Citation

This article is based on a Apogee manual and are used with the kind permission from the people at Apogee.

WikiRecording thanks Apogee for their support of our community.

The original manuals can be found at Apogee's Technical Support Website.

Apogee Electronics Corp is not responsible for the content of this article.

Package Contents

The following items should be included in the Duet package:

• Duet

• 1 meter FireWire cable
  
  
  

• Duet’s breakout cable
  
  
  

• Apogee Software CD
  
  
  

• Duet’s User Guide
  
  
  

Introducing Duet

Quick Start Guide

System Requirements

Macintosh G4 1GHz or faster, G5 or Intel CPU, 1 GB RAM minimum, 2 GB recommended, OS X 10.4.11 or greater must be installed.

Install Apogee Software Package

Install

Insert the included CD into your Mac, double click on the “Apogee Software Installer” icon, and follow the on-screen instructions. When the installation is complete you will be required to restart your Mac.

Connect

After restarting your Mac, connect Duet’s FireWire port to a FireWire 400 port on your Mac using the provided cable.

As Duet is powered through the FireWire connection, the OUT LED should light immediately.

Choose Duet for Mac I/O

After connecting Duet to your Mac, Apogee’s Maestro application will launch automatically and the dialog box shown at the left will appear. Click Yes to choose Duet for Mac sound output and input.

This selection may also be made in the System Preferences > Sound > Output pane.

Headphones

Now, connect a pair of headphones to Duet’s headphone output, open iTunes, and initiate playback of an audio selection. Playback should be audible in the connected headphones and displayed on Duet’s top panel meters.

Using Duet with GarageBand

• 4.0.0 or greater recommended

In GarageBand, choose GarageBand > Preferences, click on the Audio/Midi icon and set Audio Output and Audio Input to Duet. Click on the Advanced icon and set Audio Resolution to Better or Best.

Choose Track > New Basic Track...

Double click the new track’s header to view the Track Info pane; in this pane, set Input Source to Mono 1 (Duet); set Monitor to On.

To open GarageBand’s Apogee Duet control panel click on the Edit button next to the Input Source pop-up menu.

Connect the provided breakout cable to Duet’s I/O connection, and connect a mic to the IN-1 XLR connector. Click the center of the top panel encoder until the IN-1 LED lights, then turn the encoder to obtain a proper recording level on the record- enabled track.

You’re now ready to record!

Using Duet with Logic Pro

• 7.2.3 or greater recommended

Open Audio > Audio Hardware and Drivers > Drivers > CoreAudio and check the Enabled box. Click “OK” when prompted by Logic.

Select Duet in the Driver field, set the I/O Buffer Size to 128 and click Try (Re)–Launch when prompted by Logic.

To “customize” the I/O routing labels in Logic to match Duet hardware I/O, open Audio > Audio Configuration; under the View menu, select I/O Labels; under the Driver’s I/O Label column, Option–click the first radio button of each group of I/O labels.

To control Duet directly from your Logic session, open Audio > Apogee Control Panel.

If you’re using another CoreAudiocompatible audio software app, use Apogee’s Maestro software (installed in your Applications folder in Step 1) to control Duet.

Operation

The following array of hardware and software controls are used to modify Duet’s settings.

Duet’s top panel encoder provides simple and immediate control of input and output level settings.

To modify a setting, press the encoder until the setting’s LED indicator lights, and turn the encoder to change the setting. The hardware encoder operates in parallel with any software level controls. To mute the line and headphone outputs simultaneously, press and hold down the encoder until the OUT LED blinks; press and hold again to unmute outputs. The encoder can also send MIDI Controller and Song Position data to software applications.

Apogee Maestro

Apogee Maestro software provides the most complete control of Duet, including control of Apogee Maestro all settings, store/recall of configurations and low-latency mixing. Maestro may be used with all CoreAudio compatible applications.

Apogee Control Pane

The Apogee Control Panel, found in Apple’s Logic Pro and GarageBand software, provides control of Duet settings and store/recall of configurations.

OS X Audio MIDI Setup

OS X Audio MIDI Setup (found in the Applications/Utilities folder) provides control of Duet’s sample rate and output level, as well as settings for assigning software I/O to Duet’s hardware I/O. To control Duet’s output level and muting from AMS or from the Mac keyboard, set Default Output to Duet.

Setting Sample Rate

Duet operates at all standard sample rates between 44k1 and 96k. The sample Apogee Control Panel rate is, in most cases, determined by settings in the audio application with which Duet is communicating. For example, when using Duet with GarageBand, Duet’s sample rate is automatically set to 44k1, to match the GarageBand song’s sample rate. For those audio applications that don’t include a sample rate setting, such as iTunes, Duet’s sample rate may be set in Audio Midi Setup.

OS X System Preferences

OS X System Preferences Sound pane provides settings for assigning software I/O to Duet’s hardware I/O.

Maestro

Maestro Control – Levels

Interface Pop-Up Menu

When Duet is properly detected by Maestro, Duet plus the unit’s serial number appears in this pop-up menu.

Identify Unit

Clicking on this button verifies that communication is established between Maestro software and Duet hardware by lighting all top panel LEDs. Click the button again to return Duet’s LEDs to their normal function.

Input

This pop-up menu is used to select the input connector and level:

• XLR Line +4dBu – A balanced (pro) line level input is accepted from the IN-1 and IN-2 (XLR) connectors; gain is fixed: maximum input level is 20 dBu.

• XLR Line –10 dBV – A balanced (consumer) line level input is accepted from theIN-1 and IN-2 connectors; gain is fixed: maximum input level is 8 dBu.

• XLR Mic – A balanced input is accepted from the IN-1 and IN-2 (XLR) connectors; gain is adjustable between 10 and 75 dB.

• Instrument – An unbalanced input is accepted from the IN-2 (1/4”) connectors; gain is adjustable between 0 and 65 dB. These inputs are also suitable for -10 dBV line levels.

When Input is set to XLR Mic or Instrument, the following controls are accessible:

Group

Checking either of these boxes groups the gain setting of both inputs, so that the hardware encoder or one software encoder controls both input gains simultaneously. If a gain offset is present between inputs when Group is checked, this offset is preserved.

Input Level Software Encoder

The gain of each input may be controlled from these software encoders. The gain level is indicated in the value box to the right of the encoder. Phase icon – Checking this box reverses the polarity of the input signal.

48V

Checking this box enables 48 volt phantom power on the XLR connections.

Output

Level

The nominal level of the line outputs is set with this pop-up menu:

• Line out – level is variable between 0 and -64 dB of attenuation, at a nominal output level of –10 dBV.

• Instrument Amp – The output level is fixed at a nominal level of –20 dBV, suitable for connection to an instrument amplifier.

Output Level Software Encoder

The level of both line and headphone outputs is controlled simultaneously with this software encoder, when Level is set to Line out. The attenuation level is indicated in the value box to the right of the encoder.

Mute

Checking this box mutes the line and headphone outputs simultaneously.

Maestro Control – Advanced

Out Muting

Mic/Instrument Gain Mode

This pop-up menu sets the input gain mode:

• Max. Gain range – The full range of gain is available, with a relay switch occurring after the first 10 dB of gain.

• Clickless Operation – The gain range is reduced slightly but no relays are employed, resulting in clickless operation regardless of gain setting. An appropriate gain range is set based on the Input and 48V settings

Meters Display

This pop-up menu selects the signal to be displayed on the top panel meters; selections are Input, Output, or Follow Selection. When Follow Selection is chosen, the meter display follows the top panel setting indicator; thus, when either IN-1 or IN-2 is selected, the meter displays both inputs, when OUT is selected, the meter displays the stereo output.

Over Hold

When Over Hold is set to Infinite, Over indications remain “on” until cleared by the user. Overs may be cleared by clicking on the Over indicator or clicking Clear Overs in the Maestro Mixer pane.

Number of Midi Controllers

Maestro Control – Advanced: Out Muting=

OUT Muting – These check boxes determine which outputs actually mute when the Mute function is engaged, allowing some clever customization to accommodate specific workflows. Here are a few examples:

When boxes are checked as shown at left, you can switch between a recording mode (headphones on, speakers connected to line outputs off) and a playback mode (headphones off, speakers on) with one action – engaging and disengaging Mute. The easiest way to toggle Mute is to press and hold the top panel encoder.

As the volume control for the two outputs is shared, it’s a good idea to check your level before unmuting line outs.

When boxes are checked as shown at left, the headphone outputs are never muted; when Mute is engaged, only the line outputs are muted.

When boxes are checked as shown at left, the line outputs are never muted; when Mute is engaged, only the headphones are muted.

Maestro Mixer

The Maestro Mixer provides the ability to blend Duet’s hardware inputs with playback from an audio application, and route the resulting mix to Duet’s hardware outputs. This provides to the recording performer a signal consisting of 1) playback from the audio application 2) the performer’s input signal without the delay that would be incurred if routed through the audio application. For a more complete description of the mixer functionality, please consult the Maestro User’s Guide found on the included CD or on Apogee’s web site.

• Input 1, Input 2 – These channels provide mixing facilities to route and mix signal from each of Duet’s hardware inputs directly to Duet’s hardware outputs. The actual input source is determined by the Input setting (p. 10).

• From Mac - This channel provides mixing facilities to mix the output of an audio application to Duet’s hardware outputs.

• To Hardware – This channel provides mixer output level and routing.

When To Hardware is set to Out L-R, the mixer’s output is sent to Duet’s hardware outputs.

When To Hardware is set to None, the mixer is disabled and the audio application’s output is sent directly to Duet’s hardware outputs.

Maestro Control – Advanced: MIDI Controllers

Number of MIDI Controllers – To access Duet’s MIDI functionality, instantiate to 4 virtual MIDI controllers using this counter. Once 1 or more MIDI controllers are instantiated, they may be modified with either the top panel encoder or the corresponding software encoder. To select a MIDI controller using the top panel encoder, press the encoder until the Duet pop-up displays selection of the desired MIDI controller (see p. 16 for more about Duet pop-ups). Note that when MIDI controllers are selected, neither the IN-1, IN-2, nor OUT LEDs are lit.

When Number of MIDI Controllers is set to 1 to 4, the following settings are accessible:

• MIDI encoder – This software encoder is used to send MIDI Controller or Song Position data to software applications When the function pop-up menu is set to Controller, the following settings are accessible:

• Number – This box displays the MIDI Continuous Controller number. The full range of 7-bit controls (0 to 127) may be entered.

• Chan: – This box displays the MIDI channel over which controller data is sent. Numbers between 1-16 may be entered.

• Value – Numbers in the range 0-127 may be directly entered (followed by Enter or Return keys to accept the value), though rotation of the encoder will override numerical entry.

• When the function pop-up menu is set to Song Position, the following setting is accessible:

• 1/4 Note – This box displays the current Song Position location, as defined as the number of 1/4 note beats from the beginning of the song, beat 0

Maestro Preferences – Duet Preferences

The two Maestro preferences specific to Duet are described below. For a description of

other preference settings, please consult the Maestro User’s Guide.

Launch Maestro automatically when connecting Duet

When this box is checked, Maestro is launched automatically when Duet is discovered on the Mac’s FireWire bus. In order for Maestro mixer settings to be recalled after the computer restarts, this box must be checked. If this preference is unchecked, Maestro Mixer settings won’t be preserved after the Mac has been shut down or restarted.

Enable Duet pop-ups

When this box is checked, Encoder pop-ups appear on the Mac which display various Duet settings, including input and output levels, Input, Group and muting. To illustrate, a few examples are shown below:

IN-1 selected, Input set to XLR Mic, encoder set to 40 dB

IN-1 and IN-2 selected, Group checked, Input 1 set to XLR Mic, Input 2 set to Instrument, encoder 1 set to 30 dB, encoder 2 set to 40 dB.

OUT Level set to –12 dB Mute engaged OUT muting set as below

Mute engaged, OUT muting set as below

Encoder set to modify MIDI Controller 1

Connecting Your Duet:

Instrument and Monitors and Headphones

Instrument and Instrument

Instrument and Mic

Instrument and Instrument

Mic and Mic

Troubleshooting

Q: When I press the encoder to select an input or output, the selection is unavailable. Why?

A: When the inputs are set to XLR line or the output is set to Instrument Amp, the encoder disabled, and thus not selectable

Q: When I press the encoder to select an input or output, ALL the LEDs go out. Why?

A: When 1 or more MIDI controllers are instantiated and selected for control by the top panel encoder, all the top panel I/O LEDs are turned off to indicate selection of a MIDI controller. If pop-ups are enabled in Maestro preferences, the MIDI controller selected will be displayed on screen.

Q: I’ve connected my guitar, but I’m not getting any input. What should I check?

A: In Maestro, be sure to set Input to Instrument.

Q: I’m not getting any output from audio software applications. What should I check?

A: If the OUT LED is flashing, the output is muted. Press and hold down the top panel encoder until the OUT LED stops flashing. Also, if the Maestro Mixer’s output has been set to Out L-R, then the From Mac fader must be raised to send audio software application outputs to Duet’s outputs.

Q: I don’t want Maestro to open automatically each time I connect Duet. What should I set?

A: Open Maestro > Preferences and un-check the Launch Maestro automatically when connecting Duet checkbox.

Q: Can I set the headphone and line outputs to different levels?

A: The headphone and line outputs are always controlled simultaneously. To set the balance between headphones and speakers connected to the line outputs, set the speaker’s amplifier accordingly. It is possible to mute the headphones and

line outputs independently.

Q: How do I reset Duet?

A: To reset Duet press and hold the encoder for 5 seconds. All settings will return to their default state.

Features & Specifications

• Two channels of professional-quality 24-bit/96kHz audio input and output
• Two balanced XLR inputs, with selectable 48V phantom power on each input
• Two unbalanced high impedance instrument inputs
• One high-level stereo headphone output
• Two unbalanced -10 dBV line outputs for powered speakers
• Multi-function controller knob for volume and input gain control and assignable MIDI control
• Multi-segment LED meters to display input or output levels
• FireWire 400, compatible with Mac OS X Core Audio
• Integration and control with Apple’s GarageBand, Logic Pro, Logic Express and Final Cut Studio (Soundtrack Pro)
• Compatible with any Core Audio-compliant audio application
• Apogee’s Maestro software for advanced control and low latency mixing

System Requirements

System Requirements

Computer: Mac G4 1GHz or faster, G5 or Intel CPU Memory: 1 GB RAM minimum, 2 GB recommended OS: 10.4.10 or greater Connection: FireWire 400 port

Categories: Apogee Manuals | Manuals