Apogee Duet: Quick review

[Luap]

Hey all. I was considering getting a Duet, but from the sound of this thread it seems that it may only be worth getting if you're using Logic or GB.

I use Cubase 5 for mastering and Ableton Live for arrangement, I also roll my own software now and again.. I'm a little wary of the Duet because of its marketing as being the choice interface for Apple software.

Anyone have any experience using the Duet outside of the Logic/GarageBand ecosystem?

Theres some slight advantages with using the Duet with Apples own brand software. But trust me, it works at least as well as any other interface with all software too. It is not just for Logic/GB by a long shot

 

[Guntis]

Hey all. I was considering getting a Duet, but from the sound of this thread it seems that it may only be worth getting if you're using Logic or GB.

I use Cubase 5 for mastering and Ableton Live for arrangement, I also roll my own software now and again.. I'm a little wary of the Duet because of its marketing as being the choice interface for Apple software.

It doesn't matter which software you're using. The only difference is that Apogee control panel is built in Garage Band and Logic, while if you're using other apps, you have to open Apogee Maestro panel. But even using GB/Logic you can use Maestro instead of built-in control panel. No difference.

 

[suenteus]

It doesn't matter which software you're using. The only difference is that Apogee control panel is built in Garage Band and Logic, while if you're using other apps, you have to open Apogee Maestro panel. But even using GB/Logic you can use Maestro instead of built-in control panel. No difference.

Ah cool. Good to know. I'm going out Sunday to test one out compared against my FireWire 410 (absolutely fed up with driver issues and preamp noise).. I'll post what I discover.

Now if only the duet had a digital in.

 

[richpjr]

Take a look at the new Presonus FireStudio Mobile. It is an upgrade from the FireBox and is pretty impressive - a great bang for the buck.

 

[floss]

Duet/CPU problem

Hey guys, i'm having a problem with my Duet hogging the CPU on my MacBook Pro. It's fine at first, but after my Duet has been plugged in for hours, all of a sudden my fans shoot up, my temperature reaches ~80°C, and a large amount of my CPU gets used. The problem is the "duetDaemon" process:

I can't seem to terminate/restart this process from Activity Monitor. Replugging my Duet, resetting it, or quitting all programs doesn't help, the only remedy is restarting my computer which is very frustrating and annoying to do when in the middle of many tasks/activities. I'm able to find this particular file, but have no idea what to do with it. It's in ~/System/Library/Extensions/DuetPlugIn.bundle/Contents/MacOS/

I'm running Snow Leopard (10.6.2) on a June 2009 MacBook Pro, 2.53GHz C2D with 4GB ram.

Anyone else having this problem?

 

[Guntis]

Hey guys, i'm having a problem with my Duet hogging the CPU on my MacBook Pro. It's fine at first, but after my Duet has been plugged in for hours, all of a sudden my fans shoot up, my temperature reaches ~80°C, and a large amount of my CPU gets used. The problem is the "duetDaemon" process

Anyone else having this problem?

in such case I'd suggest you to contact Apogee tech support. Once I had to contact them (I had no problems with my Duet, just a few questions) and they were really helpful.

 

[TheXhosa]

It's a lil bit too late

But the fact that the original site does not provide tech specs for their user that doesn't mean that the users cannot do researches ... or as the case for sounds engineers with 10000000000000000000000000 platinum discs and stuff like that gimme a break losers you're nothing that cheap dogs messing around with peoples dreams . I'm going mid class mobile producer with a Mac Book Pro i5 @ 4gbddr3 17" Aluminum enclosure + Apogee Duet and I'm regarding headphones between audiotechnica and akg not sure yet about the model etc.
The apogee duet is a fine piece of equipment for its price and here are the specs : Apogee Duet, FireWire Audio Interface, 2x channels, 24bit/96kHz AD/DA converters, 2x mic preamp (XLR) with 48V phantom power, 2x line/Hi-Z inputs (1/4" jacks), 2x line outputs (unbalanced 1/4" jacks), 1x headphone output (1/4" jack), multi-segment LED meters display input or output levels. Optional bag available. Includes Apogee's Maestro software for advanced controls and low latency mixing. Perfect integration with Apple Logic. Compatible with Mac OS X (Core Audio) requires: Mac G4 1GHz, G5 or Intel, 1Gb RAM (2Gb recommended), 10.4.10 (or greater) and FireWire 400 port for those who are too professional to just research or break the audio card to see what's up to it ultra engineers who know nothing than to envenom people. Music is at first a passion so each piece of gear is fantastic in it's way low middle or high end products but of course if you want to do artwork for Dr. Dre Apogee Duet won't help and nothing xcept few couple of million dollars will .

 

[suenteus]

Update on duet

Ah cool. Good to know. I'm going out Sunday to test one out compared against my FireWire 410 (absolutely fed up with driver issues and preamp noise).. I'll post what I discover.

Now if only the duet had a digital in.

Alright, so six months have passed. I ended up getting a duet and using it for two months before getting rid of it. Not that it wasn't a great piece of hardware. It is. The sound quality is great. But the lack of I/O was a deal killer for me.

I ended up trading up to a Fireface 400, and then trading that for a Steinberg MR816X. I've been using the MR816 ever since and it's been perfect. The audio quality is extremely pristine and the pre-amps sound beautiful (I like them even more than the duet's.. which are maybe a little more "hyped".. for whatever that's worth).

 

[Black Macbook]

Here's new Duet news for all Duet owners out there, of which I am one.

I read about some Apogee guy talking about Maestro 2 which will be coming out in the future sometime for Duet and it'll have some new features such as better meters I believe.

 

[OllyW]

Here's new Duet news for all Duet owners out there, of which I am one.

I read about some Apogee guy talking about Maestro 2 which will be coming out in the future sometime for Duet and it'll have some new features such as better meters I believe.

Vague news alert!


There's a few more details here.

Cue Maestro 2! Apogee’s software control application, Maestro, has been totally redesigned for Symphony I/O. Featuring a familiar single window, multiple tab interface for quick access to all device and system settings, the new Maestro makes routing, mic preamp adjustment, input and output calibration and low latency monitoring clear and easy to use. To reduce screen clutter, Maestro also features a minimized tool bar view with System Status display, volume controls and buttons to mute outputs and clear meters.

Highlights

Speaker, headphone, and mic preamp level control
Clock source, sample rate setting
Audio Interface Mode (AIM)
Minimized tool bar view with System Status, volume controls, mute and clear meters buttons
Software controlled A/D & D/A calibration
Comprehensive metering
Intuitive audio routing
4 Soft Limit settings: -2 dB, -4 dBfs, Soft Saturate and Soft Crush
Symphony I/O is available for Mac OS only, and requires OS X 10.5.8 or later. It will be available in August 2010.

 

[brmaki]

oh man, i hope there is a free maestro 2 update. i love my duet, it's such an amazing little box, and so worth the $500!

 

[MowingDevil]

Why, is there new features the newer Maestro does that the current Duet version cannot? ...and features the Duet could actually do. I haven't really looked at it yet.

I don't really see why they'd update since the current one is fine, other than perhaps a slicker interface. If they do I'm fairly certain it would be a free upgrade.

 

[Icewater808]

Duet update?

I have been researching different audio interfaces for some time now and finally have decided that the Duet would be the best choice for me to go with. However I noticed that the Duet has been out for some years now and was wondering if there has been any word of a new model coming out? I have searched google with many different key words and have not had any luck, so I am assuming that there really is no info on that.

 

[MowingDevil]

I have been researching different audio interfaces for some time now and finally have decided that the Duet would be the best choice for me to go with. However I noticed that the Duet has been out for some years now and was wondering if there has been any word of a new model coming out? I have searched google with many different key words and have not had any luck, so I am assuming that there really is no info on that.

I doubt it, the current unit sounds great and I don't see it being obsolete for a long long time considering the high quality of recordings it produces. It works, go for it!

 

[tacvbo83]

I was thinking the same since I assume they might release an update at NAMM in January. Either way, I bought mine this weekend, barely got to use it last night and I was impressed. I would recommend it. I payed 450 at GC with a coupon but people have got it before at 400 with a 20% coupon when available.

 

[Icewater808]

Ya I was thinking that there might have been an update in regards to integrating the breakout cables into the actual box. I would be fine with the way it currently is, but it would be nice if they were in the Duet box.

 

[tacvbo83]

Duet owners

Do you disconnect your Duets at all? If so when? (when restarting, shutting down, etc.). I ask because my cheap M-Audio speakers do clicking noises only when restarting or turning on my iMac. Is that normal? Soon getting some Adams A7 but wondering if i have a setting wrong or i have to connect duet at a certain point.

 

[ViM]

I'm trying to make a decision between the focusrite saffire pro 24 dsp ($AU499) and the apogee duet ($AU616). All I will be doing is recording my guitar, vocals and using a midi keyboard in garageband and eventually logic or some other program if need be. So for my needs would the apogee duet be a significant improvement on the focusrite saffire.

 

[HUGE AL]

Y Cable

I've got an Early 2008 Mac Pro 8-Core that I'd like to plug this in to.

Trouble is, [temporarily] I've got an old THX Surround Sound system with the green, black, and yellow 1/8" plugs. The green (surround sound) appears to work just fine when plugged into the sound output on the back of the Mac. I can unplug it from from both ends and would like to use an all male Y cable -- 1/8" to 1/4" + 1/4".

I've found such a cable, but it's by a generic manufacturer. I haven't been able to find anybody reputable that carries such a cable.

I know there are a few people who have utilized a Y cable solution -- though I'm not sure it's the cable I described above. Does anybody have any good brand recommendations for this type of cable?

Many thanks!