The Apogee Symphony Desktop is a powerful USB‑C audio interface designed for professional desktop recording where 24‑bit/192kHz AD/DA conversion and advanced DSP capabilities are essential. Combining the legendary Symphony sound with a compact desktop form factor, the Symphony Desktop delivers GRAMMY‑winning audio quality in a portable package perfect for home studios, project studios and mobile production setups.
 
The Symphony Desktop features 10 analog inputs, including 2 microphone/line inputs with variable impedance preamps offering up to 75 dB gain, 1 Hi‑Z instrument input with FET‑driven DI and tube‑amp characteristics, multiple monitor outputs, 2 independent headphone outputs (6.3mm and 3.5mm), plus optical ADAT/S‑PDIF digital I/O for expanded connectivity. Its internal hardware DSP processes Apogee FX Rack plugins without CPU load, including the Symphony ECS Channel Strip (EQ, compressor, saturation tuned by Bob Clearmountain) and Clearmountain Spaces convolution reverb, plus Preamp Emulations (British Solid State and 50s American Tube).
 
The dynamic touchscreen display provides intuitive control over routing, monitoring, gain, volume and plugin settings, while the Advanced Stepped Gain Architecture ensures extremely low noise and distortion across all gain settings. With USB‑C connectivity, Class‑compliant operation on Mac and iOS, and compatibility with iPad Pro running iOS 13, the Symphony Desktop integrates seamlessly into professional DAW workflows with ultra‑low latency.
 
For professional recording engineers, producers, home studio owners and musicians seeking a USB‑C audio interface with 24‑bit/192kHz conversion, DSP, variable impedance preamps, Touchscreen control and plugin bundle, the Apogee Symphony Desktop is a powerful centerpiece for professional desktop recording and music production.
 
Mic preamp emulations included:
 
AP-66 – British Solid State
AP-57 – 50s American Tube
 
Plug-ins included:
 
Clearmountain’s Spaces – macOS, Windows 10 – Native only
Symphony ECS Channel Strip – macOS, Windows 10 – Native and Hardware DSP
State-of-the-art components and circuits for first-class sound quality
Up to 24bit/192kHz digital audio
2 microphone preamps with 75 dB gain
FET instrument input with electric guitar tube amplifier characteristic
Apogee Alloy Mic Preamp Emulation
Built-in hardware DSP processing of Apogee FX plug-ins
Flexible, latency-free plug-in workflows: Push, monitor and DualPath Link workflows
Dynamic touchscreen display for comprehensive control
2 fully balanced 1/4″ outputs
2 assignable headphone outputs: 1 x 1/4″, 1 x 1/8″
10 IN x 14 OUT simultaneous audio channels
Digital I/O: 2 x optical Toslink (ADAT, S/PDIF)
USB 2.0 via USB type C connection
Dimensions (W x D x H): 199 x 125 x 64 mm
macOS 10.14.6 or later
iOS 13 or later
Windows 10 Anniversary or later
 
Flagship Sound Quality
 
Cutting-edge Analog and Digital Components Selected by Curious and Critical Ears
 
A/D CONVERTER – Like the Symphony I/O Mk II, the Symphony Desktop features an analog-to-digital converter stage with extremely low distortion and high slip rate, as well as a state-of-the-art A/D converter in a performance-enhancing dual-sum configuration. So you can be sure that every nuance of your analog input is faithfully reproduced in the digital domain.
PREAMPS – At the heart of the input stage are the Symphony Desktop’s mic preamps, which offer up to 75 dB of gain. The preamp features Apogee’s unique Advanced Stepped Gain Architecture®, which ensures extremely low noise and distortion regardless of the source – from a pounding kick drum to delicate fingerpicking on an acoustic guitar. With variable impedance settings on the mic and instrument inputs, Symphony Desktop optimizes the input stage to better match your specific equipment for deep bass and clear highs. Selectable Apogee Alloy preamp emulations add character, attitude and maybe a little edge to your recordings.
 
D/A CONVERSION – The Symphony Desktop’s digital-to-analog stage features all-new technology that delivers uncompromising Symphony DAC performance in a portable product, including a robust, ultra-low distortion, fully balanced, high-current output driver. Regardless of the downstream connections, the Symphony Desktop provides a transparent, broad view of the sonic landscape of your mix.
 
HEADPHONES – The Symphony Desktop features two fully independent ultra-low impedance headphone outputs, which can be switched individually and are both equipped with dual sum DACs from ESS. The output power range is tailored to the expected headphone type: The front-panel output can drive virtually any headphone, while the rear-panel output is specifically designed for high-efficiency headphones.
 
Desktop Control is the comprehensive console application for all hardware and software functions of the Symphony Desktop. From preamp selection to input and output routing, workflow setup, monitor control and much more, Desktop Control provides a flexible and intuitive interface to set up your sessions and stay in your creative rhythm.
 
Symphony Desktop’s touchscreen control provides complete access to all important hardware and software functions. From microphone preamp and mixer to monitor output volume and plug-ins, you can adjust everything without touching your mouse. The touchscreen control also gives Symphony Desktop more independence and stability on all platforms – macOS, iPad OS and Windows 10.
 
Apogee Alloy Preamps
 
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 response and distortion characteristics are first implemented in the analog domain, followed by precise and accurate refinement in the DSP to create a hybrid result that is greater than the sum of its parts.
 
Inspired by the Marinar "Round can" input transformer and the discrete transistor design of our Class A Neve 1066 mic preamp, this emulation offers the sonic weight and smooth transient response of the hardware. Boost the level for more width and punch.
 
Symphony Desktop's AP-57 microphone preamplifier offers the lush sound of a 1950s Ampex 601 preamplifier, carefully restored and modified to reduce noise and increase dynamic range. We've captured the harmonic warmth, richness and high-end sheen of the hardware, as well as the "gently overcooked" sound of the overdrive circuitry.
 
Some other optional Apogee plug-ins