TEST: Apogee One

 The fact that, in addition to sophisticated technology, a crisp appearance also determines the final sales figures seems to have been at the top of the decision-making pile at Apogee with their new Apogee One interface. In keeping with the style of the company with the gnawed fruit from Cupertino, the look, feel, packaging and even smell are very much based on the Apple Group. Consistently until the end, Apogge One removes all products from the cooperation list that were not developed by the most famous turtleneck in the world. But after a long time there is once again a converter “Made in the U.S.A.”

At the same time, however, the user also has to dig a little deeper into his pockets, which, given the street price of just under €350, could deter some people from investing. However, if Apogee even partially succeeds in implementing their legendary converter qualities into the One Interface, the selling price will be put into perspective many times over. Unlike many other competitors, the Apogee One interface also has a built-in microphone, which makes quick recordings comparatively uncomplicated. A USB cable is also included in delivery
Each includes an iOS 30-pin + Lightning cable, a breakout cable (jack / XLR), power supply and a holding adapter for a microphone stand.


construction

Apogee is demonstrating a very successful strategy with its exclusive cooperation with Apple. On the one hand, you use the inherently more musician-oriented design of Apple devices compared to the competition in order to adapt the appearance and hardware to your desired candidate and thus guarantee the corporate identity. Furthermore, the audio connection peripherals of the devices, which are also inherently poor, are taken into account and the interface is as compact and well-equipped as possible, which makes use of the DAW's usually good to very good processor performance. Has a bit of the clownfish and the anemone.

So what can the Apogee One do, or rather what is its area of application?

1.) It is a studio quality voice recorder. Ideas, simple vocal recordings, interviews or those often forgotten podcasts can be created quickly and easily with the product.

2.) It is a classic interface that passes guitar, bass or an external microphone to the DAW. In addition to the mono signal, the internal microphone can also be recorded, meaning a singer/songwriter idea with guitar and vocals can also be quickly archived.

3.) It is a headphone amplifier, or it feeds active speakers with a stereo signal.

In all of the variants mentioned above, you are spared having to turn the headphones off or on the Mac or, even worse, the iOS device. Who doesn't know the kinked earphone plugs or broken sockets on Apple devices? Horrible...


In terms of casing technology, the Apogee One has to be given a very good rating both visually and haptically. The housing is made entirely of black anodized aluminum with a silver, contrasting strip for the internal microphone. With dimensions of 16 cm x 5.5 cm x 3.2 cm (D x W x H), it clearly towers over the iPhone 5, but still sits comfortably in the hand like a remote control. On the front, a large aluminum endless regulator with a pressure function sets the tone. Above the controller there are 2 LED chains, each with 3 (green / yellow / red) LEDs, followed by 4 pictograms, which provide information about the signal present. A rubber surface was glued to the back, which ensures good slip resistance even on smooth surfaces.

In contrast to the previous model, which only ran under OSX and got its power from the USB port, the current version can also be operated using a power supply or 2 AA batteries, which is also necessary for mobile operation using an iPhone or iPad. Compared to the previous model, which reached the maximum at a sample rate of 48 kHz, the current version can boast values of up to 96 kHz with a word width of 24 bits. Of course, the Apogee One also has 48V phantom power for corresponding condenser microphones.


Practice

The nice thing about a strictly defined target group is that the product is usually easy to use. This was also the case in this case, where there were no problems whatsoever when coupling the device and interface. The interface worked particularly well with Apple's own Garageband series, especially since this product is likely to be the main area of application for the Apogee One.

When it comes to converter quality, Apogee maintains the high standard that you would expect from one of the biggest converter names in the scene. Neutral, high resolution and without any background noise, the AD/DA section does its job without any criticism. With a pre-amplification of up to 62 dB, even very quiet sound sources can be adequately processed, which is also possible with the noise-free converter quality.

The built-in small diaphragm microphone does a good job. Even if the wish is obvious, a large diaphragm microphone of the upper class cannot replace it, but it lacks fine detail, resolution and character. Here you should still rely on your studio equipment if you want top results. However, when it comes to the on-the-fly area, the internal microphone is a real asset. The spatial capture is good, the handling is self-explanatory and video conferences in Skype will rarely have had better sound, given the bandwidth during the Transmission allows this.

A blessing is the included microphone stand holder, which accommodates the rather unusual housing shape perfectly. Only a few special holders are able to accurately place products with these dimensions on a tripod and would mean an additional financial burden.





Conclusion

The Apogee One Audio Interface represents a real enrichment of the handheld area. In terms of collaboration, look and feel, Apogee is exclusively dedicated to the Apple Group and manages to incorporate its extensive experience in converter quality into the product. Compared to its predecessor model, the product has perfect compatibility with the iOS group and, in addition to a dual independent power supply (power supply and batteries), also has an additional small diaphragm microphone, which expands the area of application to include interviews and podcasts.

Although the street price of just under 350 euros due to American production pushes the product into areas where desktop and 19-inch versions are already located, the overall character of the product still remains rounds off.

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Additional Informations:

Apogee Electronics, with its roots dating back to 1985, has developed a reputation for creating high-quality, professional audio equipment, favored by musicians, producers, and sound engineers worldwide. Their product range is comprehensive, covering audio interfaces, microphones, plugins, and accessories, each crafted with a focus on sound quality, ease of use, and innovative technology.

### Comprehensive Product Overview

#### Audio Interfaces
1. **Symphony Mk II**: This is Apogee's flagship audio interface, known for its exceptional audio quality and versatility. The Symphony Mk II is available in various configurations, catering to different studio needs. Its 16x16 Special Edition is particularly praised for its transparent sound quality, ideal for complex audio tasks like Dolby Atmos mixing. This interface is a favorite among top engineers and producers for its reliability and high-fidelity sound.

2. **Duet 3**: The Duet 3, recognized as a "Pro Mobile Studio," combines high-end audio conversion with portability and sleek design. It is popular among professionals for its ease of use and superior sound quality, making it a great choice for mobile recording setups and small home studios.

3. **Jam X**: Designed specifically for guitarists, the Jam X is a mobile guitar interface with built-in analog compression. It's celebrated for its ability to deliver high-quality sound in a compact and easy-to-use package, making it ideal for on-the-go musicians.

4. **BOOM**: The BOOM interface is aimed at entry-level users and offers professional sound quality at an affordable price. It's designed to be a straightforward and accessible solution for those new to audio recording or with smaller home studio setups.

5. **Symphony Desktop**: This studio desktop interface brings the quality of the Symphony series into a more compact form. It's a versatile tool for both studio and home use, offering top-notch audio conversion and processing in a more accessible desktop format.

#### Microphones
1. **ClipMic Digital**: This digital lapel microphone is designed for clear audio capture in various settings, including interviews, vlogs, and lectures.

2. **HypeMiC**: Known for its exceptional sound quality, the HypeMiC is a versatile microphone suited for professional recording environments.

3. **MiC Plus**: A USB microphone that caters to podcasters, streamers, and musicians, the MiC Plus is known for its ease of use and quality sound capture.

#### Plugins
Apogee also offers a suite of audio and effects plugins that enhance the functionality of their hardware. This includes:
- **Clearmountain Series Volume 1**: A collection of reverb, delay, and flanger/phaser plugins, modeled after sounds crafted by the legendary mix engineer Bob Clearmountain.
- **Clearmountain’s Phases**: A plugin offering unique modulation effects, including flanger and phaser, part of the Clearmountain series.

#### Accessories and Add-ons
The company also provides a range of accessories to complement their primary products, including breakout cables, carry cases, and control devices. These accessories are designed to enhance the functionality and usability of Apogee's main products.

### Market Position and Pricing
Apogee caters to a wide range of customers with their pricing strategy. For example, the Symphony Desktop is a high-end interface priced at approximately $1,495, appealing to professional studios, while the BOOM audio interface, priced at around $249, offers an affordable solution for beginners.

### Industry Reputation and Usage
Apogee's products are widely respected in the industry, endorsed by Grammy-winning artists and producers. They are known for high fidelity, reliability, and user-friendly interfaces, making them a top choice in both professional and home studio setups.

### Commitment to Innovation
Since its inception, Apogee has consistently been at the forefront of digital audio technology. Their commitment to innovation is evident in their product development, continuously addressing the evolving needs of the music production and recording industry.

Apogee Electronics has firmly established itself as a leader in the digital audio equipment industry. Their diverse range of products, which includes high-end audio interfaces like the Symphony Mk II, versatile microphones such as the HypeMiC, and innovative plugins, caters to a broad spectrum of audio professionals and enthusiasts. The brand's emphasis on quality, innovation, and user experience has cemented its prestigious position in the digital audio world.