Apogee Ensemble

No, don't connect the ensemble to your mac via optical cable. That's not really what that port is for. its to connect other ADAT/Lightpipe equipped devices to your ensemble or vice versa for more I/O options. Connecting it to your mac will do nothing firewire can't do.

Anything from Euphonix is generally a good purchase. . . they just make good stuff.

Card based DSP effects aren't necessarily better quality than native effects, but yes, they do take the processor load off your computer. I'm assuming you have a mac pro because you asked about connecting via optical cable, but trust me, with a mac pro (4 or 8 core) you're not going to be starving for DSP.

If you can't get a great mix with Renn Maxx and the Logic effects, UAD cards aren't going to help you. Renn Maxx, although old at this point, are still fantastic plugins. They're standards for a reason. I know many a mixer who rely on the Renn Compressor day in and day out for the majority of their compression. . . and these are mixers whose mixes you've undoubtedly heard.

UAD plugs are good, but there are many native plugs that are just as good. Check out the new JJP package from waves. . . any of the classic bundles are great. But like I said, if you can't mix w/ the Logic plugs and Waves Renn, its not the plugins.

Depends that you have need to do!
Depends from your experiences!

Waves are better?...
some plugs maybe is better but some other NO!
in any case the Logic Pro included plugins are very same as waves...
maybe Waves are better... ... depends... is not so sure

IF you have Protools LE you must have Waves Gold at least (Because PT comes without great plugs)
IF you have Logic is not so necessary to buy Waves!

UAD DSP gives to you plugins that never you will find in Native version..

They are better?
Dependes from your experience...
My personal opinion is ; Yes they are the better plugs that you can use with Logic... but I comes from 35 Years of analog studio recording expirence!

there is a "Logical Analysis" that should be close my post:
the UAD plugs are absolutely different than Logic bundle plugs... so if you want buy something that makes you able to obtain an additional ammount of vintage effects... that you can not find elsewhere...

THE Universal Audio plugs should be your better choice!
Perfect logical upgrade for Logic!

G

Hi,

If you're looking for a warmer sound, depending on the plugins you require, might I suggest the SSL Duende Mini. I bought this because it was quite affordable and has an awesome sound. No reverbs (Yet?), but top flight EQ, Compression etc and it's DSP and plugins are upgradable when you have a few more shillings. Check it out. http://www.solid-state-logic.com/music/Duende/Mini/index.asp

It's all a matter of personal taste of course. Cheers.