<h1>Apogee Quartet - 12 In x 8 Out USB Audio Interface and studio control center</h1>
<span style="font-size:16px; font-style:italic;">The ultimate desktop audio interface and control center for iPad and Mac<br /></span><br />
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 world-class microphone preamps, USB MIDI I/O, ESS Sabre32 DAC technology and monitor controls.<br /><br />
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 up for 5.1 surround monitoring.<br /><br />
<h3>Apogee Quartet Highlights</h3>
<li>AD/DA conversion for recording up to 192kHz / 24-bit.
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<li>4 analog inputs with world-class mic preamps and selectable 48v phantom power for connecting microphones, instruments or line-level devices.</li>
<li>8 analog outputs – 6 balanced 1/4” outs for speakers or outboard gear, 1/4” stereo headphone output.</li>
<li>8 digital inputs via 2 optical connections (ADAT/SMUX).                                                                                     </li>
<li>Monitor control for up to 3 sets of speakers or 5.1 surround.                                                                               </li>
<li>USB 2.0 High Speed connection to Mac.                                                                                                       </li>
<li>Direct digital connection with iOS devices (iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. 30-pin cable sold separately).                                     </li>
<li>Software control of hardware parameters including input selection and low latency monitoring.                                               </li>
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<h3>Legendary Sound Quality</h3>
Apogee is an award-winning industry leader in digital recording technology with over 25 years of experience. Preferred by recording pros around the world, Apogee products like Duet, Ensemble and Symphony I/O have been instrumental in creating countless GRAMMY® and OSCAR® winning recordings and have set the industry standard in professional recording for over two decades. Quartet is built solidly on this reputation.
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<h3>A difference you will hear</h3>
From the mic preamps to the AD/DA converters and the clocking, Quartet is best-in-class and cutting-edge Apogee technology. With components carefully selected in critical listening tests and a highly efficient circuit design, Quartet was built by Apogee engineers to make a difference you can hear.
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<h3>Pristine, next generation AD/DA converters</h3>
Quartet’s AD/DA converters are designed to deliver the purest recordings and best listening experience possible. Quartet’s efficient circuitry and state-of-the-art components provide a simplified signal path resulting in incredibly transparent recordings.
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<h3>Smooth, detailed world-class mic preamps</h3>
Much like the AD/DA converters, 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. Quartet’s mic pres are suitable for all dynamic, condenser or ribbon microphones, allowing you to capture any sound without compromise.
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<h3>Soft Limit for protection from digital overs</h3>
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.
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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.<br /><br />
<h3>ESS Sabre32 DAC Technology</h3>
ESS Sabre32 32-bit Hyperstream DAC with Time Domain Jitter Eliminator offers unequalled dynamic range, ultra low distortion, and unmatched audio clarity free from input jitter.
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While ESS Sabre32 DAC has been widely recognized and employed in the audiophile community as the next step in converter technology, Apogee is one of the first pro audio manufacturers to employ this DAC in an interface designed for audio and video professionals. ESS Sabre32 DAC technology, as employed in Duet 2, Duet for iPad & Mac, Quartet and Symphony I/O, is one ingredient in the Apogee Engineering Difference. The benefits of the ESS Sabre32 DAC include:<br /><br />
<strong>32-bit DAC Architecture</strong> – Compared to older 24-bit technology, the Sabre32 DAC’s 32-bit filter processing  results in significantly lower noise and distortion, for a pure listening experience free from artifacts. 32-bit digital attenuation ensures that sonic purity is maintained at any listening level.<br /><br />
Time Domain Jitter Elimination removes clock inconsistencies from the incoming digital data, so the converted analog output preserves the clarity and soundstage detail of the original recording.<br /><br />
<h3>Inputs & Outputs</h3>
All the I/O You Need
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<strong>Analog Inputs</strong><br />
Quartet is equipped with 4 combination input connectors (XLR and 1/4”) for connecting microphones, guitars and keyboards or your favorite external mic preamps, compressors and EQs.<br /><br />
<strong>Digital Input</strong><br />
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.<br /><br />
<strong>Analog Outputs</strong><br />
Quartet’s 6 balanced 1/4” 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” headphone output allowing you to independently adjust your headphone level separate from the main outputs.<br /><br />
<strong>Word Clock</strong><br />
Quartet provides Word Clock OUT for synching an external A/D converter to Apogee’s superior clocking technology.<br /><br />
<strong>MIDI</strong><br />
Quartet provides a single USB MIDI connection for your CoreMIDI compatible keyboard, synth, or DJ controller. This eliminates the need for an external MIDI interface and promotes an all-in-one music creation solution where Quartet and Maestro manage all audio and MIDI. On iPad, Quartet’s MIDI connection allows both Quartet and a keyboard or DJ controller to be connected at the same time to the iPad’s single 30-pin dock port.<br /><br />