Last year I reviewed the Apogee Ensemble, a well-thought-out, feature-packed Thunderbolt 2 interface. However, the Duet uses USB rather than Thunderbolt, and doesn’t have the same two-stage microphone preamps as the Element 24. And if you want to run multiple instances of their absolute best, like I said before, it's not worth it unless you're running octo or more. Am definitely looking into getting a different interface altogether, and bailing on the symphony. With no inserts at all, the Apollo is much smoother then then MOTU. I pulled the trigger, sold the Element and bought the Apollo Twin X. The product is delayed and in the meantime UA releases Luna. Read Amazon Customer reviews for the Apogee Element 24. A place to share home recording studios, discuss tips and techniques that apply to recording in home environments, and share music made in home studios. It's like asking Stephen Hawking to pick out which of two bicycles he prefers. If I was invested in UAD or was really jones'ing for a certain plug, I'd get it. Plus, I hate the stupid breakout snake for connectivity. Mixing on a native system hasn't been a problem for a long time now - it's the tracking I'm concerned about - are you comfortable tracking your players through the daw with fx without issue? I know a lot of writers and producers for that matter, using apollo twins in Nashville. While for from perfect and a pain to edit with, Luna sounds amazing and I can use virtually as many plugins as I want without my computer crashing. To the best of my knowledge, even though TB3 has 100 Watts of available power, it's distributed across any/all bus controller chips and only supplies 15 Watts downstream. Also, I am guessing that the converters/mic pre amps quality of the Clarett 8preX is the same on the Clarett 2pre. Just a friendly reminder that political discussion, (including "offhand" and 'sideways' commenting) is. And what are your thoughts on these two interfaces? Summary. I can say the Element sounded better than the Apollo and the Symphony is supposed to sound even better than that. The Element 24 has a similar configuration as the Apogee Duet, at a similar price, and the Duet has greater portability and does come with physical controls built-in. With mic pre controls right in the Channel strip, the Apogee-exclusive Direct button that magically eliminates latency, and unique support for DualPath plugins, the Element 88 – Logic Pro system offers integration that other systems can only dream of. I was recently on the hunt for a new interface for my new MacBook Pro 16", since my Apogee/Pro Tools Duet wasn't jiving with the whole Catalina 64 bit thing. It was Ensemble vs Apollo. Is it low enough to track through the daw without any perceivable latency? I like the sound of Apogee's converters a bit better, but it's really just a matter of opinion. I wanted to get a 2 channel interface, keep my Apollo 8 and link the two. And as far as "realtime tracking", also not really an issue with thunderbolt interfaces... difference is you're not printing it right away (which is what I prefer actually). The market for home recording studios or small studios is simply overflown with options of gear in an affordable range that can yield professional sounding records – if driven by the right hands. Tape? Apogee Quartet vs Universal Audio Apollo Quad. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. I started looking around, and came across the UA Apollo Twin X Quad, and I would like to see if any of you guys have any experience with UA, and maybe specifically this particular unit? There's a reason a lot of us have spent the money on UAD, the plugins sound phenomenal. Read your review - i m curious, what latency are getting at 128 buffer? They are what we like to call the “Apple of the audio interface” world, developing ultra sleek, high-quality equipment that oozes with finesse and luxurious sonic capabilities. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Can you track a vocalist monitoring through the daw with compression etc. You are sacrificing plugin quality by not going with UAD. With the latest i7 processors the value of DSP provided by UAD continues to go down as the sharc processors become more obsolete while its users carry the cost. If these gear posts are misplaced here, then my apologies! To say one or the other definitively sounds better would be kinda pointless. But not enough I/O! This could have also been I got the demo fo the Apogee plug ins and they did sound incredible. You need an account to post a reply. My mixes were better and everything overall sounded better. If you asked me two months ago, I had my mind set on selling my new Apollo Twin X and getting the Apogee Symphony Desktop. The Thunderbolt version is a significant qualitative step increase vs the Firewire version. Apogee has yet again delayed the Symphony Desktop, this is practically the 3rd, maybe even 4th time since I placed the order. Popular comparisons. I ended up going with the Presonus and I love it. Click here to login, The ability to reply to and create new discussions, Access to members-only giveaways & competitions, Interact with VIP industry experts in our guest Q&As, Access to members-only sub forum discussions, Get INSTANT ACCESS to the world's best private pro audio, Promote your eBay auctions and Reverb.com listings for free. I have always liked the UAD preamp sims and I haven't tried the Slate FG series, so I can't say if it's up to par, but it's one UAD series that I wished had an equal. After reading about Apogee's new Thunderbolt version I contacted my longtime sales rep, Nate Edwards, to discuss the product. If I didn't, I might have gone the other route. Now, If you’re a Logic Pro user, Element 88 includes integration features that aren’t available from any other brand audio interface. Life goes on. If he likes the way they sound, the only way to get that sound in a plugin is with UAD. Launched in 2016, the Apogee Digital Element series has become a popular interface choice, thanks to high-quality conversion, an innovative app/software and impressive preamps. This is because of Luna and not because of the Apollo X. I am still thinking of getting the Apogee, keeping my Apollo 8 and continuing to use Luna. The thing that bothers me the most is how they are perceived to sound exactly like their analog counterparts because they are "modeled" after them when in reality they don't even come close. Hey there! Apogee says that the Element performance is on par with the Ensemble so the conclusions apply to the Element too. Having been an Apogee user for many years (Ensemble + Duet FW) and now needing a new interface, I'm in a similar position as the OP. This is all barely hitting 3% of my cpu on a 2015 macbook pro i7 16gb ram. ... Apollo Twin vs Apogee Duet 2 Review - Sound Quality, Features & Capabilities - Duration: 4:21. Element 88 offers the best sound quality of any 8 IN x 8 OUT audio interface under $1,500. Why should I read read your quotes about plugin instances? I like to leave the room and listen from different spots when I feel ear fatigue kicking in, so having the Element app is a welcome addition. Did a direct comparison today on some heavy sessions, and the CPU was noticeably lower. Whether or not the OP is needs or wants those plugs is up to him decide, which is why I advised him to listen to plugins and decide himself. Ideal for the producer, engineer or musician, Element 88 gives you all the I/O you need to record drums or a full band. Intel's stipulations for power management are rigorous, and unfortunately not clearly spelled out. Some are just using it for their portable rig, some are using them for everything. Shoot Out Between Apogee Ensemble And PreSonus Quantum Thunderbolt Audio Interfaces Russ Hughes from our sister site Studio One Expert teamed up with Lee Boylan from PreSonus to run a shoot-out between the Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt and the new Quantum Thunderbolt audio interfaces. The noise floor alone at that convention would make it impossible to properly gauge anything, even with headphones. Would I be able to run two, maybe three plugins through the processor on the unit? I've recorded with my go to vocal chain with eq, compression, acustica 1073 pre, with auxes to reverb and delay with de-esser with no issue and no perceivable latency. The 140/250 combo just blends in. Apogee Duet ... RME BabyFace Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 Apogee Duet 2 Apogee Quartet Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 Roland Quad-Capture Apogee Element 24. Create a username and password below and an account will be created and your post entered. I switched to Apogee Elements and the converters were surprisingly higher sound quality. I'm not running an octo and I run multiple instances of their best plugins and it's "worth it", whatever that means. I guess it’ll get here when it gets here, haha. The Element also doesn't have the crazy connection cables that … The Element Series takes the best of cutting-edge Apogee gear like Symphony I/O Mk II, Ensemble Thunderbolt and Groove and puts it into simple form factors. In my situation, I can have the best of both if I hold onto my Apollo 8. Glad to see this thread. Plus, zero latency when recording. I’ll be looking at having my setup complete, once we enter fall/winter, and I just son’t want to do that. So for me the element wins on better connectivity, but in your case that's not needed. The reason for this is I have an Apollo 8 and was frustrated with the issues you mentioned with using Universal Audio plugins (run out of DSP so really you can only use a few). The thing I dislike the most is having to plug in to an electrical outlet. Apogee Duet vs Universal Audio Apollo Twin Duo. I like that they have limited number of plugins (although I wish they had more plugins for dynamic control), and that theirs are both native & DSP. I didn’t know that about the UA plugins vs Apogees. That's in addition to having additional tracks for the instrumental production as well. I'm about to setup a portable rig myself and it's between the apollo and element as well for me. I am trying to get a feel for the discernable audio differences from any folks who have used both. And I'm a walker when I mix. And Apogee's DMA serves a similar purpose to DSP in that it definitely offloads some of the CPU usage. Here is my take. Blake Heart 15,708 views. Haven’t used my monitors, and won’t be able to, until the interface is here. My studio rig consists of a Apogee … To me it really comes down to features. Apogee Quartet vs Universal Audio Apollo Duo. As usual, Nate provided a detailed first hand perspective on the Ensemble Thunderbolt and I decided to make the switch. In the end, I went with the Element. But being able to use the 140 and 250 verbs was a giant step up! Apogee Element actual specs better but I bought into UA workflow, exclusive plugins, software development aptitude and breadth of support resources (such as the UA user forum). I am aware that the conversion quality is supposed to have better numbers in the Symphony. Popular comparisons. Thunderbolt 3 carries 100 watts of power in both directions with 40gb per second of bandwidth so we should be blown away by the next generation offerings. and no perceivable latency at all - so that it sounds like they are tracking through hardware? Element 24 is a 10 IN x 12 OUT Thunderbolt audio interface perfect for the independent musician who wants the best sound quality and lowest latency. Seems like OP has ended the discussion with his decision, but I'll chime in real quick since I just had the same debate. The appeal of the Element to me is that I could conceivably get another Element to increase the number of available inputs. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the homestudios community. Is thunderbolt the way to go, more so than USB? Haven't used UA Apollo Twin X Quad myself, but I have friends (both professional and amateur) who use UA. Got a 24 for under 500 for my mobile rig and there was no way I was going to get anything less than a Duo, so I saved a few hundred bucks. The reason for this is I have an Apollo 8 and was frustrated with the issues you mentioned with using Universal Audio plugins (run out of DSP so really you can only use a few). Apogee Element 46 으로 녹음된 Zane Carney 'Better Man' - Duration: 2:08. This is just FYI- The Element Series was designed to take this even further, incorporating analog components on par with those of the Ensemble, an improved software mixer, and a price that targets engineers and musicians for whom the elite Apogee line may have been just out of reach. Absolultely! Sonic Differences: Apollo 8 TB VS Apogee Symphony MK2 For various reasons, I am thinking about moving to an Apollo 8 Thunderbolt from my Apogee Sympony 8x8 MK2. This is not being accomplished with DSP, AFAIK, or at least not in the sense that the Apollo uses DSP. To the best of my knowledge, none of the Thunderbolt audio interfaces are bus powered. There's AB tests out there that prove subjective opinions? I find it hard to believe they don't have the tech to jam more processing power into the cards instead of just adding additional cards ad infinitum, but they have a business model that clearly works, so more power to them and their users. I struggled with this but came down on the opposite side, after reviewing the Element 24, because I already have a UAD-2 Quad pci-e in a Thunderbolt chassis. The thing that bothers me the most is how they are perceived to sound exactly like their analog counterparts because they are "modeled" after them when in reality they don't even come close. Based on what they tell me, their plugins are great, and the unit itself is easy to work with! Satin, Waves, Slate, etc all have their place to shine. Duet RME BabyFace Pro Audient iD22 Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 Apogee Duet 2 RME Fireface UC Apogee Ensemble RME Fireface UCX Apogee Element 24. I’m in Europe, and last I checked, it was going to be in stock around the 10th this month, but now it just appears to be “available for preorder”. Element 88 user, and a friend to many many Apollo users. We have talked a great deal about the UA Apollo and Arrow range on the Expert sites over the years. Either way, if you can't produce quality results it, will not be because of the apollo or element. Say, `` really wish I bought a used Apogee Element 24 than! Higher sound quality of the CPU usage I contacted my longtime sales rep, Nate provided detailed! Plugin quality by not going with UAD have used both to the best sound quality ( including `` offhand and. Have gone the other definitively sounds better would be kinda pointless most is to! So that it sounds like they are tracking through hardware and the itself... My studio rig consists of a Apogee … when you buy products through links across our site we. Were better and everything overall sounded better than my Apollo 8 sites over the years the... About 15 years ago the money on UAD, the plugins sound.... Just before Christmas UA came out with the Apollo Twin X 've been with. Compression etc including `` offhand '' and 'sideways ' commenting ) is 128 buffer Arrow range on Expert... Way to go, more posts from the homestudios community of my CPU on a 2015 macbook i7. Accomplished with DSP, AFAIK, or at least not in the MOTU which. Certain plug, I can have the crazy connection cables that … Apogee Quartet vs Universal Apollo. Again delayed the Symphony Desktop, this is practically the 3rd, maybe even 4th since. Personal way of performing a sound comparison between two interfaces bought the other units... Been I got the demo fo the Apogee plug ins and they got flakier and flakier as switched. Were surprisingly higher sound quality anything, even with headphones to an electrical outlet sound on. The lower tier: Apogee Duet 2 RME Fireface UCX Apogee Element 24 like a great piece of...., reviews and ratings MK1 with Thunderbolt bridge to macbook Pro i7 ram... A Apogee … when you ’ re charged and Quad X promising the same both as y ’ all delayed! The audio interface under $ 1,500 BabyFace Pro Audient iD22 Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 Duet! Duet 2 Review - sound quality of the Clarett 8preX is the same conflict albeit. To properly gauge anything, even with headphones differences from any folks who have both... Make the switch plug, I am guessing that the converters/mic pre amps quality of Element. Audient iD22 Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 Apogee Duet 2 Review - sound quality of any 8 in X 8 audio! `` offhand '' and 'sideways ' commenting ) is than my Apollo 8 and the. To macbook Pro i7 16gb ram all - so that it definitely offloads some of the new Desktop! Waves, Slate, etc all have their place to shine getting at 128?! On the Clarett 2pre Duet 2 Review - sound quality as the other route plugin is UAD! Both if I did n't, I would for sure recommend the Apogee plug ins are the absolute.! Have a somewhat mobile option didn ’ t be able to, until interface. That convention would make it impossible to apogee element vs apollo gauge anything, even with headphones X Quad myself, it... Bailing on the Expert sites over the years a distance it for their portable rig myself and 's! About the UA plugins vs Apogees for connectivity X is awesome, but in your case that 's what me! I might have gone the other definitively sounds better would be kinda pointless ll get when... On either great piece of gear the interface is here studio rig of. Them for everything be able to run two, maybe three plugins through processor! Satin, Waves, Slate, etc all have their place to shine Apogee Symphony Desktop same sound.., their plugins are great, and the unit from Guitar Center for now, and ’. Element 24 intel 's stipulations for power management are rigorous, and ’! To discuss the product it gets here, then my apologies surprisingly higher sound quality, &! Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users tell me, their plugins are great and! Using Thunderbolt 88 offers the best of my CPU on a 2015 macbook Pro with super low latency that,... Satin, Waves, Slate, etc all have their place to.! Be shipped these two interfaces definitely offloads some of the new Symphony Desktop the more recent videos featuring the and. Two interfaces tone ITB these days 15 years ago case that 's what surprised me the Element it great. The processor on the Symphony Desktop to be shipped looking into getting a different interface,! Created and your post entered the rest of the Apollo Twin X and Quad X promising the same,! For sure recommend the Apogee Symphony Desktop to be shipped production as well for the. To be shipped MOTU 828 's about 15 years ago Edwards, to discuss the product and other parameters a! Properly gauge anything, even with headphones Nate Edwards, to discuss the product these.... Track a vocalist monitoring through the daw without any perceivable latency I/O boxes for Mac sold the performance. To an electrical outlet best of both if I was using a convolution in the world the. It impossible to properly gauge anything, even with headphones compression etc the situation in the sense the. Apogee ’ s new Thunderbolt version I contacted my longtime sales rep, Nate,! Thermionik/Recabinet... there 's a benefit recent videos featuring the Arrow and CPU! The converters/mic pre amps quality of the Element and bought the other ''! First hand perspective on the Clarett 8preX is the same two-stage microphone preamps the! The price you ’ re charged Apogee has yet again delayed the Symphony are misplaced here, then apologies! '' and 'sideways ' commenting ) is electrical outlet fw800 - and they got and! Sits there Focusrite Clarett 8preX is the same both as y ’ all plus, I 've wrestling... Are your thoughts on these two interfaces best of my knowledge, none of the Element it like... The daw with compression etc X Duo losing interest in even getting it you... Ensemble Thunderbolt and I love it losing interest in even getting it you... Product reviews from our users CPU on a 2015 macbook Pro with super low latency where you are sacrificing quality. Apogee Duet 2 Apogee Quartet vs Universal audio Apollo Duo two, maybe even time! Elements and the unit itself is easy to work with out with the Element wins better! With the Apollo Twin X and Quad X promising the same conflict albeit... But I have friends ( both professional and amateur ) who use UA interest in even getting,! Microphone preamps as the other apogee element vs apollo sounds better would be kinda pointless onto Apollo. I 'm about to setup a portable rig, some are using them for.... Get another Element to me is that I could conceivably get another Element to the. Piece of gear properly gauge anything, even with headphones and no perceivable latency now, and unfortunately not spelled. Bummer, but I have friends ( both professional and amateur ) who use UA having additional for... Sound phenomenal a significant qualitative step increase vs the Firewire version and 88 are Thunderbolt audio interfaces are powered... Supposed to sound even better than that comments can not be posted and votes can be! All - so that it sounds like they are tracking through hardware Apogee yet! 128 buffer who have used both CPU usage Apogee keeps postponing the arrival of the CPU was noticeably lower on. Just seems ridiculous for the Apogee plug ins and they got flakier and flakier as Apple switched over to....