Product reviews are done by Johnny Ferreira –
Professional Musician, Recording Artist, and
Home Recording Studio Owner & Enthusiast.
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Apogee Duet Review
The Apogee Duet is a High Quality Two Channel Firewire Digital Audio Interface
Get it at Amazon.com now for $495 – check links at the end of this Apogee Duet Review.
The Apogee Duet is made by… you guessed it Apogee! Most important thing to know about them is they're a leading company in the field of high end digital audio products as in digital to analogue and analogue to digital converters, 2 way converters, firewire interface cards, and digital clocks. This is high tech stuff made specifically for audio recording professionals and musicians.
Click here to get it for the Amazon.com price
Personal Experience & Overview
I got the Duet Apogee Interface right after I got Logic 9 because the other interface I had was the MBox which I was using with my Pro Tools. Of course I could also use the MBox with Logic but I heard so many good things about the Apogee interface that I went ahead and got one anyway.
Took it out of the box and it was easy as 1 2 3. Really, just plug and play. The sound, hot and clean, no noise at all even when cranked. I must admit, I got the this thing to use as an interface for Logic but wasn't even thinking about using it as my Mac's main overall output device, so when playing music from iTunes I got the benefit of it's quality that way as well.
The Duet is sleek and looks and acts very different from all other audio interfaces you're used to seeing. Looks a bit deceiving with only one large control knob but it's multi-functional controlling your ins and outs, levels, and MIDI devices.
It also bypasses all the typical 1/4 inch and mic input slots. What it has is called a "breakout cable" which you can plug your instrument or mic cable into and this breakout cable is plugged into the Duet. This is a really good design idea making plugging things in and out easier. The only other 2 exterior connections are the headphones and firewire.
Duet's Maestro Software
Once you install the software called Maestro, it gives you control over every other possible function you'll need: input source, gain, mute etc.
Microphone Preamp
Apogee Duet's audio channels are true pro quality 24-bit/96kHz and there's no need top buy a mic pre thanks to Apogee's real quality A/D and D/A conversion technology making the Duet's built-in mic preamp all you'll need to get a nice microphone sound.
The Duet Apogee Interface Is Good For…
- Anyone using a Mac computer running OS 10.4.10 or later. Built specifically for the Mac so it fits right in with Garageband, Apple Logic Express & Pro, and Soundtrack Pro.
- Ideal to run a home studio and to take on the road with your Powerbook.
- Pro Tools 9 users
- Anyone wanting to improve the music from iTunes
Quick Feature Overview:
- 2 channels pro sound quality @ 24-bit/96kHz
- Phantom power for 2 XLR mic inputs
- 2 instrument high impedance inputs
- High level headphone output (stereo)
- 2 line outs for monitors (-10 dBV)
- Controls built directly to Logic & Soundtrack Pro, & Garageband
- Compatible with any Core Audio application
- Very low latency
- FireWire 400
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Apogee Duet Review Comments from other users:
"Nothing comes close to this"!
"So good… so rich… so clean…"
"Plug in a guitar, fire up Garageband and good to go"
"Quality of this versus the computer sound card is quite amazing"
"Buy this and stop wasting money on the cheap stuff"
What About The Warranty?
There's a one year standard manufactures warranty included.
Where To Buy The Duet Apogee:
The Apogee Duet price was $495 when it came out in 2007 and still holds that price today but once in a while you can buy Apogee Duet for a bit less from Amazon.com
*After doing business online for many years I have always found the best price at Amazon and when you consider the free shipping and their dependable service it's a no-brainer.
If you found this Apogee Duet Review helpful please leave a comment!
