Apogee Electronics Quartet Desktop Studio Interface & Control Center for Mac & iOS Devices
- No Longer Available
- B&H # APQUARTET
- Mfr# QUARTET
Product Highlights
- High-Speed USB 2.0 Mac Audio Interface
- High-Quality Apogee AD/DA Converters
- Four Analog Inputs with Mic Preamps
- Monitor Control for Up to 3 Speaker Sets
- ADAT/SMUX Digital Inputs
- MIDI Input (USB-A Type Connector)
- Six Balanced Analog 1/4" Line Outputs
- Dual High-Resolution OLED Displays
- Controller Knob & 6 Touchpads
- Works with iPad, iPhone & iPod touch
The Apogee Quartet Desktop Studio Interface & Control Center for Mac & iOS Devices is a USB 2.0 audio/MIDI interface, which enables you to record up to 12 channels of audio into an Apple computer, iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. It features four combo-XLR inputs and each one is equipped with a quality preamp for connecting microphones, instruments and line-level signals. The Quartet also features two optical inputs that support connection of additional eight inputs via an external ADAT lightpipe expander. The Quartet's rear panel has six analog 1/4" TRS line-level outputs, a Word Clock output and dual USB ports. One USB port is for connection to your Mac or iOS device and the other supports MIDI In/Out. There's also an intuitive volume/control knob, as well as two color OLED displays and multiple customizable backlit control buttons.
The Quartet fits perfectly in between the larger Apogee Ensemble and the portable, two input Apogee Duet 2. Plus, the Apogee AD/DA converters are known for their warm sound. The Quartet's four inputs are enough to track an entire band, but if you already own a Duet 2 or Ensemble, you can use these interfaces with the Quartet. Ensemble can be connected to the Quartet's optical input to add eight recording channels, and the Duet 2 can also be used with the Quartet. The six analog outputs on the Quartet make it possible to mix sound in 5.1 surround as well.
You can use the six outputs to reference your music on up to three separate sets of recording monitors. And, there are three "QuickTouch Pads" with LED highlight rings above the main controller knob that can be assigned different functions, such as Mute and Sum to Mono. They can also be assigned to turn on and off the separate analog outputs, so you can quickly hear how your sounds translate on different kinds of speakers. The Quartet's two color OLED displays supply you with detailed metering and other information as well, including gain level, headphone volume and phantom power status. It's designed to seamlessly integrate with your Mac computer and is compatible with any Core Audio application such as Logic, Pro Tools 9 and 10, Ableton Live and Final Cut Pro.
- Complete Connections
- Connect up to four microphones, instruments, keyboards or line inputs. Plug in your MIDI controller or keyboard. Expand with up to 8 digital inputs. Monitor and mix it all in stereo, with up to 3 sets of speakers or in 5.1 surround. Quartet is the center of the modern studio and will help you take the performance and sound quality of your projects to the next level
- Total Creative Control
- With its ergonomic, angular design and intuitive user interface, Quartet is inspiring, easy to use and in perfect harmony with your workspace. Dual full-color screens for critical input and output details, QuickTouch Pads for easy I/O selection, and a single controller knob to conduct it all, make Quartet the perfect studio control center for your Mac or iOS device
- Legendary Sound Quality
- Apogee is an award-winning industry leader in digital recording technology with over 25 years of experience. Preferred by recording pros around the world, Apogee products like Duet, Ensemble and Symphony I/O have set the industry standard in professional recording for over two decades. Quartet is built solidly on this reputation
- A Difference You Will Hear
- From the mic preamps to the AD/DA converters and the clocking, Quartet uses cutting-edge Apogee technology. With components carefully selected in critical listening tests and a highly efficient circuit design, Quartet was built by Apogee engineers to make a difference you can hear
- Pristine, Next-Generation AD/DA Converters
- Much like the mic preamps, Quartet's AD/DA converters are designed to deliver the purest recordings and best listening experience possible. Quartet's efficient circuitry and state-of-the-art components provide a simplified signal path resulting in incredibly transparent recordings
- Smooth & Detailed World-Class Mic Preamps
- Quartet's mic preamps feature the latest components and offer seamless click-free transitions as the gain increases and decreases throughout the incredible range of 0 to 75dB. This unprecedented feature allows you to dial in the perfect level, either with the controller knob or from within software, while delivering ultra-low noise and smooth, crisp detail. Quartet's mic preamps are suitable for all dynamic, condenser or ribbon microphones, allowing you to capture any sound without compromise
- Analog Inputs
- Quartet is equipped with four combination input connectors (XLR and 1/4") for connecting microphones, guitars and keyboards or your favorite external mic preamps, compressors and EQs
- Digital Input
- Quartet also includes eight channels of digital input via 2 optical connections (ADAT/SMUX) for connecting an additional analog-to-digital converter such as Apogee's Ensemble
- Analog Outputs
- Quartet's six balanced 1/4" TRS outputs offer an impressive range of possibilities. Listen and compare stereo mixes on up to three sets of speakers. Mix your audio or Final Cut video project in 5.1 surround. You can also take Quartet on the road and use all three stereo sets on stage, sending signal to the performer, monitor mixer and front-of-house. Quartet also features a studio-quality 1/4" headphone output allowing you to independently adjust your headphone level separate from the main outputs
- Word Clock
- Quartet provides Word Clock output for synching an external A/D converter to Apogee's superior clocking technology
- MIDI
- Quartet provides a single USB MIDI connection for your CoreMIDI compatible keyboard, synth or DJ controller. This leaves an extra USB port available on your Mac for external hard-drives and other devices, eliminating the need for an external MIDI interface
- Digital Inputs with Apogee Ensemble
- For Ensemble users that need more inputs, Quartet's digital input connection allows you to use the premium analog inputs and preamps of both devices simultaneously. Enjoy a combined total of 12 analog inputs (eight with mic pres) along with Quartet's eight analog outputs, assignable Touchpads, and advanced control capabilities. Quartet's USB connection lets you continue enjoying Ensemble's high-quality Mic Pres and AD conversion with the latest Mac Models and lower latency than ever possible with FireWire 400
- USB Aggregation with Apogee Duet 2
- Duet 2 users can add more channels of high-quality Apogee conversion to their existing setups by adding Quartet. Connect both Quartet and Duet 2 to your Mac's USB ports and aggregate the two devices for a combined total of 6 analog inputs and 12 analog outputs of premium Apogee AD/DA conversion
- USB 2.0 Interface
- Quartet features USB 2.0 High-speed connectivity. Advances in the Mac's Core Audio driver have made USB faster than FireWire 400 with incredible latency performance. And there's a USB port on every Mac. Plus, while USB 3.0 offers approximately 10x the bandwidth of USB 2.0, USB 2.0 far exceeds the bandwidth Quartet requires for its 12 inputs and eight outputs, thus delivering exceptional audio performance without compromise
- See Your I/O in Detail
- Quartet features twice the display you came to love with Duet 2. Two high-resolution OLEDs deliver all the visual feedback critical for recording and monitoring. Without looking at your computer, Quartet lets you see metering, levels, grouping and phase, muting, phantom power and Soft Limit for all inputs and outputs
- QuickTouch Pads for Input & Output Selection
- Quartet makes it easy to access all important recording and monitoring functions. Simply tap a QuickTouch Pad on Quartet's top panel to select an input or output and easily adjust your level with the controller knob. All input and output touchpads feature an LED highlight ring. The highlight ring of the active touchpad is brighter so you can see at a glance which input or output is selected
- The ABCs of Quartet's Assignable Features
- Three additional configurable touchpads (labeled A, B, C) allow you to quickly access output functions such as Mute Outputs, Dim Outputs, Sum to Mono, Clear Meters or Engage Speaker Set selection. Each function can be assigned to a touchpad using a drop-down menu within Apogee's Maestro 2 application
- Monitor Control
- The A, B, C selectors above the controller knob can be configured in Apogee's Maestro software to switch between up to three pairs of speakers allowing you to use Quartet just like a standard monitor controller. Simply connect 1, 2 or 3 pairs of studio monitors and tap to select which pair you would like to listen to
- Dial It All In
- Apogee's Duet started an audio interface revolution with its single controller knob design. Quartet continues this tradition. A single machined aluminum knob completes Quartet's control center. With a tap to the touchpad you can select the desired input or output and precisely dial in your level
- Maestro Control Software
- Access Quartet's advanced settings with Maestro 2, Apogee's comprehensive software control application. Maestro 2 features a single window interface with quick access to all device and system settings. Select your input type, enable Soft Limit on mic and instrument inputs, use the mixer for low latency monitoring and assign speaker sets to touchpads. Maestro 2 lets you easily configure Quartet to fit your workflow
- Soft Limit for Protection from Digital Overs
- Apogee's Soft Limit technology prevents the digital clipping that causes distortion by instantaneously rounding off transient peaks before they hit the analog-to-digital converter. Soft Limit allows several more decibels of apparent level to be recorded while subtly providing an analog-like warmth to the sound
- Solid Build Quality
- Built with die-cast aluminum, steel and a scratch-resistant display panel hardened by UV processing, Quartet is solid, compact and perfectly integrated into the desktop studio environment
- Made for Mac & iOS in the U.S.A.
- Like all Apogee products, Quartet is made in the U.S.A. and it is designed for the Mac and Apple's OS X, as well as for all iOS devices. From the Core Audio compatible high performance USB connection to the way it looks next to your iMac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air or iPad - Quartet is made for Mac and iOS
- Quartet for iOS Highlights
-
Professional multi-channel audio interface for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
Provides a direct digital connection via USB to iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
Works with the iPhone 5, iPad (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad mini with the optional Lightning to 30-pin adapter (sold separately)
Works with GarageBand, Auria, MultiTrack and any Core Audio compliant app on iOS
Low latency monitoring and complete input/output control with Apogee's Maestro software app for iOS
The Quartet's DC power will charge your iPad or other iOS device
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 High-Speed Mac Audio Interface |
| Analog Inputs | 4 x combo XLR / 1/4" jacks Combination line (balanced +20dBu max) Mic/Instrument (+20dBu/+14dBu max) 4 x microphone preamps with up to 75dB of gain Selectable 48V phantom power, Soft Limit and phase invert |
| Analog Outputs | 6 x 1/4" TRS line jacks (+20 dBu maximum output level) 1 x 1/4" stereo headphone jack |
| Digital Inputs | 2 x Optical Toslink ADAT/SMUX (44.1 to 96 kHz) |
| Digital Outputs | 1 x BNC Word Clock |
| MIDI In/Out | 1 x dedicated USB port (type-A connector) |
| Mic Preamps | EIN: 128 dB (un-weighted) @ 60 dB, 150 Ohm input Max input level: +20 dBu Input impedance: 3 Kohm |
| Hi-Z Load | Max input level: 14 dBu Input impedance: >2 Mohm |
| A/D Conversion | Max input level (+4 dBu ref): +20 dBu Max input level (-10 dBV ref): +6 dBV Input impedance: 5 Kohm Frequency response20 Hz - 20 kHz: > +/-0.2 dB (@44.1 kHz) Rel. THD + N: -106 dB (@96 kHz) Dynamic Range: 114 dB (A-weighted) |
| D/A Conversion | Max output level (+4 dBu ref): +20 dBu Max output level (-10 dBV ref): +6 dBV Line output impedance: 90 Ohm Max output level headphones: 19 dBu HPH output impedance: 30 Ohm Frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz: > +/- 0.05 dB (@44.1 kHz) Rel. THD+N: -113 dB (@96 kHz) Dyn Range: 123 dB (A-weighted) |
| Displays | 2 x top panel high-resolution OLED displays |
| Controller | Apogee controller knob |
| Touchpad | 6 x touchpads for direct selection of inputs and outputs 3 x assignable touchpads to control Mute Outputs, Dim Outputs, Sum to Mono, Clear Meters, Engage Speaker Set (allows monitoring of up to 3 pairs of speakers) |
| Mac System Requirements | Mac OS X 10.6.8, 10.7.4 or greater Intel Mac 1.5 GHz or faster (not Windows compatible) 2GB RAM minimum (4GB recommended) Available USB port DC Power |
| iOS System Requirements |
iOS 5.1 and later 30-pin dock connector or optional Lightning to 30-pin adapter DC power supply included |
| iOS Device Compatibility |
iPad iPad 2 iPad (3rd generation) iPad (4th generation) requires Lightning to 30-pin adapter iPad mini requires Lightning to 30-pin adapter iPhone 4 iPhone 4S iPhone 5 requires Lightning to 30-pin adapter iPod touch (4th generation) iPod touch (5th generation) requires Lightning to 30-pin adapter |
| Compatible Software | Logic Pro Tools 9 & 10 Final Cut Ableton Live GarageBand Studio One Cubase Digital Performer Nuendo |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Weight | Not specified by manufacturer |
Cables
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- Price: $17.99
Digital Cables
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- Price: $13.78
Adapters
- Price: $34.95
Headphones
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- Price: $99.00
- Price: $34.90
Monitors
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- Price: $149.99
MIDI Controllers
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- Price: $99.99
Software
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- Price: $578.55
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