10.58 and above 
   

Package Contents:

• Symphony I/O Interface
• USB Cable
• Power Cable
• Rack Ears and Bolts
• Quick Start Guide
   

Symphony I/O Chassis Box

Inches: 22.875 L x 17.75 W x 9.25 D
Centimeters: 58.1 L x 45.1 W x 23.5 D

I/O Module Box

Centimeters: 34.9 L x 31.1 W x 8.3 D

Drivere & Software

User's Guide