Turtlerock Forum

Gents - I have a few requests from clients to get a MBox type of thing (without touching a new Avid product)
For use with Pootools
whats out there that sounds ok? - has a decent headphone amp?
Not wanting any expensive options - as its for songwriters
So many more new products in the last few years - any ideas?

Apogee Duet 2 might fit the bill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arzhBkKAijc

+1 on the duet...the pres are pretty good - esp compared to mbox.
Simple software interface too.. mac only however.

RME do a similar thing but the matrix mixer can be a little daunting to the uninitiated... though you get digital io and midi as well - and rme conversion... and usb... fw is on the way out it seems..

Good advice guys thanks
Duet2 is where I will guide them

Look around the web first. Many, many nightmare stories about the Duet 2.
I borrowed a Duet 1 from Turramurra once and really liked it.
I would certainly recommend a Duet (of some sort) over my Mbox, but Duet 2 seems to have bugs, build problems.

Thanks Chris for the tip - I don't want to possibly recommend problems, I cant take that chance.
They may be better with a SH 003 / or 002 rack (which was what I was thinking at first - to avoid the Mbox)

When I first started reading people having problems with Duet 2, most were replacing it with an RME Babyface.
I think it's more expensive than Duet, but has more features.
As I say, I thought Duet 1 was excellent, and have only read bad reviews of Duet 2 online - so take that for what it is.

A cheapish option is the M-audio Profire 2626, and has enough channels/onboard to track a few things: depends on how much flexibility they need.
The matrix mixer is easy to use (visually looks like mixer) too which is handy. Two headphone outs for if they are tracking with a friend.

There were problems with PC users depending on their firewire chipset (need to be a Texas Inst. chipset or something). I've had mine on an imac for 2ish years now without so much as a hiccup.

Mitch

To clear up - my recommendation was for duet 1 - no experience w/ 2. Duet 1 has been great 4 years no probs.
CT if I come down for this mix I'll bring it...

Haven't had problems with duet 1 or duet 2 myself. I'd recommend either. V2 is nicer - no driver problems. Just get them from the apogee website.

i had a duet 1. It was great. No probs ever, and enough juice for ribbon mics.

The duet 2, I was watching for a client. It certainly had teething problems... but I thought there was a driver release that cured it. The client had mad a different decision by then... so I havent followed it up.

I certainly would look into the Duet 2 and see if the issues are resolved....

Duet is ok , if the user is using a Mac...they dont support PC's anymore to my knowledge.

whats wrong with the new avid thingys.. there really fine and suit your list of requirements.

if you buy the mbox with PT10 the mbox is a cheap option, way cheaper than the others.

Good/cheap - mbox - with the software
seriously for song writing i think these are great. if you want to make it better get an external A/D (SPDIF) and buy better pres later.

more expensive (a side step really) any presonus interface..

Much Better any RME interface (but way more expensive).

Avid I'm not a big fan of these days - even after 2 x HD rigs (bought new), sync I/o's /card upgrades / 2x002's/ Mboxes etc.
I dont like the way they do business - Its a pity - I did in the past.
15 years worth of giving them (lots of) my money ended about 2 years ago....
But I will buy second hand.....

I can recommend the Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 - have been using one at home for writing/editing.

Headphone amp - plenty loud and clear enough to drive Sennheiser HD600s.

Preamps are useable - they're no 1073s and get a little noisy with quiet sources as you might expect, but they do the job.

Expandable via ADAT if you ever have the occasional larger session.

Enough outs to run a separate headphone amp for "the talent", and the mixcontrol software is very flexible.

Hope that helps.
Adrian