Apogee Symphony Desktop - Pro Audio Interface with Touch-Screen Display, Headphone Amp with Phantom Power for Recording, Live-Stream & Podcast, works with Mac, PC, iPhone, and iPad

This unit has by far the highest quality audio that I've experienced from a desktop interface.Its night and day when compared to other offerings. Absolutely amazing!I recently returned the Universal Audio Apollo X4 gen 2 due to Thunderbolt issued on Windows 11 (crackling, stuttering, even BSOD) & I was genuinely disappointed that I wouldn't be able to have the "latest and greatest" sound for by audio workstation...Well, this unit absolutely outshines the competition by MILES.The Apogee Symphony desktop is a worthwhile investment for those looking for similar functionality as the UAD dsp ecosystem, but with higher quality preamps, better drivers (Windows), more intuitive software, as well as dsp control straight from the touchscreen on the unit itself, no software necessary!Excellent work, Apogee!

Began home recording over 30 years ago on multitrack tape. Taught college classes in digital audio recording for past 20 years. Been using another pro-level brand desktop interface for the past 10 years, but was always bothered by a 'covered' midrange that needed processing to bring out life and sparkle. Decided to take a look at what else was out there - wow, lots of options now! I'm SO glad I decided on the Apogee Symphony Desktop.Yes it's pricey, but wow, what a difference. The included DSP preamps run from pristine and clean, to saturated and gritty. The Bob Clearmontain ECS (eq, compressor, saturation) Channel Strip makes it easy to quickly tune in settings for monitoring while recording - which can be printed, if you choose. The Dual Path set up which allows you to control everything directly from the DAW is a great convenience, but requires purchase of native versions of the DSP plugs. This extra expense (if you can't live without the Dual Path feature) is the only reason for the points taken off for Value for the Money. The only thing lacking is a reverb/delay DSP module for monitoring; you have to leave the Apogee control module and set that up in the DAW - a native Clearmountain Spaces reverb plugin is included. Puts a blip in the workflow and requires software monitoring in the DAW.I'm keeping my other interface connected for access to its plugins, but the Apogee Symphony is what I'll be using for recording from now on.

Piece of junk! Wouldn’t even turn on. I followed all of the installation instructions to a T. Support also wasn’t even accessible to troubleshoot. Avoid this company.

I love this!!! So easy to use with windows and fl studio I'm so glad I got rid of my apollo twin.

I debated about getting this for a long time, but I think it is worth the price. The audio conversion is definitely a notable step-up compared to even the other apogee interfaces I have tried. If you're an in-the-box producer this is very easy to recommend! However, if you plan on getting a mixing desk or other analogue equipment then I'd wait and save to get the Symphony mk2.

The product didn't turn on, after making sure I connected the power cable properly, and after I checked the power cable worked with other similar products. I will return this one, and change my rating once I get a replacement that does work.

This is the nicest, coolest, bestest sounding interface I have ever used. And that’s across the board. I will get into the details in a moment.I had an original FireWire Apogee Duet which i paired with some API mic preamps. I recorded bands and a couple of my own albums on this setup. When I go back and listen to those recordings, the instruments sound so big, yet so clear and never harsh.Then I got a Focusrite Scarlett interface because FireWire died out. This interface was good for the price. But it never quite had that 3D sound, nor were the instrument inputs (hi-z) spectacular. It just sounded good, but not great.Then I decided to replace the Focusrite with another Apogee, since the old Duet sounded so good and their Apple/Logic integration is very good. First I tried a Boom. It arrived broken. Got a second boom; it too had connectivity problems. So I tried a Duet 3. Would not power on. So, sidebar: I don’t know about Apogee’s QA/reliability. Anyway, I got refunds on all of these and just decided to bite the bullet and get the top-of-the-line Symphony Desktop. Wow!!!!! Holy cow it sounds good. And is nice to use.Some highlights:- FET instrument input. This makes a difference.- Instrument input can be used with preamp models.- converters and design: yields Crystal clear highs that don’t hurt your sensitive ears.- Interface: a nice package of hardware DSP plugins, which would be very nice for podcasting etc, and dual path technology lets you sync the plugins between hardware DSP and native plugins. Big beautiful screen that is very responsive.- Alloy mic preamps: this is a competitor to UAD’s self-reconfiguring preamps, changing the impedance etc. it comes with three “preamp” models, one of which is just the straight mic preamp without any tonal coloration. I absolutely love this feature—it is much more well thought out than most of the competitors. The print and monitor fx are a nice touch. I’m not even a hardware DSP person but it was done so well here that I’ve fallen in love with it.In my home studio, the Symphony is the centerpiece of my rig, next to the Mac Mini. When I go to my office studio, I bring it with me and connect a UAD 8p to my Symphony’s digital inputs, for 10 channels of tracking, which is just enough for a big drumkit sound.The only downside is: this thing is quite expensive. I really couldn’t afford it but had to have it so here we are. I don’t know if it’s worth QUITE that much but… you ARE getting some of the best converters money can buy, and getting it in a size and format that is very convenient for most people, both hobbyists and professionals.This one blows the rest of them out of the water.

The sound on the interface was excellent. Very limited i/o for such an expensive device though and unfortunately the software felt half baked on my Mac. Randomly used tons of memory in activity monitor and caused multiple crashes. Tech support was understanding and tried to help but basically just said uninstall everything and reinstall. Also sometimes the changes on the touch screen didn't match what showed on the computer. The software just didn't seem to be ready for prime time so I had to return and go back to my Apollo Twin X which sounds almost as good to my ears and way more solid on Mac.