Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Larger than its harbinger the extra characteristic — iOS compatibility , optional battery power , and multi - source input — make for a whippy audio port .
Apogee , makers of audio appurtenance for the studio apartment and home , has pick out its popular One USB audio interface and , in a 2nd loop , expanded both its size and capabilities . Where the original One is compatible only with the Mac , the $ 349One for iPad and Maccan be used with both Apple computers and bear out iOS devices ( admit iPhone 4 and afterward , iPad 2 and later , iPad mini , and iPod bear on quaternary generation and later run iOS 6 and beyond ) . It additionally proffer coincidental recording from two input reservoir , can be battery power for more flexible mobile transcription , charges iOS devices when used with the included power provision , and , like the original , allows recording through XLR and 1/4 - inch remark as well as via its intimate mike .
What’s in the box
Whereas the original One was the size of a large candy barroom , One for iPad and Mac is sized more like a remote control for a innovative - day Ab component ( though thicker ) . The top of the interface features a power larboard , a port for the include breakout cable ( XLR and 1/4 - inch instrument stimulation ) , and a mini USB port wine for attaching the machine to a Mac or iOS twist . The bottom of the interface run around an audio out larboard that can be used with earphone or powered speaker system . On the back of the boxwood is a compartment for the two AA battery you ’d use when recording to an iOS machine without the power supplying . ( If you expend the power supply with the One connected to an iOS equipment , that supply additionally charges the iPhone , iPad , or iPod tactile sensation . ) The baron provision is unneeded when you habituate the One with a Mac as it draws its power over the USB connection .
The face , like the original One , bears both the twist ’s internal omnidirectional condenser microphone and a large boss that you press for switching between input signal ( interior microphone , XRL , or instrument ) or choosing the output volume mise en scene . When you ’ve choose an input source you turn over the knob to adjust that generator ’s gain . When production is selected , twisting the knob does exactly what you ’d expect — adjusts the output volume . The knob make for a sleek blueprint , but having just the one dominance means occasionally tinker with it when act between inputs and adapt gain ( although you’re able to also do these thing via an app ) .
include in the corner are three USB cables — one for the Mac , another for an iOS gimmick ’s 30 - pin connexion , and a third for a Lightning connection ) , the breakout cable , a universal power supply , and a microphone - stand clip .
One for iPad and Mac ’s converters support up to 24 - bit/96kHz audio and the user interface will supply phantom baron to those mike that postulate it . The latest One , like the earlier example , patronise any Core Audio compatible apps on the Mac or Io devices , mean that it work with just about any audio app you throw at it . Apogee offers versions of its free Maestro software for command the machine ’s inputs , output , and admixture between stimulation in both OS X and iOS adaptation . With the iOS rendering I found that I had to restart my iPad before the app recognized that the One was sequester . Afterwards I had no problems .
You adjust some of the One ’s preferences through Apogee ’s gratuitous Maestro 2 app .
In use
I utilise the One with both Macs and iOS gimmick in a kind of setups . For a week it acted as the DAC ( digital audio converter ) between my Mac Pro andAdam F5 powered speakersas well as the output I used with my headphones . I lived with the sound rather than studied its minute detail and it sound uninfected and uncoloured .
I tested the fresh One with a twosome of unlike microphones — an AKG 414 ( a condenser mike that requires phantom tycoon ) and an Electro Voice RE20 , a dynamical mic often used for voice - over work that has notoriously depleted gain . As I expect , the previous One had plenty of gain to palm the AKG . When testing the RE20 I was pleasantly surprised to find that this version of the One offer good gain than the original One . I regain that even with the gain crank all the path up on the original One , my medium gain was only around – 15dB. With the latest One , that average was approximately – 7 dB. The recorded results were fresh on each .
I also tested the One ’s internal microphone in a couplet of different situations . Comparing it to the AKG mic I recited the Gettysburg computer address into each mike as well as recorded an acoustic piano . The differences between the two were evident ( as they should be regard that the AKG mike retail for around $ 800 ) . A realtime analyzer confirmed what my ears heard — the more expensive AKG mic exhibit a broader bottom end and was more balanced overall . The One ’s mike come off at around 100Hz and emphasize the middle frequencies more than the AKG .
That read , it sound solidly hunky-dory . While that may seem like weak praise , I ’ve heard far bad standalone USB microphone that multitude routinely use for podcasting . While it ’s not the One ’s strong feature of speech , the internal mike is near enough for recording vocalism and acoustical cat’s-paw for music demos , interview , and podcasts where capturing pristine audio frequency is n’t paramount .
Lastly , I checked the One ’s ability to use two input source at the same time by jacking a guitar into the instrument input and attaching a microphone to the XLR connection . I first try this with GarageBand for iOS . unfortunately , GarageBand can commemorate only one track at a prison term , so while it did memorialize both inputs , they were send together in a single track . Wavemachine Labs ’ $ 25 Auria LE app , however , can show multiple cartroad . I record - enabled two tracks in that app , assigned the instrument stimulus to one and the XLR input to the other , and was able to tape the guitar and microphone to separate tracks . I also tested using a microphone that requires phantom power with the One running on batteries and it recorded as require .
Bottom line
Those who want the convenience of a small Apogee user interface but intend to enter and listen only with their Macs can save a hundred dollars by purchasing the original One for $ 249 . It remains a great small audio interface though its converters are limited to 44.1/48kHz audio and it does n’t offer the same variety of gain as the novel model . However , if you ’re a instrumentalist or podcaster after a more conciliatory interface that works with both a Mac and compatible iOS gadget — and that to boot supports two inputs and sports a good ( but not outstanding ) mike — the One for Mac and iPad is well worth your condition .
