Apogee Duet + UA LA 610 or Apogee Ensemble

my advice is for Apogee Ensamble... because it is a great Audio interface and you will be able to expand your studio for future update...
The Duet is a good interface for a portable use... but it cannot be use with other digital device and must be connected only with analog devices... if you have A Desktop Mac the Ensemble is the better choice.

Jonathan Redford wrote:
Is it better to have the flexibility of more ins/out or the versatility or a channel strip like the 610?

If you're primarily going to be recording acoustic or mic'd instruments, the LA610 is a great choice if you like the sound. You might consider additional channel strip(s) too, for alternative flavors as your budget allows.

I'd suggest an alternative interface though; as you don't record a full band or use many mics at once, but might want several I/O options. I don't see why you need an interface with multiple preamps. I recently used an Echo AudioFire, and was very impressed. Even the 12 I/O option would save you lots of money, yet get great quality, and be very flexible.

I think the AudioFire is basically the same as the Echo Layla, except the latter is PCI not firewire - that could also be a good option for you.

Is it better to have the flexibility of more ins/out or the versatility or a channel strip like the 610?

It depends on your needs.

But there are other options perhaps worth mentioning.

You could consider a Metric Halo ULN-2 (great interface with transparent pre's) and a Solo 610 for color, as one example.

Not sure what you may be tracking or what mic's you have etc.

But if you are looking for a great interface with very good conversion and pre's. And the I/O fits your needs. You would still have money left over to shop for color with your budget and a ULN-2.

Jonathan,
I have an Ensemble and I find the Mic Preamps to be more than I expected for a FW interface. You may want to invest in a decent compressor to place in the Ensemble's inserts instead. The La 610 is a great sounding device.......you could get it later. I would not get the Duet for a home studio situation because you will want more I/O than it has.
I have a little Orban Eq that works well in the inserts of the Ensemble as well. Before , when I just had the Ensemble and no outboard gear, I was satisfied with the quality of the Mic Preamps provided (4)
They are nice and clean and but not bring "warmth" yet they are a real mic pre with 75 db of gain,not a cheap addition that some other companies are passing off. Also the instrument ins are good for direct guitar or bass.
You'll be surprised that even your itunes sound better playing through the Ensemble's D/A
GF

Hi Jonathan,

I am a sing/songwriter too. I recently dumped my Digi 002r + PT LE + Focusrite Penta preamp. I got myself a Duet + Logic. And I am much happier. For what I do, it is perfect. I could use a LA 610, or a
Solo 610, but I prefer to have the smallest setup possible and concentrate in the music. I really didn't need all the ins and outs provided by the 002r. I track guitars, bass, voice etc one by one, so 2 ins are good enough for me. I found it better to have a controller. This makes a big difference for me. And as far as budget goes, the BCF2000 serves me very well. Also, I just bought a Liquid Mix. That is a very nice piece of gear. Specially with an old Mac like mine.

Instead of the LA610 I Highly recommend the UA DCS. I just got one for myself and it gives you so much in terms of quality and features, it's really hard to beat. Not only are the preamps stellar (in fact I'm thinking of getting rid of my ISA220's in favor of another DCS) but you can monitor headphones directly, control the mix between what's coming in from Logic and what you're hearing yourself play (no latency!), the musician can control their own volume, and there's also a bunch of different reverbs they can add to their own headphone mix so you don't have to keep adjusting. There's also a talk back button so if they're in another room... voila... talkback. If you record on your own, you could sit in another room and adjust the levels of the preamps without getting up etc... it's quite a wonderful box and cheaper than an LA610.

R

Hi Jonathan I have both the ensemble and duet, I bought the Duet late last year and it's fantastic, I bought the Ensemble 2 months ago, it's great, they both sound the same, the Duet is easier to use obviously and the Duet Maestro software is better than Ensembles Maestro, it integrates abit better in my opinion and I like the fact you press it's knob and the ins/outs appear on screen not the same with the Ensemble, I'm a singer/songwriter (i hate that, it's like saying I'm an actor) anyway I play guitar/bass and vocals through it they both do the same thing in that respect and the sound is identical, you'd be better off with the duet.

More Ins and Outs on the Ensemble, the latest and greatest will keep you from getting ahead so my advice dude unless you're made of cash get the DUET I'm sure it'll be all you need, the musics important and more importantly the money you could make if you write anything half decent, because the most important thing in life is money, lets face it money buys happiness so forget the latest and the greatest and start making music.