Apogee’s USB2 audio interface and “studio in a box,” Duet 2, now features a full-color OLED display to offer visual feedback for its multiple functions, including metering, input and output and more. It offers full 24-bit/192kHz recording, new configurable touch pads, Soft Limit technology, a breakout cable and Maestro 2 software, along with completely re-designed mic preamps, four balanced outputs, and an independent speaker.
The Duet is used to capture sound recorded using a mic or directly plugged into it. It uses a fully-redesigned breakout cable to convert its one I/O port into two mic (XLR) or two line/instrument (1/4-inch) preamps, and a click-free multi-function controller knob to assign gain up to 75dB. The visual display allows users to pick the perfect volume without distortion (along with monitoring phantom power and phase invert), and the Soft Limit technology previously found only in Apogee’s top-end gear now prevents digital clipping by instantly rounding off transient peaks before they hit the also-redesigned analog-to-digital converters.
The unit also features up to four outputs (two balanced line outputs, up to 20dBu, along with separate speaker and headphone outs), allowing a user to monitor one source while sending another out — useful for club DJing, recording studios or live performers. The configurable touch pads allow uses to quickly access output functions or toggle headphone sources. The Maestro software has also been redesigned to accommodate the new features and increase efficiency and options.
Price and Availability
Apogee Duet 2 costs $595 and will be available in April. It is designed exclusively for the Mac and works well with most popular music software, such as Garageband, Logic, Live, Pro Tools and Cubase.
