Apogee vs. Motu?

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Level 1

28 points

Apogee vs. Motu?

Ok, so since my question on an audio interface with seamless compatability with Imacs isn't generating any answers https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4220549, let me ask this way. If you were going to buy a new audio interface, one that won't cause your Imac to kernal crash (as my M-Audio Fastrack Ultra does), then would you get an Apogee or a Motu, and which of either of those makers would you get and why would you get them? I record my own music, and want some ability to record multi-instruments at the same time, but don't need a lot of different inputs, and would like to stay in the 400-700 range. It looks like the Motu 4Pre, Audio Express, and Ultra-lite hybrid are in the area of what I'm looking for. As for Apogee, there's the One and the Duet 2. Those are small and compact, but are the lines out a hassle? Does the chord give you the ability to connect up 2 XLRs or 2 1/4 inputs at the same time, 1 of each?

Thanks in advance.

Joyce

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Aug 20, 2012 1:59 PM

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Answer 1

chorleyman

Level 4

1,420 points

Aug 20, 2012 3:03 PM in response to Bassplayuh

OK, sorry you didn't get a response previously, so I'll take a shot with a personal anecdote, if that's OK with you.

Earlier on this year I upgraded my Mac (G5 1.8 dual processor) to the latest Mac Mini server and found that my Presonus Firebox didn't like it (long story) - bought an Apogee One as a temporary measure and I'm still using it as it seems to fill the requirement that I need at this time, since I work on my own mostly, just have to plug things in and out (guitar/microphone inputs or monitors/headphones output). I can get a really good level going into Logic from the mic (much better than the Firebox) and there's a really good range when you use the volume fader on the front of the One, the mic pre-amp is good quality - basic stuff that you really want.

You just need to decide what you might want to do - if you want to record a drum kit with 5 or 6 mics, for example, you're obviously going to need something with more ins and outs, but it doesn't sound like that's the case, it sounds like the Duet could be what you're looking for, from what you've said. I don't have any personal experience of MOTU stuff but they have a considerable reputation since both Apogee and MOTU have focused on designing their products to work with Mac OS for quite a while, soI'd just base the decision on your present or near future requirements and see where that leads you.

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Answer 2

Bassplayuh Author

Level 1

28 points

Aug 28, 2012 8:43 AM in response to chorleyman

Cheers Chorleyman! Hope things are good in the UK - lived in London for nearly 2 years back in the late 1990s. Fun place!

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Answer 3

Bassplayuh Author

Level 1

28 points

Aug 28, 2012 8:47 AM in response to chorleyman

PS Chorleyman,

Hi Pete

Thanks for the info. Based on how you and others responded, plus one other discussion in here, and a talk with a music rep, I decided to go with an RME babyface, as that will suffice for now and allow me to expand later if necessary.

Regards

Joyce

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Answer 4

chorleyman

Level 4

1,420 points

Aug 29, 2012 4:25 AM in response to Bassplayuh

Yeah, RME is good gear too, so you should be good with that.

I'm in the north of England, so Manchester and Liverpool are my city haunts - there's some beautiful countryside up here, though. Thanks for letting us know how you got on and happy music making.

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