Apogee Element 46 User manual
Apogee Element Series
User’s Guide v1.0 October, 2016
U
Apogee Element Series User’s Guide
Contents
Overview 3
Introduction 3
Package Contents 4
Element 24 Panel Tour 5
Element 46 Panel Tour 5
Element 88 Panel Tour 5
Setup 6
System Requirements 6
Download & Install Element Software package 6
Connect Element to Your Computer 7
If connecting a Second Element 7
Update Element’s Firmware 8
Element Control 9
Element Control Mac Software 9
Essentials Window 10
Primary Window 10
Toolbar 11
System Sidebar 11
Device Sidebar 12
Channel Section 13
Mixer Section 15
Monitor/Output Section 16
Hover Help 17
Menu Bar Menus 18
Apogee Control iOS App 19
iOS App Toolbar 20
Analog Input Settings 20
Monitor Output Settings 21
Snapshots & Examples 22
Getting Started Snapshot Template 23
How Element Control Input Channels appear in your Recording Program: 24
How Element Control Outputs work with your Recording Program: 25
How to get a separate mix to the headphones than from the speaker outputs: 26
Essentials Snapshot Template 28
Direct Monitoring Snapshot Template 29
Using the Direct Monitor Snapshot Template with your Recording Program 31
Full Functionality Snapshot Template 32
Vocal Overdub Snapshot Template 33
A/D Expander Snapshot Template 37
Working with a Multiple Element Interface Setup 38
Connecting a Multiple Element Interface System: 38
The Multiple Element Interface System in Use 39
Additional Support 40
1
Apogee Element Series User’s Guide
Overview
Introduction
Legendary Sound Quality. The Power of Thunderbolt. Elegant Simplicity.
Apogee’s Element 24, 46 and 88 are Thunderbolt audio I/O boxes for Mac. The Element Series takes the best of cutting-edge
Apogee gear like Symphony I/O Mk II, Ensemble Thunderbolt and Groove and puts it into simple form factors. With
streamlined hardware features and advanced software control, the Element series delivers ultimate recording quality and
performance at unprecedented prices.
The Elements of Excellent Audio
Analog to Digital Conversion
A high-quality A/D converter is critical for capturing every detail of your recordings into your computer.
The Element series features some of the best Apogee A/D conversion. Recording through an Element
ensures you will minimize unwanted noise and maximize the signal quality. Your tracks will sound
amazing and mixing your project will be easier.
Microphone Preamps
Whether you are recording powerful drums, dynamic vocals or delicate strings, you need a premium mic
preamp to capture the finest details of the performance. The Element Series mic preamps feature
Apogee’s Advanced Stepped Gain Architecture™. This analog circuit is designed to dynamically
optimize across a gain range of 0-75dB to provide superior bandwidth and low distortion.
Digital to Analog Conversion
With a high-quality D/A converter, you will hear more definition in each track and virtual instrument. This
clarity makes it easier for you to make precise adjustments and achieve the ideal balance when mixing
your music. When you listen to your sessions through an Element, tracks will blend more harmoniously
and mixing will be easier. The high end will sound crisp and clear and the low end will be tight and well
defined.
Clocking
An audio interface relies on a clock source like an orchestra relies on a conductor. A digital audio clock
provides a timing signal to all the parts of a digital audio system so that each part of the AD/DA process
may be synchronized. Element has its own built-in clock source and provides professional Word Clock IN
and OUT for syncing with other digital audio gear. Use Element as the master clock to take advantage of
Apogee’s superior built-in clocking technology.
Thunderbolt Connectivity
The Element Series Thunderbolt driver offers incredible low-latency performance (1.41 ms round-trip)
and rock-solid stability. Apogee’s custom driver uses less of your computer’s CPU power with the help of
Direct Memory Access (DMA) technology. This allows you to run more plugins and monitor through your
DAW at a low buffer setting. Element’s low latency driver means you don’t have to choose between
power and speed.
2
Apogee Element Series User’s Guide
Package Contents
The following items are included with your Element Series Interface
Apogee Element 24
Universal Power Supply with
standard 3 pin-IEC cable
Quick Start Guide
Warranty Booklet
Apogee Element 46
Universal Power Supply with
standard 3 pin-IEC cable
Quick Start Guide
Warranty Booklet
Apogee Element 88
Rack mounting kit
Universal Power Supply with
standard 3 pin-IEC cable
Quick Start Guide
Warranty Booklet
Register your product
● Access Apogee’s expert Technical Support for free
● Receive important product update information by email
● Take the Customer Satisfaction Survey for a chance to win Apogee gear!
Register Now: www.apogeedigital.com/support/register
3
Apogee Element Series User’s Guide
Element 24 Panel Tour
Element 46 Panel Tour
Element 88 Panel Tour
4
Apogee Element Series User’s Guide
Setup
System Requirements
● Mac OS X 10.10 or greater
● Thunderbolt™-equipped Mac
● 4GB minimum RAM, 8GB Recommended
Download & Install Element Software package
Before Element will work with the computer, special software must be installed. Always get the latest version of the software
from the apogee website:
www.apogeedigital.com/support/element
The download comes in the form of a .dmg file. Open it to view the contents.
Inside you will find three items:
● Element Release Notes.pdf
● Element Uninstaller.app
● Element Installer.pkg
Double-click to launch the Element Installer.pkg. A dialog box will appear with a series of steps to proceed. Follow the prompts
to complete the installation. You will be required to restart your computer.
As a result of the software install:
● Element Control software is placed in the Mac’s Applications folder
● When connected, the Element Thunderbolt interface appears as an audio input/output device in Mac System
Preferences > Sound
●Element Firmware Updater.app is placed in the Mac’s Applications > Utilities folder.
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Apogee Element Series User’s Guide
Connect Element to Your Computer
1. Connect the Power Supply to Element.
2. Connect Element to your Mac using a Thunderbolt
cable.
If connecting a Second Element
1. Connect the Power Supply to Element
2. Connect Element to a second Thunderbolt port on your Mac.
3. Connect optical cables from the Optical Out of one Element, to the Optical In of the second Element.
● If second unit is Element 24 & 46 - Two optical cables required
● If connecting two Element 88 units - Four optical cables required
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Apogee Element Series User’s Guide
Update Element’s Firmware
When first connecting Element to your computer, you may be prompted to update the Firmware:
1. Click Update, or manually open the Element
Firmware Updater.app from your computer’s
Applications > Utilities folder.
2. Make sure only one Element is connected to the
Mac. Then click Start Update.
3. Follow any prompts that may appear.
4. When it says Element is up to date, you can quit
the updater.
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Apogee Element Series User’s Guide
Element Control
Control of your Apogee Element Thunderbolt interface is available through a Mac software app, or an iOS control app. Each
provides it’s own unique set of controls and features.
Element Control Mac Software
When Element Control for Mac software is opened, you are presented with a Snapshot Template chooser.
Each Snapshot Template is a starting point that provides the most common feature set needed for various workflows. These
default Snapshot Templates and examples of their use are explained further on page 21. A snapshot can be further
customized to your specific needs and saved as a user-snapshot. Here is an explanation of all the features and components of
Element Control:
Element Control consists of three windows:
1. Essentials
2. Primary
3. Hover Help
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Apogee Element Series User’s Guide
Essentials Window
This window provides simple and compact controls for Input Channels and Outputs. It’s orientation can be changed between
vertical and horizontal so that it can be placed to the side or end of your recording software.
1. System Status Display - This displays the status of the connected Apogee Element hardware.
●Green - System is ready: Hardware is connected and recognized, and the digital clock is locked to the Clock
Source.
●Red - System not ready. Either the hardware is not connected, or the digital clock is not locked to the Clock
Source.
2. Orientation Button - Switches the Essentials window between horizontal and vertical view.
3. Analog Input Channels - Provides settings for the analog inputs.
● The buttons at the bottom correspond to the Input Channel Settings: Phantom Power (48V), Group (G), Soft
Limit (SL), and Polarity Invert (⌀)
4. Outputs - Headphones and speaker outputs settings are provided.
● The buttons at the bottom correspond to the Output controls: Mute (M), Dimminish (D), Sum-to-Mono (Σ)
5. Clear Meters - Clear the Peak or Hold indicators from the level meters.
6. Mute All - Mutes Headphones and Speakers outputs of the Element Thunderbolt interface. To unmute, click the
individual headphone or speaker mute buttons.
Primary Window
All features and settings of the Element Thunderbolt interface can be controlled from the Primary window. It is broken down
into several sections:
9
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2
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