Question about setup/Apogee/Groove tubes

[tripb19]

Hello folks, recording noob here need some sage advice;

I've got Logic 8/Mac and need a preamp/interface to get my recording done, and I only need a couple of channels, and I have some potentially dumb questions.

The Apogee Duet looks to be made for me and has stellar reviews, particularly with the setup I have. It doesn't have a digital in though; what does that prevent me from doing? Can I run an electronic keyboard through it?

Also, would the GT Brick be worth investing in to run into the Duet to get things sound a bit more lifelike? I worry running straight into interfaces with instruments, I haven't heard great results DIing interfaces like mBoxes and Saffires IME.

Thanks for the noobie help!

[hunta]

The Duet has no MIDI inputs or digital inputs, so you could run your keyboard in through a 1/4" (or 2 1/4" for stereo) and record that way, but if you want to record MIDI you'll need an additional MIDI interface. That's no big deal, you can get a USB MIDI interface for like $20 or $30. If you're not using any other outboard hardware you probably won't need the digital inputs, but you never know what you'll be getting later on. I have all the digital ins on my interface and really don't use them, but they're there for futureproofing my own setup, as well as if someone brings in a piece of hardware and I need to hook it into my interface.

I don't know a lot about the brick but I mostly see it recommended as a vocal pre. Maybe someone else knows more about it but I'd think there are probably better options if you want it mainly for bass.