Apogee ONE questions

[bjs]

Anyone out there using this? I've found a good deal on one, but it seems so new that it's hard to find real-life reviews.

 

I wonder about the 1/8" stereo output--could be awfully flimsy. And would it work with non-powered monitors? That could be a deal-breaker for me.

 

Also, it's only USB, but on the other hand, my imac has only one firewire port & I run my recording drive through it. Perhaps it would be a non-issue as it only has one input?

[Kent Sandvik]

Anyone out there using this? I've found a good deal on one, but it seems so new that it's hard to find real-life reviews.

 

I wonder about the 1/8" stereo output--could be awfully flimsy. And would it work with non-powered monitors? That could be a deal-breaker for me.

 

Also, it's only USB, but on the other hand, my imac has only one firewire port & I run my recording drive through it. Perhaps it would be a non-issue as it only has one input?

 

It has just arrived so there are not that many reviews yet.

 

Yes, I guess the only non-flimsy connector would be XLR but those are big and take too much space. For a studio system with things locked down it should be fine. For laptop use with reference speakers I would indeed be somewhat careful when connecting it all together.

 

Non-powered speakers I would think would be fine, at least on the impedance side.

 

The biggest issue is the single-mono input. If you record voices, guitars, basses, percussion, mono recordings are just fine. You could build the stereo spectrum with effects and so forth.

 

For stereo recordings of drums, or multi-recordings of drums and whole bands you need an audio interface with multiple inputs. But that's not the target for Apogee One. Rather a small portable laptop solution that has really good pre-amps and ADC parts.

[bjs]

I think this thing has XLR via breakout cables, no? I certainly hope so.

 

My ancient monitors are at the moment run through a home stereo amp, so that's why I was concerned about the output. Would this work OK?

 

any opinions on the USB interface/firewire drive issue?

[Kent Sandvik]

I think this thing has XLR via breakout cables, no? I certainly hope so.

 

My ancient monitors are at the moment run through a home stereo amp, so that's why I was concerned about the output. Would this work OK?

 

any opinions on the USB interface/firewire drive issue?

 

Nope. You need to build your own cable with a possible unbalanced/to balanced brick.

 

The mic input has XLR.

 

Your home stereo should work, but it's not fun doing all the mixing with a home stereo. You could get good self-reference monitors for $500/pair. I've seen good deals on craigslist, such as here in the Bay Area $250 for a set of Event TR8s today.

 

USB 2.0 interfaces are fine.

[bjs]

Nope. You need to build your own cable with a possible unbalanced/to balanced brick.

 

Sorry, which of my questions were you referring to?

 

BTW, I'm using studio monitors, albeit rather old. Just running through a home stereo amp. Been using this setup for years & I know how they sound.

[Mehdi]

The XLR one I think since balanced/unbalanced is not a concern for USB.

[onewave]

Firewire uses transformers to isolate and rid the line of hum. Another great reason why it should be used for audio interfaces.

 

USB is certainly much cheaper to implement.

 

Personally I would recommend that you use USB 2.0 for your recording drive, but with only one track being recorded it should not matter, you'll be fine with your setup.