All user reviews for the MOTU 828 Mk2

Long live the firewire, sound Motu, line converters of high quality mic Pramp not bad, 8 i / o ADAT, SMPTE sync, the big mac orientation ...
Use: registration of my group dub on DP4 (midas venice loc in Pramp mic, direct exits out to the 828), mixing movies, music and sound hacks a basic sampler xternal, moog modular in AU ...
does not record in 192kHz, "only" in 96/24 ... but ...

USE

On my G5 no worries, the sector is plugged, firewire, we put the cd and presto!

IMPLEMENTATION

If I do not count tien small bug DP4.12 (updated on 4.5), AC drives, not a bug!
maximum recorded tracks simultaneously: 10 with 3 playing at the moment, it seems far from the limits of bbte!
with moog modular, 4ms latency in 48khz, cb ...
to use, what I like least, it's the little knobs too small ..., nicks METERS has LED ridiculous spacing among jack in front too just back, do not rely connect 8 large jack enrobs like "yellow cable" no pass, prvoir multicore with a small "fine" jacks.
The standalone mode is convenient, ca dpanne.

NOTICE GLOBAL

I use it for 6 months, it is beautiful, it sounds great, it's big sound, the price is reasonable.
Today j'couterais E-mu cards before buying, having said no regrets, I love it!

the preamp, the brand!
I use it with my pc fire wire and cabling on SOUNDTECH TOPAZ.

USE

once in a while, I reinstalled the drivers has its fragility, pay attention to dust and location! taking 4 track at the same time, 2 guitars and keyboards (DI)
no latency after adjustment on cubase with motu drivers.

IMPLEMENTATION

Quick installation, config is not bad, can soon reach the grace menu knobs facade, no incompatibilities to this day for me, the manual is clear.

NOTICE GLOBAL

I use it for 5 years! I tried other models but too expensive for my budget at that time there.The addition, the sound of the preamp is not bad, fire wire connection in pratique.prise fast enough hand and the result is a hauteur.par against the least, this is my second card in less than 5 years, brings back twice to bug (christmas tree: the failure of the 828), pprise as collateral by pure motu failure serie I've recovered a new and since no probleme.avec the experience I would turn to a digi or RME see another motu (24 piste.pour 250 euros today it remains a good value quality took less falling on a christmas tree:

used since 2003, so more than 10 years of service in a home studio with a Imac logic and audio settings using the front is complicated but it is a good steady audio card is forgotten ...
... until that awful creaking untimely sacking tracks and taken her. (Last few months)
After numerous searches on the net, these problems are scouring Trim potentiometers 2 preamps therefore a life not very long, as these cracks appeared earlier for some users.
No way to find these knobs (SAV Motu? ....), I perform the transformation circulating on the net (as it is easily) which is to replace potentiometers with fixed resistance, so more volume settings entry, unfortunately.
This allows me to continue using my Mk2, without investing in a new card.

UTILIZATION

drivers ok

GETTING STARTED

Installation ok

OVERALL OPINION

Average long-term

I bought the MOTU 828 MK2 in Quebec because the digital audio equipment is cheaper there. I was more interested in the stability of the brand by the number of entries. The number of output also interested me but I do have rarely served.
I use it with my Macbook Pro that I bought in 2005. I still have these two devices together and after updating Mac, it works fine.
This is the firewire legacy that connects the two and I rarely had any problems. The day I got one, the distributor of the brand in Paris I was replaced for less than 100 euros. If I have to buy a card, I will take a MOTU. I connect my MIDI keyboard. And I get my stereo audio on the map.
My macbook pro: Mac OS X - Processor: 1.83 Intel Core Audio - Memory 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM.

UTILIZATION

I recorded three tracks at a time no more. It works.
I can read 12 audio without problems.
The system is overloaded from 16 tracks, at the reading.
The drivers are stable. I use Logic Pro 9 and MainStage. I never had a problem.
I have no lag or it is very short.
on the other hand to control sound physical modeling, it does not work well. The dynamic is not good. But maybe it comes from the keyboard.

GETTING STARTED

Installation is very simple. The card is detected as soon as the computer and the card and the computer are connected.

OVERALL OPINION

I use the two together for 8 years. Everything is stable as long as it takes and as long as the software does not change too quickly as this may be outdated.
MOTU before, I tried two others: EDIROL and other small cards but it was not stable with the ibook I had at the time. Connections behind the camera are not practical. Ergonomics can definitely improve. The price is worth it because of the stability of my system.

Purchased 10 years ago because of the reputation of the brand. Used for film music and pub as midi (virtual instruments) and audio (made instruments and vocals). Connected to an iMac and used with Logic Pro.

UTILIZATION

Stable drivers, installation very simple: you install the driver, plug the firewire cable and go.
No audible latency, including such parts ultra rhythmic rhodes piano jazz / funk clavinet.
I saved up to 6 tracks (drums) simultaneously and it goes without pb, in fact multitrack recording performance depends on the power of the computer.

The preamps on the front are nice to troubleshoot (especially because you can switch jack and xlr and because you can directly connect a bass or electric guitar) but the signal quality is average. It is much better to go through a "real" external preamp connected to the inputs on the rear panel.

GETTING STARTED

No pb computer type to report, this card is stable and it is especially strong. I embedded the 10aines times for sessions, and I turn off an average of 4 times per day for 10 years, calculate ...

OVERALL OPINION

I worked mainly on RME Fireface, Apogee Ensemble, MOTU and concerned. I will not be smart to say that MOTU sounds better or worse than the other 2 because I do not know: there are too many parameters that come into play (quality of listening, room acoustics, style music, etc.). I leave the subtleties of the debate on the quality of converters purists

What I can tell you is that MOTU has never given the impression of limiting anything in the creative process as it is used in a serious audio chain (good mics, good preamps, good plays) and is capable of delivering sound pro, and music that sells

I wanted an interface with inputs lines and NOT the preamp signal path. CV with good communication and very fast with the motherboard to support mixing sessions asser loaded. I had a budget squeeze at the time of purchase.

it works 110 or 220volt via a switch on the side (I use my ca)

Used with a macbook pro under Lion.

UTILIZATION

Perfect stability, never crash, never a bug. When OSX Lion is out, Motu has reacted quickly and asser first update the driver was impeccable. This is always the case.

Used with Logic (8 and 9), Reason 5, Live 8 and a bunch of other standalone software. A test wave in Protools and Reaper. RAS.

When I reach the 60 tracks and a few plugs around it starts to jam with a latency under 11 ms, but unfortunately I know with certainty that the problem comes from Logic. With other I never had any problems.

GETTING STARTED

Mine had a concern about the firewire. I bought it used and I think it is for many ca ... Finally, once the problem resolut, everything works perfectly.

The management utility of monitoring is simple and gets the job done without. I prefer to make my configuration directly on the hardware.

The manual is very clear and simple answers to many questions and detail.
A friend turns on the pc (windows 7 it seems) and has stability issues.

I use the i / os / PDIF and I noticed the noise on the input when the peripheral branch is turn off. I do not think that comes from the Motu ca. a use that is not dereangeant requires a ca not allow direct monitoring of the S / PDIF open when not in use.

OVERALL OPINION

This is excellent, value for money is to die for. Converters me enormously more, apart from one Apogee Rosetta 200 I do not use more than the Motu.

I like stability, no stall even when changing sampling frequency, with programs already opened in the brancheant / unplugging hot, and putting the computer into standby (working on laptop, it is convenient).

Another point that I like, it is a 10 in 10 out analog. Both preamps foh not replace input lines and output monitor not replace the line output.

The only point I like a little less is not to have two different potentiometers for the headphone output facade and the speaker volume. (Gains are different of course, but you must click to select one or the other).

In summary, this is excellent, well thought out, complete, very stable with excellent driver and CV. I almost considered buying a second because as explained in the manual, Motu has planned power chaining interfaces (up to 3 I think). was $ 300, I'm full.

The purchase of my and my microphone pre-amp has motivated the choice of the Motu.
For consistency, the Motu corresponded exactly to my installation: Newmann TLM.

Even with my old windows XP PC 98, it works and knows how to install nikel almost of itself, despite several uninstall my PC system.


Taking fireware is excellent and convenient ... they should all be the same way.

UTILIZATION

Bought used, it runs perfectly, no problem.
Quite stable, even when I open ejamming with skype.

Magix software: I can read 10 tracks simultaneously.

No noise, no latency or delay ... everything is perfect ... a true gem!

For cons, the updates are not indicated or requested ...

GETTING STARTED

Easy installation .. you just need to pay attention to the outputs, especially when you want to use e jamming and playing with friends in lines.


General Setup nice and simple.

The manual? God thank you I found this site in French!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for almost 2 years and it dates from 2009.

Its reliability and reputation I have not done hésiter...qualité / price: super!

What I like most is its first appearance: clear and everything is displayed.
Then, is his loyalty and reliability.

The sound comes and nickel addition, the map remains stable and long process with several open at the same time.

With experience, I remake the same choice but earlier!

I chose this model for the number of IO and format.
I use the line inputs to my synths and my preamp SPL, the IO for my optical multi Fireworks and TC inputs with preamp on the occasion when you jam at home with friends. The outputs are used to leave me in the synths to use the Virus filter for example, or to re-sampler in my MachineDrum

UTILIZATION

It is very stable. I read twenty projects with audio track without pb and record 8 tracks simultaneously without any pb either.
I use either a IMac with Live or Cubase / Live on PC and it runs without pb.
Softwares config and mixing / routing is simple.

GETTING STARTED

No blémo, manual never opened.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it right out (so 8 years ago). Before I was using a Creamware Luna2 with a small Mackie mixer, so I recorded one track and was using the Mackie not really in the mix (EQ) ... what motivated my choice.
I made the costs of major defect ie the first series LCD slammed after a year of loyal service. I've never made repair because I do not use the display and it does not affect the quality of the audio card.
It stays on and does not flinch 24h/24h, the sound quality is more than adequate for what I did and is consistent with the rest of my audio system.
A remake I resumed the MOTU or I look toward RME has a very good kicki too.

MOTU had a good reputation, especially for the A / DD / A, and it was at the time my priority. I knew Digidesign Session 8 PC with an interface 828 MkII which I was very happy, and then I made the mistake of falling for different audio cards offering plethora of supposed benefits (yamaha DS qqchose, Creamware Pulsar and other qq) but had suffered from declining quality dramatically as it had involved. With the 828, I found sound "solid", full, punchy.

I mainly use the balanced inputs connected to preamps. I do not use the preamps of the 828 that are there to help, but not to make definitive catch. It is also the only real weak point.

UTILIZATION

I bought this interface for use with the PC despite some negative feedback regarding PC drivers. I took a chance and I must say that I have never had to complain of the 828 drivers. But it is true that I ride my own PC and is rather attention to the various elements that I use, I learn about bugs and incompatibilities particular chipset, and have followed the recommendations of Motu on the choice of chipset Firewire, to avoid unpleasant surprises me as possible.

Drivers are updated as each major version of Windows, and pose no problems. My Motu had XP, Vista and Seven. Under Vista, I had a lot of trouble, but I can not blame Motu, because I had a lot of problems with Vista in general.

I rarely record more than 3 tracks at once (eg when I pick up the sound of a guitar pure sound of the preamp + live + the sound of one or more micro transplanted to an amp or line output a simulator hp). I work with 24 bits/44.1 buffer at least at the beginning of the project ... Then gradually as the # of tracks increased and I began treatment for the mix, I increase the max buffer fast enough, because there is how to have big cracks unmanageable.

The latency problem arises, but only when using VSTi. Direct monitoring of the savings we map bp latency in the sound.

GETTING STARTED

The installation is very easy.

Configuration may seem difficult, given the number of inputs / outputs. For example, I've never tried to run their routing for monitoring cabin / console explanation did not seem very clear, but I have not really emphasized the use I have was being too limited.

I used two UAD1 and today UAD 2. No compatibility worries at this level.

OVERALL OPINION

bought in 2003, it continues to serve me faithfully. I am satisfied with the sound as always. I knew the wave Yamaha DSP card and Creamware. Yamaha (DS24 memory) I was just disgusted, I found the sound horribly low, and horribly cold treatments. Creamware Pulsar was the much better from every point of view, but a little cumbersome to use and still below what I had experienced with the Digidesign 882. I was led to working with RME very popular at the time, which was very decent but I have not had the thunderbolt.

After this period of "trial & error" sound card Motu 828 MkII the conquered me, so much so that I have still not changed to this day.

Given the products available at the time, it was the best choice I would do without hesitation. Today, however, it seems that there are better offers, both in Motu than competitors. But it seems that despite the news, the 828 MKII is a very good choice in terms of sound quality and reliability, the sound it produces does not seem down today and I feel no need to change in the immediate future.

I chose for the number of inputs / outputs.
Today I plugged him ADAT converter (actually a Presonus Firestation) and it gives me 18 analog inputs and 20 outputs by counting the hand and headphone.
My synth, my electronic drums, my guitar and my microphone eur each have the dedicated input.
I also use it in standalone computer off. Very convenient to be able to act on the mix from the front of the rack.

UTILIZATION

I use it on PC. The drivers are probably fine, I have no problem so I forget a little.
I mainly use Reaper. I do not feel limited to use on latency, number of tracks for recording or playback. Yet my PC a few years ago.
I think I have a latency of a few milliseconds. No perceptible playing anyway.

GETTING STARTED

No problem of implementation.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for ten years. I am really happy with my choice.
She has a weakness in the backlight of the LCD, which I've never taken the time to fix it. This is probably because it is not pretty annoying

In short, a great product with a great sound. Presonus preamps are the best though.

input and multiple outputs.
I do summation on an analog console with 2 motu 828mk2 in sync.
so 20 physical outputs (I do not use the spdif and adat).
Apple PPC G5 2x2, 2
Cubase SX3
I only record in real instrumentals and old, acoustic guitars, bass voice (bcp) drums, dobros, brass, guitar amps etc on elec ... C12 AKG C 414 AU or 6176 AKG AVALON 737.
utilisationen the separated outputs and sync works perfectly, very stable.

UTILIZATION

maximumu of simultaneous tracks: 12
perfect
stable
latency? I do the live recording via my console so I'm not bothered by the latency

GETTING STARTED

plug and play setup
RAS

OVERALL OPINION

Using a catre since September 2004
purchase of the 2nd October 2007.
value for money genial.
I know the RME DIGI 01,02,03.
I prefer a tt ca
I would do this choice