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.