All user reviews of 5/5 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!

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!

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

Interface multi-channel firewire.

10 out analog
1 out ADAT port
1 S / PDIF out
1 phone

Or 22 trips ...

2 preamps
8 inputs "line"
1 ADAT port in
1 S: pdif in

Or 20 inputs

UTILIZATION

Mac OS X, I have NEVER encountered any problem. Optimum stability, installation very simple, always less than 5ms latency. Truly "plug and play" ...

GETTING STARTED

Well, I do not use with my imac, Cubase mainly, but also in logic, and from the moment we say to the computer using its driver, the rest is childish ... I use "linked" to a 828 MKIII, and no worries, you create a mac "Aggregate Device" and I have access to 54 outputs and 44 inputs available ... Note that this driver is the same for ALL MOTU USB / Firewire ... Well done ...

"Clockée" on a bigben, converters are superb dynamics and neutrality ... So, the problems are often VERY reference clock ...

OVERALL OPINION

I am MOTU 6 years now, and without going to say that it is a panacea for the Mac user that I am, this is a brand that is very well work with a quality / price ratio almost unbeatable. I have the chance to use Apogee and RME regularly, and the difference is inaudible (in my config with external clock). Worldclock without a fireface seems slightly more dynamic and "ensemble" sounds more round on the bottom of the spectrum, more "flattering" ... This is very subjective it all ... Let's say we enter the high-end, with all the seriousness and quality that implies, even if some are right to rail against the after sales service which is itself, below the quality standards of the brand . I'm always loyal to the brand, even if the product design begins to date somewhat (no thunderbolt ...). An external clock quality, it's still unbeatable quality / price ratio, so a smart choice for those who can not afford to buy high-end but are sensitive to sound quality. ..

I bought it because I needed at least 8 inputs and an external card must firewire.
The phantom power, the spdif and the possibility of routing tousle sensenstandalone finally made me cracked! (And MIDI). In fact, I needed a good Swiss Army knife ...
I have an athlon 1.7, 512 MB ram, Elite K7S5A motherboard and hard working firewire.

UTILIZATION

The installation nickel! As usual, I spilled coffee j'enaurais for believing that for ages, not! I do not know, 5 minutes, 2 minutes? For fun, I wired in the motu + a buddy, same struggle, known in the noze finger.

No manual in French, but in any case, the card is easy to master.

GETTING STARTED

The drivers are stable (1.0 and 3.0 firmware in software) in sx and samplitude. I pastrop mate latency, I try to work at max live monitoring. For the direct monitoring, I had to do a hack for cubase sequences: I send out in the SPIDF in, and it becomes a starter, that can monitor ... there is nothing I got it, or there is something ... (Thank you stef for hack)

OVERALL OPINION

I recently, some functions have not been tried (ADAT, word clock). It is clear that this is a great card in price / quality ratio, nothing to do with FIREstation I returned illico!
To be careful to monitor. I have a friend whose LCD faitdes jokes, and a member of AF was also around.
it is clearly sorry for what little you want to record multiple tracks at once ...

My choices were long and tedious in the range of cards on the market but I finally map my dreams ... 10 entries - 12 + 8 outputs and 8 in optics and so on ...
I intend to use it to record live my group composed of two singers, two guitarists, a bassist and a drummer. Hardware and style lectroaccoustique trs.
I have a PC Ahlon 2.4 Ghz, ASUS A7N8X Deluxe motherboard, 1GB of RAM and two hard drives of 80 and 40 go
I connect directly to my table mix MACKIE CFX 12 and I go out the sound of Mackie SRM 450

UTILIZATION

Install no problem, no significant incompatibility, but I admit I had trouble making the rounds of the possibility of connection and configuration ... Fully Manual is in English, and fortunately I'm comfortable with that language ... small dtails are enrolled that make many services: example of the posibilit paramtrer rcuprer the map to the sound of a virtual intrument to save it in another software as source ...

GETTING STARTED

Stable drivers, Cubase SX and Samplitude ...
No latency is extra ...
for now, 4-track simultaneous recording and 8 in reading, but I expect the next rpt ...

OVERALL OPINION

Just one short week I have reu of Germany, I waited one month and a half, I have yet to go around, but I am extremely satisfied with dj although I have not had the opportunity to try other models before ...
I no referrer hsiter this choice because its possibilities are almost unlimited and the price seems entirely justified from his CHARACTERISTICS ...

"I had a 24/96 TerraTec ew and I wanted to buy a quality business card to a better recording quality for my acoustic instruments, and above all benefit the routing offered by the card (I n 't have a mixer).
I use a PC P4 2.8 c, 1GB ram, FX 5800, 120GB HDD

UTILIZATION

Less than 2 minutes

You plug the firewire port on the card (I have an ASUS P4P800 deluxe, no problem with the port Intgr), it installs the drivers and you turn the card and it's over ...

Angali manual, but clear

GETTING STARTED

At the moment no problem drivers stable (even with the games ).

With Cubase SX, samplitude the direct monitoring is great especially when working without loop with audio ...

For the synth is the happiness I can play with the impression of having no dcallage. MIDI is Intgr.

I get get a latency infrieurs 5 12 ms with audio tracks ...

With a 01v with optional adat no problem to record 12 tracks at the same time (8 adat, anoligiques 4), but the computer is powerful and we must increase the buffer size.

In any case the dynamics of the sound is incomparable with the sound cards I've heard before (digi 001, 002, terractec, ect ...)

OVERALL OPINION

I use this card for two months now and I have yet to exploit half of the capacity of the bte ...

What I like most is the possibility to use the card as a mixer. The routing is terrible, you can have multiple sources connected at all times just choose.

The sync works well trs. we can synchronize the map with a simple dvd TOS link.

Everything is faade volume control, input level, switch to diet. Everything is available right away without using any software, drivers are all just trs.

qualitprix the report is excellent, I do not know what that can compete with this card right now ..

Hsit I long for budget reasons, but now I could do without

I just bought a laptop (Acer PIV 2.6) and I wanted a FireWire or USB audio catre with low latency for live use
after a test of the presonus not really conclusive I "change" for the motu

UTILIZATION

Easy installation
no incompabilit with my gear (laptop acer)
table mix is ​​CueMix simpa (no more) and effective (not less)
I remember the manual (yen is no need as long as you not touch the facade buttons ...)

GETTING STARTED

I have a latency of 12ms with Live and Reason in rewire when I was 60 ms + the presonus cracquements with ...
it's at least what I wanted ...

OVERALL OPINION

I recently
so for now I'm very happy
it's expensive but it is
I prfrais the presonus pre-amp for the case, the pots, the colors ... but the drivers are ... mLan "terrible "....( not see me)
The motu is "no soucy," he rolls his own

The card is everything, any evidence of FLEXIBILITY. 10 analog inputs (2 mic / Hi-Z line jacks and 8 sym), two shipments (send) to a compressor or EQ in / out ADAT in / out S / PDIF, SMPTE ...
You can configure the internal routing using the console "cue mix" on the PC, or using the physical knob. Can be sent back to the main mix out and phones, send something to the outputs adat, and still be a DLIR on the S / PDIF out ... (4 output buses ...)
I use it with a P4PEL, PIV 2.53, 1024 RAM. It works better than I thought: PERFECTION!
Only regret: no HPF or attnuateur on the Mic / Hi-Z. But hey ... well ...

UTILIZATION

Installation "more-simple-you-die".

Not need the manual ...

GETTING STARTED

Trs low latency.
Drivers stable.
Cracking if rduction radical buffer.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had four months. The pramps are average. Do not push them back, otherwise "strong wind ..." It's two spare wheels ...
Good q / p.
An excellent interface!

The brand (very subjective, I know but it had been years since I expected to be able to offer me a vriae sound card brand and the Unicorn ...), the number of I / O-preamp with simultaneous- order to implement projects consistent, the Cue Mix monitor the quality of mulitiple converters and frequency of sampling, and finally, the legendary compatible with MAC and the choice of Digital Performer 4 (also waited a long time) ... the possibility chain a FireWire external HDD was also decisive Incidentally, the console standalone ....

Above all, the desire to have quality equipment that foncyionne carefree (to make music and not the computer) after passages through a whole bunch of other apps and configs of varying quality, I will not mention the names ...

UTILIZATION

Installation difficulties, but capricious ... 2 / 3 ... reinstalling fairly standard in the brand, I do not think anyone know why ... yet it was very easy, without a manual, it's plug and play if the driver works for more, if not, uninstall / reinstall and it turns ....

I had the opportunity of also installed on a PC and there was direct ... Bravo .... XP

GETTING STARTED

Since the config (MAC OS X.2.8/DP4.1/DD FW/640 ram / G3600) is very stable ... the Update Sontra performed in near real time, much appreciated ....

No latency MONITOR, thank you the Cue Mix, and I have not blocked the beast despite my config mini ... I remember as a test carried out 16 mono audio tracks and 16 stereo read / record ... that could be better?

OVERALL OPINION

I've had 6 months, nothing to say ... except for MIDI which is still unclear to me but hey, I faufdrait plunges me ... Impressive value for money, it's professional equipment within the reach of the amateur ... tomorrow I will resign ...