I sold my Apollo (got the same amount I paid for - thanks to inflation), sold all my UA plug-ins, re-purchased them all for way less from the original developers, and bought an RME Babyface Pro FS. It's been amazing! Not only did I end up making a profit but I can now work anytime, anywhere with or without an internet connection or dongle or an AC power outlet. ps, the amount of hate I've gotten from Apollo fans for sharing this info has been hilarious. Welcome to the RME world... and all it's freedoms that come with it!
Another happy BabyFace Pro FS user. The driver and forum support is simply unparalleled with other companies I've dealt with. Loved this thing as soon as the TotalMix software "clicked". Here's one tip that clicked for me: start at the bottom right of the mixer interface where it says "Phones" and "Main". This is your pivot point between two completely different mixers. Click back and forth between the two and see how the entire rest of the interface changes to reflect the 2 completely different mixers - one for the phones, and one for the speakers. This simple realization ended hours of frustration trying to figure out why settings weren't doing what I expected them to do. You're welcome! ;-)
Agree 100%. I literally had the exact same experience. The first was that TotalMix made no sense. And if I had to be honest it still doesn't make sense. But I was able to copy a dashboard from someone and it works. The second thing is that I discovered that all Apollo Twins I bought just weren't compatible with Windows and we have a lot of other people who have issues. If you're a Mac user, Apollo Twins are great. But for Windows, tons of problems. But in the end I found that the audio quality was excellent on the RME so I've had no reason to go for the Twin.
Since I've done this review, anyone that asks about the Apollo I tell them try RME. lol UA is great and I've had a LOT of Apollos but that RME is truly a level above.
Hmm. I wonder if RME or UA will do anything big at NAMM. I have heard incredible things about the preamps in the focusrite rednet x2p as well. It looks like sweetwater and UA are trying to liquidate those apollos too with the microphone included in the mounted apollos.
I would LOVE to see updated Apollos and a few RME interfaces in the $500 range to be honest. I'd also love to see some (much needed) updated Presonus interfaces. It's tough liking so much gear. Gets expensive. lol
@@joshuabutlermusic You said it, i want a 500 Euro RME interface, back in 2013 i bought a 300 euro PCI card from rme, sadly cant use that anymore. Yesterday i got the Audient ID24 and compared it with my Presonus 68 (i bought it 5 years ago). And the audient is way worse. I wasnt expecting that tbh. If RME makes something for 500 im in. But Presonus really impressed me, or the audient is just bad. Idk if it has something to do with it being usp bus powered!
Thanks for the video. I was hoping that the new USB Apollo for windows would have fixed those issues, but thanks for showing us that that's not the case. I'll probably go with RME. The software just seems confusing.
The software may seam confusing at first but after you use it for an hour you realize........ It is VERRRRRRY confusing. lol Took me a good day or two to really understand it but once I did it blew my mind with the flexibility.
I’m not going to lie. I’ve been using the RME regardless of my comfort zone for the past few days and I absolutely love it now that I’m finally grasping the mix software it is absolutely amazing.
What do you thinks better for vocals? Gonna use mainly autotune and basic stuff but I do want to experiement, doesnt apollo have livetime/realtime effects as you record? or does babyface do that aswell?
Which interface are you using to record this video? Is it just me or does the audio start to get a bit fuzzy/static in the last 20 seconds? Around the 4:14 mark?
I was actually using my Presonus Revelator iO24 for this video. I do have music starting at about that time so maybe that's what you are hearing? 🤷🏻♂️
I had no issues with the Apollo solo on windows, I only returned it because I have an Audient id4, and it’s good, I was going to keep the solo but I want the x version because of the better conversions on it
Yes, I agree it’s not the most intuitive - but once you suss it out, it’s a complete game changer! It’s a full digital mixer, with a superb EQ and the routing options allow you to route hardware inputs/outputs and software inputs/outputs and it’s ZERO latency! The DSP FX on the way in are also ZERO latency and the mic pres are utterly transparent, meaning you can either capture the source ‘as is’ or if you want to add colour using hardware you can. The conversion is the best in class and compared to the Universal Audio Apollo it’s pristine conversion - the Apollo is cloudy in comparison (I get it - it’s got a warmth to it but you don’t want that - you want pristine and accurate and that is what the RME does). I cannot stress how good the mic pre’s are in the RME! They are the best I’ve ever used! The D/A conversion is on a par with the Prizm. Comparing the RME to the Apollo is not a fair comparison - the RME smokes it on every count!
Shoot it’s in the title (usb), my bad. UAD great on Mac, have tested and used all apollos. Doesn’t seem like it’s best designed for win. Good move going RME.
