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Apogee Duet
- Thread starter hukuma
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You tell the DAW you want the duet as Sound device and thats all, that suppose to me that should slave the DAW to the duet, but if you close the DAW and open Itunes or some other audio player thAN estrange noises come around and then I have to open audio/midi set up utility, change the clock to 48 and then back to 44.1 and everything returns to normal, spirits from the outer space fly around maybe. I just don't know and that drive me crazy, actually I'm thinking in return the duet to the shop, apogee support dont have an answer. thank you.
I sold my MOTU Ultralite for the Duet a few weeks ago.
I won't comment on sound quality because I don't trust myself to honestly be able to appraise that without a direct "A/B" comparison, which I can't do because I sold the Ultralite. I'll just say that it sounds "at least as good" for recording guitar and for playback.
As for Duet's features and performance: it's working well for me. The only problems I have are:
-It is annoying that the headphone and main out levels are tied together. You can set it up so one is muted while the other is active, but when you switch between them, the volume level will carry over. So to be safe, I have to turn the volume all the way down, switch, then adjust the output levels again. It would be nice to have it "remember" where you had it set before.
-The windows that pop up when you adjust the encoder button (be it for any of the inputs or outputs) are basically a good idea, but they don't work very well in Leopard, because they will only appear on one "space" for me. So if I'm in space #4 and adjust something, I'll get no visual feedback. Not really a huge deal, but kind of annoying. Oh, also, it's not the same as OS X's volume feedback window, because you can't click on things below the Duet's feedback window. Also just slightly annoying, not a huge deal.
I won't comment on sound quality because I don't trust myself to honestly be able to appraise that without a direct "A/B" comparison, which I can't do because I sold the Ultralite. I'll just say that it sounds "at least as good" for recording guitar and for playback.
As for Duet's features and performance: it's working well for me. The only problems I have are:
-It is annoying that the headphone and main out levels are tied together. You can set it up so one is muted while the other is active, but when you switch between them, the volume level will carry over. So to be safe, I have to turn the volume all the way down, switch, then adjust the output levels again. It would be nice to have it "remember" where you had it set before.
-The windows that pop up when you adjust the encoder button (be it for any of the inputs or outputs) are basically a good idea, but they don't work very well in Leopard, because they will only appear on one "space" for me. So if I'm in space #4 and adjust something, I'll get no visual feedback. Not really a huge deal, but kind of annoying. Oh, also, it's not the same as OS X's volume feedback window, because you can't click on things below the Duet's feedback window. Also just slightly annoying, not a huge deal.
Hey guys I've had an Apogee Duet for a while now and I LOVE it but there are 2 main problems that I encounter very often and I was wondering if anyone could help me out.
1) I use it with Logic Studio 8. I used a lot of virtual NI instruments. I used Guitar Rig 3 with my guitar to record, etc. Sometimes, for no apparent reason, the input from the guitar or bass or what have you will start glitching like crazy. Instead of my guitar sound comming out, it starts squeeling and producing random artifacts. I troubleshooted everything and it's not my cable or instrument or Logic or anything like that. Playback of any other audio still comes out fine... but my inputs become screwed. To remedy the problem I have to restart my computer. I can just unplug and replug the duet to fix the problem quicker but this leads to
2)... problem 2: Whenever I unplug the duet, even when I have all the applications using it closed and the integrated speakers used in the preferences.. the moment I unplug the duet, my screen turns gray and it says I need to restart the computer. Bummer!
1) I use it with Logic Studio 8. I used a lot of virtual NI instruments. I used Guitar Rig 3 with my guitar to record, etc. Sometimes, for no apparent reason, the input from the guitar or bass or what have you will start glitching like crazy. Instead of my guitar sound comming out, it starts squeeling and producing random artifacts. I troubleshooted everything and it's not my cable or instrument or Logic or anything like that. Playback of any other audio still comes out fine... but my inputs become screwed. To remedy the problem I have to restart my computer. I can just unplug and replug the duet to fix the problem quicker but this leads to
2)... problem 2: Whenever I unplug the duet, even when I have all the applications using it closed and the integrated speakers used in the preferences.. the moment I unplug the duet, my screen turns gray and it says I need to restart the computer. Bummer!
I unplugged the Duet twice from the MBP while still on and the same thing happened. Actually, once the desktop resetted and all open applications were closed. Hopefully there's a fix but for now, don't unplug.
Also, OS startup time takes forever when the Duet is plugged in. Any advice on this?
The Duet is killer though. Just awesome.
mT
interesting, havent had these problems...
I unplugged the Duet twice from the MBP while still on and the same thing happened. Actually, once the desktop resetted and all open applications were closed. Hopefully there's a fix but for now, don't unplug.
Also, OS startup time takes forever when the Duet is plugged in. Any advice on this?
The Duet is killer though. Just awesome.
mT
I don't really care about that. My biggest problem is the one I described about the artifacts and the random noise produced when I use a virtual instrument (or even sometimes without) with an input like a mic or line in. The problem is that this problem is hard to isolate so if I take it back to the store and they have apogee spend 3 months examining the unit and saying it's "fine", then I'll have just lost a ton of time and money... maybe I should reformat my Imac? It's only a couple of months old though... so I'm in a bit of a dillema as you can see. 
duet problems
what I know for my short experience with duet is that is very sensitive, and remember duet is a piece of software not hardware, if you start the computer without the duet and afterwards you plug in the duet its fine, but if you start with the duet plugged in and then you unplug and plug again the driver turns crazy, for me is a fail in the driver but that is the way it is apogee should update the driver, another important fact is that the duet does not have a external power it takes that from the firewire port, it sucks all the firewire power and some other hardwares without external power wont work. I also has a lot of strange noises but I can't help on that by now, the thing this duet that should be a good piece of hardware it is not by now as good as they say and the apogee support, as far as I'm concerned is very poor. best regards
what I know for my short experience with duet is that is very sensitive, and remember duet is a piece of software not hardware, if you start the computer without the duet and afterwards you plug in the duet its fine, but if you start with the duet plugged in and then you unplug and plug again the driver turns crazy, for me is a fail in the driver but that is the way it is apogee should update the driver, another important fact is that the duet does not have a external power it takes that from the firewire port, it sucks all the firewire power and some other hardwares without external power wont work. I also has a lot of strange noises but I can't help on that by now, the thing this duet that should be a good piece of hardware it is not by now as good as they say and the apogee support, as far as I'm concerned is very poor. best regards
the duet vs the ultralite
I bought the duet 2 weeks ago... alas I had to take it back. It is a beautiful interface that works and sounds beautiful, especially paired with my macbook pro but when it came down to my 15 day return policy I had to stick with the ultralite...for now.
A. I've had my ultralite way too long to return.
B. the ultralite will fit in my laptop bag as easy
C. I've really been doing studio recording and no live stuff
and
D. As great as the inputs on the duet are there are so many more + midi.
I do intend on getting the duet, again, soon
I just had to prioritize.
I might sell the ultralite, pick up the traveller then get the duet...
meh, time will tell
I bought the duet 2 weeks ago... alas I had to take it back. It is a beautiful interface that works and sounds beautiful, especially paired with my macbook pro but when it came down to my 15 day return policy I had to stick with the ultralite...for now.
A. I've had my ultralite way too long to return.
B. the ultralite will fit in my laptop bag as easy
C. I've really been doing studio recording and no live stuff
and
D. As great as the inputs on the duet are there are so many more + midi.
I do intend on getting the duet, again, soon
I just had to prioritize.
I might sell the ultralite, pick up the traveller then get the duet...
meh, time will tell
Another newbie on Audio things here - MOTU Ultralite or Apogee Duet...
EDIT: I "MOVED" THIS TO THE MAIN THREAD AS I FEAR I AM STEALING THE CORE DISCUSSION THREAD OTHERWISE thanks for any help though on the Apogee Duet question here!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi all,
I've read this and many other threads about the "best" firewire audio interface. I am looking for some more advice by the more experienced people on the board, it would be awesome to get some more input - thanks a bunch in advance guys.
background:
After years of no music production I am in the process of getting set up for it again. Music styles: "House/Dance/Electro" plus occasional "soundtracks" for short films.
KIT list so far:
- new Mac Pro "Early 2008" (waiting for the damn NVidia 8800GT card to become available) with 2 + 6 GB RAM
SOFTWARE:
Reason4 (I won this, so I will probably use it via ReWire for synth-instruments)
Ableton Live 7 or Apple Logic 8 (or both, Logic has become so cheap in comparison to Version 7!) - haven't finalized that yet (love the whole new Logic Studio 8 but a good friend and successful producer recommends Live - I'll have a shoot-out betweenthe two soon )
MIDI Controller:
I plan on getting something like the Novation ReMote SL25 compact.
AUDIO INTERFACE - this is the biggest question mark at the moment
I have read up on / narrowed it down to:
- Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 (USB)
- PreSonus Firebox (FW)
- Apogee Duet (FW)
- MOTU Ultralite (FW)
The Audio Kontrol 1 is apparently quite good, although I don't see any use for the knobs and clicks and the fact that it is USB is not really winning me over... With all the claims that USB2 is almost as fast as FW400, I never seem to get that for other devices, and I intend to use the software instruments and effects of Live/Logic a LOT, so I reckon FW would be on the safer side?
I've read good reviews but recently mixed feelings about the PreSonus Firebox, a lot of people seem to be having Firewire issues, although it does not seem to be happening on the Mac Pro's from what I've read.
I love the flexibility of the MOTU, but honestly I will hardly ever record more than 1 Mic / Vocals / 1 Guitar, so the Apogeee Duet should be fine...
have I just answered my own questions?
What I really want, even though I am a bloody beginner, is great sounding equipment, notthe least that I love listening to good quality music through iTunes too, and I understand a good FW Soundcard can help immensely here too, compared to the built-in "soundcard"+"headphone jack".... obvious as it is, huh?
I will create a separate thread on choosing headphones for initial mixing... (I know,but I can't place mega monitors in this room, my neighbour downstairs would go bonkers).
THANKS!
Jonas
EDIT: I "MOVED" THIS TO THE MAIN THREAD AS I FEAR I AM STEALING THE CORE DISCUSSION THREAD OTHERWISE
thanks for any help though on the Apogee Duet question here!----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi all,
I've read this and many other threads about the "best" firewire audio interface. I am looking for some more advice by the more experienced people on the board, it would be awesome to get some more input - thanks a bunch in advance guys.
background:
After years of no music production I am in the process of getting set up for it again. Music styles: "House/Dance/Electro" plus occasional "soundtracks" for short films.
KIT list so far:
- new Mac Pro "Early 2008" (waiting for the damn NVidia 8800GT card to become available) with 2 + 6 GB RAM
SOFTWARE:
Reason4 (I won this, so I will probably use it via ReWire for synth-instruments)
Ableton Live 7 or Apple Logic 8 (or both, Logic has become so cheap in comparison to Version 7!) - haven't finalized that yet (love the whole new Logic Studio 8 but a good friend and successful producer recommends Live - I'll have a shoot-out betweenthe two soon
)MIDI Controller:
I plan on getting something like the Novation ReMote SL25 compact.
AUDIO INTERFACE - this is the biggest question mark at the moment
I have read up on / narrowed it down to:
- Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 (USB)
- PreSonus Firebox (FW)
- Apogee Duet (FW)
- MOTU Ultralite (FW)
The Audio Kontrol 1 is apparently quite good, although I don't see any use for the knobs and clicks and the fact that it is USB is not really winning me over... With all the claims that USB2 is almost as fast as FW400, I never seem to get that for other devices, and I intend to use the software instruments and effects of Live/Logic a LOT, so I reckon FW would be on the safer side?
I've read good reviews but recently mixed feelings about the PreSonus Firebox, a lot of people seem to be having Firewire issues, although it does not seem to be happening on the Mac Pro's from what I've read.
I love the flexibility of the MOTU, but honestly I will hardly ever record more than 1 Mic / Vocals / 1 Guitar, so the Apogeee Duet should be fine...
have I just answered my own questions?
What I really want, even though I am a bloody beginner, is great sounding equipment, notthe least that I love listening to good quality music through iTunes too, and I understand a good FW Soundcard can help immensely here too, compared to the built-in "soundcard"+"headphone jack".... obvious as it is, huh?
I will create a separate thread on choosing headphones for initial mixing... (I know,but I can't place mega monitors in this room, my neighbour downstairs would go bonkers).
THANKS!
Jonas
Apogee Duet
Am considering purchase of an Apogee Duet but only seek high quality music audio from my computer - will not use for microphone, recording or playing an external tuner. Is the Duet overkill for my needs? Only want high quality music audio?
Subcdriller
Am considering purchase of an Apogee Duet but only seek high quality music audio from my computer - will not use for microphone, recording or playing an external tuner. Is the Duet overkill for my needs? Only want high quality music audio?
Subcdriller
I got a Duet for the same reason as you want one. Only you can decide whether it's "overkill" or not... For me, the sound quality is worth the pricetag... I enjoy listening to my ALAC files so much more now...
The way around this is to save different scenes in the Maestro Control panel. So you can set your headphone levels, save that, then set your monitor levels, save that, then switch from one to another with a couple of mouse clicks. You can do the same to save settings for different microphones, different input configs, etc.
As for the overal Duet performance - I found the sound fantastic and the interface is really good to use. But I've also had the random harsh distortion thing and the only reliable solution that works for me is to close the app, log out and log back in. I had Kernel panics when switching sampling rates, but that has only happened once since the Mac Pro firmware update. However, the Kernel Panics still happen when switching users (though not always). Apogee customer service have admitted there is a problem and a fix is "on the way."
What's not clear is if the problem is OSX related, or Apogee related, or both.
This might be old news, but...
I am a new mac and Duet user, but on another forum someone else mentioned this problem. Basically to help the update probelms they said to always update the Duet first and the mac after or there are issues sometimes. Again, I am new and have been updating my mac the past few weeks and not the duet. Heck, I don't even know how to update the Duet! It works fine so i tend to leave well enough alone for my simple needs.
You could get a cheap headphone amp/distributor to get rid of that annoyance.
Behringer have cheap yet reasonable products out, so you could always get hold of a 4-way headphone amp from them, I think it's just over $100. It's got 2 balance in/out inputs each so you can connect your interface's direct out through that then into your monitors.
Obviously three other people could use headphones as well so it might make life easier for you when you're recording someone in the same room.
I used to have one of them and it did com in handy at times.
Hi, jsut wanted to say I finally bought the Apogee Duet a few weeks back now and could not be happier. It's perfectly integrated into the Mac OS X / Logic System, sounds brilliant (I got a pair of M-Audio Studiophile Q40's with it too, for music production/monitoring alternative to the Bose Triport headphones which lack some lower end bass I think/"believe to hear a difference") and generally the Duet is a piece of Art.
Great product, highly recommended. Tip: Once in a while somebody sells one on eBay because they bought it blindly to use with ProTools, that's when you get a chance to get is $120 cheaper. Not that it wouldn't be worth full price, but for non-pro's like myself, it can be the deciding factor ;-)
Great product, highly recommended. Tip: Once in a while somebody sells one on eBay because they bought it blindly to use with ProTools, that's when you get a chance to get is $120 cheaper. Not that it wouldn't be worth full price, but for non-pro's like myself, it can be the deciding factor ;-)
All Duet owners should check this out
well if your reading this you already know about the duet [hopefully you have one or are planning on getting one].
check this website out if so. www.duetbreakout.com
-dbo
well if your reading this you already know about the duet [hopefully you have one or are planning on getting one].
check this website out if so. www.duetbreakout.com
-dbo
Just a question
Sorry if my english is not very good.
I have a new Apogee Duet and I'm trying to use it. I would know if it is possible record with Apogee Duet, using Garage Band, two track contemporary, one for the guitar and one for the voice. If yes, how exactly?
Thank you very much!
See you.
Francesco
Sorry if my english is not very good.
I have a new Apogee Duet and I'm trying to use it. I would know if it is possible record with Apogee Duet, using Garage Band, two track contemporary, one for the guitar and one for the voice. If yes, how exactly?
Thank you very much!
See you.
Francesco
I just bought myself a Duet as well, haven't used it yet because still waiting for my MBP. So far no complaints!
ps Francesco, yes you can record w/ Garage Band. Plug your guitar into the 1/4" input & the vocal mic into the XLR. If you're mic'ing an acoustic guitar or amp then run both mics into the 2 XLR inputs. Fairly straight forward.
ps Francesco, yes you can record w/ Garage Band. Plug your guitar into the 1/4" input & the vocal mic into the XLR. If you're mic'ing an acoustic guitar or amp then run both mics into the 2 XLR inputs. Fairly straight forward.
I just bought myself a Duet as well, haven't used it yet because still waiting for my MBP. So far no complaints!
That doesn't make any sense
That doesn't make any sense
No complaints because I haven't used it yet...I was being facetious.
Thanks
Thank you!
Thank you!
I just bought myself a Duet as well, haven't used it yet because still waiting for my MBP. So far no complaints!
ps Francesco, yes you can record w/ Garage Band. Plug your guitar into the 1/4" input & the vocal mic into the XLR. If you're mic'ing an acoustic guitar or amp then run both mics into the 2 XLR inputs. Fairly straight forward.