Saffire 6 vs. Apogee Duet?

[_Mark]

Interested in a Saffire Pro 40 for $380, brand new? BH Photo Video has it for that.
Between those two, though, go with the Apogee.

[thefanbelow]

Originally Posted by _Mark

Interested in a Saffire Pro 40 for $380, brand new? BH Photo Video has it for that.
Between those two, though, go with the Apogee.

My budget is pretty limited so $380 would break the bank. Thanks for the rec though. Just curious, since the tracks are coming off tape first, will there be a noticeable difference between the interfaces? They won't be used for straight-to-digital recording. I already have a M-Audio mobile pre with pres that suit my needs, so I don't wanna shell out the extra $ if solely for the pres... Hoping that the Duet is better for it's conversion.

[_Mark]

Originally Posted by thefanbelow

My budget is pretty limited so $380 would break the bank. Thanks for the rec though. Just curious, since the tracks are coming off tape first, will there be a noticeable difference between the interfaces? They won't be used for straight-to-digital recording. I already have a M-Audio mobile pre with pres that suit my needs, so I don't wanna shell out the extra $ if solely for the pres... Hoping that the Duet is better for it's conversion.

I'd say there's definitely a difference between the two. The Duet, from what I know, has better components, which means better sound, of course. Is it a Duet 2?

[thefanbelow]

Originally Posted by _Mark

I'd say there's definitely a difference between the two. The Duet, from what I know, has better components, which means better sound, of course. Is it a Duet 2?

I'm finding Duet's for around $225 and 2's for almost $300.

[cserrano]

I'm assuming you need 4 inputs? Not outputs? So that you can bounce your 4 track mix into your DAW?

[ksandvik]

Both are good.

[thefanbelow]

Originally Posted by cserrano

I'm assuming you need 4 inputs? Not outputs? So that you can bounce your 4 track mix into your DAW?

I need 4 outputs to run all to separate tracks into my DAW. I have been told I only need 2 inputs, which I imagine is okay because it would take the L from tracks 1/3, and R from 2/4, but I am not totally sure...

[brianellefson]

Originally Posted by thefanbelow

I need 4 outputs to run all to separate tracks into my DAW. I have been told I only need 2 inputs, which I imagine is okay because it would take the L from tracks 1/3, and R from 2/4, but I am not totally sure...

I have both of the units you're thinking about. I can tell you in all honesty, I can't really hear a noticeable sonic difference between them. Although, the Duet has a lower latency (Im using a 2.5Ghz iMac).

I kept the Saffire, and it came in handy because my Duet just stopped working one day - had to send it back for a replacement under warranty. So I thought it'd be a good idea to just hold onto the Saffire from here on out.

The latency on the Saffire isn't terrible, just not as low as the Duet. That seems to be the only big difference to my ears. Oh, and the Saffire has more ins and outs, but I don't use more than 2 at any given time.

I'd go with the Saffire in your case. I promise you're not missing out on some kind of mythical sonic excellence in the Duet.

[Tdeem]

If you need 4 outputs of your recorder into your daw then you need something with 4 inputs digitally (4 line level inputs in your case) to your daw. If you only need to record two tracks at once then that is ok, but I think you may have your ins and outs confused.

Sent from my LG-VM701 using Gearslutz App

[thefanbelow]

Originally Posted by Tdeem

If you need 4 outputs of your recorder into your daw then you need something with 4 inputs digitally (4 line level inputs in your case) to your daw. If you only need to record two tracks at once then that is ok, but I think you may have your ins and outs confused.

Sent from my LG-VM701 using Gearslutz App

I don't know why I was being advised to get a 2in/4out.. What a wrench in this whole decision. So now I need a 4in/4out.. Seems like there's a lot of options. M-Audio Delta 44 seems cheap. Any word on these?

[cserrano]

If you need 4 outputs AND 4 inputs, the Delta 44 sounds like a great interface for your purposes. You can pick up one cheap if you buy it used on eBay. In fact, there's one up there now for about $60.

Delta 44 Audio Card for Mac or PC | eBay

Make sure to ask the seller if it includes the breakout box as advertised on the cover.

[NEWTON IN ORBIT]

Sorry, not to stick my nose in where it ain't wanted, but IMHO, stay away from Maudio. These are the only converters I have ever listened to, and thought "Wow, that sounds noticeably and immediately obviously bad." .As in worse than other budget converters.

I think I'd take a black faced ADAT over the MAUDIOs I have heard.

If trying to save money, the Focusrite or even EMU is what I would do.

The poster who said he has both? I have used both and mixed tracks from both extensively. There is not a huge difference. The top end on the larger pro apogee converters might be a little smoother, but the duet only takes the edge over the FR stuff by a small margin, if any.

The difference is so small, it could be psychologically driven too. Keep in mind too...the better components thing? Maybe. They are both likely SMT, and there would have to be some compromise just with the sheer size of the duets.

I mean, you need a 63v blocking capacitor for phantom, what value did they use? 47uf at best? In an ideal world, 220-470 would be ideal IMO (phase smear in the low mids etc.), for what it's worth. People want small, there is always some compromise in small.

The duet looks snazzier...in an apple kind of way, if this is what you are trying to do. Some people are so sucked in by looks and price, that they will take a product that sounds the same or worse, just because it looks "better".

Which is all subjective anyway. In a few years, the all aluminum Mac Book Pro thing will look dated, old, and unhip like any other fashion trend.

john

[bellchilton]

DUET. DO IT.

Apogee can use that if they want. Maybe they'll throw me an Ensemble in exchange...?

Darren

[thefanbelow]

Originally Posted by NEWTON IN ORBIT

Sorry, not to stick my nose in where it ain't wanted, but IMHO, stay away from Maudio. These are the only converters I have ever listened to, and thought "Wow, that sounds noticeably and immediately obviously bad." .As in worse than other budget converters.

I think I'd take a black faced ADAT over the MAUDIOs I have heard.

If trying to save money, the Focusrite or even EMU is what I would do.

The poster who said he has both? I have used both and mixed tracks from both extensively. There is not a huge difference. The top end on the larger pro apogee converters might be a little smoother, but the duet only takes the edge over the FR stuff by a small margin, if any.

The difference is so small, it could be psychologically driven too. Keep in mind too...the better components thing? Maybe. They are both likely SMT, and there would have to be some compromise just with the sheer size of the duets.

I mean, you need a 63v blocking capacitor for phantom, what value did they use? 47uf at best? In an ideal world, 220-470 would be ideal IMO (phase smear in the low mids etc.), for what it's worth. People want small, there is always some compromise in small.

The duet looks snazzier...in an apple kind of way, if this is what you are trying to do. Some people are so sucked in by looks and price, that they will take a product that sounds the same or worse, just because it looks "better".

Which is all subjective anyway. In a few years, the all aluminum Mac Book Pro thing will look dated, old, and unhip like any other fashion trend.

john

It has to be 4 in / 4 out though. Can't find anything on Focusrite or EMU with those specs, unless you mean the EMU 0404. Also found a AKAI EIE for $200, that looks nice.

[cserrano]

The Delta 44 won't kill the analog sound that you are achieving with the 4-track, even if the AD converters aren't the best. The fact that you are recording analog which is probably what you want, is going to shine through.

There are however more expensive options that may sound a little better. How much better? Not huge, but noticeable. Let me know if you are willing to shell out in the $400 price range. Till then, I say go with the Delta 44.

[thefanbelow]

Originally Posted by cserrano

The Delta 44 won't kill the analog sound that you are achieving with the 4-track, even if the AD converters aren't the best. The fact that you are recording analog which is probably what you want, is going to shine through.

There are however more expensive options that may sound a little better. How much better? Not huge, but noticeable. Let me know if you are willing to shell out in the $400 price range. Till then, I say go with the Delta 44.

Analog sound is what I want. I'm going for songs with quality like Iron & Wine's "This Solemn Day". If I'm going to be spending $400 personally I'd rather spend it on some cool mics and maybe a GAP 73 pre or a cheap tube if the 44 can still get the job done. Do you think (if you listened to that song) that the 44 is capable of that?

[brianellefson]

Originally Posted by NEWTON IN ORBIT

The poster who said he has both? I have used both and mixed tracks from both extensively. There is not a huge difference. The top end on the larger pro apogee converters might be a little smoother, but the duet only takes the edge over the FR stuff by a small margin, if any.

john

Im the one with both ... glad I'm not the only one who couldn't really hear a significant difference. I do like the Duet for it's near-zero latency, but that's about the biggest and only reason I'm still using it.

And on the subject of recording and going for a very warm, and analog sound (Iron and Wine) ... I have found that it's possible with just about any converters I've used as long as the mics, placement, and mic pres were all in order. The GAP Pre-73 is good (most people love it here). I've got one and it honestly challenges my Universal Audio pre that cost a lot more.

[thefanbelow]

Originally Posted by brianellefson

Im the one with both ... glad I'm not the only one who couldn't really hear a significant difference. I do like the Duet for it's near-zero latency, but that's about the biggest and only reason I'm still using it.

And on the subject of recording and going for a very warm, and analog sound (Iron and Wine) ... I have found that it's possible with just about any converters I've used as long as the mics, placement, and mic pres were all in order. The GAP Pre-73 is good (most people love it here). I've got one and it honestly challenges my Universal Audio pre that cost a lot more.

So you think a Gap 73 over a tube pre of the same price range ran into a 4 track then through a 44 will let me get this? Im using a 57 and some condensers

[Tdeem]

You could take a look at the presonus audiobox 44vsl, its a 4in/4out for not much, plenty of other used options I'm sure that would be better than the delta also.

Sent from my LG-VM701 using Gearslutz App

[thefanbelow]

Originally Posted by Tdeem

You could take a look at the presonus audiobox 44vsl, its a 4in/4out for not much, plenty of other used options I'm sure that would be better than the delta also.

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Is the 200+ price difference really worth the difference? I plan on only using this for analog to digital and not the pre amps so I don't wanna spend that much more if the differences aren't noticeable...

[cserrano]

Yes, the Delta 44 will be fine and it's the ONLY interface mentioned so far with 4 Line Ins and 4 Line Outs that will let you TRULY bypass four preamps. You cannot TRULY bypass the low quality preamps on the Presonus Audiobox.

The GAP Pre73 is an amazing piece of gear. It DOES give you the Neve character. Since you probably won't pay extra to mod it, I would recommend EQing it in the highs by giving it a slight boost there. This will help "open" it up. And if your 4-track has EQ, use it!

[Tdeem]

Just curious, what 4 track machine are you using? I started off on a tascam porta one and loved it.

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[thefanbelow]

Originally Posted by Tdeem

Just curious, what 4 track machine are you using? I started off on a tascam porta one and loved it.

Sent from my LG-VM701 using Gearslutz App

Portastudio 424mkiii. Just got it in pretty much perfect condition. What a Derry machine.

[thefanbelow]

Originally Posted by cserrano

Yes, the Delta 44 will be fine and it's the ONLY interface mentioned so far with 4 Line Ins and 4 Line Outs that will let you TRULY bypass four preamps. You cannot TRULY bypass the low quality preamps on the Presonus Audiobox.

The GAP Pre73 is an amazing piece of gear. It DOES give you the Neve character. Since you probably won't pay extra to mod it, I would recommend EQing it in the highs by giving it a slight boost there. This will help "open" it up. And if your 4-track has EQ, use it!

Thanks a lot. I will stick with the 44. If its capable of transferring that warmth over then all for it. My tascam does have eq but I planned on EQing itb

[ivansc]

FWIW I have rme on my studio machine and Focusrite saff6 on my laptop that goes on vacation with me.

I am honestly not hearing THAT big a difference in relation to the price differential

6 does its job well considering it IS USB 1.1 based.

Nice low latency even on a fairly wimpy laptop.

Converters have engendered zero eyebrow raising moments so far after a year of ownership.