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Thank you for purchasing ONE. This User's Guide describes how to set up ONE with your Mac or iOS device, connect headphones to play back music and record your own creations with the built-in mic, an external mic or an electric instrument.
ONE for Mac and ONE for iPad & Mac
The Swiss Army Knife for Personal Recording and Audio Production.
Apogee ONE is an all-in-one portable, USB audio interface that gives you everything you need to make professional recordings on the go. Connect a microphone, guitar or use ONE's exceptional built-in omnidirectional microphone to easily capture your music without compromise. ONE even lets you record with a microphone (built-in or external) and guitar simultaneously. Using Apogee's industry-leading AD/DA conversion and mic preamp technology, ONE produces pristine music, podcast, and voice-over recordings while also delivering studio quality sound to your headphones for precision mixing or hi-fi listening. With an intuitive controller knob and seamless compatibility with Mac OS X and iOS, ONE is easy for anyone to use and works great with GarageBand, Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, Ableton or any Core audio compatible application. ONE is made for Mac and iOS, so it is compatible with the latest iOS devices using the iOS Connection Kit.
The following items are included in the ONE for Mac box:
The following items are included in the ONE for iPad & Mac box:
Software, firmware and the ONE User's Guide are available online only.
Please register your product and download the latest installer here:
www.apogeedigital.com/support
Built-in Microphone
ONE's built-in microphone capsule is located at the top of the front panel. When using the built-in microphone, orient the capsule towards the sound source
being recorded.
Input/Output Selection Indicator
These indicators show the input or output selected
for level adjustment using the multi-function
Controller Knob.
Input/Output Level Meters
These meters display the input level when any input is selected or the output level when the output is selected for level adjustment using the Controller Knob.
Multi-function Controller Knob
ONE's multi-function controller knob allows you to easily switch between Inputs and Outputs as well as adjust their levels.
1/8" Stereo Headphone/Speaker Output
ONE's 1/8" stereo output may be connected to headphones or powered speakers. To connect to powered speakers, use an adaptor cable with a stereo 1/8" connector on one end and the appropriate mating connector for the powered speakers on the other end.
Mic/Instrument Input
This port is for connecting ONE's breakout cable, which includes one female XLR connector and one female
1/4" connector.
USB
ONE utilizes a single USB connector to interface with Mac devices and iOS devices. To connect to Mac, use the provided cable that terminates in a USB "A" type connector. To connect to an iOS device, use the cable that terminates in the Lightning connector.
DC Power
When connecting to an iOS device, connect the DC power supply to the ONE. When connecting to a Mac, ONE is easily powered by any available USB port and there's no need to connect a DC power supply.
External Power
When connecting to a Mac, both versions of ONE are easily powered by any available USB port; there's no need to connect an external DC power supply.
When connected to iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone, external power is required. Here are the options for DC power:
ONE for Mac (Silver)
ONE for iPad & Mac (black)
To install 2 AA batteries, use a coin or screwdriver to remove ONE for iPad & Mac's battery compartment door. Orient the 2 batteries as shown below so that the batteries' minus (-) terminals are installed against the compartment's springs. Once batteries are installed, replace the compartment door.
When powering ONE for iPad & Mac from two AA batteries, it is highly recommended to use NiMH rechargeable batteries for the best battery life when recording and playing back audio. Approximate battery life is shown below for minimal and maximum load conditions when using standard and rechargeable NiMH batteries.
Standard AA | Rechargeable NiMH AA | |
Playback from iTunes (minimal load) | 2 hours, 40 minutes (See Note Below) | 3 hours, 40 minutes |
Recording - max load | 30 minutes | 2 hours, 10 minutes |
About 5-10 minutes before ONE for iPad & Mac shuts down, the level meters' red LEDs will flash to warn of the approaching loss of power under most conditions. (see Note 1 below).
After changing batteries, it is necessary to power cycle ONE for iPad & Mac by removing and then re-inserting the USB connector.
Note
Max load condition is as follows: Input 1 set to Ext 48v Mic with a 10mA phantom power load, Input 2 accepts a 1kHz tone at -1 dBfs, output set to maximum. Unit is set to 96kHz sample rate.
System Requirements
After connecting ONE, installing the software and restarting your Mac, a dialog box will prompt you to choose ONE for Mac sound input and output. Click Yes.
Connect headphones to the 1/8" output jack on ONE's front panel.
Alternatively, you can connect ONE's output to speakers by using an adapter cable. The cable should go from a stereo 1/8" connection (from ONE) to two separate connectors suitable for your speakers (1/4", RCA, etc.).
ONE's two inputs may be configured in the following manner:
When using an XLR microphone or 1/4" instrument, connect to ONE's breakout cable.
Open Apogee Maestro software (found in your Mac's Applications folder),
and select the Input tab.
Select the Analog Level setting that corresponds to the microphone source you'd like to record. For example, if you have a microphone connected to the XLR connection on the breakout cable, select Ext Mic from the Analog Level menu on channel 1. If you would like to utilize ONE's built-in microphone, select Int Mic. Channel 2's source is always the 1/4" Instrument input.
Note: If you are using a condenser microphone that requires phantom power, select Ext Mic 48V. Phantom power is indicated on ONE's display by a red dot above the microphone icon.
System Requirements
There is a separate Maestro app that only runs in iOS devices. This is required for control of your ONE when connected to an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Here's how to download and install this special iOS version of Maestro:
Connect headphones to the 1/8" output jack on ONE's front panel.
Alternatively, you can connect ONE's output to speakers by using an adapter cable. The cable should go from a stereo 1/8" connection (from ONE) to two separate connectors suitable for your speakers (1/4", RCA, etc.).
ONE's inputs may be configured in the following manner:
When using an XLR microphone or 1/4" instrument, connect to ONE's breakout cable.
Open Apogee Maestro app, choose ONE from the main menu and select the Input tab.
Select the Analog Level setting that corresponds to the input source you'd like to record. For example, if you have a microphone connected to the XLR connection on the breakout cable, select Ext Mic from the Analog Level menu on channel 1. If you would like to utilize ONE's built-in microphone, select Int Mic. By default, the 1/4" instrument input is the selected source for Channel 2.
Note: If you are using a condenser microphone that requires phantom power, select Ext Mic 48V. Phantom power is indicated on ONE's display by a red dot above the microphone icon.
To change ONE's input level (i.e the preamp gain of microphones and instruments):
Note: You will not hear your input until you enable software monitoring from a recording application or engage the low latency mixer in Apogee's Maestro control panel.
Apogee Maestro is the first audio interface control application made for Mac and iOS*. Featuring a single window design, and multiple tab interface for quick access to all device and system settings.
There are two versions of Maestro, each provides full control over the settings of your Apogee interface. Maestro for Mac is free and can be the Apogee Web site under the Support page, and Maestro for iOS is available for free on the Apple iOS App Store.
* The iOS Connection Kit (sold separately) is required with the silver ONE for Mac to work with an iOS device.
System Setup
Toolbar
About Apogee Maestro - Choose this menu item to display version information.
Preferences - Choose this menu item to display Maestroʼs Preference panel. Check Launch Maestro automatically
when connecting a device to launch Maestro when the Mac is started. Check Display Pop-ups to show top panel encoder adjustments.
Hide Apogee Maestro 2 - Choose this menu item to hide the Maestro application.
Hide Others - Choose this menu item to hide all other open applications.
Show All - If any open applications have been hidden, choose this menu item to reveal all open applications.
Quit Apogee Maestro 2 - Choose this menu item to quit Maestro.
Rescan - Choose this menu item to re-initialize the link between Maestro software and Apogee hardware connected to the Mac in the case where the hardware is correctly connected and powered on but not detected in Maestro.
Minimize - Choose this menu item to minimize the Maestro window to the OS X Dock.
Zoom - Choose this menu item to maximize the size of the Maestro window.
Open any of the currently active tabs by typing Command + number.
Help - Choose this menu item to open Maestro Help for any Apogee hardware devices connected to your Mac.
In this section you'll find answers to questions that might arise while you're recording with ONE on your Mac.
The ONE includes a built-in mic for those instances when you want to record quickly and easily - to preserve an inspiration, capture an ambience or record a conversation. Once you've selected Int Mic as ONE's active input in Maestro, here are a few hints for getting a great sound.
Placement - ONE's built-in mic has been designed to provide a clear, precise sound even when it's sitting on a desk and the source is off-axis (meaning that the sound source isn't at a right angle to ONE's top panel). By changing the angle of ONE to the sound source, it's possible to vary the amount of presence in the captured sound. For the most present and direct sound, use the included mic stand clip to mount ONE on a mic stand, and position ONE approximately 12-18" from the sound source.
ONE offers a choice of four sample rates, 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96kHz. So, what's the best sample rate to record your project at? It's a good idea to avoid unnecessary sample rate conversion stages, so the answer is determined by the sample rate of media on which you plan to distribute your recording. If the final distribution media is CD, record at 44.1kHz. If the media is video or TV, most often 48 kHz is the best choice. ONE also operates a 88.2-96kHz sample rate, in the case where you're recording in a session started at these rates. If you're part of a larger production chain, and aren't sure, ask whomever is responsible for assembling the final product - they'll undoubtedly appreciate the forethought.
It's an accepted "best practice" of most audio software providers that audio files should be recorded on a hard drive other than the Mac's Startup drive (i.e. the drive on which the operating system is installed). You can probably get away with recording a few tracks to your computer's Startup disk, but for the best performance of your ONE recording system, record onto a separate ATA/IDE, SATA, or FireWire drive whose spindle speed is at least 7200 RPM.
Once your microphone or instrument is connected, your audio software is configured and you've created a new recording track, just how do you set the input gain for a proper recording level in your audio software? There's no simple answer, but with a few guidelines and a bit of experience, you'll find the perfect recording level for any situation.
When setting the recording level, here are a few guidelines you'll want to think about:
Given these guidelines, it's a better strategy to set your recording levels rather conservatively to avoid unexpected overs. In the early days of 16-bit digital audio, it was important to set a higher level to maintain the greatest dynamic range, but that's simply not necessary with a 24-bit system. In other words, it's better to "undershoot" the level than overshoot and have digital overs.
Just how much to undershoot the gain setting is determined by the nature of the sound being recorded. As a general rule, instruments such as bass and organ have a more consistent level than percussive instruments, such as a tambourine, and may be recorded at a higher level. Also, the performer's skill and playing style can dictate more or less caution when setting levels. As you gain experience, you'll be able to more accurately set a good recording level while avoiding digital overs.
When using ONE's built-in mic, it's inevitable that manipulation of the top panel encoder will be heard over the mic. In this instance, use a software control panel to set input gain and output level.
Phantom power (also known as 48V) is a DC voltage necessary to power condenser microphones such as the Neumann U87 or AKG 414. If you're connecting a condenser mic to ONE, be sure to select Ext 48V Mic in the Maestro Control Input menu.
Through a bit of electronic trickery, phantom power is supplied to the mic via the same cable used to transmit the audio signal from the mic. There are a few precautions to take when using phantom power: don't connect a ribbon mic when phantom power is on, and mute headphones or speakers before toggling 48V on or off.
Most powered speakers offer an input volume control, often labelled as input sensitivity. Rather than describe an overly complicated method for setting this control, the easiest way to determine the right setting is to note where you generally set ONE's output level. If you find yourself rarely turning the output past a very low output level (say, -35 dB), decrease the input sensitivity on the speaker.
If, on the other hand, you find yourself setting ONE for full output and the speakers aren't loud enough, increase the input sensitivity. Ideally, ONE's output should be at 0 dB when you're listening at your absolute maximum
desired volume.
The I/O Buffer setting found in most audio software is one of the most crucial, but often ignored, settings in a Mac-based recording system.
When choosing a buffer setting, a compromise between the latency through the application and the amount of computer processor power accessible to the application must be made. A lower buffer setting results in lower latency but less available processing power. If the application can't access enough processor power, processor overruns may occur, resulting in audible clicks and pops or error messages that interrupt playback and recording.
A higher buffer setting, on the other hand, results in a greater amount of accessible processor power (i.e. less chance of overruns) but increases the latency. Determining the best setting requires some trial-and-error in order to find the
best compromise.
Keep in mind that as tracks and plug-ins are added to a software session, processor requirements increase. Thus, the buffer setting that works during the early stages of a session might result in processor overruns during later stages. The best strategy is to set the buffer to a lower setting during recording and accept certain limitations on plug-in usage, and then raise the buffer during mixing to utilize the computer's full processor power when latency isn't an issue. With the processing power of today's Macs, you may find that adjustment of the buffer isn't necessary, and you can leave it at a setting for low latency and still access a sufficient amount of processing power when adding tracks and plug-ins. If you do encounter clicks, pops or software errors, don't hesitate to experiment with the buffer setting.
While recording, if you notice a delay between the moment you play or sing a note and when you hear it in your headphones you are experiencing latency. With Maestro's low latency mixer, you can set up a signal path to hear yourself with minimal latency. These instructions are for a Mac, but can be done on an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch using similar settings.
How to set up a session using the Low Latency Mixer
When recording with most computer-based digital audio applications, the delay between the input and output of the recording system often disturbs the timing of the musicians performing. This delay, known as latency, means that the musician hears the notes played a few milliseconds after having actually played them. As anyone who has spoken on a phone call with echo knows, relatively short delays can confuse the timing of any conversation, spoken or musical.
To illustrate the effect of latency, Figure A depicts the typical signal path of a vocal overdub session. A vocalist sings into a microphone, which is routed to an analog to digital converter, then to the audio software application for recording. In the software application, the vocalist's live signal is mixed with the playback of previously recorded tracks, routed to a digital to analog converter, and finally to the vocalist's headphones. A slight delay accumulates at each conversion stage, while a much greater amount of delay occurs through the software application, resulting in the vocalist hearing his performance in headphones delayed by several milliseconds.
By routing the hardware input directly to the hardware output and mixing in playback as shown in Figure B, it's possible to provide the vocalist a headphone monitoring signal with a much shorter delay. First, the signal being recorded (in this case, a vocal mic) is split just after the A/D stage and routed to both the software application for recording and directly back to the hardware outputs without going through the latency-inducing software. This creates a low latency path from mic to headphones. Next, a stereo mix of playback tracks is routed to the low latency mixer and combined with the hardware input(s). This allows the performer to hear himself while listening to playback tracks without a confusing delay in order to comfortably record overdubs.
Note that the software application's mixer is used to set a stereo mix of playback tracks while the low latency mixer is used to set the balance between the stereo playback mix and the hardware inputs.
Features | ONE |
Computer Connectivity | USB 2.0 High Speed |
Roundtrip Latency Performance | 32 buffer @ 96kHz = 4.4 ms
64 buffer @ 44.1kHz = 7.0 ms |
Power | USB Bus Power, Optional DC Power Supply (Sold Separately) |
Bit Resolution/Sample Rate | 24-bit/44.1-96kHz |
Input Channels | 2 Analog Inputs |
Output Channels | Stereo Headphone Output |
Microphone Preamps | 2 |
Microphone Preamp Gain | Up to 62dB |
Metering | LED Segments |
Phantom Power | ![]() |
Group Inputs | ![]() |
Mute Outputs | ![]() |
Core Audio Compatible | ![]() |
For more information:
Visit: http://www.apogeedigital.com/support/
www.apogeedigital.com
Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.
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