84K
"I wonder how it will interface with different studio configurations with different goals."
-84K
Probably much easier than would be an Icon. The Duality is a Hybrid. Works analog, & digital. Duality is also much more flexible being that it works Nuendo, Cubase, Logic Pro, Sonar, Digital Performer, & Pro Tools. Don't get me wrong. I 'like' the Icon. Best controller of Pro Tools so far but, anybody that's got their eyes on the next 5 years of audio has also got to take into consideration that Digidesign might not remain king of the audio realm much longer.
Apple has gotten slick. They start you off by more deeply penetrating the computer market. Laptops, desktops, servers, & all. Garageband is installed on just about everything for the consumer. Once you want to go semi-pro there is Logic Logic Express. When you graduate to being pro then there is Logic Pro. The Apogee/Apple alliance was an extremely 'crafty' move for Apogee, & Apple to make. A Mac Pro already out powers a Pro Tools HD system with a 6 slot expansion chassis. And this with only a Dual Two Core processing set up. Dual Quad Core processing is only 12 months down the road.
Pro Tools is in dire trouble. The price point for processing is strongly against Pro Tools HD. Digidesign is going to have to perform a miracle to stop this train that coming down the tracks. Go figure.
Threshold
P.S.:If I had to have a 'high-end' console to control DAW's, & I had my eyes researching current technology, & what's going to be available in the future but still retain analogue clients my hand would be forced to get an SSL Duality. It's a controller for practically everything(all DAW software that's of some degree of 'high-end', or 'pro' notariety).