I'm upgrading my interface from an 18i8 and a friend recommended the apogee interfaces. Especially the quartet. So I did the researcher and became infatuated with the lovely machine, it's clean pres and outstanding converters. Only to find out that it's a MAC only product. I've read sketchy unreliable info about them being windows compatible, but I don't want to invest and then deal with a bunch of compatibility issues I keep reading about. Now I'm looking at RME products, especially the fireface 18x18. Or the Apollo twin duo. My main concern has been better A/D convertors. So I guess I'm asking, which product is better or just as good as the apogee regarding quality of the converters, RME or Universal Apollo?

 

I haven't heard any actual live comparisons between the machines. So another question is, is the differences between these converters and the scarlett 18i8 significant or minute? I've heard the prism titan in action and the separation is so profound compared to my scarlett interface. Plugins sound much better, and simple 1db eq increases resonate a lot better. Just curious.

 

hahah yeah its so funny to see a big company like this and not having PC support...

 

If they don't offer PC support means they don't give a shit about PC users. PC users must respond the same, not give a flying fuck about their products.

 

up until recently the apollo duo was not compatible with Windows, but now it is...
I did purchase one..and it does sound quite good, I am, however ,not a fan of UAD policies, and their
passive approach to letting customers ( and retailers ) know that some of their plugins are no longer available
while salesmen continue to pitch them, and guitar heroes continue to highlight them in UAD demos in youtube,

shame on you UAD and your accomplices for that

also shame on UAD for not making the apollo duo compatible with either/or mac or win,
you can only get one or the other version... while every other piece of hardware I have
purchased had the ability to be used on both platforms..

the interface is ok for Windows now, but be warned if you go looking for ANY of the Roland plugins.. they are indeed
no longer available for purchase, and only supported as legacy items for those who have already purchased

I was researching the babyface, also there were some negatives, and it just appeared to be less versatile than the apollo
so I went for it....

 

What's Universal Audio got to do with Apogee?

 

for top pro quality/pro design/pro support on PC I would go with MOTU
=> check reviews/benchmarks, it's really A-list

 

May I ask you which negatives?

 

@fraifikmushi did you notice that the apogee is a moot point in OP 's premise by the way?
are you reading the same post I am?

UAD has a lot to do with the Apollo Duo , however.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Jul 20, 2016

@The Revenant as an interface and the total package.. I would have to go back and check my research on it, but
I looked at the babyface pro, and the apollo duo for about a year before putting my money down. I finally settled
on the Apollo Duo for Windows, for the quality pres and converters, the UAD plugins.

but meanwhile tell me why you prefer the babyface pro if that's your position...

I'll be back

update @The Revenant can't find any real negatives on the babyface pro.
so I'll just say I fell prey to UAD's marketing, and the fact that it was available
for Windows. Also a curiosity about UAD plugs, of which the one I really wanted ( RE 201 )
was found to be discontinued upon purchase of the unit and an expansion pack
for plugins. I suspect they are comparable units, and I did see some performance markers
that suggested the converters in the Apollo Duo were slightly better. One advantage
with the babyface was that it could accept 12 ins, more than enough to record a drum kit,
which, so far, I don't see that the Apollo has this capability.

I am not opposed to possibly acquiring an RME unit in the future.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Jul 21, 2016

I don't prefer the Babyface Pro.
I have the first model which I'm very happy with (excellent sound and rock solid drivers). The only downside is its breakout cable.
Fortunately, the Babyface Pro get rid of it, and the converters are even better.
So I'm just curious to know which negatives you've read about it.

 

No brainer, RME all the way. I have had a RME Fireface uc and in my opinion it excels in
sound quality, clock synchronization, stability and buffer timings.


however I do not really like the looks of the babyface versions....
but since you are going for the 18x versions you won't be disappointed for sure!

 

I've been using the RME UCX (in firewire mode) this year and it has been great, the pre are clean and neutral, the drivers are rock solid even when changing sample rates for stand alone/mastering/project use.

The digicheck software is light and easy to use as is the Total Mix software thats bundled with it.

Recording with it has been like lifting a veil, and mixing and mastering has become easier.

Maybe have a look

http://www.rme-audio.de/en/products/fireface_ucx.php

 

I think I'm going to go with RME Fireface. I like focusrite, but I heard they use the same pres and convertors for all their products. So the only way to upgrade with them is quantity of inputs and outputs. I'm looking for better quality in my front end.

 

My RME Babyface has never let me down. Solid driver, TotalMix software, uber clean until the very last dB mic preamps, and in fact, I prefere to use one of these pres when I break out the Audio Technica RE-20 mic every time to record deep bottom drums, and then at other times when I record stereo acoustic guitars. The breakout cable is weak, but I have survived. There are a bunch of solid audio cards now, and I will need to really think it out when next I make a change in order to get something where I can record more than two tracks at once. That day is rapidly approaching.

 

RME serious factory, bullet proof products, good sound and reliable warranty, in Europe and not in the US as Motu, I guess.
15 years on RME here, 2 different systems. Thumbs up!

 

Last edited: Jul 22, 2016

It kind of is the same with RME products. Perhaps the preamps in their Micstasy have an edge over their other preamps because of the extra mojo that the Burr Brown PGA2500 preamp chips in the circuit impart, but I think besides a decibel of headroom here or there, the rest of the line are way way more similar than not.

So, in my opinion it really comes down to the regular suspects, what your ear likes to hear and the depth of your pockets. When I switched from the Focusrite Sapphire to the RME Babyface I really really needed to become used to the sound of ultra-clean. It took a while, but I am happy, and in a short time afterward never looked back, never second guessed myself.

 

Oh for fucks sake.