Avid Pro Tools Duet/Quartet FAQ
What is the difference between Pro Tools | Duet and Pro Tools | Quartet?
Pro Tools | Duet can record up to 2 mic/line/instrument inputs while Pro Tools | Quartet has 4 mic/line/instrument inputs as well as 8 digital inputs. Pro Tools | Duet can feed a stereo pair of speakers while Quartet can feed up to 3 stereo pairs of speakers. Check out Avid’s comparison table for more details.
Do both Pro Tools | Duet and Pro Tools | Quartet require external power?
Both solutions include a power supply. Pro Tools | Quartet always requires the included power supply. The Duet requires the power supply for Windows connectivity but does not always require the adaptor for Mac operation. The Duet power supply is only required on Mac in rare occasions when using power-hungry condenser microphones and in these instances, a warning message will appear on the OLED.
How do I connect MIDI to Pro Tools | Software using these interfaces?
Each interface includes a USB-A type connector for connecting a CoreMIDI USB I/O device. This is useful when you do not have an available USB port on your computer.
What features in Pro Tools IO Control can be controlled by EUCON?
The following features can be controlled via EUCON:
- Artist Series and S3 channel strips with stereo metering can control (where appropriate) fader, pan, solo and mute for:
- Speaker Out level
- Headphones Out level
- Analog Input and ADAT input levels
- Software Return
- Mix Master
- SELect input or mixer channel
- ON turns on phantom
- Phase reverse
I own a Duet/Quartet from Apogee can I get a copy of Pro Tools IO Control so I can control the interface from my Artist Series controllers via EUCON?
Pro Tools IO Control software is only compatible with the black, Avid branded Pro Tools | Duet and Pro Tools | Quartet interfaces and does not work with standalone Apogee interfaces which are supported by Maestro software.
Can I download Windows drivers for my Duet/Quartet Apogee interfaces?
Only the black Avid branded interfaces from the Pro Tools | Duet and Pro Tools | Quartet solutions can utilize the windows drivers. The silver standalone interfaces from Apogee only work with Mac OSX or iOS.
I have Pro Tools 9/10 and/or an earlier Avid audio interface, and I would like to upgrade to Pro Tools | Duet/Quartet, is there upgrade pricing?
Currently there are no upgrade packages to these products from any Avid hardware or software solutions.
Can I use the Pro Tools | Duet or Pro Tools | Quartet with my iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch?
The Avid Pro Tools | Duet and Pro Tools | Quartet are compatible with Mac OSX and Windows they do not feature direct connectivity to Apple iOS devices.
How does Pro Tools IO Control provide low latency monitoring?
Pro Tools 11 includes a new Avid Audio Engine and low latency record buffer allowing you to record and monitor tracks within Pro Tools with low latency (latency is the a slight delay between when you play a note and when you hear it with a record enabled track). In many cases, as with other DAWs, this latency is low enough to not be noticeable. However the latency depends on the speed of your computer and the size of the session, the number of recorded tracks and effects you have on the record tracks. If you notice latency when recording you can use Pro Tools IO Control mixer to solve the problem. Audio signals from mics, guitars etc going into the Quartet or Duet interfaces can be monitored directly using Pro Tools IO Control mix software from the interface, without having to pass through Pro Tools record enabled tracks and back, and can be mixed with the playback output from Pro Tools for very low latency playing and recording.
The Quartet interface can monitor in 5.1. Is it suitable for surround sound audio post workflows?
The Quartet interface can support up to three sets of stereo speakers or a single set of 5.1 speakers so it can be used for monitoring in surround with applications that support 5.1. However Pro Tools | Software only supports stereo so this solution can be used for stereo audio post with HD video in the Pro Tools timeline but not 5.1.
Does Pro Tools | Quartet integrate with Media Composer | Software?
Yes this package is perfect for video editors with Media Composer that require a high quality interface that can handle 5.1 monitoring directly from Media Composer and stereo monitoring from Pro Tools.
What would I need Word Clock out for in the Quartet interface?
This allows the Quartet to be the master clock for additional interfaces that are connected via Quartet’s ADAT digital inputs. Quartet cannot be locked to an external clock source as there is no Word Clock input.
Can I use analog processors like compressors with the Quartet Interface?
Yes you can setup any of the 4 inputs and 6 outputs as analog effect send and returns. For example you could use up to 4 mono in/out external analog effects units and use the last two analog outputs to feed a pair of stereo signals.
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