Apogee has announced the availability of MiC, the most compact studio quality USB microphone available for iPad, iPhone and Mac. About the size of an iPhone, MiC makes it easy to capture your best take with incredible 24-bit quality, anywhere your music takes you.

Record any sound you can imagine, from vocals to vibraphones, acoustic to lap steel guitars, pianos to percussion and everything in between, and build a track right on your iPad with GarageBand. MiC is also the perfect companion to JAM, Apogee’s studio quality guitar input. Never before has the personal studio been so portable or so powerful.

Features

• PureDIGITAL connection for pristine sound quality
• Studio quality cardioid condenser microphone
• 44.1/48 kHz, 24-bit analog-to-digital conversion
• Studio quality microphone preamp with up to 40dB of gain
• No configuration, just plug in and record
• Control knob allows easy input level adjustment
• Multicolor LED for status indication and input level monitoring
• Designed for vocal and acoustic instrument recording
• Also great for recording interviews, podcasts, voice overs, and audio for DSLR video
• All metal construction
• Extremely compact and portable
• Works with GarageBand
• Bus-powered by iPad, iPhone or Mac (no batteries or external power required)
• Made in the U.S.A.

On the Mac, MiC requires OS X 10.6.4 or later, an Intel processor, 1 GB minimum of installed RAM (2 GB recommended), USB 2.0 Full Speed, and GarageBand, Logic Pro, MainStage, Pro Tools or any Core Audio compatible application.

On iOS, MiC requires an iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPad, or iPad 2 running iOS 4.3 or later, and access to the Dock connector port (no batteries required). MiC is made for GarageBand on iPad or iPhone, but also works with other MFi compatible apps.

MiC will be available in February 2012 and will retail for $199.

http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/mic.php

Apogee Electronics is pleased to announce JAM, a studio quality guitar input for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and Mac. Featuring PureDIGITAL technology, JAM enables musicians to practice, record and rock out with ultimate tone using the guitar amps and effects in Apple’s GarageBand software on iPad 2 or Mac. No configuration necessary, just plug in and play and experience the legendary sound quality of Apogee for $99.

“We’re very excited to enter the rapidly growing world of iOS with this incredible product,” says Apogee Co-founder and CEO Betty Bennett. “JAM is the first high-quality interface that makes a digital connection to your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, and the only one that also works on your Mac. You will immediately notice the difference between the sound quality of JAM and other similar products because its converters are designed by the same team of engineers responsible for our award-winning, high-end professional interfaces. JAM promises to become a standard for guitarists who want a professional, portable way to connect to these devices and benefit from the amazing music-making apps they offer.”

JAM by Apogee Highlights:

• PureDIGITAL instrument connection delivers pristine sound quality
• Designed for electric guitar and bass
• With no confusing setup, you can start recording in minutes
• Made for Apple’s GarageBand software
• Works with GarageBand on iOS devices or with any Core Audio compatible application on a Mac
• Control knob allows easy input level adjustment
• Multicolor LED for status indication and input level monitoring
• Studio quality instrument preamp with up to 40dB of gain
• High quality locking output connects directly to iPad, iPhone and iPod touch dock connector port or USB port on a Mac
• 44.1kHz, 24-bit analog-to-digital conversion
• Auto Soft Limit for optimal input level
• Made in the U.S.A.

JAM is compatible with iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3Gs and iPod touch (3rd and 4th generation) running iOS 4.2.1 and greater. It connects and is powered by the Dock connector port.

On the Mac, JAM requires OS X 10.6.4 or later, an Intel processor, 1 GB minimum of installed RAM (2 GB recommended), and an available USB port for host connection and power. JAM will work with Apple’s GarageBand, Logic Pro, MainStage or any Core Audio compliant application.

JAM will be available in March 2011 for $99.

http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/jam.php

Discuss JAM on our Hardware forum.

Apogee Electronics today unveiled Symphony I/O, a new flagship multi-channel audio interface representing 25 years of design excellence and experience. Symphony I/O delivers a totally updated and optimized circuit design for next generation sound quality, Logic and Pro Tools compatibility, modular port configuration, stand-alone operation and compatibility with PCIe, Express/34 card, USB 2.0 and Ethernet.

Symphony I/O builds upon the award-winning design approaches of Apogee’s X-Series and Rosetta Series converters, the Big Ben master clock and the Trak2 mic preamps. It also refines and updates these proven designs with fewer but more advanced components while optimizing their performance with efficient power distribution. This design improvement minimizes the audio path circuitry and maximizes sound quality. And in the tradition of the X-Series and Rosetta series, the entire audio path is DC coupled, resulting in ultra flat frequency response and extremely low phase error.

The I/O Modules are the sound and soul of Symphony I/O, and represent 25 years of Apogee R&D and design excellence. These powerful Modules deliver Apogee’s core competency, superior sounding digital audio recording. With 5 available I/O Modules, you can choose from standard configurations or customize the following: channel count, analog to digital input, digital to analog output, mic preamps and digital I/O. You compose your Symphony I/O.

Apogee Symphony I/O, rear port configuration. Click to zoom.

With a 2-step adjustment using a single front panel encoder knob, Symphony I/O’s Audio Interface Modes (AIM) are ready for the most popular audio workstation environments. This feature allows users of Logic and Pro Tools HD for example, to easily switch back and forth between the two DAWs with the click of a knob and swap of a cable. The Symphony I/O PC-32 connector connects directly to a Symphony 64 card or a Pro Tools HD card. When using a Logic Studio Mac based system, latency is below 1.8ms at 96kHz. If USB is your preferred mode, connecting to Core Audio compatible apps like Digital Performer and Cubase is just as easy. And StandAlone mode calibrates Symphony I/O for simple and direct routing ideal for a variety of uses and applications including Pro Tools LE or Pro Tools M-Powered.

Symphony I/O is an audio hardware platform, designed to deliver the most advanced recording technology available and the flexibility, scalability, and longevity required to power the modern studio. Modular I/O design, total software control, and direct connection to all popular DAWs make Symphony I/O a long-term sound investment.

What makes Symphony I/O a great choice for your studio now and for years to come:

• Flexible design architecture with a base unit and two I/O module slots
• Up to 32 channels of I/O per unit
• Future proof connectivity with PCI, USB, Ethernet and all popular digital formats
• Compatibility with Logic, Pro Tools HD, Pro Tools LE and any Core Audio driven application
• A/D THD+N: -113dB @ +20dBu (0.00024%)
• D/A THD+N: -117dB @ +20dBu (0.00014%)
• D/A Dynamic Range: 129dB A weighted
• Apogee’s proprietary Perfect Symmetry Circuitry (PSC)
• Software controlled AD/DA reference setting
• Variable gain input for keyboards
• Ultra low latency AD/DA conversion
• Total software control of Symphony I/O with Maestro

Cue Maestro 2! Apogee’s software control application, Maestro, has been totally redesigned for Symphony I/O. Featuring a familiar single window, multiple tab interface for quick access to all device and system settings, the new Maestro makes routing, mic preamp adjustment, input and output calibration and low latency monitoring clear and easy to use. To reduce screen clutter, Maestro also features a minimized tool bar view with System Status display, volume controls and buttons to mute outputs and clear meters.

Highlights

• Speaker, headphone, and mic preamp level control
• Clock source, sample rate setting
• Audio Interface Mode (AIM)
• Minimized tool bar view with System Status, volume controls, mute and clear meters buttons
• Software controlled A/D & D/A calibration
• Comprehensive metering
• Intuitive audio routing
• 4 Soft Limit settings: -2 dB, -4 dBfs, Soft Saturate and Soft Crush

Symphony I/O is available for Mac OS only, and requires OS X 10.5.8 or later. It will be available in August 2010. Additional features will roll out in 5 monthly releases from August 2010 to December 2010.

www.apogeedigital.com/products/symphony-io.php

Discuss Symphony I/O in our Hardware forum.

Today Apogee introduced GiO, an audio interface and foot controller for the Mac, designed to work seamlessly with Apple’s new Logic Studio and GarageBand ’09. Powered by USB and built into a rugged aluminum case, GiO gives guitar players hands-free control over recording and many new features in Logic Studio, including Amp Designer, Pedalboard, MainStage 2, Playback and Loopback. GiO is also plug-and-play with GarageBand ’09 making it easy for GarageBand users to connect their guitar to their Mac and control recording functions and stompbox effects with their feet.

“Our Mac-only focus has allowed us to offer highly refined, innovative products, and give our customers an incredible experience.” said Betty Bennett, CEO of Apogee. “With GiO, users of the new Logic Studio and GarageBand ’09 have amps, stompboxes, recording control and legendary Apogee sound right at their feet, whether they’re in the studio, at home, or on stage.”

GiO’s instrument input is specially designed for guitar and the 1/4” stereo output offers a true Apogee listening experience. GiO’s five transport control buttons let guitar players record, play, stop and quickly navigate through a project without taking their hands off their guitar. The same buttons can be assigned to functions selected by the user with MainStage 2, Apple’s live performance application. Guitar players can use the five stompbox buttons to individually control their favorite Pedalboard effects in Logic Studio while GiO’s color indicators automatically adjust to match the colors displayed onscreen.

Features and Specifications:

• Unbalanced 1/4” high impedance instrument input
• 1/4” MIDI Expression pedal input
• Line-level, 1/4” stereo output for headphones, powered monitors or an instrument amplifier
• A/D and D/A conversion @ 44.1/48kHz, 24-bit
• 5 Stompbox buttons, dynamically color coded to match software effects
• 5 Transport control buttons, dynamically lit when engaged
• 2 “Previous/Next” preset selection buttons
• Control built into Apple’s GarageBand ’09, Logic Pro 9, and MainStage 2 software

System Requirements:

• Computer: Mac, with an Intel or PowerPC G5 processor
• Memory: 1 GB minimum of installed RAM, 2 GB recommended
• OS: 10.5.7 or greater
• Apple’s GarageBand ’09, Logic Pro 9, MainStage 2, Logic Express 9
• Connection and Power: USB, powered by any available USB port on the computer

GiO will be available in September 2009 for $395.

Discuss Gio in our Hardware forum.

The Apogee ONE is a new single input, stereo output USB music interface designed to work seamlessly with Apple’s iTunes, GarageBand, Logic, Final Cut or any Core Audio compliant application on a Mac.

Unlike any product in its category, ONE features an internal reference condenser microphone, ideal for capturing inspired musical moments. ONE also includes a world-class microphone preamp, an instrument input for guitar, bass, and keyboards, and a studio-quality stereo output for headphones or powered monitors.

“The success of Duet inspired us to provide Apogee’s legendary sound quality to those in the market for an even more affordable entry point into the Apogee product line,” says Betty Bennett, CEO of Apogee Electronics. “With ONE‘s low price and truly unique features like the specially-tuned internal microphone, professional recording is now available to anyone looking to make music on their Mac.”

At $249, ONE delivers Apogee quality and complete studio portability to musicians, artists, video producers, and engineers.

Front Panel

Rear Panel

Features and Specifications:

• Single channel input using one of the following three options:
  • Internal condenser microphone
  • Balanced XLR microphone preamp input with +10 to 63 dB of gain
  • Unbalanced 1/4″ high impedance instrument input with 0 to 45 dB of gain
• Software selectable 48V phantom power
• Line-level, 1/8″ stereo output for headphones or unbalanced powered monitors
• A/D and D/A conversion @ 44.1/48kHz, 24-bit
• Multi-function encoder knob for input gain control and output level control
• 4 encoder function LED indicators (internal microphone, microphone input, instrument input and output)
• 3 segment LED input and output metering
• Apogee’s Maestro software for advanced control and low latency mixing
• Compatible with any Core Audio compliant audio application

Optional Accessories:

• Custom mic mount
• Custom carrying case
• 3 meter USB cable

ONE requires a Mac with a PowerPC G5 or Intel processor, OS X 10.5.7 or greater, and 1 GB of RAM minimum (2 GB recommended). ONE connects via USB, and is bus powered via USB as well.

ONE will be available in late July 2009, for the suggested retail price of $249.

http://www.apogeedigital.com/one

Discuss ONE in our Hardware forum.

Apogee has officially announced that they are dropping all Windows platform development to focus solely on the Macintosh.  Of course, you can still plug Apogee standalone converters into any Windows audio interface you own.  And for those who do use their Apogee interfaces with Windows, they will still support previously purchased cards for a while.

The writing was clearly on the wall for a while, considering how much business Apogee has been doing with Apple-related products such as Ensemble and Duet, popular among Logic and GarageBand users.  Still, considering how much of a potential market Windows audio users are, this decision could not have been easy, or made lightly.

Come on in to the Mac OS X Audio forums to read and discuss this further.