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The MiniMe
holds a place in the upper echelons of USB audio, but that’s no surprise
really because, after all, it’s an Apogee. In 2002, Apogee unleashed the
Mini-Me on unsuspecting audioheads and the concept of recording on the road was
ever changed. This little gizmo captured EQ Magazine’s Blue Ribbon Award, as well as lots
of praise from users who might have previously shied away from USB audio.
The Mini-Me records at up to 24-bit/96K and features two premium mic/instrument
preamps and line level inputs, plus a three-curve stereo comp/limiter
called “Push-It.”ª Push-It is ideal for when you need a little extra
punch, or need a safety net while recording live. The Mini-Me is equipped with
USB, so you can hook straight up to your laptop and monitor at the same time.
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The mic preamps in the Mini-Me were designed by
the same team that created the award-winning and widely praised Trak2 preamps.
And, like the Trak2, the Mini-Me accepts mic, line and instrument-level inputs.
Phantom power is provided as well, and universal XLR/TRS connectors select the
instrument input automatically whenever you plug in a
TRS jack.
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Compress and Limit Without Clipping
Apogee’s Soft Limit process is designed to maximize your
digital levels without clipping out. It manages this feat by deploying the power of the Mini-Me’s Push-Itª technology,
a unique new three-curve stereo compressor/limiter circuit. This powerful new circuitry takes Apogee’s dynamics control to a
whole new level.
44.1 to 96 kHz Sample Rates
The Mini-Me’s converters will output a full
24-bit signal at 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96 kHz.
In addition, you can choose from 16- or 20-bit outputs at 44.1 or 48 kHz using Apogee’s
industry standard UV22 HR system for word-length reduction.
Plug and Play with USB
The Mini-Me’s low-latency USB interface carries two
channels of audio at up to 24-bits and 48 kHz, so you can monitor in realtime
between the Mini-Me and your computer. Using an operating system that supports
USB Audio Devices (including Windows 98SE, Me, 2000 and XP, and Macintosh OS 9.x
and 10.x), you can easily set up the Mini-Me in the preferences of your recording
app of choice. ASIO drivers are also
supplied for minimum latency.
Auto-synchs Your Sample Rate!
If for some ungodly reason the sample rates become mismatched between the Mini-Me
and your computer, the device does you a favor and converts the rates
automatically. And if you select 24-bit on the Mini-Me and 16 bit on your
recording software, the unit will apply UV22HR automatically to the USB output.
The Mini-Me includes AES/EBU (XLR) and S/PDIF (RCA/coaxial)
outputs which are available simultaneously, clocked by a high-stability reference
crystal oscillator, making the Mini-Me an ideal master clock.
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Get the Mini-Me
(click the image below to purchase)
 
Keep Mini-Me Safe with a Mini-Me Carrying Case
(click the image below to purchase)
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Mini-Me Devotee
“I like the Mini-Me’s compression for its soft knee. It
doesn’t have an extremely hard attack and makes the recording sound
fatter,” explains Greg Hedgepath, supervising sound editor for “2 Fast 2
Furious,” “Spy Kids” and “Blade.” “The Mini-Me brought up the mid range and lows in the engine as
well as bringing out the aggressive nature of the engine without making it
sound really squashed.”
“I’ve always really liked the Apogee stuff,” says Matt
Still, engineer for OutKast, Elton John, Little Richard and others. “The
Trak2 is a great unit.”
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Interviews
