Audio interface-maker Apogee and audio/video software maker Avid recently announced two new Avid Artist Suite products for music recording and stereo audio post production, Pro Tools Duet and Pro Tools Quartet.
As the names indicate, these solutions feature Avid-branded versions of Apogee’s Duet and Quartet audio interfaces, each paired with Avid Pro Tools 11 software for Mac and Windows users.
Pro Tools | Duet Highlights
- 2 IN x 4 OUT USB audio interface by Apogee with Pro Tools 11 software by Avid
- Works with Mac OS X and Windows platforms
- Pro Tools IO Control EUCON-enabled software for advanced control (requires download)
- Record performances in up to 24-bit/192 kHz resolution
- Connect mics, instruments, and more to “high-quality” I/O:
Two combination mic/instrument/line inputs
Two 1/4″ balanced line/speaker outputs; one stereo headphone out
USB MIDI I/O for a MIDI keyboard or DJ controller - AD/DA conversion delivers sonic fidelity and precision
- Dynamically optimized mic preamps provide up to 75 dB of transparent gain
- Selectable Soft Limit protects against digital distortion from clipping
- Two configurable touchpads and a multi-function controller knob
- Monitor levels and settings with a full color OLED display
- “Achieve better sounding audio tracks, virtual instruments, and plug-ins”
- Create with Avid’s Pro Tools | Software
- Sold and supported by Avid
Pro Tools | Quartet Highlights
- 12 IN x 8 OUT USB audio interface by Apogee with Pro Tools 11 software by Avid
- Works with Mac OS X and Windows platforms
- Pro Tools IO Control EUCON-enabled software for advanced control (requires download)
- Record performances in 24-bit/192 kHz resolution
- Connect mics, instruments, and more to I/O:
Four combination mic/instrument/line inputs
Eight channels of ADAT/SMUX input via Toslink
Six 1/4″ balanced line outputs for three speaker sets or 5.1 monitoring - One stereo headphone output
- USB MIDI I/O for a MIDI keyboard or DJ controller
- AD/DA conversion delivers sonic fidelity and precision
- Dynamically optimized mic preamps provide up to 75 dB of transparent gain
- Selectable Soft Limit protects against digital distortion from clipping
- Three configurable touchpads and a multifunction controller knob
- Monitor levels and settings with two full color OLED displays
- “Achieve better sounding audio tracks, virtual instruments, and plug-ins”
- Create with Avid’s Pro Tools | Software
- Sold and supported by Avid
Pricing and Availability. Avid and Apogee’s collaborative Pro Tools | Duet and Pro Tools | Quartet are available now, via authorized Avid retailers. The Pro Tools | Duet has a list price of $1,099 US, and the Pro Tools | Quartet lists for $1,899 US. For additional information, visit the Apogee website, or to find authorized Avid retailers outside the US, visit Avid’s website.
[Also, copied/pasted from Apogee’s Frequently Asked Questions about the Pro Tools | Duet and Quartet:
Is Apogee now supporting Windows?
Apogee is exclusively an Apple OS X and iOS hardware and software developer. Avid has developed Windows audio drivers for Pro Tools | Duet and Pro Tools | Quartet for use with Pro Tools 11. These cannot be used with Apogee’s Duet or Quartet.
When you purchase an Avid Pro Tools | Duet or Pro Tools | Quartet bundle, Avid will provide all of the necessary drivers/software for Windows and you will benefit from the technical support provided by Avid’s Tech Support Team. Pro Tools | Duet and Pro Tools | Quartet will fully function with Pro Tools on Windows systems. You can also use Pro Tools 10/11 on OS X, utilizing Mac OSX Core Audio drivers.]
Looks sexy in black. Wish they made a normal addition in black. Or Ableton Live addition!
edition*
I have questions for you.
Those who already have pro tools in PC, would you buy a quartet bundle?
Those who use other DAWs in PC, would you buy a quartet bundle paying $1,899?
I’m glad Apogee finally supporting PC but why don’t you sell them without pro tools?
I’m sure if we need pro tools, we’ll get one. There’s no need to include and sell them in a heavier price.
At least, that’s what I think
Apogee is on record as saying that they will have nothing to do with the driver development and support for the Avid-branded version of the hardware, and they will remain exclusive to the Mac platform.
It should be noted here that while the hardware of the Quartet will support 5.1, the Pro Tools software they’re shipping with the box will NOT support 5.1. Whether you have the hardware to support it or not, without paying for Pro Tools HD, you’re NOT going to be able to do surround work. The Quartet will do 5.1 work with any other DAW though.