Apogee audio interfaces, a cornerstone of the brand, are revered for their exceptional audio fidelity and pristine sound reproduction. Whether capturing the delicate nuances of a vocal performance or the raw power of live instruments, Apogee interfaces ensure that every detail is faithfully preserved, empowering artists to create without compromise. Since its debut in 2012, the Apogee Quartet has been one such interface, and though no longer shiny & new – it’s worth a retrospective review.
Unveiling the Apogee Quartet: An Interface for the Discerning Audio Enthusiast
At the time of release, the Quartet interface sat somewhere in between the Duet and the full-scale Symphony recording systems for professional studios. With four analog inputs, six outputs, and ADAT expansion for up to an additional eight inputs, the Quartet could handle everything in the realm of home and project studios, including drums.
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It also boasted industry-leading AD/DA converters (a foundation of Apogee development since the ’80s) and top-of-the-line preamplifiers. Both allowed engineers and producers to capture exceptional performances as they most naturally occur, with little to no coloration, noise, or distortion from the interface itself.
The Quartet Offers a Symphony of Features
- Superior Audio Quality: The Quartet is renowned for its outstanding audio fidelity, thanks to Apogee’s outstanding converters. These ensure pristine sound capture and playback with minimal distortion and noise, making it an ideal choice for critical recording and mixing tasks.
- Four Combo Inputs: The interface comes equipped with four combination XLR-1/4″ inputs. These inputs allow you to connect microphones, line-level instruments, and guitars directly, offering versatility for various recording scenarios.
- Built-in Microphone Preamps: The Quartet features four advanced microphone preamps with ample gain, ultra-low noise, and excellent transparency. These preamps are designed to deliver studio-grade audio capture with precision and clarity.
- Touchscreen Control: The interface sports a user-friendly touchscreen display, providing convenient access to essential functions and settings. This streamlined control allows for intuitive adjustments and real-time monitoring during recording sessions.
- Comprehensive I/O: In addition to the four combo inputs, the Quartet offers six analog outputs, one stereo headphone output, MIDI input, and digital inputs via ADAT. This extensive I/O capability makes it suitable for handling complex recording setups and integration with a wide range of studio equipment.
Apogee Quartet Review
Design & Construction
The Apogee Quartet is constructed with high-quality materials, featuring an aluminum chassis that not only enhances its durability, but also helps dissipate heat efficiently during extended recording sessions. The use of aluminum also gives the interface a sleek and professional appearance.
Despite its robust build, the Apogee Quartet maintains a relatively compact form factor, making it easily portable for musicians, producers, and engineers who need to work in various locations or on the move. Its lightweight design ensures it doesn’t add unnecessary bulk to your recording setup.
Streamlined Creativity
The Apogee Quartet audio interface was, and still is, highly regarded for its streamlined design. Apogee prioritized ease of use in the Quartet’s interface to ensure a smooth and efficient recording and mixing experience for musicians and audio professionals.
The Apogee Quartet features a prominent and intuitive touchscreen display on its front panel. This touchscreen provides direct access to essential functions, settings, and monitoring options. Users can easily adjust input levels, headphone levels, and monitor mixes with a few taps on the screen, eliminating the need for complex menus or multiple physical controls.
User-Friendly Interface
The interface is designed with ergonomics in mind, placing the input gain knobs and other vital controls within comfortable reach for seamless adjustments. The tactile feel of the knobs adds to the overall sense of control and precision during operation.
The Quartet incorporates a single, large control knob on its front panel. This multifunction knob allows users to perform various tasks, such as selecting input sources, adjusting output levels, and navigating the menu options displayed on the touchscreen. The integration of this single-dial control simplifies the interface’s physical layout, making it more user-friendly.
Apogee Boom vs. Quartet: How Do They Compare?
The Apogee Boom is worlds apart from the Quartet. For one, it came out recently in 2023. The Boom is also a much smaller 2×2 interface catering to home studios and content creators who don’t need a lot of I/O or flexibility. While both interfaces share decades worth of innovation and Apogee expertise, the Boom benefits from an additional decade of development.
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The Boom utilizes the latest USB-C connectivity as opposed to USB 2.0, and contains the latest and greatest internal components Apogee has to offer. That said, each interface appeals to different users altogether. In its prime, the Quartet was a fantastic project studio interface capable of handling larger recording tasks. The Boom is a streamlined and simple interface for entry-level users or content creators with basic needs.
Apogee Ensemble vs. Quartet
Both the Apogee Ensemble and Quartet are high-quality audio interfaces designed for pro-grade recording and music production. While they share some similarities, they also have distinct differences that cater to different user needs.
The Ensemble offers more I/O options compared to the Quartet. It comes with eight combination XLR-1/4″ inputs and eight line outputs, making it suitable for more complex recording setups and larger studio environments. On a more basic level, the early Ensemble was a rack-mounted Thunderbolt interface as opposed to a desktop one.
What Makes the Apogee Quartet Audio Interface Shine?
As a brand closely aligned with Apple, Apogee has harnessed the power of technology to seamlessly integrate its products with Mac and iOS devices. This synergy offers users an unparalleled user experience characterized by intuitive setup and operation, cementing Apogee’s status as a go-to choice for Apple enthusiasts. That was most certainly the case when the Quartet first came out in 2012. It was one of the few pro-level interfaces on the market with iOS compatibility and direct Logic Pro integration.
Closing Thoughts: Is This Interface Worth the Price?
In the realm of audio excellence, Apogee stands tall as a paragon of ingenuity, elevating the art of sound to new heights. By combining state-of-the-art technology, exceptional audio quality, and a dedication to empowering creativity, Apogee continues to shape the landscape of the audio industry and inspires a global community of music makers to reach for their highest potential. Even as a discontinued product over a decade old, the Apogee Quartet may appeal to certain users. On the secondhand market, it can be quite affordable.