Tech

Apogee’s Boom audio interface with DSP on the cheap


You might know Apogee because it’s pocketable or . Or maybe its . But ask a bedroom manufacturer and most will tell you they know the company about their audio interfaces and software tools. Today, the company revealed ($300), the new 24-bit/192kHz desktop audio interface for both studio creators and mobile devices.

Popular Likes Boom incorporates a dedicated hardware so it can run Apogee’s Symphony ECS channel strip plugin directly on the interface. This can help reduce the load on your CPU and also help reduce latency. DSP-enabled interfaces are not uncommon, but Boom is considerably cheaper than most low-end offerings with similar built-in hardware. A copy of the ECS plugin comes with Boom via companion software. You’ll also be able to get a “original” copy (separate/DAW-friendly) for half price – $50 – when you register the device.

The Boom has a fairly standard 2-in/2-out configuration with one XLR-combi input and one 1/4-inch input for instruments. As for output, there’s a pair of 1/4-inch outputs and a headphone jack on the rear. The rear placement of the headphone connection always seems a bit unhelpful when you’re trying to find the port, especially if you use your headphones for other things, so you’ll have to do this often. There’s a gap in the Boom’s base that you can thread cables under to help keep things a bit neater, but a port on the front seems more practical.

The new Apogee Boom audio interface is pictured with the headphone cable running through the gap in the base.

James Trew / Engadget

Fortunately, the Boom is powered via USB so no separate power source is required. iOS compatibility is also available, but since the USB port does double duty for data and power, this is limited to the iPad Pro as the iPhone won’t be able to drive it, even with the camera connector. . Of course, a full-size interface like this doesn’t make much sense for a phone, but in case you were wondering, now you know.

Although there is only one XLR input, the preamp is large enough and can easily drive hungry microphones like the SM7b. Using the Symphony plugin’s EQ and compressor allows you to fine-tune that sound (no matter what mic/instrument). There’s a wide range of presets that will cover the most common recording situations, but you can obviously EQ and compress everything to your own personal taste.

For musicians, this can really help you perfect your mix without having to interfere with any plugins you might be running in your DAW. But for podcasters and streamers in particular, that means you can control how your voice comes out without a DAW or other host app running – your microphone just presents the EQ signal. ‘d as standard output. For now, only Apogee’s ECS channel strip will work with Boom, although the company has confirmed that it’s entirely possible their other plugins are carried over to the DSP side of things.

Apogee’s desktop products often have beautiful designs, and Boom is no different. The purple steel case gives it some reassurance while the single rotary dial is a neat solution for controlling multiple things (two channels of gain and two effects).

At $300, it’s a shade compared to some of the most popular skins like the Scarlett 2i2 and UA Volt – both of which are under $200. However, with that DSP Apogee can advertise this as a simpler alternative to ($499) also from Universal Audio or ($595).

All products recommended by Engadget are handpicked by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at time of publication.



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