All user reviews for the M-Audio Duo Usb

The M Audio USB is a very small audio interface device that is very well built. I have taken this thing everywhere with me and I have dropped it so many times and almost lost it once and it keeps on ticking and working perfect. I have used this device to record vocals as well as some instruments and it has no problem with anything. As long as you have a good mic to plug into it, it will get the audio right into your DAW setup so you can finish your session. At first when I started using it, I was having a slight humming sound coming from the speakers. I really thought that it was a defective unit or that it just wasn’t a very good unit. But it was because I didn’t have one of my mic cables plugged all the way in. I wish I would have checked that first and that would have saved me a lot of time , and a lot of time on the phone with one of the techs from M Audio trying to figure out why I was getting this humming sound coming from my KRK monitors.


UTILIZATION

Using it was easy and setting it up was extremely easy. There really isn’t anything too it except making sure that your drivers are installed then you can plug it in via USB and as long as you have a 2.0 USB port you will be ok, most all newer stuff made in the last 7 years or so has 2.0 USB ports so you don’t really have to worry unless your system is really that old.


GETTING STARTED

You wont need a manual to use this at all, maybe you will if its your very first time every having an interface.


OVERALL OPINION

I think this unit is great, its very small and compact and does such a great job. I do with that it had more ins when I purchased it though, but that’s why I got rid of it and upgraded. But for the laptop computer musician , this is perfect.

Bought used for $150 to record onto my iBook via USB.

Clean signal, nice headphone amp. 24 bit/96kHz possibility. can work as a stand-alone A/D converter, but that's not what i've used it for.

took a while to get the bit rate and latency settings right to record blip-free in OS X (10.2.6). i was hoping to find a unit that could record 4 tracks simult., but i can live with 2, especially at this price.

durable, metal chasis. solid construction. wall wart power converter is a little annoying, but hard to get around those.

this thing does exactly what i need it to. it has two inputs, two outs (stereo outs, for monitors), and even has phantom power to power your mics. i chose this USB device over the digidesign mbox, figuring for the price difference i could live with some minor complaints, but i don't really have any, and it's worked out well. i've heard horror stories about OS X and USB input devices, but i just had to find the right settings between the OS X sound preferences, the provided driver settings, and the recording software settings.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Pramps + USB + display resolutions 16 and 24 bit-96khz + 44.1

Taken voice and acoustic guitars

PC: Athlon XP 1500 - 256 Mb

Configuration uses: XLR + headphone jack + live on the USB port of my PC and Cubase 5.1 16 bit 44.1khz

UTILIZATION

Installation and Configuration Using simple trs

All versions of Windows drivers provided

English manual (may be a VF today)

GETTING STARTED

The M-audio driver into the road, no significant problem. On the other ct it is that a system that the two pathways.

Use with cubase or any software ... why not a game (humm!)

No information about the update

Best latency achieved (12 ms)

you can record two tracks at the same time, for reading, as many tracks as your system allows broadcasts Stereo or 2 channel spars

OVERALL OPINION

The duo of M-Audio is one of those cards that has a flexibility and exceptional for several reasons. On the one hand you have a card that plugs into the USB port with a driver and a module paramtrage very simple and effective to juggle diffrent display resolutions 16 and 24 bit and 44.1 - 48 -96 kHz.
Attention as many products of this type, the ACCS at 96 khz is brid as a choice between 2 inputs or 2 outputs. On the other hand we have a good quality pramplification that does not blow! I use (3 months) taken primarily for voice and guitar with Deutsche AT 3035 and an Oktava 12 with cubase 5.1 - Win XP - athlon 1500, your exact APRS is me trs convincing given the price 390. Good dynamic precision of mdium and acute. However, all lack a little warmth from the hardware trs pro but did not envy the quality of decision-02R sounds of a 1st gnration or a D8B (console audionumriques most rpandues). Last, a stand-alone switch that allows you to use it as a couple of extra pramps rptition to record an example of an MD. A dernire remark is important for the headphone jack who has a circuit of lower quality even with a good headphone trs (MD 7506 Sony) monitoring with headphones is dangerous if you finalize your mix This Manir.
In résumé: price - flexibility - pramps only correct but we remain in the register of the home studio ...

I wanted to use it as external sound card for music electro, and to return the two instruments externes.ses prampli seemed excellent for guitar and microphone.
One big problem, the card can operate simultaneously and out on the same output: so you get is the sound of the sytem, ​​or the sound input ... to the headset or amplifier.
And it unb huge problem.

UTILIZATION

Installation is simple.
True drivers os X.
But the problem: impossible to make out the sound of the events enceintens OS X on the amp via the audio output of the card, the sound persists systems out on the speakers and the card does not want.

GETTING STARTED

Stable and correct drivers in OS X.
Recognized by the major audio software.
But the latency is not too famous.

And I still like to point out the disaster of this card is not possible to move between sounds and the sound of the system simultaneously via the headphone jack or audio (to the amp.)
The sound quality is not good, the lack of housing options and allows only two gains: 4 or - 10.
Too low and saturating tendency Trifouille if not for 1 hour to get something can about right.
Buttons gains are not super effective.

OVERALL OPINION

I did not notice until I t of this map and its enormous handicap: no sound system and of simultaneous sounds in the headphones or amp .... So c is really not gnial.
It's either one or the other.
In addition to the housing in itself does not seem well trs Designed and options directly on the case are lgres.
The UA-5 in the edirol is better by far.

I wanted to use it primarily (as in other cases, the 16-bit 44.1 KHz is enough for me) to scan 24-bit 96 KHz band 9.5 cm / s with little loss in high frequencies with a tape recorder that can replicate that of 19 and 38 cm / s, since, mathematically speaking, the 24-bit 96 KHz bandwidth allows up to 48,000 Hz also have all the connections behind the unit have appealed to me because of the connection to practice is to connect only when a once in a while but have a microphone cables connected to the gene in permanance Manipulation of the beast and other machines in my rack ^_______^

My configuration: Pentium 2.8 GHz 800 MHz bus with 1024 MB of RAM and approx. 100 GB hard drive + 1 sound card SEK'D Prodif Plus notament.

I use it with, for instance:
<ul>

Fostex VF-16, DTD 16 tracks with built-in digital mixing desk

Mackie Micro Series 1202-VLZ, small analog mixing desk used to manage the monitoring circuit (because the VF-16 does not have a monitoring circuit, in its integrated mix of table)

Fostex T20 RP Headphones

</ul>

UTILIZATION

The installation of drivers is no problem, no conflict has been encountered, easy setup. The printed manual is supplied in English but the French version is available in PDF égallement in the CD-ROM comes with drivers. The French manual is 35 pages when it should not make that 20. Let me explain: some topics are quite recurrent and are repeated several times, and you lose the pleasure of reading it in the long run. But ...

GETTING STARTED

The drivers seem stable and I have Malhère not too soon to tell if the drivers are updated often or not. Among the destructive audio editing software I use most often Cool Edit Pro (now Adobe Audition) and among the non-destructive multitrack audio software, I prefer Samplitude. For the latency, it is difficult to say whether it is sufficient or not, especially since it is impossible to record and entandre other tracks at once, with this duo: one can only record or play, choose . Well, if we do that traveaux scanning this in mind but not against, if we do catch his multi ... To remedy the problem, it is necessary to have another sound card on the computer. All depends on what you do with it.

Which is also good is that you can use it as égallement A / D converter (not the other, what a pity!) Or as independent preamp ^_______^

In fact, his biggest handicap that prevents me to use it as I entandais is that the frequency response of the analog part of this electronic duo will climb up to 25,000 Hz: - (((Okay, tell me it&#39;s more than enough since the average human ear n&#39;entand that up to 18,000 Hz, but this is not enough when it comes to scan strips 9.5 cm / s with a machine 19 and 38 cm / s. Bein yes, 19 cm / s, the tape is running too fast, reduce the speed in half with the computer. And then, if the bandwidth does not exceed the 25000, the result will not exceed 12 500 Hz, when the reduced speed with the computer: quality MP3, and more ... So, since it is necessary that the final result reaches at least 18,000 Hz that the ear can entandre, he would have had the bandwidth to 36,000 Hz goest, at least. Especially since the 24-bit 96 kHz permits. The M-Duo is not recommended when it comes to having to readjust the speed of a digital tape too quickly.

But more than any other application running, the M-Audio is very correct ^_______^ However to use balanced connections (XLR or TRS jacks), of course. For in asymmetric, the animal produces a lot of breath ... :-(((

Warning: The Duo can be powered by the industry (via its AC adapter) but can not be powered via USB. And this is a serious handicap for the mobile user who would use with a laptop. Is therefore easy to transport but is by no means portable.

OVERALL OPINION

The unit has just arrived and I&#39;ll sell it Malhère since its bandwidth is not enough 24-bit 96 KHz for what I do with it.

The main +:
<ul>

Have all the connections behind the unit and that, it avoids interference in permanent connections.

</ul>

The main -:
<ul>

Can not be powered via the USB

Bandwidth is too low compared to the abilities of 24-bit 96 KHz

Many asymmetric breath.

</ul>

For the value, it&#39;s hard to say because I know only two devices in this Cathegory sound cards that are comparable, at present: the present M-Audio Duo and Edirol UA-5 (the Tascam US-122 does not support 24-bit 96 KHz).

For the job I do is now clear that, with experience, I would prefer the Edirol UA-5, despite the balanced inputs (XLR + TRS combo) of the latter are at the front ( my faith worse time, it will be) ...

What I interrested in it occurs first prize, the input audio 24bit
and pramp Intgr.
For use with home studio mac 1Ghz, recording mainly
Simple to say that I work on Cubase, I use this card of audio,
connection with a MIDI keyboard, Yamaha MSP5 mastering, and always lots of softsynth
line 6 pod and effect collection outdoor! I use it to record the song, bass, guitar
short, all the audio inputs.

UTILIZATION

Problem-free installation
No incompatibilitbr /> Manual Setup simple enough, with the same ct practice is that the computer
dj alum just press on the power of the card and the system recognizes the
Following the hardware.

GETTING STARTED

No problem for drivers
Trs good latency, I have no problem to ct l.
I have no worries either reading or even cracking, is coming out
about my pregnant is that is taken by the card, I did everything in my rglages
consquence.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 4 months
I like its simplicity of use, good rendering of sound, input and output
Quality price ratio really correct as given that I have no complaints about benefits
card.

I would do is choosing without hsitez 230 euros I did not find better now!

Which I really motiv is above all the price!
in fact it is perfect for what I wanted to do (take guitar and lead vocals)
my config: Win XP PC (ae!) AMD Athlon 1.6 GHz, 600 MB of RAM.
Bon bah in terms of gear in addition to my little duo is simple: y 'no!
I just have a good microphone (it is for him that I actually bought it ... and because of him I could not
take a card a little more upscale .... finally say mid-range.)
I had much flash on the fact that we can convert 24-bit 96 kHz in fact!
if you read the documentation (pdf downloadable on the site) it says that this RESOLUTION and
88.2 kHz or 96 kHz can be used either in or out 1 and 2 1 and 2.

UTILIZATION

Installation is a snap!
the manual is well Retailer!
even on windows xp it's done very well .. there for two minutes maximum
And after that run!

GETTING STARTED

Ok now it is installed and all is well then I want to try ... for the first time ....
when motion ...
and bah! the driver jumps! gone! I still have the config panel but more firmware!
then Uninstallation / Reinstalling ... something I hate!
and then it works! oh joy! and then five minutes after ca fair! then I start freaking out ...
same story before and I like and then retry .... ca rereplante fast enough!
must not blame the duo .... it goes very well and for the price it provides really!
in fact those with galley and have win xp musicxp.com go and follow the "tips" ...
it's like a total destruction of all the pretty dress to hide manufactures a crappy OS!
then once that is done it's ugly but it crashes far less about a crash ....( all
four or five hours of use ... so it's going ...on / off and off again ca) I use it with Nuendo 2.1 and in fact it is the software to crash ... it loses the usb driver time others but nothing that has prevented her from doing under the proper conditions. at the latency is pretty boring (about 12 ms) when one is not in direct monitoring (that is, all the time ... if you want a click and the other tracks)
Live is not audible actual latency (4 ms and dust ... nothing to do.)
but hey I dcu t on one point ... is that I thought I could escape through the headphone output in 24/96 even if the outs 1 and 2 disables .. . I expected a lot ... but no! can not!
in fact this config is only useful for use with other stand alone machines ... or be recorded with no click, no sound, nothing ... but that's very very creepy.
Resolution: 24 bits / 48 kHz! ADI is a lot I think and walk in and out! that you ask for!
So much for conversion ...
pramplis now .... bah I am neither happy nor dcu! they're fine ... no more.
I read they did not blow at all and in fact they are in three quarters dja rotting your signal! Finally, there is no need to mount them so hard in general ... and the bottom is the absolute horror!
I put them a half to be quiet most of the time. leaves a margin of ca dynamics before reaching saturation, and it gives a correct level. ample 24-bit anyway.
or no problem to record two tracks simultanment!
the maximum number of simultaneous playback tracks ... I know my processor so loose before the card as I am with this pc I know not how far it takes (tracks + vsti plugins + + rewire)

OVERALL OPINION

Here it's been recently that I use .. one month makes! but hey we quickly made the rounds is a little simple and effective (it should go even better on mac I think) and I do not regret at all to have purchased.
good is just the history of outs disable 24/88, 24/96 and 2 which is a bit frustrating but anyway the 24/96 200 euros convert it leaves a little skeptical ...
I would say that's pretty comparable to an M-box qualitatively (except that the digidesign they are not ... they tell you clearly 48kHz maximum!)
and then the good pramps are so-called extra (60 dB wow! instead of 55 on most interfaces of the same price but ....) dB over the five are "dB blast "who cares!
conclusion: there's good and bad ... it's a good choice if you can not afford to offer you better. (If you have time to see the mini me of Apogee)

What technical specifications motivated your choice?
- 2 XLR / jack 6.35.

For what purpose?
- Recording two tracks at the same time as cubase notament

What is your config (motherboard / CPU / Ram / Hard ,...)?
- AMD Athlon XP3000 + with 512 ram

Which instruments or Systmes (console, prampli, DTD ...) you use it and how connections? ...
- Live on my PC via USB.
- I connect a microphone to pick up my guitar amp + multi on my direct effect, or an electronic drum module in separate stereo

UTILIZATION

Installation is no problem it?
- Voui no problem ... Maybe even too simple

Have you experienced any incompatibility?
- Ah bah she walks when she wants, and management of drivers MME / ASIO is a pain ... not to mention the management of the South or c carément crappy! it works 1 out of 12, then to read the cubase MIDI is a real expedition!

Gnrale configuration is easy?
- If there is one, I'm curious to use it ...

The manual is clear and sufficient?
- The manual is very clear ... to the Torah, but does not explain well "materially" operation

GETTING STARTED

The drivers are stable?
- Totally unstable under Win XP

Are they often put day?
I think the latter have t dvelops under Win 3.11 lol (or not far away, I believe 2002)

What software do you use most often?
- Cubase SX3

What you get lag?
- Low but not always the same

How many tracks you get record / playback simultanment?
- 2

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?
- About 6 months I think, but intermittent (when I have the courage)

What is the particular feature you like best and least?
- The most: two tracks simultanbr /> - Cons: everything else

Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
- No, it was an opportunity ...

How do you report qualitprix?
- Difficult to say but ...

Exprience with, you will do again this choice? ...
- Not, at least, not on pc because apparently it works well on Mac

M-Audio has been one of the leaders in developing practical and nicely priced interfaces. Among those was the M-Audio Duo USB. This devices is a mic pre that plugs into your USB port to allow to you record music or other types of audio. There are two mic inputs and two balanced TRS inputs to make sure you can always be able to connect up your peripherals to this device. Its first gain stage is 40 dB, and the second one is 30 dB, it features phantom power, has a -20 dB button for each mic input so you don't overdrive the converters, and it does this all in one small package.

UTILIZATION

M-Audio did a pretty good job setting this whole thing up. The interface itself is nicely laid out, and everything is easy to use. There are no annoying breakout cables that cause a tangled mess. However, there is one very major problem. This is USB 1.1. It is slow and is plagued with latency. In today's world where latency means everything, it can be almost unusable unless you turn off all of your plugins and track 100% dry. M-Audio has also dropped support on this, so I question how long this'll last.

GETTING STARTED

Setting up is very easy, just like any other M-Audio device out there. Simply plug in the devices to their corresponding ports, and you're good to go. I didn't experience any compatibility issues, and that's a great thing. This works with both PC and Mac, so nearly anybody can use it without a problem. I never read the manual, but I can't imagine a real need to unless you're trying to figure out how certain connections work. Anybody who has used an interface before should know exactly how everything works.

OVERALL OPINION

Chances are, if you bought this, you bought it second hand. It's not on the market anymore, and it's mainly because of the major USB 1.1 flaw. It's simply not acceptable when it comes to today's standards, but the device itself is old, so it's hard to fault the actual device for not being ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest I/Os. If you have a chance to buy one, I'd pass unless you need something real cheap.