--- title: How to setup and monitor with an Ensemble Thunderbolt and Element in Multi-Unit Mode description: Any two Ensemble Thunderbolts (or an Ensemble Thunderbolt and an Element Series interface) can be connected in Multi-Unit mode.  --- [Skip to content](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/how-to-setup-and-monitor-with-an-ensemble-thunderbolt-and-element-in-multi-unit-mode#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Contact us](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) ![Apogee Logo White.png\]](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Apogee%20Logo%20White.png?height=40&name=Apogee%20Logo%20White.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Contact us](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/kb-tickets/new) - Go to apogeedigital.com Go to apogeedigital.com How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. 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[Ensemble (Thunderbolt)](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#ensemble-thunderbolt) # How to setup and monitor with an Ensemble Thunderbolt and Element in Multi-Unit Mode Any two Ensemble Thunderbolts (or an Ensemble Thunderbolt and any Element Series interface) can be connected in Multi-Unit mode.  First, make sure to download and install the [drivers](https://apogeedigital.com/download-files/) for Ensemble and Element.   Then connect each unit one at a time with a thunderbolt cable to your Mac and run the **Apogee Firmware Updater** app in your mac's **Utility** folder to update your current firmware on each unit.  Then to connect in **Multi-Unit** mode: 1\) Use a Thunderbolt cable to connect any Thunderbolt port on Ensemble directly to a Mac's Thunderbolt 1, Thunderbolt 2, or Thunderbolt 3 port. 2\) Using a **second** Thunderbolt cable, connect from Ensemble's 2nd Thunderbolt port \> to the thunderbolt port on your Element Series interface (or second Ensemble). 3\) Using Optical ([Toslink](https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Digital-Optical-Audio-Toslink/dp/B00NH11H38)) cables connect from the 1st Unit's ADAT Optical OUT Port 1 \> the 2nd Unit's ADAT Optical IN Port 1.  Do the same for all optical ports in the opposite direction until all optical connections are made (i.e. 1st Unit's ADAT Optical IN Port 1 \> 2nd Unit's ADAT Optical OUT Port 1, etc)  - - **Four** **optical cables will be required** if the second unit is an Ensemble Thunderbolt or Element 88. - **Two** **optical cables will be required** if the second unit is an Element 46 or Element 24. **\*Note - When any 2 units are connected in Multi-Unit Mode the optical I/O for each unit is no longer available.**  You are only able to use all analog I/O for each unit when connected. Once both units are connected open the **Apogee Control** App and both should be detected in Multi-Unit mode as an A Unit and B Unit in the device sidebar with all analog channels shown.  This example shows an Ensemble Thunderbolt (Unit A) and Element 88 (Unit B) ![change to speaker multi unit](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/change%20to%20speaker%20multi%20unit.png?width=688&height=387&name=change%20to%20speaker%20multi%20unit.png) To monitor inputs connected through any output in your monitor section you can do this using the "Mixer" assignments.   When the Main Output is set to be "**Mixer 1**" in this example, this will enable direct monitoring through Ensemble Thunderbolt's Main Output 1-2.   ![change to mixer multi-unit](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/change%20to%20mixer%20multi-unit.png?width=688&height=374&name=change%20to%20mixer%20multi-unit.png) You will then raise the faders in "Mixer 1" under each input you want to hear. ![Mixer Monitor multi unit](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Mixer%20Monitor%20multi%20unit.png?width=688&height=387&name=Mixer%20Monitor%20multi%20unit.png) If you disconnect either unit and want to use a single unit in Control you may see previous Multi-Unit settings in Control appearing as greyed out channels. Click the **Trash Can** icon in the Device Sidebar to remove these previous B unit settings. 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