All user reviews of 4/5 for the MOTU 828 Mk2

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:

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.

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.

The front and rear panel of this sound card have motivated my choice, especially his feet and saw his buttons. Bus 4 and its connection back to match.
It was a different connected portable PCs as a hp zv5000, a Sony VAIO vpcF23, a Lenovo T420 And a t400 and the other fixes.seul Sony has had problems with.
Its use was reserved to the music production, recording and playback.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable?
They say everything on this card. it depends mainly machinery behind, depending on the chipset driver reacts differently. But mostly here runs well except once or twice in 7 years the driver has undergone a cracking final and had to reinstall it with difficulty. It seems that this card does not like being transported, unplugged. Today she runs a home lenovo T420 i7, and the driver under XP32 really run well, no worries, FireWire can be disconnected and reconnected while playing (= power driver asio) and well rebuke the map almost instantly when it is reconnected. I saw this card reliability increase as a measure of the evolution of PC.

GETTING STARTED

The implementation is quite simple, especially since the release of the single driver package for all their cards under 64/32bit.
J-have kept the old package of drivers to keep the old version of cue MIX (interface on pc).

OVERALL OPINION

For 7 years I used-and all other cards that I have or have had is the only one that is perfect in every way a condition of not carrying around too much.
* What is so special that you like best?
Which produces the sound.
* The least?
S customer service is lost in the sticks in Texas red necks including transportation by ship across the Atlantic (maybe on a freighter Hungarian?) So have at least two months in case of failure, and do not rely on anything troubleshooting of their sav, has less to speak redneck. Seriously they are not always very responsive.
Otherwise info for some series of these cards would be worse than others, but it is a bit old (firmware that cracks for good and apparently also burn out the LCD screen of the card, which made micro crament ...)
With experience I will ever so this choice.

The MOTU 828 MK2 is a 14 x 10 audio and MIDI interface designed for the home studio DAW that will support up to 96 kHz. For such a little unit, it’s actually got a good amount of versatility and options. It’s a firewire based unit, consisting of two ports. There are two microphone preamps, each of which have dual ¼”/XLR jacks and trim knobs, built in phantom power, and a pad for each as well. As far as other connections go, it has six other ¼” inputs, eight ¼” outputs to correspond with each of the inputs, and ¼” main stereo outputs for sending your sound to your monitors. It also has a MIDI input and output and the same for S/PDIF as well. There’s also a ¼” jack for a headphone input and metering is done with the LED screen on the front panel. It’s powered by either your computer via bus power, or with a nine volt power supply. The 828 MK2 is also rackable.


UTILIZATION

As long as you understand the characteristics and features involved here, you’re going to be able to operate the 828 MK2 without any issues. Everything is pretty straight forward and direct once you understand all of the connections and features here. Of course if this is your first audio interface, you might want to have the manual around to help you understand all of the basic components here.


GETTING STARTED

The 828 MK2 is overall a very clean sounding unit, from the preamps to the overall playback quality through the converters. Especially considering that this is meant for portability, the sound is quite sparkling clean. The preamps aren’t necessarily the best sounding in the world, but they do have a decent amount of depth to them and will definitely get the job done for remote recording or for work in a smaller home studio.


OVERALL OPINION

As far as small/portable audio interfaces go, the 828 MK2 has as much flexibility crammed on this little unit as any I’ve used before. It will definitely work in your home studio if you want a little audio interface to run your DAW on, but I think it would work best as a supplemental unit for recording on the go. I don’t own this audio interface myself, but a friend of mine has it for his home studio and uses it all the time for recording on the go, which is really a great thing to be able to do. MOTU has some great audio interfaces in all different price ranges and for different purposes, so if the 828 MK2 doesn’t do it for you, definitely check out the others that they have to offer.

See data sheet contains the site.

comes with a cable outlet and a long firewire cable (it is not the case with other manufacturer).

very nice rack, the box is of good quality manufacturing (outside ), no fiuriture, look serious / professional.

UTILIZATION

Supra super easy! frankly my ca bleufe (even compared to the m-audio)! Jai laptop compaq Windows 2000 512 meg of ram, SP4, ...

If you have a NEC firewire card, the machine may have issues (everything works, but very LIGHT bugs tps tps in accordance with the documentation motu) ... frankly I have ben sake! I have a FW connection NEC!

I ordered a Belkin FW (Texas Instrument chipset) and of AC works great, quality recording and playback and perfect .. hard disk adds in the back of the sound card ... any concern for perf, quite the contrary! it's really great! What a difference with this new Firewire card!

GETTING STARTED

The drivers seem to me super stable, consolidated 7mega CPU under Windows 2000
little update driver on the MOTU site, it shows the quality of the sound card!

Cubase with no problems at the same 24 tracks and 4 tracks tps register / / the access to external hard disk is very very fast! I AM BLEUFER and yet I have a FW410 card MAUDIO which was already very very good!

The recording that goes really well! converters are excellent! The card does not make noise, and the MOTU support responds very quickly to the phone as by email

I load the machine, the card etc ... full track simultaneous record .. perfect! no prob Perf.

OVERALL OPINION

I wanted to replace my FW410 because I did not have the analog input, a promotion allowed me to buy the MOTU for almost the same price as the FW1814 .... and although I have no regrets! THE SOUND IS! converters quality is good (above the M-audio), the machine makes no noise! The buttons may be a bit small and it is easily lost in the navigation on the small LCD screen ... m'enfin you can also use the soft version of 'console' from your computer and frankly the interface is super simpler, more intuitive than the mixer M-audio.

However, there are far fewer options! So was you! qd was good even mix the table that virutel MAUDIO book and then there's a nice bundle of software with the m-audio not found with MOTU (for PC owners course! because MAC is a very good soft type CUBASE DELIVERED.).

The result of my mix is ​​really impressive, the sound is loud and clear (there are very many different sounds), high frequencies are very very well made! On a synth sound CS 80V is present (in all different frequencies etc ...) with the M-Audio!

The drum track as the drums (after adjustment boosts from the sound card) are very dynamic.

I do not regret this purchase at all!

Digital audio interface firewire port on extremely complte. Everything is almost: 8 I / O symtriques, 2 XLR inputs with power fantme on every shot, I / O SPDIF, ADAT, Word Clock Sync, SMPTE, etc..
Branch can operate without being a computer.
I chose to use it on my PC and possibly a mobile phone.
When I save the collection's outdoor, I use a multitrack numrique, then I TRANSFR the file on my PC Interface ADAT sound card.
At home, I record directly to the PC through the sound card from earlier stages of the amplifiers or by lamps or by a 01V table.

UTILIZATION

If I described these words a year ago, my bill would not Exceeds 2 / 20 as I galr with this card.
Ds The beginning, I had same problem when I was using a Firewire card with Texas Instrument chipset. I changed the computer making the mistake of returning to Athlon, (but there is no documentation on any incompatibilitL the motu refuses to work with Firewire ports situs on the map m re (Assus) and those prfre situs in faade.
After a few months galre everything seems s'tre stabilized except that I can not read some DVDs, the 828 clock changing whatever I do and giving a reading random image.

For cons, I've never had difficulty operating the 828 MK2 with laptops equipped with Pentium processors.

GETTING STARTED

The drivers are set rgulkirement days but I want those I installed six months ago and working properly.
What j'apprcie is that with the software I use: Samplitude Cubase SX 7.1 and 1, all inputs - outputs are known and available in both ASIO WDM, which is far from being the case for the EMU 1820m.

OVERALL OPINION

I find the reputable overrated this interface: the pre-amps have a reserve of gain ridiculously low (compare with those of the EMU 1820m and you will hear the difference.)
The converters are in the average and the sound flattering but not amazing (it's also true that dpend monitors.)
The power switches are fragile and subject fantme malfunctions.
So mixed results.
Moral of the story: when working on PC, it must be the hardware mfier migrating from the Mac world.
The lack of manufacturer honntet by not clearly warn against the known hardware incompatibilities (some manufacturers do).
The importer violates the law by not supplying Toubon systmatiquement the Motu with instructions in French. It parat it exists but that it must pay thirty euros: scandalous!

I possde this card for a year and I Whereas it cost me over 2000 euros (me alone all the same cot E 1250). I use it only rarely, and I regret not having waited for the release of the RME Fireface 800 audio quality which is suprieure.

A few prs all I rvais on an interface without the clutter of a PCI card and a big calbe ... (See for builders CHARACTERISTICS dtails)

Use: 6 tracks taken from its analog, mix 6 / 8 analog tracks via a console and effects processors, using vsti via midi.

PC: motherboard ASUS P4C800E (VIA firewire chipset), P4 3.0 Ghz, Windows 2000 (XP soon)

for now use mainly analog and noon ADAT soon.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are easy to install no worries of ct l.
Once the card industry, application windows to install the drivers but in fact do not do as they are already installed. This what the doc says that our answer is "no, I do not want to install" and return to the chapter before, which is dye motu and install the drivers.
brief ... User not too used to the "logic windows" can spend hours ...
in fact you just find the most suitable drivers, and windows repre immediately prcdemment those installs. good. even have to know when, I always take the view that the nophyte it was said that a fire was going to work now!

Then, once the map uen recognized subtilis small so go to Control Panel, in audio and multimedia, and select "hand out" as the release of her windows, because the default was to emblem "phones" so that nothing comes through the channel out of hand motu. Again you need to know, has not indicated anywhere.

short, then everything worked well trs, and then after two days, a few biiips reading ...
I was told that the drivers are out of date.
actually, I Tlcharger the latest version (3.5) on the website of motu.
and I redmare the machine, over motu connects said the gentleman.
but if the look but if the cable is what? a garland of Christmas?
nononononon, is not connect the motu ...
more redmarage and Suprime-can reinstall the pilot-APRS, the card is finally re-acknowledged.

in résumé> I do not know if it's my config, but I've never seen a facility so badly screwed.
I have been whispers that could have come from the firewire chip on my motherboard (VIA, at least in terms of stability concerns reading and recognition of the interface)
I ordered a PCI card with Texas Instrument chipset (39 euros in ldlc.com) as recommended by the manufacturer. I would put my mind day after everything has installed and tested but for now I am nerv by this time lost!

[update]

good, the problem as I could test the rsolus motu under the proper conditions.
it lives up to its reputable, it's a great interface.
0 nanmoins I leave for the "penury out" as aa t galre.
nan but ...

GETTING STARTED

- The drivers are stable?
uh, I better not rponde can be l.
parrait it so.

- Are they often put day?
obviously yes, it has a good point.

- What software do you use most often?
Cubase SX2, nuendo2, GoldWave, some vsti.

- What you get lag?
5ms

- How many tracks you get record / playback simultanment? ...
one of the few tests I've had time to complete term: 8-track stereo wav reading, 8 mono audio tracks for recording, seemed aa good track. In principle it should be bttn for a.

OVERALL OPINION

The motu is an excellent map trs complte, but ...

... for now I remain trs trs trsmcontent about the exoticism of installing the drivers and the problem encounter with an interface that is supposed to be plug 'n' play, which for now is "plug'n'playpas'n'replug'n'play'des'fois'n'mais'pas'toul'temps" ...

I would put the notice days when I rsolu my problem, let us hope we will get there one day!

[update]

good, the problem as I could test the rsolus motu under the proper conditions.
it lives up to its reputable, it's a great interface.

I wanted a reliable map type PRO
to wedge out of a iMac G5 connected MIDI keyboard (MIDI keyboard bar)

UTILIZATION

The installation was not chaotic, except with the manual (too dense explanations unnecessary).

GETTING STARTED

The drivers I parru stable and regularly updated,
I use it mainly with Sibelius 3 with low latency of 7 ms.
I managed to put 16 tracks with little cracks (but not too greedy the reverberation of 16 tracks)

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a year gone by coupling it with a Microméga 1Bit stream, which I prefer the sound of the motu.
This is my first card is kind, but it tends to hiss from time to time on fiber optics.
Good quality / price ratio, but probably for improvement in the connections and submission to the computer (software from Apple and motu ...)
I do not know if I would do this choice, but probably still look competitive in the future can probably be exceeded.

The sound quality on the mk3 is very good, it's I/o flexibility is nearly perfect, for my needs (live sound) I would love to have 8 mic pres not 2 and dedicated gain control knob for each of the 8 line inputs (or at least one knob that could access each line input gain and shuttle between them. my only real disappointment is the lowest latency setting of 64 samples per buffer this setting is not quite fast enough for a pro musician I normally run at 16 and if I want to run big multichannel shows I might drop to 32 samples per buffer. the 828 mk3 has not proven to be stable until I drop it 96 samples per buffer.

UTILIZATION

Motu Hybred 828 mk3 Audio interface will take some getting use to.
Why the special 9 pin to a 6 pin fire wire cable, when it would have been better and more convenient with a standard
6 pin on both sides cable type.
The cable works fine when positioned in a certain way to fit.
Although many computers are discontinuing firewire, for audio fire wire has more bandwidth.
When the 828 Hybred mk3 works it' sounds pretty good.
It replaces my Emu 1818M that I loved and had for many years.
It took some time for Motu to release new drivers for this unit, once downloaded it works fine.
Customer service at Motu was fine, I was able to speak with a tech who helped on the configuration
before the latest driver release drivers for Windows on 8/09/2011 (version 4.0.48697) from Motu Download sight.

GETTING STARTED

Getting started for me was a tough task, but after some reading of the manual (which is easy to understand) i got the hang of it fast.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall, Very solid piece for an awesome price. CueMix FX is great and anyone not using it is not using this thing to it's fullest. I can use the CueMix FX to monitor artists using EQ, Comps, & Reverbs with no latency while having my DAW have a 1024 buffer and making it super solid and reliable. It also takes care of talk back and basic volume controls, eliminating the need for any external central station/big knob controllers. Front two inputs are very handy and DO NOT overide analog 1 & 2 on the back. Just really, really feature loaded. On the BAD side...the LED's on the front are useless and the knobs on the front feel really sketchy. The software can control everything and you never really need to touch those though. I have mine hooked up via USB to W7 32bit w/ Samplitude 11.2 and it's been perfect. No crashes, no ASIO dropouts, nothing. GREAT piece at a great price.

motivations: the preamp, the brand!
I use my pc with fire wire and wiring on a Soundtech TOPAZ.

UTILIZATION

the bug on my first motu 828, I have reinstalled the drivers from a frailty, attention has dust and its location! taken from 4 track at the same time, 2 guitars and keyboards (DI)
no latency after adjustments with cubase motu drivers.

GETTING STARTED

quick installation, the config is not bad, they quickly access the menu through the front panel knobs, no incompatibilities so far for me, the manual is clear.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 5 years! I have tried other models but too expensive for my budget at this time la.le addition, the sound of the preamp is not bad, fire wire connection in pratique.prise hand fast enough and the result was the lowest hauteur.par cons: this is my second card in less than 5 years, returned twice to bug (Christmas tree: the failure of 828), taken as collateral by motu pure failure Series I had an exchange standard and a new one no problems since.
With the experience I would look to a RME digi or see another motu (24 track degrees. Very good value for money!

For input / see on the site of the manufacturer, it is well supplied, There are all it takes for standard use in a studio. There're taken adat, which is less and less on sound cards today, which provides 10 microphone inputs. I now use it as a simple external converter.

UTILIZATION

I had problems with dropouts when I was using it with a PC y 'qq years, so I do not use more than external.

GETTING STARTED

The configuration on the PC is rather well done. For the manual I did not have but I think it is not necessary, everything is very well thought out.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it externally for 1 year, she is in a room outside the studio (a former shoe closet), I record a guitar amp. The converters are ok, I've never had the exceptional material at this level but I think it's more than okay, obviously it does not replace dedicated hardware. The use in stand-alone is really perfect, you can use the integrated mixer, using the screen to send inputs to any ADAT output, you can add a converter adat. We can use the mic on the inserts, so I'm treating the microphone inputs with effects and then I mix my 2 mics taken before entering into the mac, which means that once the right settings obtained, directly I get a great decision in logic. I have found other materials that allow me to do it with simplicity. The use of sound is really great integrated either stand alone or as a sound card, I think it's the highlight of this sound card.