Apogee Duet: Quick review

[junior]

You ask what is my Agenda, haha LOL, good one, i see your a marketing representative from the way you use words., as if people should not know what they are paying for, is that a problem for you?

Here is what i will do on my own time ( and i will not accept any bribery to avoid this)

I have a DUET and will open it to take some pictures and post them here.

I am trying to get a hold of a friends "MBox Pro" and also take pictures of whats inside not only to show you all the parts Apogee uses as well but compare it to another first generations 2007 MBox pro which sounds even better and the parts used in it where not the same at all, Digidesign also did this with there first mbox, the convertors in the Mbox sound really good, they are the same ones used by Metric Halo today, there UL2 i believe although i will check if anyone cares.,

My point is companies change there parts with out telling us all, Digidesign never publicly announced that they downgraded the Mbox 1 during there second factory orders, making a killing on the costs while even the chips for the units dropped in prices over in Japan., meanwhile users think they have a Mbox they tried which was a previous model., and Apogee claims your getting that Apogee sound when its the same guts in a Mbox Pro., are you a SUCKER or will you help stop companies from this abuse?

Ill be back in a week with fotos and my review.

I do get what you're trying to say, but you're forgetting a more important aspect, well for me anyway.
For example, two people can have the exactly same mic, pre-amp, and comp. And record something that is precisely the same, yet could come out with very different sounds (at least to the professional's ears), due to having different power supplies, electric cables, audio cables, bypassing or using a patch bay, etc (not even talking about room ambience, mic positioning, etc).
So for me, it's all about how a company tweaks its components to get the best possible result and to give it both value for money and that 'company's sound', in this case Apogee.
I'm not qualified to talk about the Duet here, seeing as I don't have one and don't need one, but by all accounts it's definition and quality far exceeds others in it's price range and class. So it's a job well done by Apogee.
If it's true that it uses the same components as the mbox pro, then I praise Apogee for using those parts, tweaking them nicely and for actually selling them cheaper than their rivals.
Isn't this one of the reasons you've got a Duet? I don't think anyone's a 'sucker' for buying and praising and enjoying the Duet. I say good on them.

P.S.
Could you expand on the MOTU comments please.

 

[Drumjim85]

if I remember correctly I think only 2 companies make AD/DA chips. (for everything, not just audio). So yes, the right chip can help, but theres a lot more than any single piece.

 

[ausdave]

if I remember correctly I think only 2 companies make AD/DA chips. (for everything, not just audio). So yes, the right chip can help, but theres a lot more than any single piece.

I think a lot of companies use the same ad/da chips (which usually only cost a matter of dollars each even for top end models)... there is more to it than that though... usually the op amps, power supply and clock are what makes the difference between a crap, good and great converter.

Oh, and a couple good brands of ad/da chips are "Analog Devices" (these are used in some of the other Apogee units) and "Cirrus Logic".

But I would be interested to find out what op amps and ad/da the duet uses... I just can't be bothered opening mine (but i'm sure someone will do a tear-down and take photos).

 

[cubbie5150]

You ask what is my Agenda, haha LOL, good one, i see your a marketing representative from the way you use words., as if people should not know what they are paying for, is that a problem for you?

Jeez...I am most certainly NOT a marketing rep, for Apogee nor anyone else. I'm actually much worse: a lawyer in the financial services sector. I'm just always interested when I see someone such as yourself take such a strident stance on something like this...very Don Quixote-esque. [shrug] Just was wondering why you are so worked-up about this, that's all.. How does it hurt you if some of us actually like the Duet? I bought it b/c I am no techie...I use it only as a DAC; I wanted something that works seamlessly w/ OS X (o.k., well, it wasn't exactly seamless for many, though I think the recent Maestro & firewire driver update solved most issues). I'm actually interested in reading what your findings are (or, at least what you think they are). Call it morbid curiosity.

 

[logic pro]

Jeez...I am most certainly NOT a marketing rep, for Apogee nor anyone else. I'm actually much worse: a lawyer in the financial services sector. I'm just always interested when I see someone such as yourself take such a strident stance on something like this...very Don Quixote-esque. [shrug] Just was wondering why you are so worked-up about this, that's all.. How does it hurt you if some of us actually like the Duet? I bought it b/c I am no techie...I use it only as a DAC; I wanted something that works seamlessly w/ OS X (o.k., well, it wasn't exactly seamless for many, though I think the recent Maestro & firewire driver update solved most issues). I'm actually interested in reading what your findings are (or, at least what you think they are). Call it morbid curiosity.

LOL

From looking at the posts it seems that i am not the one worked up here., ., and the fact that no one has proved me wrong can only be no other reasons then threatened by my posts.

Nothing can stop me from posting something people want to or would like to know, wether you like it or not., and yes pros who work with this stuff everyday like myself have all the time in the world to say something about it when its disgusting how one of there respected manufactures of high end audio gear LICENSES pro sumer pre designed stuff like the DUET with there name on the sticker (means they never made it) and then you see people like the guy who started this thread who stated he sold his older (duet x4) for a 2 channel DUET apple written drivers for.

Lets get this straight for now, the MBox Pro, Firebox and Duet have the same exact guts and this is what i am gonna prove to you guys, i mean its some Asian company who makes the parts and all Apogee did was design the box around it., Apogee's touch here is the break out cable, THATS ALL!

Have you noticed that Apogee does not legally have there name on the DUET., where does it say Apogee on the product?

I have a DUET, Apogee is on the back sticker, says made in the USA, NOT!!!...

we should no or not?


You guys want Apogee stuff, get a Rossetta or put stickers on any firewire device designed with your taste., the rest is up to Apple to play harmoniously so it works like the DUET does now, gemme a week and ill post the fotos

 

[junior]

This is getting boring now.
You've not addressed anything. You continually repeat the same thing.
Lot's of people are agreeing with you with regards to the possibility of the same parts being used in different products.
BTW, to 'prove' something, the general consensus is that you provide evidence for all to see and to agree on. You've done nothing of the sort. Could you please provide either/or documents, pictures or quotes that actually go to prove such claims. And you still haven't addressed that bombshell of a statement about MOTU. So please do expand on that.

For a pro you certainly don't seem to want to share much knowledge to any of the threads being opened by those in need of help. I wonder why? Now go make those cups of coffee for the ACTUAL engineers where you work, intern boy.

 

[Drumjim85]

the website attached to logicpro's profile is a home theater store.. Is that what you do? Sell sound systems meant for livng rooms?

 

[ausdave]

the website attached to logicpro's profile is a home theater store.. Is that what you do? Sell sound systems meant for livng rooms?

And I see that they have been featured in/recommended by "playboy magazine".

Ha ha!

This just gets better.

 

[logic pro]

yea yea yea, drag this on while you know i work and said i will post it in a week, what is realy interesting now is that i will not just post this here but have been offered to post it in a very respected audio magazine., so forget the politics boys, you lost on this if you think this topic threatens your glorified pro sumer toys.,


i dont believe people should pay more then 300 dollars if digi pays that much to make a HD rig in parts.

So i will post this by next Thursday as i said, so stop your dragging out the accusations and diging into my profile here to find something in order to prove anything other then the facts i will post, if you cant wait make your own threads with your own proof if you have any, your the ones who have no specs to provide.

 

[logic pro]

For a pro you certainly don't seem to want to share much knowledge to any of the threads being opened by those in need of help. I wonder why? Now go make those cups of coffee for the ACTUAL engineers where you work, intern boy.

Hi JUNIOR, everything i will post by next thursday is in ones best interest if they are HONESTLY GOOD engineers or home recording artists who want the best interface they can get for there money., if your not one of them i suggest you do what all young engineers do if they want work down the line, SHUT UP AND LEARN., or keep putting your foot in your mouth, i mean what are you gonna say after i post all that and even in a publication?

So stop get out of politics while you can cause it is the shame on you when you will eventually get exposed for trying to blow out the candle before people see the light., money is not everything when we are into sound., we certainly all spent a share of money on gear years ago, why saturate better ideas over greed?

If you have no idea who your speaking to why not just shut your loud trap if you can not prove them wrong, save yourself the trouble man, grow up now., lets focus on improving the products out there for our money rather then waiting another 20 years due to greed.

 

[junior]

Hi JUNIOR, everything i will post by next thursday is in ones best interest if they are HONESTLY GOOD engineers or home recording artists who want the best interface they can get for there money., if your not one of them i suggest you do what all young engineers do if they want work down the line, SHUT UP AND LEARN., or keep putting your foot in your mouth, i mean what are you gonna say after i post all that and even in a publication?

So stop get out of politics while you can cause it is the shame on you when you will eventually get exposed for trying to blow out the candle before people see the light., money is not everything when we are into sound., we certainly all spent a share of money on gear years ago, why saturate better ideas over greed?

If you have no idea who your speaking to why not just shut your loud trap if you can not prove them wrong, save yourself the trouble man, grow up now., lets focus on improving the products out there for our money rather then waiting another 20 years due to greed.

I own my own studio (not very big, but hey) and make most of my money producing music for ads. We could share and compare the work we've both done to prove our legitimacy (or in your case illegitimacy) if you want to PM me. But that's not really important.
Stop quoting a single sentence from my post and frothing at the mouth. Could you please address the rest of it and not only prove your points but prove that you are in fact older than 12.
Thanks.

 

[Luap]

Logic pro.. Face it, you've been rumbled. Give it up and go away. All you are doing is giving yourself numb fingers by typing that crap. And for what? nothing.

 

[Sir Cecil]

Being subscribed to this thread, I've had the misfortune to see Logic Pro's posts for several nights running.
I'd like to tell everyone here that I've worked in advertising and marketing for many years and have enjoyed working with many, many professional photographers and audio engineers, some of considerable standing. None of them would embarrass or beliitle themselves like this "Logic Pro" character and not one would waste valuable creative time and energy arguing so venomously and speaking down to hobbyists about such an issue. I have yet to meet a pro in these fields who appears remotely as boastful, brash and ill-educated as "Logic Pro". Nothing about his posts suggests a professional or creative mind at work.
I suggest all here refrain from responding to this clown's utter drivel.

 

[Joko]

Being subscribed to this thread, I've had the misfortune to see Logic Pro's posts for several nights running.
I'd like to tell everyone here that I've worked in advertising and marketing for many years and have enjoyed working with many, many professional photographers and audio engineers, some of considerable standing. None of them would embarrass or beliitle themselves like this "Logic Pro" character and not one would waste valuable creative time and energy arguing so venomously and speaking down to hobbyists about such an issue. I have yet to meet a pro in these fields who appears remotely as boastful, brash and ill-educated as "Logic Pro". Nothing about his posts suggests a professional or creative mind at work.
I suggest all here refrain from responding to this clown's utter drivel.

Exactly, thank you Sir Cecil. Lets consider this guy ignored until he provides proof to back up his ramblings, however unlikely.

 

[Luap]

For the record, I did buy a Duet and received it on Thursday. Im pretty happy with it
I don't especially like the break out cable. But I knew I wouldn't like that before I bought it. The metering, both software and hardware is just one step away from useless, which surprised me. But perhaps a software update may go some way towards fixing that.
In all other respects however, it is excellent It's extremely easy to use, and sounds divine. At first I was not especially impressed with its sound (Compared with my old Motu 828 v1). But I quickly realised that my amp, speakers and room acoustics were really the limiting factor now. Once I tried it with headphones plugged in directly I was immediately much more impressed.
One more minor grumble that I was also aware of before I bought it. No balanced outs. But those are not essential for studio use anyway. Plus I was pleasantly surprised to find that the balanced XLR mic inputs can also be used as balanced line level inputs.
7/10

 

[logic pro]

Being subscribed to this thread, I've had the misfortune to see Logic Pro's posts for several nights running.
I'd like to tell everyone here that I've worked in advertising and marketing for many years and have enjoyed working with many, many professional photographers and audio engineers, some of considerable standing. None of them would embarrass or beliitle themselves like this "Logic Pro" character and not one would waste valuable creative time and energy arguing so venomously and speaking down to hobbyists about such an issue. I have yet to meet a pro in these fields who appears remotely as boastful, brash and ill-educated as "Logic Pro". Nothing about his posts suggests a professional or creative mind at work.
I suggest all here refrain from responding to this clown's utter drivel.

you should see how embarrassing you look before 6000 youtube viewers so far., i have not yet posted my proof and while you have nothing to show the responses like yours only proves its NOTHING BUT MARKETING HYPE, i mean to go as far as charactor attacking BEFORE seen the proof is like attacking customers period.

nice one, thanks for your post, your welcome to explain everything after people discuss the products furthure, we will love to hear your justification for this, and on MAC RUMOR FORUMS, where i am proud to post anything on fake Apple products as well if i could.

Thanks mac rumors, we can abolish hypocrisy and liars like Sir Cecil and his marketing friends., if we can expose you more legally and what your agenda is we will, while we are looking into that your welcome to add on to your shame.

 

[Peter Westergar]

HI

I have 15 days to return my DUET and get a RME FF400, i honestly see no difference in sound quality between the two, in fact, i find the FF400 more flexible so do post any info as to SPECS., why not...

You got my vote on that!

P.S., I love the Youtube video, i think allot of these geeks posting are fakes hired for marketing and should be exposed, its clear they do not want to give the chance to prove anything.

 

[F.Loyko]

HI

I have 15 days to return my DUET and get a RME FF400, i honestly see no difference in sound quality between the two, in fact, i find the FF400 more flexible so do post any info as to SPECS., why not...

You got my vote on that!

P.S., I love the Youtube video, i think allot of these geeks posting are fakes hired for marketing and should be exposed, its clear they do not want to give the chance to prove anything.

Hi

I work with Live Sound but i can tell you that for the price your paying now days, the DUET is a bargain if your looking at portable firewire interfaces.

As for specs, it is the same parts at its price range, you get what you pay for but in a different package., and it is truly portable.

 

[Drumjim85]

don't respond (or listen) to "peter".. Its just logicpro's alter ego...

 

[junior]

don't respond (or listen) to "peter".. Its just logicpro's alter ego...

Huh, I think you're right. That's a bit desperate.

 

[logic pro]

Huh, I think you're right. That's a bit desperate.

haha lol

im half way with photos here guys, looks good so far, gonna make the news!

 

[junior]

haha lol

im half way with photos here guys, looks good so far, gonna make the news!

I'm still waiting for that PM so we can take a look at each other's work.
I promise I won't give away your multi-platinum award winning identity, so come on, let's do it logic pro/Peter Westergar/whatever.

 

[Luap]

HI

I have 15 days to return my DUET and get a RME FF400, i honestly see no difference in sound quality between the two, in fact, i find the FF400 more flexible so do post any info as to SPECS., why not...

You got my vote on that!

P.S., I love the Youtube video, i think allot of these geeks posting are fakes hired for marketing and should be exposed, its clear they do not want to give the chance to prove anything.

Logic Pro, you are unbelievably stupid if you honestly thought we'd believe this was someone else. How do we know? Both your registered names have the exact same piss poor typing skills. For crying out loud, just leave you pathetic little runt of the internet.

 

[Drumjim85]

I'm still waiting for that PM so we can take a look at each other's work.
I promise I won't give away your multi-platinum award winning identity, so come on, let's do it logic pro/Peter Westergar/whatever.

if peter westergar is a real name google's never heard of it. And I'm guessing if you have engineered hundreds of platinum records, your name would be on the Internet somewhere...

 

[Plumbstone]

Wow, just checked back to this thread after a few weeks and there is a load of excess testosterone flying around.

So, I am a sound engineer, I have been working professionally for long enough to know I can trust my ears. In My studio I have a variety of interfaces, Protools 192s, motu 828s, Mbox2 pro, Apogee PSX-100, and yes a Duet too.

Firstly LogicPro, I hope your friend wont mind you screwing his Mbox as, if it is the same model as mine, it is a complete bitch to get inside; good luck with the photos there.

Secondly, what good are photos in deciding how something sounds? Surely that is what is important here. Do I care if they all have the same chips in if the rest of the design has such an influence on the final sound recorded and reproduced? Don't bother doing the photos as they wont prove anything, use your ears instead....

As has been mentioned before, there is an awful lot more to making a great sounding AD than merely the converters, all the other components play a large part in what you finally hear, especially the clock. The first thing I do upon receiving a new bit of gear is to AB it with something comparable I already own. In this case it was the newly purchased Duet vs Mbox2pro and PTHD-192s. It was a close call between the 192 and the Duet, and imo the 192s won (not surprising really considering). Next up was the Mbox, which I have to say fell rather short. Recording an identical signal into both boxes simultaneously then comparing them out of the same converter, the duet was much more transparent and defined than the Mbox, especially on acoustic sources. As for playback, again the Duet sounded better (imo), similarly transparent etc...

The duet certainly doesn't equal Hi end/professional gear, but considering the price, portability and sound when compared to its similarly priced peers I reckon it is the best of the bunch.

When I have a moment, which wont be until after the weekend (maybe even wednesday as it is my stag night on Saturday....) I will do the same test again. Obviously you can only judge the recorded signals through whatever system you have and won't ever be able to do the playback test without having all the gear in front of you so you'll have to trust me as far as playback goes....

I doubt it will do anything to slow the testosterone tsunami but thought I'd let you know my opinion.