Apogee Quartet is the ultimate desktop audio interface and studio control center for professional recording on Mac and iPad. Made for the musician, producer and engineer that wants the ultimate sound quality and studio control in a compact desktop form factor, Quartet features legendary Apogee AD/DA conversion, 4 worldclass microphone preamps, USB MIDI I/O, ESS Sabre32 DAC technology and monitor controls.
With Quartet’s 4 Combo inputs you can connect microphones, guitars, keyboards or line level devices such as external mic preamps or a mixing board. Expand your system with 8 additional inputs via Quartets optical (ADAT/SMUX) digital IN. Quartet also includes 8 analog outputs - 6 1/4” balanced outputs for connection to speakers or outboard equipment and a separate, independently controlled 1/4” stereo headphone output. You can control up to 3 pairs of speakers or set Quartet fup for 5.1 surround Monitoring.
Apogee Quartet USB Audio Interface Features
- 4 analog inputs with world-class mic preamps and selectable 48v phantom power for connecting microphones, instruments or line-level devices.
- 8 analog outputs - 6 balanced 1/4” outs for speakers or outboard gear, 1/4” stereo headphone output.
- 8 digital inputs via 2 optical connections (ADAT/SMUX).
- Monitor control for up to 3 sets of speakers or 5.1 surround.
- USB 2.0 High Speed connection to Mac.
- Direct digital connection with iOS devices (iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. 30-pin cable sold separately).
- Software control of hardware parameters including input selection and low latency monitoring.
Complete Connections
With the Apogee Quartet, you can connect up to 4 microphones, instruments, keyboards or line inputs. Plug in your MIDI controller or keyboard. Expand with up to 8 digital inputs. Monitor and mix it all in stereo, with up to 3 sets of speakers or in 5.1 surround. Quartet is the center of the modern studio and will help you take the performance and sound quality of your projects to the next level.
Total Creative Control
With its ergonomic, angular design and intuitive user interface, Quartet is inspiring, easy to use and in perfect harmony with your workspace. Dual full-color screens for critical input and output details, QuickTouch pads for easy I/O selection, and a single controller knob to conduct it all, make the Apogee Quartet the perfect studio control center for your Mac.
Pristine, next generation AD/DA converters
Much like the mic preamps, Quartet’s AD/DA converters are designed to deliver the purest recordings and best listening experience possible. The Quartet USB interface’s efficient circuitry and state-of-the-art components provide a simplified signal path resulting in incredibly transparent recordings.
Smooth, detailed world-class mic preamps
Apogee Quartet’s mic preamps feature the latest components and offer seamless click-free transitions as the gain increases and decreases throughout the incredible range of 0-75dB. This unprecedented feature allows you to dial in the perfect level, either with the controller knob or from within software, while delivering ultra-low noise and smooth, crisp detail. These preamps are ideal for condenser or ribbon mics, allowing you to capture any sound.
Inputs and Outputs
Quartet is equipped with 4 combination input connectors (XLR and 1/4 inch) for connecting mics, guitars and keyboards or your favorite external mic preamps, compressors and EQs. Apogee Quartet also includes 8 channels of digital input via 2 optical connections (ADAT/SMUX) for connecting an additional analog-to-digital converter such as Apogee’s Ensemble.
Analog Outputs
Quartet’s 6 balanced 1/4 inch TRS outputs offer an impressive range of possibilities. Listen and compare stereo mixes on up to three sets of speakers. Mix your audio or Final Cut video project in 5.1 surround. You can also take Quartet on the road and use all three stereo sets on stage, sending signal to the performer, monitor mixer and front-of-house. Quartet also features a studio-quality 1/4 inch headphone.
Digital inputs with Apogee Ensemble
For Ensemble users that need more inputs, Quartet’s digital input connection allows you to use the premium analog inputs and preamps of both devices simultaneously. Enjoy a combined total of 12 analog inputs (8 with mic pres) along with Quartet’s 8 analog outputs, assignable Touchpads, and advanced control capabilities. Quartet’s USB connection lets you continue enjoying Ensemble’s high-quality Mic Pres and AD conversion with the latest Mac Models and lower latency than ever possible with Firewire 400.
USB aggregation with Apogee Duet 2
Duet 2 users can add more channels of high-quality Apogee conversion to their existing setups by adding Quartet. Connect both Quartet and Duet 2 interfaces to your Mac's USB ports and aggregate the two devices for a combined total of 6 analog inputs and 12 analog outputs of premium Apogee AD/DA conversion.
Control
The Apogee Quartet USB audio interface features two high-resolution OLEDs to deliver all the visual feedback critical for recording and monitoring. Without looking at your computer, Quartet lets you see metering, levels, grouping and phase, muting, phantom power and Soft Limit for all inputs and outputs.
Quickly select I/O and functions
Quartet makes it easy to access all important recording and monitoring functions. Simply tap a QuickTouch pad on Quartet’s top panel to select an input or output and easily adjust your level with the controller knob. All input and output touchpads feature an LED highlight ring. The highlight ring of the active touchpad is brighter so you can see at a glance which input or output is selected.
The ABCs of Quartet's assignable features
Three additional configurable touchpads (labeled A, B, C) allow you to quickly access output functions such as ‘Mute Outputs’, ‘Dim Outputs’, ‘Sum to Mono’, ‘Clear Meters’ or ‘Engage Speaker Set’ selection. Each function can be assigned to a touchpad using a drop-down menu within Apogee’s Maestro 2 application.
Monitor control
The A, B, C selectors above the controller knob can be configured in Apogee's Maestro software to switch between up to 3 pairs of speakers allowing you to use Quartet just like a standard monitor controller. Simply connect 1, 2 or 3 pairs of studio monitors and tap to select which pair you would like to listen to.
Dial it all in
A single machined aluminum knob completes Quartet’s control center. With a tap to the touchpad you can select the desired input or output and precisely dial in your level.
Maestro control software
Access Quartet’s advanced settings with Maestro 2, Apogee’s comprehensive software control application. Maestro 2 features a single window interface with quick access to all device and system settings. Select your input type, enable Soft Limit on mic and instrument inputs, use the mixer for low latency monitoring and assign speaker sets to touchpads.
Soft Limit for protection from digital overs
An Apogee technology first introduced in 1992 on Apogee’s AD-500 converter, Soft Limit can be heard on countless platinum selling records around the world. Once a technology exclusively reserved for Apogee’s most advanced audio converters, Soft Limit is included in Quartet and can be enabled in Apogee Maestro software.
This superior analog design prevents the digital clipping that causes distortion by instantaneously rounding off transient peaks before they hit the analog-to-digital converter. Soft Limit allows several more decibels of apparent level to be recorded while subtly providing an analog-like warmth to the sound.
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