Apogee Launches Duet 2

Drawing upon the experience of developing Apogee’s new flagship audio interface, Symphony I/O, Apogee engineers have rebuilt the highly portable Duet USB audio interface to achieve a difference they say you can hear.

The Apogee Duet 2 (MSRP: $595)

From the mic preamps to the AD/DA converters, the new Duet 2 (MSRP: $595) offers “the best of everything Apogee,” allowing you to capture your audio with even more clarity and dimension than the original Duet.

More specifically, the Duet 2’s two mic preamps feature a new design, all new components and click-free transitions as the gain increases and decreases throughout the range of 0-75dB.

“This feature allows you to dial in the perfect level while delivering ultra-low noise and smooth, crisp detail. Most importantly, the Duet 2 mic preamps are optimized for any sound source, so no matter what you are recording you’ll capture every detail.”

The Duet 2 AD/DA converters are also an all-new design, reportedly delivering “the purest recordings and best listening experience possible. This totally new design takes the personal studio to the next level with state-of-the-art components and next-generation conversion.”

New to Duet 2 is a full color OLED display. This high resolution screen is the main control center for Duet 2, delivering visual feedback for multiple functions including metering, numeric value for input and output levels, input grouping, and phase, muting, phantom power and Soft Limit indication. With this display you know the status of any input and output at any given moment without having to refer to Maestro or your recording software.

Duet 2 also introduces configurable touch pads. The 2 touch pads, located on either side of the encoder knob, allow you to quickly access output functions such as “Mute Outputs,” “Dim Outputs,” “Sum to Mono” or “Toggle Headphone Source.” Each are assignable using a drop-down menu within Apogee’s new Maestro 2. This feature allows you to select the function you want and access it directly from Duet 2 without having to look at software.

And finally, Duet 2’s new breakout cable is “greatly streamlined” with 2 combination mic/instrument connectors (XLR and 1/4”) built into a single connector and 2 balanced 1/4” connectors for speakers.

Duet 2 has also been integrated into the completely redesigned Maestro 2 software as well. This full version update features a new look and familiar single window, multiple tab interface for quick access to all device and system settings.

Apogee’s Duet2 — a 2 in x 4 out USB audio interface for Mac — will be available in April 2011 at an MSRP of $595. Visit the Apogee website for more information: http://apogeedigital.com.

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