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mus0r
Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 162
Location: Chicagoland
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 Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:29 am Post subject: Apogee Duet - My personal review |
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So, I got it on Friday. Took all of 3 minutes to install. Popped the CD in, restarted, plugged the Duet it and the Maestro software popped up immediately. I tried it in Logic 8 on both my MacBook Pro and Mac Pro.
Build Quality- 10! Seems rock solid. The breakout cables could be a heavier gauge, just because I'm a little paranoid, but they are warranted.
Sound Quality- 10! This thing sounds fan-fucking-tastic! Leaps and bounds better than my old 828mkII did.
Ease of use- 8! My only problem here is that you have to choose instrument or mic, rather than just plugging it in and being recognized for what it is. The bigass knob is pretty cool, since you can tell it to serve different midi functions, as well as being a volume control. So you can make it a jog wheel, or whatever, if you so desire. Customization is a plus for anything in my book. Plus, as a Logic user, the integration is really nice. If you use Logic (I dunno about Garage band) you don't need to use the Maestro software, it's all integrated into the DAW. Less clutter is always nice.
Aesthetics- 10! God damn, this thing is sexy  |
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MitchK1989
Joined: 17 Jun 2006
Posts: 430
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| Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:40 am Post subject: |
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I see it has two XLR inputs for mics and two 1/4 inch "high-Z" ins for "instruments" such as guitar...
How would one record a synth with this thing? Plug it into the instrument inputs? Is there a way to switch those inputs from guitar output level to line level?
If it works as great for recording line level as it does for recording guitars/vocals, I might have to pick one up... Otherwise I'll be getting an 828mkII. |
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mus0r
Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 162
Location: Chicagoland
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MitchK1989
Joined: 17 Jun 2006
Posts: 430
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| Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | These inputs are also suitable for -10 db line levels |
Perfect... I might go for this little thing... I really have to decide now between the "big bad studio rig" with Motu and Dongled products, or if I want to be laptop friendly... Which I guess is also the decision between a macbook pro or a mac pro to replace my iMac in like 9 months.
Either way my first priority is pair of KRK rockit 5s and a Novation Remote SL 61... |
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mus0r
Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 162
Location: Chicagoland
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:34 am Post subject: |
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| MitchK1989 wrote: | | Quote: | | These inputs are also suitable for -10 db line levels |
Perfect... I might go for this little thing... I really have to decide now between the "big bad studio rig" with Motu and Dongled products, or if I want to be laptop friendly... Which I guess is also the decision between a macbook pro or a mac pro to replace my iMac in like 9 months.
Either way my first priority is pair of KRK rockit 5s and a Novation Remote SL 61... |
Honestly, given the difference in quality, I'd say get the Duet or if you need more I/O get the Ensemble. Seriously, it's worth the cash. And the Ensemble isn't priced much more than a Fireface 800, and I think if you're using a Mac, especially with Logic, the integration is worth the extra cash. I'm REALLY satisfied...and that doesn't happen often  |
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MitchK1989
Joined: 17 Jun 2006
Posts: 430
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:44 am Post subject: |
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| I'm going to need a new laptop for next year anyway for school (The university I currently attend forces you to rent one of theirs for the year, but they're getting rid of that program next year, plus I might be transferring to a different school anyway) so I may as well combine my studio comp and laptop... I'll probably be selling the iMac and getting a macbook pro... I'd rather gig with a macbook pro than a hardware synth anyway... So I think the Duet it is... |
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