Apollo newbie question: do I unplug my electric every time I record acoustic?

[addmultiplier]

Up until recently I used a Presonus Audiobox which has four inputs in the front for either mic or guitar. I frequently had an electric guitar, bass, and two mics plugged into it at all times which was nice for my recording project (just me playing all the instruments on an instrumental record).

Last week I bought an Apollo. But one thing I don't like is unplugging my electric from the Hi-Z/Input 1 position every time I want to record an acoustic guitar (which I traditionally do with two mics simultaneously). Is there a reason the Console doesn't have three channels for "Instrument | Mic 1 | Mic 2" rather than just "Analog 1 and Analog 2" or am I misunderstanding?

 

[klasaine]

It’s an Apollo thing.
Anything plugged into the hi-Z disables the back input 1.

 

[addmultiplier]

It’s an Apollo thing.
Anything plugged into the hi-Z disables the back input 1.

Wouldn't it make more sense to just have a dedicated instrument input in front plus two mic inputs in the back and Console manages them all separately so nothing needs to be unplugged? (I mean I know I might be preaching to the choir, just not sure I understand UAD's logic there)

 

[Eric Dahlberg]

Wouldn't it make more sense to just have a dedicated instrument input in front plus two mic inputs in the back and Console manages them all separately so nothing needs to be unplugged? (I mean I know I might be preaching to the choir, just not sure I understand UAD's logic there)

Yes. UA worked harder to make the product worse. But considering it's right in front and easy to unplug, it's only .00005% worse.

 

[bellows and brass]

How about getting some sort of 8 channel device that is equiped with adat optical outputs, and running all your instruments into that , permanently connected.
You mics can stay permanently connected to the xlr input of the Apollo .

The Apollo twin on its own seems quite limited, but once the optical input is realised, the input side at least becomes more than adequate for most small projects.

 

[addmultiplier]

How about getting some sort of 8 channel device that is equiped with adat optical outputs, and running all your instruments into that , permanently connected.
You mics can stay permanently connected to the xlr input of the Apollo .

The Apollo twin on its own seems quite limited, but once the optical input is realised, the input side at least becomes more than adequate for most small projects.

Thanks I will definitely consider that as I expand my studio and figure out how many inputs I'd need. I'm a solo mult-instrumentalist and am constantly changing instruments and approaches so not having to think about swapping inputs would be nice.

 

[Eric Dahlberg]

Get a patch bay.

 

[bellows and brass]

Get a patch bay.

i did both……your suggestion and mine.
Here is what I came up with after much pondering of all likely scenarios likely to present themselves to my little studio. Ergonomics was a factor too, so this rack is ateye level when standing. None of this bending over shit with a mag light in my mouth.
out of sight is the Apollo twin and octo satellite.
With many jacks to spare, every input and output is represented, and most of it is normalised so not much patching to do ‘ normaly’.
If you are a seriously OCC patcher, at least with this rig you only wear out the cheap Samson patch bay, the xlr module or the easy to resolder patch leads.