All user reviews for the Apogee Duet

I was looking for a small interface, mobile and efficient.
I wanted to hook me nimporte o to make music.
I possde a "studio" complete turn around a very inflated iMac.
JOperation of keyboards and bass, because these are my two instruments.
So, I have found that pinnacle Duet rpondait very well all my criteria.
This interface is small, very portable and with his absolutely dfiant any competition.
For now, I have not even cost anything similar in other brands
Yet rputes.

USE

The installation is extremely simple. We are under no Windows Mac!
The manual is completely useless interface is so intuitive.
Under Logic, everything works without lon is to proccuper of anything.

IMPLEMENTATION

For this section, I put the note of 10 because there isnt over.
At the risk of rpter me, we Mac, so solid and not under
Multiple Windows whims.
Latency is practically zero.
Both two tracks were recorded and this is more than enough for the "Home Studios".
How many times have I seen studios with multiple interfaces among utliliss
quen fashion among both?

NOTICE GLOBAL

I am the User for a month
The only one I does not like too much, it's the cables dangling, but otherwise the watch case would be much larger and less
transportable. So a given moment you have to know what one wants.
I tried normment of models before and really, I think the i finally found the beast.
This is an excellent choice and a "must" for musicians.
The price is extremely reasonable given the quality.

The Firewire Apogee Duet was something I found and bought after doing a lot of research. This tiny silver looking box comes with 2 Microphone inputs (with Phantom Power) delivering world class Apogee Pre-amps, 2 Line-level inputs and 2 Monitor outputs, all bundled and tied up together in a single breakout cable.

Having a Mobile setup, i.e. a Macbook Pro [os Mavericks (Late 2009, 2.8GHz Core 2-Duo, 8gb)], a Shure - PG27 Condenser Mic and a DT770 Pro BeyerDynamics Headphone, and being someone who always travels, I wanted a device that could integrate all my equipment at one place without cluster-confusion at the same time without compromising the quality for sound. This is where I found the existence of Duet.

Duet caught me immediately with its crystal clear AD/DA conversion. The sound is absolutely fantastic. Being a Logic 9 and Logic X user mostly, Apogee already has a place inside the Logic DAW option menus to control the Input levels. The dedicated Headphone input is also commendable.

The Giant wheel knob on the Device is easy to use and straight forward giving us several options (Can be used to adjust Input levels and control the main output volume levels etc). Especially found them helpful while switching between Headphone and Monitor Outputs to check the levels individually.

The Low Latency Monitoring option provided with the Stand-alone Maestro application provided by Duet is also helpful at times where you can listen to the recording that is coming directly from the Duet and not from the DAW.

This goes into your smallest travel bag, your laptop case or your work pouch. The idea of having a device that could accompany you without any hindrance and attend to all your primary recording requirements giving you a unique incomparable quality is something special, and Apogee Duet makes it a reality for me.

UTILIZATION

The Legacy Duet that I am still using has the updated driver for the latest Mac OS Mavericks, and this shows how consistent and alert Apogee products are when its come to updating. Stability has never been an issue for me with Duet. 2 to 3 crashes have happened until now, but only when the session was overloaded with more than 100 tracks. Can't blame just the Duet.

Duet initially became my recording companion on the Leopard OS, recording on Logic Pro 9. Most of my projects usually have almost 20-25 audio tracks with Sample Rate set to 44KHz. With my usual setting of the I/O Buffer set to 256 Samples (only while recording audio) and the Logic Software Monitoring enabled, the Duet provides me with 16.0ms roundtrip latency, which is fairly acceptable. I have to say that in this mode, Duet has never given me any kind of latency, and that is, even with any time or DSP based effects, for e.g., with delays and reverbs etc.

Aside from recording, Duet plays back my session like the playhead scrolling without any stops/pops/clicks. Unless your system does not have enough breathing power to play back the sessions. This depends on the amount of free RAM and other requirements etc. For e.g., My sessions are always hybrid modelled, i.e, a session having midi instrument tracks and audio instrument tracks together, and Duet does a good job in handling this, playing back for me realtime multiple midi instruments (usually around 10-15 midi tracks) and all my audio tracks.

All in All, Duet has read my biggest session till date having 200 tracks with 150 audio tracks and 50 instrument tracks without any overload warning or stop. (Note that while I playback after recording, the I/O Buffer is always set to 1024 samples giving a roundtrip latency of 50.8ms)

GETTING STARTED

Setting up the Duet was simple and clean for me. Coming in a Rectangular shaped box, there is nothing that is not clear inside this while unpacking the Duet. 1 Firewire cable, 1 Breakout cable and the Duet itself. As mentioned in the Manual clearly, after connecting it via a Firewire (Gives you a Firewire 800 and 400 free cable each with the case) to my laptop, I had to install the dedicated driver provided on the apogee website and had to install the Maestro, to control Duet on a stand-alone basis.

Once opened with Logic Pro 9, it detects for the newly attached duet and then we are ready to adjust the levels and hit record. The functions of Duet are easy to understand.

Today I am using the Logic X on the Mavericks 10.9.4. Its been 6 years. There has never been any compatibility issues with me.

OVERALL OPINION

Pros
1) Amazing AD/DA Conversion giving crisp and clear recording.
2) Strong Outer-body, has withstood a lot of misplaces by me.
3) The cables provided within do not cuddle, clatter or has never been bent, destroying the connectivity.
4) Easy to use and understand.
5) Offers 44Khz to 96KHz recording and playback.

Cons
1) Moderate amount of heat exertion while recording and playback.
2) Only XLR Inputs and 2 Stereo Outs.
3) The Led levels sometimes portray peak levels even if the gain level is down.
4) Crashed once while recording in 96Khz.


The price I got this for (directly ordered from the website) was for $533. Some might argue that this is a bit overpriced as there are many sound cards out there that gives you more input and monitoring options. But for me, someone going for the perfect quality recording sound, I would say the price is justifiable for this being the main reason.

Apogee Duet was my first sound card. My first recording on a DAW was using this device. After being used to this quality, I have never been satisfied with the sound of other sound cards (not naming them), that comes in this same range of price and value.

After these many years experience, Apogee only amazes me with the numerous amounts of recordings I have made and it still does. The choice I made was perfect!

- I was looking for good converters and good pramps not ruin me. I went first on the Duet2 but my finances were a little face when I saw the price of that stock in toto in b (298E against 500 for 2) I cracked.
I do not need 36 inputs and outputs, 2 me more than enough, one of the important points t ergonomics, it is the caviar.
- Use on a Macbook Pro 2.26GHz and 8 gb of ram.

UTILIZATION

- Installation of 2 min, you plug everything is ok, nothing wrong.
- I use it with Live, no problem so far (4 days of use, I prcise).
- Trs short latency for updates I will tackle it this week.
- At the sound, you feel the small diffrence everyone is talking about when it is prsence of convertos APOG, run an ordinary Mp3 and if you are pregnant take a little road ( Adam A7x for me) you feel immediately the difference.

GETTING STARTED

I saw nothing more clear to mac today, everything is simple.

OVERALL OPINION

- Reu 4 days ago
- Motu ultralite mk3, emu 1616m and some I've seen in others.
- Quality of pramps and converters, big button that does everything, Aesthetics (yes a consideration too).
- Nothing is 300 euros in nine, I see no bad cts.
- If I had a budget a little more consquent I took the Duet 2 is my only regret.

Little updating the 22/12/2011:
I'm having a big concern for latency in Live right, which makes use trspnible follow ....

The Apogee Duet is an extremely famous interface. Unlike many interfaces that I enjoy reviewing, the Duet is famous not because of how much you get or the money. Two mic and two line inputs is hardly a sizable amount for what you are paying for this. No. It is famous because of its sheer pristine quality. With preamps offering 75 dB of gain or so each, you really cannot go wrong. The singular knob on the Apogee Duet is also midi assignable, so you can use it to control parameters in your favorite digital audio workstation. It is important to note that not only is this interface powered by firewire, it is also Mac only, so sorry to those of you who own windows pc's (I'm in that category, but when you work with audio, you tend to have a lot of friends who own Macs).

UTILIZATION

The beautiful Duet has very bright LEDs on the surface to indicate parameters. What is so special about the utilization of the Apogee Duet is the fact that it has only one knob, that you push to switch between the current parameters you are messing with. You switch between input gain 1, input gain 2, output from software, output from the hardware for monitoring, and the midi assignable function. What I find odd about the Duet is the situation with phantom power. I am not quite sure what drives it, but there does not seem to be any parameter assignable to it, and yet I know people who have used it for condensers. I for one have only used the Apogee Duet with dynamics, and I find that they give adequate gain for just about any dynamic out there.

GETTING STARTED

It is as simple as plug and play. The manual is simple to use and everything about the Duet is elegant and simple.

OVERALL OPINION

I find the Duet to now be a steal when you consider that the Duet 2 is out on the market now, taking up the new sales segment. It is a fantastic deal, very elegant, and the quality is top notch.

Apogee converter = good
facilitates connection and very portable

UTILIZATION

everything works great and very easy to use, there is the choice of the switch between the headset and the speaker that seems a little confusion from time to time.

GETTING STARTED

no worries

OVERALL OPINION

Very good product, robustre, good converters, portable, easy connection. Namely it worth buying a better cable Firwire 400 to 800 since the mac has no connections with firewire 400.

- What characteristics have motivated your choice?
The design and functionality

- For what purpose?
Home studio

- What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / Ram / Hard ,...)?
Mac Pro Dual 2Ghz PPC, 3gb ram

UTILIZATION

- The installation is done it without problems?
Yes

- Have you experienced any incompatibilities?
Oh lala ... YES!

- The general configuration is easy?
Yes

- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
Bof

GETTING STARTED

- The drivers are stable?
Yes probably with software other than Cubase

- Are they often updated?
No, of course not.

- What software do you use most often?
Cubase SX3, Cubase 4

- What you get lag?
I know more ...

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?
I kept one week

What is so special that you like most and least?
The best: design, less: reset the ASIO each starting Cubase

- How would you rate the quality / price?
Means

With experience, you do again this choice? ...
No probably not ...

Very nice interface but ingested with Cubase 4 or any other product Steinberg.
ASIO is reset each time you start Cubase which sticks to the level 0DB systematically.
The funny thing is that the effect is produced by leaving cubase.
Steinberg proposes to read the CD or mp3 with the internal interface and dedicated Cubase Duet ... now support the French!
Apogee does not even open a ticket or throw it back at Steinberg.
She went back to the store.

Lawrence

Duet is a two channel audio FireWire interface designed specifically for Apple computers. Its controls are integrated directly to Logic Pro, Soundtrack Pro and Garage Band by Apple.
Duet features two-channel input and output with the renowned quality of Apogee conversion. Two high quality microphone preamps with 75dB gain and two unbalanced high impedance instrument inputs are inputs. The two output channels are available via connectors 6.35 mm jack for powered speakers and a headphone jack.
-Duet is designed to nomadism and ease of use. Its chassis is ultra compact discreet in the workspace and its bus-powered FireWire allows you to make professional recordings wherever you are.
The multi-controller allows both to select the input sources or output gain or adjust volume.
Duet can also control MIDI devices with a simple setting in Apogee's Maestro software application.

Features and Specifications:
Two-channel audio inputs and outputs of 24-bit/96kHz professional
-Two balanced XLR inputs with 48V phantom power selectable on each input
-Two unbalanced high impedance instrument inputs
A stereo headphone output-high level
-Two-10dBV unbalanced line outputs for powered speakers
Multi-control button for volume control, input gain control and assignable MIDI
Multi-segment LED display of input levels and output
FireWire 400-compatible Mac OS X Core Audio
-Integration and Control in Garage Band, Logic Pro, Logic Express and Final Cut Studio (Soundtrack Pro) Apple
-Compatible with any Core Audio applications
Apogee Maestro software, for advanced control and low latency mixing

UTILIZATION

Yes, definitely no problem as long as inquiring about the accounting of this product.
This sound card, even if it is used more or less effectively with all software, is designed to work with Logic Pro or Logic Studio last generation and especially on a platform MAC OSX!
The map shows excellent quality and easy to use with this configuration.
It's virtually plug 'n play! Just a quick install is go!
And especially the advantage of being self powered from the firewire port. Useful for travel or just to save space and functionality with the highest quality in its highest level for this price!

GETTING STARTED

Extremely easy. You plug in and it works.
The parameters of the card via its driver and software LOGIC Maestro, simple and effective!
Easy to carry, I use it as a sound card for travel or to come in the studio.
Apogee converters are in my opinion the best on the market! Nothing to do with the MBOX, DIGI cards or other times much more expensive ... Is that good. MOTU one can possibly compete with these converters and more ... matter of taste ...
Of course, for this award and for the quality, this card is "limited" in input / output (two XLR, 2 Jack)
But what is asked is just the minimum to the maximum quality.
Robust materials and careful design.
I am completely satisfied. It simplifies my life.

OVERALL OPINION

What can I say except that beyond the sound is, for this class of materials, exceptional, distribution is also more than satisfactory. It is clear and warm.
In short, the good, the rest is up to our ideas.

Features: see on this site, or on the website of Apogee.

Usage:
Home studio, audio recording mainly.
configuration:
DP 4.6 on Mac G4 bipro 2x1.42, 1.5 GB RAM.

with ...
Acoustic instruments (pno / dr / gtr) electrical (gtr / bass), 1x plug-general sound, and hardware synths: Alesis QS 7.1 and Yamaha TX-802. Listen s / 8 Prodipe monitors. (Who also turn out frankly amazing with it before them ...)
I takes only 8 because of limited opportunities side connections, but the sound and functionality are there, and it's really good.

UTILIZATION

Installation:
no problem. However, the supplier does even the CD-ROM in the package! Who wants to maintain its workstation away from the net is missing! Or, should download, burn and to install ... A little tedious but not difficult, and, I repeat, no problem. (It's not obvious to all products of this kind ...)

Incompatibilities:
nothing to report so far.

configuration:
Easy, yes. Maestro program that comes with the interface is just right: effective, clear and easy to use.

manual:
clear enough: yes. For me.
I takes only 9, because of the CD-ROM

small note: I'm not a freak of ordis, j's'rais bit of a frustrated very quickly when it emm ......, so when I say "no problem" is that it really " as easy as possible "

GETTING STARTED

Drivers:
no problems so far (about 2 months of use)

Software:
DP

Latency:
inaudible. But I think it's more related to the ability of the computer as the card itself, right?

number of tracks:
same remark as for the latency. However, in this configuration, with 16 mono audio tracks that run and three instances of plug-open sound (see a total score of polyphony) and effects open (Proc. dynamic EQ on all audio tracks, some effects of modulation and 2 rev.) I'll be just half the CPU meter (thank you DP).
in another way, I tested 10 instances plug-open sound for approx. 90-voice polyphony, it turns SP.
Note: good, talking about the Duet, not my computer ...

OVERALL OPINION

Time:
approx. 2 months

the feature +:
sound, sound, and then also ... sound! (Before I had an M-Audio, it's clearly not boxing in the same category ...)
connections, too, contrary to appearances, super strong.
efficiency and some tips in using (quickless mode, mute separated, etc. ..)

the -:
for me, not much, but it is true that 2 line / 2 mic inputs and 2 output is low, not enough to see following projects.
the other tests:
M-Audio as already stated, less .. but also cheaper, it's true.
Workstation Yamaha worse than the Duet, but much better than the M-Audio. (Note that I have absolutely nothing against M-Audio, but hey, there, there's really a big difference).

value:
Excellent. It's not cheap, but if you take into account "all" between what goes through "this," that everything depends on you hear "that" if "it" does not sound, ben your "everything" ... ! There, at least, it will be well recorded (subject which does not depend on the interface, fooorcémmmment ...) and precise control is possible.

again this choice:
Ah, yes!
unless I was rich. Although even there, I watch and listen carefully to the top models of the same brand ...
In summary, this is what I've heard better facilities outside studios "Pro", but now the blow of the price, it's the other way ...
What's more, in these cases, how to judge the interface, as a different (and usually higher) at a home studio.
if the number of input / output enough for you, except in very specific (to each his own, I forget), it's really a great thing.
(PS: the CD through it, it is almost in quality "high end"! Genre: I listen to records to learn how it's done, since we hear how it occurs. For example, the same singer reverb that is different for each song, then you realize ... the placement, accurate, etc ... etc ...)

- What technical specifications motivated your choice?

Enough for me to input / output.
Apogee is when same so the srieux
Firewire
Intgration Logic / mac
Price

- For what purpose?

Model
Mix
nomadic / live

- What is your config (motherboard / CPU / Ram / Hard ,...)?

MacBookPro 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo with 2 GB of RAM

UTILIZATION

- Installation is it without problem?

Under lopard, just install the software (Duet software) available on the website of apogee and rolls

- Have you experienced any incompatibility?

No problemo little lady

- The configuration gnrale is easy?

Before buying I thought, erf the Jog that allows the grate level pramps and master, is it really a good idea ..?
Well frankly yes, at once roulette or pressing a parameter you pass to the other ... Simple

However, one must always go through the Duet software to enable a 48Volt or change the type of (instruments, XLR mic, line ..)
Finally, a will, I'm not too brake has
- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...

Well, the manual, there's not much in it ... it's so easy to use ...
It is true that are stingy on the installation CD ... you have to download on their site ...

GETTING STARTED

- The drivers are stable?

By Ger Lopard. Nickel-

- Are they often put day?

We are not in windows ...

- What software do you use most often?

Logic Studio

- What you get lag?

Audible latency: no

- How many tracks you get record / playback simultanment? ...

Depending on your machine ... Me for the moment the 30 tracks go home.

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?

More than a week

- What is the particular feature you like best and least?

Plus: FireWire, Apogee, his face, his sound!

The least: No Midi ..

- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?

Yes in this range and size ...
Since I wanted two entries I think it's currently the best Firewire card

- How do you report qualitprix?

Considering the price .. adchire
- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...

yeah!

I Was looking for nice sound card and connectable efficient
Users Were enthusiastic about the Duet

I use to record duet and bass guitar was mac book pro Bought in late 2007

My Vigier Excalibur sounds perefctly in AT2 With That Sound Card

UTILIZATION

Plug and play

Apogee software available on website

One button, easy and convenient.

Works perfectly with Garage Band and amplitube2

GETTING STARTED

Stable

I had a small following order AFTER THE SALE SERVICE IS AMAZING
THEY Have Been helpul

OVERALL OPINION

I Have Been playing the guitar for 15 years and love my duet
Used for a month now

IS THE sound incredible and the Design is Clearly a Pro

Definitely value for money. If lost or stolen I'd buy another one

- What characteristics have motivated your choice?

What motivated my choice is the sound quality of Apogee primarily to talk in general after hearing a lot of positive feedback and more Audiofanzine. Apart from the failure to take MIDI (not important to me), it has everything you need about me

- For what purpose?

Home studio

- What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / Ram / Hard ,...)?

Imac alu 24 inch Intel Core Duo 4GB RAM + 2 + 660 External HDD

- Which instruments and systems (console, preamp, DTD ...) you use it and how connections? ...

Am I plug the microphone directly on the card is I go through my six JOEMEEK q

UTILIZATION

- The installation is done it without problems?

Simpler you die

- Have you experienced any incompatibilities?

Huh??

- The general configuration is easy?

The fingers in the nose

- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...

Not even

GETTING STARTED

- The drivers are stable?

Yes

- Are they often updated?

Uh I do not check

- What software do you use most often?

Maestro + Logic 8

- What you get lag?

No latency = total integration with logic

- How many tracks you get to record / play time? ...

Up to 52 tracks easily

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?

2 days

- What is so special that you like most and least?

+ Small size of the product
+ Sound
+ Handling
+ Full integration with Logic

- The cables that I was looking a little fragile (it will be seen over time)

- Have you tried many other models before buying it?

I also have an M-Audio Firewire 410 that I use for 5 years and has never dropped (except an update that has caused her to crash often and I'm creating the kernel panics) but otherwise is also robust.
To compare, I must say that in general the sound is more "precise" and better defined. Some sounds in securities that I listen to manisfestent last! So I rediscovered my CD collection to iTunes. I love Apple for cons I have never adhered to its iTunes and Apogee me somewhat reconciled. So is that the Apogee Duet is good for cheap! Caution M-Audio is good too but hey must admit the quality of Apogee products.

- How would you rate the quality / price?

Excellent. Policy of opening prices to enable people who do not necessarily result from budget to hit the "pro" without bleeding to death.

- With experience, you do again this choice? ...

Not because I would buy the Apogee ENSEMBLE!

Buying a imac with logic pro motivated me
use pre prod
imac 2.8 GHz with 4GB RAM

UTILIZATION

Installation? What facilities are you talking about?
the card is recognized directly by logic

config? what config? everything is already there, and it turns direct

What manual? not need

GETTING STARTED

Drivers
monstrous

update? ahah
it's mac, not pc

OVERALL OPINION

I last fortnight
accuracy of sound in the bass is phenomenal

before I EgoSys sound cards, which I find among the best on the market
including Waveterminal x 192 and most of the series

it can be compared in quality, easily
with more in the lower, which I find very round and very precise

a choice again without hesitation with an iMac or a mac laptop
large as the hand
it does not noon as all the cards pro
just a small USB MIDI interface m audio, and it rolls itself
guys go ahead

As part of an audiophile use, I seek an audio interface to play CD rip and numriser analog sources.

INTERESTED in me Duet by:
It Notore Brand
-The adquate CHARACTERISTICS use of prospective
It affordable

I had it in hand for a few days of testing.
It does cost from a source CD rip on a MacBook (MacOS 10.4) restitus on Voice of the theater.

UTILIZATION

Easy installation, with aa function IMMEDIATE iTunes.

GETTING STARTED

Not applicable

OVERALL OPINION

In D / A conversion, an RME FF800 compare it did not make the weight.

I did not test the A / D conversion, since the failure of the D / A liminatoire silent.

All of dtails https://www.melaudia.net/evalduet.php

Well built, sturdy, practical, good for many uses. The large volume multi-function button is well thought out.

UTILIZATION

The latest version of the Maestro software since the last version is more stable (old buggie sometimes if you do not save changes) and is not automatically started at boot time (practice).
The web of cables at the back is terribly practical ergonomics is great machine is simple and well thought out.


GETTING STARTED

Zero problems. Congratulations Apogee.

OVERALL OPINION

A purchase with no regrets for use "Swiss Army Knife" of quality for the price. Astonished by the quality of very small integrated preamps honorably. In addition the object is solid and stylish. Unfortunately little flat on a small buzz of the water sometimes cables. Nothing too serious, just "fiddle" a bit and go again. Otherwise well recommended purchase.

What motivated my choice? the brand awareness, value for money and the size of the machine ... oh and also the fact that this map was created spécialmenet for Apple. I use it to record guitars, bass, sax, percussion, and the dijeridoo make hip-hop/electro prod.
My config: MacBook Pro unibody 15 "(4GB RAM) KRK Rokit 6, Berhinger preamp (no top), guitar fender telecaster custom 70, line 6 amp valvotronix ...

UTILIZATION

drivers? I'm Mac! Mac RAM! no drivers, just a software "Maestro" that works to hell.
The software I use is Logic Audio, and it goes very well with Maestro.
On the Duet can not save a lot of tracks simultaneously (2) but I preferred to take an interface that focused on quality rather than quantity but it is only my opinion.
The latency is almost zero, see zero (FireWire 800 requires) great lover!

GETTING STARTED

Installation? Apart from installing the software "Maestro", the rest is plug and play! And frankly it easy as always Mac! neededTo not man, frankly it's easy ...

OVERALL OPINION

I'm using it for only two months, I have used no other but I heard from some friends of other interfaces and I find that there are no pictures! quality Apogee is the appointment ...
The price / quality ratio is excellent, plus it has a sturdy brushed aluminum shell as my Macbook ... of the ball!
What I like most: all the big button controller (very handy), the cables that allow flexibility in the recordings are very practical and well thought out, the Maestro software controller that allows all your gear direct your computer and especially the sound quality! pfffff terrible. besides all this coupled with my KRK, it kills!
What I like least: going to say sth, I would say two more things coming into top would be too much but hey, for what I did (recording instrument 1 to 1) the fact that serious.
I would do the same choice without hesitation

I need a card with very good converters and preamps good, the reputation of apogee not to the point of convertos, I cracked ... Indeed on this point it does not disappoint.
No noon, two inputs simultaneously ... I return below.
I'm on MacBook Pro / iMac in firewire.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are very stable with Logic (the platform for which this map was made), but once you want to change software, ouch ... Especially with Live (I use a lot), we can practically do not catch line or mic because of a bunch of small Artefac (cracking, etc.) that come from drivers of entry. What makes the card almost useless for anyone not using (or little) logic.
There is (that) two inputs simultaneously (if not all four in, two line inputs and two microphone). The entrance is through a kind of intrigue cable super cheap and very poorly insulated (we hear noises when you move the joints) which tends to add a lot of buzz when you plug a guitar in, for example (I even managed to capture the buzz with double coils). The solution is the Duet breakout, a connection box (very expensive) cobbled together by a band of American Electronics resolving all these problems. Anyway, the solution to 300 euros, that's a price to pay. Otherwise, if you're handy, you can always make your own. Me is not my case.
Of course, not noon, it would have been too good.
Most converters = high quality (apogee anyway) and preamps as I've never seen in any other card, very transparent, powerful, much better than any card in the same range prices. good but the "less" are too disabling to really enjoy it.

GETTING STARTED

Very simple installation, configuration childish way to handle the volume very intuitive and well done, nothing wrong with that side.
Incompatibilities ... Um, see above.
Manual is very clear.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for two years. I bought it because a friend had the version above (the one with eight inputs and outputs) and I was really amazed by the quality of the machine. Now it serves me more than listening system hi-fi, task indeed I think it falls very very good.
In short:
- You need a card easy to carry, strong, you're on mac, YOU DO THAT LOGIC: Yeah, it can go, but it's still a bit expensive for a card that does not even manage MIDI (not not tell me about USB noon, all the people who use this stuff every day you say we get much lower latency with MIDI input directly into the card, firewire requires).
- You use Live, Nuendo, DP, in short any other software that logic: go your way.
- You are looking for an audiophile and high-end card to play your CDs or MP3s on your system, super high-end lamps (some do) look no further, you've found (plus it's nice).
For my part (I'm computer music all day) I bought a MOTU ultralite mk3 and, even if the preamp is far below, frankly, plenty of inputs / outputs, the south is stable for not much more expensive ... A word ...
Balance 400 for a card frankly very good on some points but downright mean, even super poor on lots of other, well do as you like, eh, it's your money! But hey it's true she is super pretty with her look 70's amp Silverface.

2 inputs and 2 outputs, big volume knob selectable for input 1/input 2/output from software/output from hardware/selectable midi function.
Level LEDs switchable for input and or output.


UTILIZATION

Use it on my Mac Book pro as my interface when I travel. And more importantly to interface rental amps with efx via Apple Main Stage 2. More on that below...
As a recording interface I use it on Logic 9, or Pro Tools 9. And when dual booting the laptop into windows to use Samplitude/Sequoia via Parallels Desktop.

It's limited to record two tracks at a time, but for recording guitar on the go it's great. The inputs are switchable between instrument/line level and/or mic inputs. Works well for dynamic mics like the Shure SM57 or the Sennheiser 609, etc...
Downside is that it doesn't have phantom power for condenser mics which require it.

GETTING STARTED

The set-up is a breeze install the drivers and Apogess Maestro control panel that lets you select levels, inputs, routing, whether audio will be send straight to the hardware outs or from the recording software.
And you're ready to record.
Since this is OSX only the only way to use it on a windows program is by using it through Parallels Desktop or VM Fusionware and run Windows on top of OSX with the Apogee running as default audio under WMD drivers.

OVERALL OPINION

The best part of this interface is using it with Apple Maisnstage, Apple's stand alone software-instrument/amp-sim/AU plug-ins rack.

You run your guitar into the front of your amp, run the efx send into input 1 on the Apogee, and output 1 back to your amp's efx return.
Then open Main Stage and select the Apogee Duet as the interface, choose input 1 as your in, and out 1 as your output (switch to mono).

And then you can add whatever plug-ins you like...delays, filters, reverb, etc...
The latency is pretty good in a serial loop and of no concern in a parallel loop. The best part is that the computer pretty much pulls all resources into running Main Stage at a higher priority than anything else so it's just about as solid as a hardware processor. Downside is that in order to switch stuff on or off you still will have to carry a midi controller. But hey it beats paying cargo for a fridge sized rack.

I needed something portable that yields high quality results. I use this mainly to do product demo videos. I wanted something that would mate perfectly with my MacBook Pro and Logic Pro 9 and the Apogee comes through with flying colors!

I use a 17" MacBook Pro with a 2.4 Core2Duo Intel CPU, 4 gigs of ram, a 500 gig 7200 rpm internal HDD and 750 gig external FW800 HDD for audio. My MBP runs Snow Leopard and Logic Pro 9.

The Duet features a firewire powered bus that is connected via a standard FW cable (2 FW cables included a regular 400 and a 400 to 800). It has a audio breakout cable snake that has two unbalanced instrument level IN's (1/4"), 2 XLR Balanced IN's and two 1/4" OUT's (RCA adapter incl. if you need it). The Mic IN's also have software assignable phantom power (48v).

The control functions are midi assignable.

The Duet has highly visible LED meters that monitor your choice of IN's or Out's. It features a large data wheel that controls the I/O. A push down click of the wheel chooses the functions...very simple.



UTILIZATION

When I bought the unit I downloaded the lastest drivers. They are very stable and feature very low latency. Included is Maestro, a slick little interface for the Duet when using any Mac OS X Core Audio application. Garageband, Logic, Logic Express and Final Cut Studio have a built in Duet control panel and support. I have not noticed any updates for the drivers.

You can only record 2 tracks at a time with the Duet, but plays back as many as your system can handle.
The Duet can record/playback at 24bit/96khz.



GETTING STARTED

The Duet only works with Apple so no PC support. The unit is very simple to use and setup and the manual is clear and concise. The folks at Apogee provide free online support chat if you run into any issues.

OVERALL OPINION

This is a simple to use, high quality interface. I was first hesitant at the price but now realize it is more than worth the money. It's physical size has to bearing on it's huge quality results...brillliant!

I was running a Digi003 and a rack of decent mic preamps. With the Duet I don't miss that at all.

The breakout cable seems a little flimsy, but I have had no issues with it, so the point is really moot anyway. You can buy upgraded breakout cables.

I am very pleased with this purchase.

My sound card M Audio Ozonic dropped like me, I turned towards the boss because I APOGEE DUET on Imac 24 'and Logic studio.Je wanted something that would be perfectly compatible with my configuration.J I found!
Ok no noon ... But frankly we can work around the problem without too much pain!
The sound is crystal clean, the preamp is far better than my M audio, there's no picture!

UTILIZATION

Driver hyper stable Imac + Logic Studio (normal is designed for!)
Very easy to use.

GETTING STARTED

Installation OK, again very simple.
Incompatibility? no friends go there with confidence!

OVERALL OPINION

For 3 weeks!
I've known about 4.5 sound card is different with the latter the Ozonic M Audio, I can tell you that I never experienced integration réussi.ça also fits perfectly with Logic, the sound is sweet potato, preamps excellent!
What I like most: his look that blends perfectly with the IMAC (brushed aluminum)
Of course I would do this choice!
Very good value for money
Unhesitatingly

Motivation: The brand, value for money, the perfect integration in LOGIC PRO, Firewire, number of I / O enough for my config.

MacBook Pro 2.8 GHz 4GB DDR3 15 "screen 500GB HDD

UTILIZATION

Drivers exemplary stability.
Firewire plugged in in Logic Pro. But also works perfectly with iTunes, and any software (Skype, VLC, Final Cut, ...)

I do not use it in extreme conditions, so I do not use the maximum number of tracks, but with a couple of MIDI tracks with big synths + effects plug-ins above, there is no plant.

For cons, the few times I wanted to record a voice in a project "components" and there was a lag rather unpleasant. So I bounce all tracks instrument, and there is good. But I saw there was little he can do a "freeze" the instrument tracks, to get a small latency ... I will try it soon. However, I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of converters (Apogee is the specialty, do not forget!): Made with a very basic condenser microphone (AT2020), the voice quality of decision-m has truly blown away!

GETTING STARTED

Installation, if I remember correctly, requires only a few seconds.
on the other hand must spend 2 minutes on preferences Supp native software "Maestro" to properly configure the behavior of buttons (Mute Headset + Monitor, or mute the Monitor, etc. ...).
Otherwise plain one branch and it works, in any application (provided of course you select the Duet as output card in each application).

OVERALL OPINION

So since I use a little less than a year, and I'm absolutely delighted.

I worked long on ProTools, so with a DIGI002R, and aside from the number of I / O, Duet has nothing to envy (Logic, for that matter!).

+ What I like: its size / performance, the large rotary knob used to everything, especially the sound quality (Apogee).
What I like least: the non ability to manage and monitor headphone volume separately (the big button control while at the same time).

Value for money excellent, and yes of course I would do this choice.

it motivated my choice, quality converters, the format and stability.

UTILIZATION

I use it mainly with Live 8 and no worries. Latency of 4 ms .... The sound is very good especially in low or really hear the difference with my Konnekt tc-24 that I had before, for the treble is much less obvious. In any case it sounds good.

GETTING STARTED

childishly simple to set, I also wonder how there can be compatibility problems with this carte.En any case it works very well with my Cubase 5, Live 8, reaktor5.5, reason. The object is to finish and solid copy.

OVERALL OPINION

A very good buy, just a pity there is not a small MIDI but ... not very serious.
its strength and stability converters.
its weak point, for the price I would have liked an additional stereo output and an afternoon to be really comfortable for my live electronica.

Digital audio interface with 2 inputs (XLR Jack), 2 outputs (Jack), a good knob aluminum to control the input gain and master volume.

I use a MacBook Pro in a home studio use. A console is used before the interface. Connecting via the MBP is via a FW400 cable.

It's simple and it works. There is just the "breakout cable", the cable assembly, which is a little less "pro" that the interface itself. I would have preferred a separate aluminum box with all the connections that insulated cables. But the key is there, it is compact and lightweight.

UTILIZATION

Drivers ... No drivers needed with this interface (CoreAudio). It only works with a Mac on the other hand. And I can understand that it may put off some people.

I mainly use Logic Pro with the Duet. 9 but ProTools and GarageBand. No compatibility problems, everything works perfectly.

Since there are only 2 entries, well ... that's the limit is given. Latency, yes ... there are always a little bit, but it hardly feels it.

I love the fact that we can control the overall volume with the main volume pot.

GETTING STARTED

No problem installing. No need for manual non-plus. You just install Maestro, the software controls for the Duet and go.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought almost a year ago, but did that was released in late 2010. I've had for some years an M-Audio ProFire 2626, an interface with up to 26 simultaneous inputs. Yes, it's convenient ... but concretely, with keyboards, home studio, I almost never use more than 2 tracks at a time (recording). There were 3 or 4 occasions (when I recorded a live band) where I used 16 tracks at once. But here also I needed an interface to a friend there (a MOTU).

What I like most: sound quality. Compared with the M-Audio ProFire 2626, is the day and night. Both preamps (with 75 dB gain) or converters are of excellent quality. But they are only number two as well ...
What I like least: there are only 2 entries ...

The quality / price is very good. This is perfectly in line Less is More: 2 inputs and outputs, but really excellent quality.

My next interface: an Apogee Ensemble or Metric Halo. Once you have tasted this audio quality, we would like nothing else.

This is a really small, compact audio interface made by Apogee. This brand is known for their high quality products. While this looks more like style over substance, rest assured that it's a quality interface. Granted, it's small and has two channels so it's not cut out for anything huge. But for people just looking to get good sounds on really small projects at home, this could be perfectly fine.
I would say that this is probably a great choice for people who use logic as this interface has surface controls that work for Logic. It's a firewire interface so it's fast enough. It has two channels that have XLR and 1/4" inputs. It has a 1/4" output, either for headphones or monitoring. The channels have phantom power support so you could even use a condenser mic if you wanted to.

UTILIZATION

This product has limited functions, so it's not like you can really go crazy with it. Using it is simple but limited, if all you want to do is plug in an acoustic, and mic the guitar and your vocals, this is perfect and will sound great, but if you are looking to record more of a band, than this will probably not work for you. I perused the manual and it allows you to set up the interface and install it with ease as this is a pretty basic piece of gear to work with. There is a little bit of latency depending on what computer you are using but Logic has a feature that deals with this quite effectively.

GETTING STARTED

I haven't had any compatibility issues with this interface as I've only used it with Logic for basic vocal and guitar tracking. Those were simple setups, less then 15 minutes. The functions are handled pretty easily with this device. The setup is pretty easy overall. You'll be recording in no time.

OVERALL OPINION

I like this mainly because it is so easy to use. For being so small it sure has a nice pre-amp in both channels. It's pretty expensive but I guess it's got nice pre's in it and works pretty well overall. It has a chic kind of look to it, as well, which I guess is how they get away with making it more expensive. I've used a few interfaces, most of which had more than just this. This one is however more conducive to using Logic, and I might recommend for Logic users who really only need one or two mic channels.

Apogee Electronics Duet is a simple, two channel firewire based audio interface. Duet is designed for the user who is looking to put together a simple home studio to get down basic recordings or who have needs that won't exceed only having a two channel interface. It has 1/4" inputs as well as XLR connections, so this will support both microphones and instruments. The interface has a 1/4" output for your headphones/monitoring. It doesn't have too much to work with beyond its basic features...

UTILIZATION

Everything from setting up the Apogee Electronics Duet to using it on a day to day basis is pretty simple. It doesn't get much more basic than this, so even those without experience with studios or interfaces will be able to use this with ease. I haven't seen a manual for Duet, but I don't think that one is necessary as it is easy enough to use on its own.

GETTING STARTED

The Apogee Electronics Duet offers a mix of high quality conversion and basic audio interface features. While certainly not extensive in versatility, the mic pres and 1/4" connections that it does offer do sound quite good. Of course this doesn't sound as good as a full Apogee audio interface or one of their A/D/A converters, but it does offer up the same kind of quality in a more compact setting. Since most of the people interested in this interface will be looking for something simple anyway, the sound that this has to offer should surely exceed their expectations.

OVERALL OPINION

For a two channel interface, Apogee Electronics Duet isn't the cheapest out there on the market by a long shot, but it definitely makes up for this in the high quality sound that you have with Duet. It is the perfect in between for the user who wants to a good sounding interface, but doesn't need a big set up and also doesn't mind paying a bit more for quality. As far as simple audio interfaces go, Duet is absolutely something that you should be checking out if you're in the market for one.