Put the Sound of a Symphony on Your Desk
A/D CONVERSION – Like Symphony I/O Mk II, Symphony Desktop’s analog-to-digital converter stage features ultra-low distortion, high-slew rate, fully differential analog op-amps plus a cutting edge A/D converter in a performance-enhancing dual-sum configuration. Create with the confidence that every nuance of your analog input is faithfully reproduced in the digital domain.
D/A CONVERSION – The digital-to-analog stage of Symphony Desktop features brand new technology that provides uncompromising Symphony DAC performance in a portable product, including a robust ultra-low distortion, high-current, fully balanced output driver. Regardless of downstream connections, Symphony Desktop delivers a transparent, widescreen window into the sonic landscape of your mix.
PREAMPS – At the core of the input stage, are Symphony Desktop’s mic preamps offering up to 75dB of gain. The preamp design features Apogee’s unique Advanced Stepped Gain Architecture which ensures ultra-low noise and distortion regardless of the source, from pounding kick drum to delicate fingerpicking on an acoustic guitar. With variable impedance settings on both mic and instrument inputs, Symphony Desktop optimizes the input stage to better match your specific devices, for deep lows and clear highs. Selectable Apogee Alloy preamp emulations add character, attitude and maybe a bit of grit to your recordings.
Symphony Desktop has two completely independent ultra low impedance headphone outputs, individually routable, both equipped with dual-sum ESS DACs. Output power range is tailored to the expected type of headphones: the front panel output can drive virtually any headphones, while the rear panel output is specifically tailored for high-efficiency headphones.
Chris Vandeviver at Why Logic Pro Rules rolled out a new 3-part video walkthrough of the Apogee Symphony Desktop. Chris takes us on a deep dive into how he uses Symphony Desktop, Apogee hardware DSP and native Plugins and Apogee’s Control 2 software to create an effective and efficient workflow for music production in Apple’s Logic Pro X. Chris also pairs his Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt with Symphony Desktop as an optical expander for drum recording.
Apogee Alloy Preamp emulation combines analog circuitry and DSP processing to create the richest, most authentic preamp modeling available in an audio interface. Critical aspects of the model such as input impedance, transient profile and distortion characteristics are first implemented in the analog domain, followed by precise and accurate refinement in DSP, for a hybrid result that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
British Solid State – Class A Console Sound
American Tube – Lush, 50s Tone
Symphony Desktop’s AP-57 mic preamp gives you the lush, larger-than-life sounds of a 50s era Ampex 601 preamp, carefully restored and modded for lower noise and greater dynamic range. We’ve captured the harmonic warmth, richness and high-end sheen of the hardware, plus the “gently overcooked” sound of the overloading circuit.
Obsessively crafted by the same team that designs all Apogee hardware and software products, Apogee FX and FX Rack plugins offer superior sound quality, and full bandwidth performance (44.1 to 192.kHz) for all DAWs on your Mac. From visually modern interfaces that allow you to precisely shape and contour your sound to meticulously modeled vintage hardware that is so accurate it has been endorsed by the hardware manufacturer, Apogee plugins will quickly find their way into your daily recording tool kit.
Tuned by Bob Clearmountain, the Symphony ECS Channel Strip plugin includes EQ, Compression and Saturation controls that let you create the optimal blend of channel FX for tracking vocals or acoustic instruments. You can use the ECS Channel strip with Symphony Desktop hardware DSP for zero latency recording or as a native plugin in your DAW.
Clearmountain’s Spaces reverb plugin reproduces Bob Clearmountain’s personalized workflow for creating the distinctive, rich spaces where his mixes live. With the very same echo chamber profiles and processing he’s used on countless hit records, Clearmountain’s Spaces lets you envelope your tracks in unique and cohesive atmospheres that set your mixes apart.
DualPath Link FX Monitoring
Monitor and control input features and plugin settings directly from your DAW
The most powerful and streamlined Symphony Desktop workflow option is Monitor FX with DualPath Link™. Simply open the Apogee Channel FX plugin on the track you’re recording to and link to the corresponding Symphony Desktop input to control all settings directly from your DAW, no other software required. DualPath Link technology sends your audio through the plugin on the hardware DSP in Symphony Desktop while you are recording and seamlessly switches to run the plugin in the DAW on your computer when you are playing your track back. The result is the most flexible, efficient and inspiring plugin recording workflow available.
Virtually Zero Latency
Single-window Operation from your DAW
Maximum CPU potential
Print FX
Monitor with Zero Latency and Print with Plugins while you Record
With Print FX active you can record Apogee FX Plugins directly from the hardware DSP in Symphony Desktop to the corresponding channel in your DAW with zero latency while tracking.
Hardware DSP version and native Symphony ECS channel Strip plugin included
Hardware DSP version of Pultec EQP-1A included
Native plugin sold separately
Monitor FX
Monitor with Zero Latency While you Record
and Print Plugins Later
With Monitor FX active, you have ultimate flexibility with Apogee FX plugins. You can monitor with zero latency and dial in an inspiring sound when you are tracking without printing FX.
Touch Screen Control
Access every critical setting from the intuitive and immersive touch screen
Symphony Desktop’s Touch Screen Control application gives you complete access to all essential hardware and software features. From mic pre gain to mixer, to monitor output volume and plugins you can dial it in without touching your mouse. Touch Screen Control also gives Symphony Desktop more independence and stability across all platforms – macOS, iPad OS and Windows 10.
Desktop Control Software
The complete control console for dialing it in from your computer
Desktop Control is the comprehensive console application for all Symphony Desktop hardware and software functions. From preamp selection to input and output routing to workflow setup, monitor control and more, Desktop Control provides a flexible and intuitive interface for setting up you sessions and staying in your creative groove.
Symphony Desktop: $1495
Apogee Control 2 software for macOS (including M1 Apple Silicon) & Windows 10 PCs.
Symphony ECS Channel Strip plugin running in the Apogee Channel FX (ACFX) plugin and fully controllable from:
Touch-screen display on Symphony Desktop
Within the Apogee Control 2 software
From your DAW
All 3 workflows fully functional in the ACFX plugin wrapper: Print, Monitor, and DualPath Link
Various bug fixes, layout tweaks, and general improvements
PHASE I Now Available | December 2021
Pultec EQP-1A on Hardware DSP
Pultec MEQ-5 on Hardware DSP
Apogee Channel FX plugin wrapper available on every Optical Input with full functionality and all 3 workflows.
PHASE II | February 2022
Additional Apogee plugins running in the Apogee Channel FX plugin wrapper with full functionality and all 3 workflows:
ModEQ 6
ModComp
Opto-3A
Complete control of Plugin FX on Optical Inputs using the Touchscreen Display.
Device Control integration (this includes the Direct button) in Logic Pro X
Additional plugin parameter controls via Touch Screen Control
MIDI over USB
*Schedule and features subject to change.
Scroll to top
