Apogee Duet FireWire Interface :: Education by Design Store

Editorial Review
The Duet is a two-channel FireWire audio interface that features the amazing sound quality that made Apogee Electronics famous. With control functions built directly into Apple s Logic Pro, Soundtrack Pro and GarageBand software, Duet empowers you to create professional recordings effortlessly on your Mac.With Duet, you can plug in guitars, keyboards, and microphones to record your music, or simply experience how much better your favorite tracks in iTunes sound. Duet is compact and powered by FireWire, so you can pack up your studio and go anywhere your music takes you.Its dual, 1/4" high impedance inputs allow you to combine and record your two favorite instruments, whether it be two guitars, one bass, one guitar, etc., simultaneously using your favorite Core Audio-compatible application. You can also capture vocals with two microphone inputs that have phantom power and 75dB of gain. Whether you're noodling out new ideas, completing a personal tune, documenting a podcast, or recording a live performance, your new little buddy can handle it. The flexible breakout cables come with icons to make it easy to know what goes where, keeping everything in order, out of the way, and properly connected for maximum input and output, with minimal mess. Duet's bus-powered FireWire interface frees you from the traditional four-wall studio setting. So grab your laptop, find a spot where inspiration takes you, whether it's in the solace of a park or ...
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Customer Reviews

It can't be beat for features and quality at this price

2008-08-06
I bought the Duet to use with my Aluminum iMac and Logic Studio 8 and have had zero problems with the unit. The interface is very streamlined so you have to get used to using a single, multi-function knob for everything. The quality of conversion between analog and digital is head and shoulders above anything else near this price level. It sounds as good as units costing 3 times as much due to the designers' emphasis on quality sound. To get the high quality conversion at this price you are limited to the line outputs and headphone output levels being permanently linked. Some people find this a drawback, so be aware before you buy if this feature is something that is a deal breaker for you.

The small form factor is nice because as anyone with a home studio can attest to, space is not a luxury we have. I didn't pick this for its portability but as it is the size of a paperback book I can imagine it being very easy to tote around with a macbook/pro.

The included Maestro management software is straightforward and lets you set the unit up in seconds with a very easy to understand user interface. Configuring my iMac to use this as the audio input and output took less than a minute from reading the instructions. Making Logic label its mixer to match is equally simple. One thing I found convenient is how OSX lets you still use the iMac's built in speakers for the system alerts so that an error message gong sound isn't sent out through your 100watt studio monitors. You can set the output level of the system alerts separate from the duet's outputs.

The breakout cable is securely attached and the plugs are labeled with big, clear markings so changing hook-ups is easy. It has phantom power if your mics require it, which is set using Maestro.

Most audio interfaces in this price range try to win you over with more I/O channels or other add-ons instead of making the best sound conversion. They trade quality for quantity with predictable results. Apogee decided on doing a simple 2 channel interface, a single physical control and top shelf A/D/A converters so the result is the best 2 channels you can get. When you want more channels without sacrificing quality then you can step up to their Ensemble line.

Excellent: Apogee Duet + Logic8 = Your Studio

2008-02-12
Wow, I've used alot of firewire interfaces (breakout boxes) and nothing came close to this, I have to start by saying that good preamps make the world of difference to your sound and I found that the ones in Maudio gear tend to be pretty noisy, but the Duet is really quiet and really loud, I put a telecaster into this and a tele is a noisy guitar but it's loud with this but there is no noise (hiss) the same with vocals, I don't have any hiss anymore.
24/96 that's pretty future proof because I don't imagine anybody recording any higher, sure they'll master higher for sacd dvd-audio etc.
Great build and I love the breakout cable, great idea !
With Logic 8 which is the greatest DAW of all time this works superb.
Lastly this was Born In The USA, yup this was made in the USA by a human being with rights.
Great Product, Future Proof and Fantastic Value For Money, don't hesitate buy one of these now.

ONLY $495 FOR A BRAND NEW ONE

2007-11-23
As of November 23, 2007, someone (not Amazon directly) is attempting to sell a used Apogee Duet here at amazon.com for $699 when the retail price for a brand new one is only $495 (this data is taken directly from the manufacturer's website). After I get mine, I plan to return and provide a comprehensive product review. But for now, I offer only the following suggestion:

Do not pay $699 for a used Apogee Duet when you can get a brand new one from an authorized Apogee dealer for only $495.