Topic: M-Audio Duo USB

[BobW]

Another low-end  SPDIF/USB/ Mic Pre with phantom that "delivers fidelity typically found only in more expensive gear."

Why does that phrase worry me as much as "Pro" in the name or description of a product ? Ah, I digress...

Has anyone used the Duo USB ?
Does it hold up to the UA-5 ?
Any mods around for the M-Audio ?

[Sean Gallemore]

AC powered, if that affects your decision at all

[zowie]

Does hold its own against the UA-5 sound-quality wise.  Some think its preamps are better.  I haven't directly A-B'd them, but own the Duo and have heard tapes from the UA-5.  Functionality is different.

[douglas_annis]

I'm thinking of getting a Duo, but I was wondering if it can be used to reliably record 24/96 to a laptop via the USB 1.1 interface.

Has anyone done this (with the Duo or any other USB device)?  Or is this not possible because of the bandwidth limitations of USB 1.1?

Firewire's bandwidth should easily handle 24/96 recording, right?  But is the firewire interface (of say, the Firewire 410) stable and reliable for recording to a laptop?

Thanks for your input.

[chase]

24/96 is not reliable over USB1.1, i think it can only handle up to 48kHz.  if i were you i would get the firewire 410.  easier to power and can do higher sampling rates, 192kHz i believe.  i think mterry uses one on this board, and all i have heard is positive things.

[Chuck]

AC powered, if that affects your decision at all

This makes it difficult to use in the field.

[zowie]

It does record in 24/96, so I have to wonder if Chase commented on reliability without having ever used it.  (I also do not believe the FW410 records in 192, but I haven't used one yet.)

I have recorded about 4 hours in three separate sessions with the Duo no reliability problems.  My computer has USB 2.0, but since the device is 1.1 I don't know that that matters.

I like the mic pres.  I like that it can operate stand alone (w/o disabling it from doing PC>USB.

The main drawback is powering it.  (Hardware output control is also conspicuously absent.)

[mfh2014]

The FW410 only does 24/96 recording..it says it can output 24/192 through the analog outs...in any case, i've found it to be incredibly stable when using the analog ins...but ive had some stability issues when using the S/PDIF in...but i think ive got it resolved...fwiw, im using win2k and samplitude 7.02 with ASIO drivers...

matt

[chase]

i used to own a duo but only used the s/pdif coax > dat, never the USB since i don't have a laptop.  i'm pretty sure that i have read many places that 24/96 is not reliable over USB1.1  (someone please correct me if i am wrong.)  not sure if the fact that you have USB2.0 on your computer may allow you to run 24/96 even though regualr USB1.1 won't cut it.

[drumminj]

One pro of the duo is that it has 2 level indicators instead of the UA-5's one -3dB clip light (someone remind me what the two represent...one is -6dB, right?).  Core sound makes a battery pack thingymabob that'll power the Duo.  Buddy of mine bought one of those setups used, but has only used it at home, so I can't say anything about it's performance.

[mfh2014]

FW410 has got 2 level meters per channel...a -20 and -3...word...why am i fluffing the 410..bed time

[John Kelly]

Fluffing the 410?  I thought that was my job?

Definitely a great solution, though.  I've been running it for a couple of months now...it's awesome.