All user reviews for the MOTU 828 Mk2

MOTU's reputation
Black Macbook 2.4 Core 2 duo 4 g ram
Home Studio

UTILIZATION

No problems with drivers, I work exclusively with DP. Updated by gst gst.
Never tried to record more than 8 tracks simultaneously

GETTING STARTED

Easy installation, configuration extremely simple. No inconsistency. Manuel clear enough

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 5 years, I do not want change. I used to work with ProTools, but I like DP, so I change the map.
I do not like the headphone volume + button on the same hand, and the fact that there is a headphone output. The preamp does not st funky but that's enough to troubleshoot. Otherwise I love the rest tt no-brainer it is lighter and it works. Excellent value for money.
I obviously do it again but I would not recommend this choice to motu PCistes and Cubase. Motu done to run on Mac and is compatible with DP is perfect.

I tested a number of audio interfaces before finally fix me! And there with the 828MK2, I have everything I want, it's perfect. I will not move!

What I like most: it is used standalone (as mixer), so I can play all my instruments connected to it, even computer off.
Important to me. (It was not always want to start the computer, start 36000 soft when you want to use their instruments!)
We can even do routing between multiple inputs / outputs with the buttons and LCD front panel.
I tested:
* M-AUDIO 1814 and its multiple crashes (+ the fact that you can not play sound at the same time with several software. Example: There is a song on Ableton Live or Cubase. Well, not "minimize" the window and go listen to an MP3 media player, edit sound on SoundForge, etc..: the sound driver can not be used by one application at a time .....! On the MOTU 828MK2, there this is NO problem, phew!)
TASCAM 1641 * too limited for me, etc..

UTILIZATION

Ok

GETTING STARTED

Ok

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for over a year.

I bought a second, and 2 are chained in ADAT. As it, 16 tracks, used in standalone (computer off), or on the computer in my sequencer (Ableton Live).

What motivated my choice is all she had, FireWire, the 8X8 IN / OUT
analog etc ... as well as after the forums, the quality of converters
D / A. And over there I do not regret it, it's a great card.

UTILIZATION

Then there are 2 worlds.
The MAC world and PC world, for those in MAC
it's a great card level drivers.
I who am on PC, we were treated during a period
to drivers who had been written with the feet.
Here it goes a little better, but it's not ideal.
For example, the VAS is the people of Motu who said they themselves can
no chaining 2 map MOTU on PC, while on mac can.

This is also why I'd like to find someone who mac
I bought it second hand.

GETTING STARTED

Yes, the config, do not worry, it's relatively simple to implement.
Su PC, you must ensure that the firewire port is not in NEC brand.
Texas Instrument's top.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it if not since 2004.
I advise users to Mac, but PC
go your way.
If not its quality level, it is worth its 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.

I used to save models as part of a home studio.
Wholesale:
Firewire interface. Rackable
2 instrument inputs pre-amplifier in front (ca can help if you have no ID, etc.).
8IN/OUT rear analog.
ADAT, SPDIF
Standalone mode (but I'm rarely used in this mode) ...
(For more information go to the site MOTU)

I have patches on a SAMSON link has an analogue desk MACKIE, I record guitar (by DI or amp transplanting), voice, sampler PROPHET ..
Anyway we just do whatever you want ..

UTILIZATION

I used it for a long time under Windows XP with Cubase (VST/SX/SX3). From memory it worked fine, the drivers were correct it seems.

Then I went on Linux and it's a catastrophe, no driver, I want lots of MOTU has not develop drivers for linux or developer to help develop free software. It deserves a boycott

Since I went on PPC MAC G5 under Leopard and Logic Studio. The drivers are old enough (on PPC) but works properly.

It seems to me that there have some bumps in vista and seven, but for me it's over windows.

GETTING STARTED

I think that there is no particular difficulties for the installation and implementation.

It is not compatible Pro Tools.

Except if you're running linux in that case he should forget all at once.
The manual and downloaded by some in the forum of AF, it is properly provided.

She is strong enough, she make a pretty severe drop before I recovered. For a moment she walked over and then she left and that is 5 years.
I had some time after a long period of use of stall but it made a good point that this does not happened.

I just worry a little a bit annoying, is the display that lights up over every time, not too annoying when you drive by computer, but as a standalone on a concert or other AC must be unplayable when it doesn't. I think it is a common problem according to the revision of the map.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for at least 5 years, this is my first sound card worthy of the name.
I had some Adlib, creative as a kid, but the AC has nothing to do (this was the time and have to start with something). I also used an M-audio was well made but well furnished in connection months.

Very proper for a home studio, good connections, very good converter, super sound card.
Very good value for money.

I will ever be the same if I have to go back in time and if it were to render the soul I think I will take an equivalent.

The number of I / O is always part of my criteria when choosing this card. FireWire version because too many problems with other USB sound cards.
This is the nerve center of my home studio, I even reviewed the audio architecture, removing my mixer, and I focus around the 828mk2.

The first 4 I / O Analog I use to send and return for my 2 rack effects
The four other entries = synth expander +
1 output to the bass amp
1 = talkback mic
Spdif = retrieves sounds from my second PC Link + Sync VST Cubase a second
Adat = connected to a Focusrite Octopre = bass + guitar + 4 + 2 mic inputs available.

Stand Alone mode essential to my taste.

UTILIZATION

Driver stable for laptops verify FireWire chipset.
No major problems under win xp sp3 and windows 7
Driver updated regularly, although I do think we will see less and less.

Relatively short latency, except that I live quite a load VST, put guitarRig around and work on multiple tracks, so, the CPU of the PC galley, so, it sputters a bit then I increase the latency.

Playing twenty audio processing with VST and direct effects without worries. The failures mainly come from the PC.

GETTING STARTED

Product easy to learn, even the menu card is a bit confusing. I think I simply find it difficult to get used to it. CueMix I use 99% for the set.

OVERALL OPINION

The fact that it is cascadable with 3 other Motu leaves me the desire to preserve and to graft one second mk2 + pre amp on adat to double the beast (not enough mic to constantly remain connected microphones batteries.

Pre amp and converter of quality but no more, ideal for a homestudiste.

the 20 I / O simultannes were interresting for me.
I use the converter ADATs with other 8 I / O.
my trips more consoles on the 8 analog I.
So in a firewire pc 2ghz quadcore 4gh ram.

UTILIZATION

Drivers very stable until the arrival of USB in motu.
since when the plant DAW (rarement..), it crashes at all!
latency of 5ms to compose many cash and AC plugs.
if not the greatest mix latencies and is stable.
I record 20 tracks conjuction carefree, and reading .. er ...
I never get beyond 75 tracks and all is well ...

GETTING STARTED

Easy

OVERALL OPINION

6 years of use so no worries.
best for me and a lot of stability.
the sound is fairly transparent, end. lacks a bit of character my taste but I love the grainy ...
Currently I would wear to an RME more ...

8 inputs, 8 outputs in jack, MIDI, SPDIF, ADAT's short, it is UNESCORecords level connections but I am using only the audio jack and the south ... It is very

UTILIZATION

stable, easy to use with Ableton Live, very low latency ... SIR!

GETTING STARTED

Downloaded the driver on Motu's website, install it, plug the card in Fw, and that's it!

OVERALL OPINION

One day I have a Apogee or Prism Sound, but meanwhile, it has everything a great!
And working out its cost, it can get out of very nice things!
I like this card

MacBook Pro with 4Gb of RAM, external firewire disk. Home studio and multicasting in theater (theater and contemporary dance) Drivers

UTILIZATION

very stable on XP / Samplitude and MacOS X / Live, or Logic MaxMSP

GETTING STARTED

no problem just drive the motu stand alone by small pots, it's not always easy! But this is not really made for that and it's great to be able to do it anyway.

OVERALL OPINION

Solid product, reliable and robust for my experience ...
Only problem: one day in a theater at a time of performance, loss of sync between the Motu and my computer (macbook pro) can not get them to recognize, even rebooting in any possible order. So I bought a RME Fireface 400 the week after. And since the motu works perfectly!
I knew 2 months this had happened often in theaters, the current is not very clean and the clock of firewire may find it very ... disturbed.
So the answer for all directors and musicians: UPS or power of the card by the computer, what I do now with the Fireface.
The motu is now installed at home and I toured with the EMR.
Quality level, the RME converters seem a little better, less aggressive in the treble. But it must be really good monitor speakers to perceive it.
As for those pre-amps are the motu, the RME are excellent ... and more expensive

His-options-quality converters, software-stability

-Used with Pentium 4 Dual Core Fixed to 2.2 ghz core and soon I3.

-System: Windows XP 32-bit

-Usage: Live Multitrack Recording

UTILIZATION

* The drivers are stable?
YES
* Are they often updated?
YES
* What software do you use most often?
Cubase SX 2, Live 7, Reason 3,
* What latency you get?
low
* How many tracks do you manage to record / playback simultaneously? ...
12 max

Very good

GETTING STARTED



OVERALL OPINION

* For how long have you been using it?
10 years
* What thing do you like most/least about it?
All the + =, = The least its not very accesible connectors, its not terrible preamp anyway ...
* Did you try many other models before getting this one?
Not too
* What is your opinion about the value for the price?
Cher at the time, Must now
* Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice? ...
No loot = Yes
With the loot = Apogee of course!

I wanted a compact interface with a maximum input-output in order to work with many external instruments and mix in 5.1, good mic preamps, completely controllable by software, but acting also as standalone. All at the best price of course.
I use it with Samplitude on a PC running Windows 7 64-bit processor core i7 4 HyperThreading 2.8 GB, 8GB RAM, 1TB of HDD in Raid.
I use Fostex PM2 monitors for front and center, PM1 for the rear, and subwoofer Eltax Atomic 15.2, all connected by XLR.
Y are connected in midi control surface Mackie Control Universal and a mini midi keyboard E-mu Xboard 25, a Roland JV1010 sound module, a micro SE2200a SE Electronics. All other input-output are reported on a Berhinger Ultrapatch.


UTILIZATION

I use this interface in turn with Samplitude and Vegas, as I work sound or image. The drivers are stable. It should however not forget to turn on the interface and all its peripherals afternoon before the computer, otherwise it does not track.
I did updated only twice (the last time in installing Windows 7 64 on my new PC). Everything works perfectly with 5ms of latency (256 samples).
It happened recently to record 12 simultaneous audio tracks + 8 to noon, all without flinching, but with a 10ms latency.


GETTING STARTED

Installation is trouble-free operation, even though Windows does not see one but 11 cards. The general setup is easy, I have not encountered any particular difficulty. It still lacks some controls on the supplied software such as a level adjustment of the main exit. Ds management monitors and headphones are not the forte of this software, as for plupar elsewhere. It would be easy to implement Contol controllable via MIDI. On the other hand, the talkback button is activated when pressed, while a fugitive function would be welcome.
The management of the sampling frequency is sometimes complicated by a conflict between native at 44.1 pc and the software that requires 48. But I think the problem is that most of the PC card.
Incompatibilities, and I admit to not having had to read the manual.


OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 6 years without problems. What I like most is its versatility. We can do things with maximum control and all without moving (in my studio when I work behind the console, I have no visual access to the Motu).
What I like least is the use standalone. Appreciating interfaces like "one button = one function", I have difficulty to use when you can press to have a function, then turn power to choose a setting, then press again to confirm before they finally settle. This is not my logic.
The value for money is excellent nonetheless, and despite his age, I do not want to part with it.
I tried other models since then, and in this price range, the EMR would be my choice today, thanks to its sound quality, but it is much more expensive.

Nothing missing, in fact, it has extra that comes in very handy. I like to purchase equipment based on whether the equipment can be used for production and live. With the 828mkII, you get a free mixer practically! There are 4 mix channels and slots to save mixing presets. So you can have a "Studio" for a headphone mix and another for Monitoring, then just load a "Live" preset for when you go gigging. CueMix has saved me $80.

Price paid

$750

UTILIZATION

The learning curve is next to nothing. The MOTU 828mkII comes with software for your PC to control anything with a better user interface. Given the limited size of the LCD on the 828mkII, it's a bit hard figuring where things are at first, but using the PC interface, you'll get a good idea and won't find it tough the next time you use the LCD. It comes with ASIO and MME drivers and you can run both concurrently. If you're running your sequencer using the ASIO drivers, you can still run, say, Winamp thru the MME drivers.

GETTING STARTED

Just looking at the construction of the thing tells you it can take a beating... but who'd want to beat a $750 piece of gear with lights in it? You got your wife for that! :P I've only had it for almost a month and I take extra care of any gear, if an accident were to happen, I'm sure as hell confident it'll survive.

OVERALL OPINION

The sound quality is prestine. Recording at 96kHz/24-bit has great improved the overall sound of any recording. Recording in 96kHz better captures waveforms more accurately. 24-bit allows for more digital processing without any noticeable degradation/data loss. All plugs are gold-plated, reducing any possibly of radio/noise interference (of course, hi-quality TRS/XLR cables to help A LOT!) If you're a perfectionist, 96kHz won't be enough(386kHz!). But 96kHz is beyond practical, and if your machine can't handle this, there's 88.2kHz... which is twice more samples/sec. than an ordinary CD.

First of all, it's black, sleek, green and blue lights and an occasional red light when you're clipping... I went from the M-Audio Quattro to this and instantly my recordings sounded better, my production time quicker. If I were given the choice between 10 Digidesign Digi 002 Rack and just one MOTU 828mkII... I'll just take the MOTU (well, take the Digis, sell them all and get more MOTUs!!) It looks good, works excellent, and it's versatile... if I moved to Arkansas, I'd marry this thing!

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Borthox ( 2-, 2004)

Allows you to record up to 20 channels at the same time at 24bit. The only catch is that 8 of those channels are ADAT (Great if you have a digital mixer) and 2 of them digital coax. That leaves you with 8 1/4" to work with and a pair of combo XLR 1/4" on the front.

Price paid

700

UTILIZATION

Not bad, I was worried at first not having a lot of reviews from PC users running WinXP. Don't even worry about it, this thing links up with no problems and you can set everything from the Cuemix console on the computer and store it to 20 presets in the unit. Any one of the presets can be loaded from the front panel or the computer very quickly. The six push-turn buttons on the front are confusing as heck, but after a couple of hours of messing with them, you will have the logic down. Lots of routing options, so if you have more gear than inputs, pick up a patchbay at the same time then you can set one Cuemix setup and use your patchbay hardware to do the input switching. The manual is very weak, no help there if you have major questions about using the system without the computer. Its totally written from the computers point of view, assuming that you are running Cubase. If you are running any software that is not ASIO compatable, you can still use it running legacy drivers according to the manual, but its not recommended.

GETTING STARTED

Windows users, you will love this product if you are running Cubase, Vegas, Soundforge, or Acid Pro, All Inputs and outputs are available for use at 96kHz/24bit resolution. I set presets for my diffrent software right into the Cuemix and recall them quickly with the touch of a button on the front panel, as I switch from diffrent Aps. Its even works with my windows laptop with no problems recording 18 channels to the internal hard drive in the field. This is one nice firewire interface that give you a lot of routing options. One word of advice. GET A PATCHBAY so you don't have to reach around back to get to your inputs and outputs, especially if its racked and

OVERALL OPINION

Absolutly flawless, no cracks, pops, or coloration to the sound. What you put in is what you get out. Used a compressor and eq chain on inputs 7 and 8 straight from the powered pre-amp outs on the 2 front panels and got a perfectly polished sound from my bass straight into the computer. You can also record the raw sound from the front panel at the same time.

Wouldn't have my studio with out it! Get one of these! They rock!

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Smoothbassman (January 2-, 2005)

Well, the cuemix function doesnt work on 828's, yet the marketed it like it did.

Price paid: 300 usd

UTILIZATION

No problems, worked like it should.

GETTING STARTED

Not the greatest build, but not the worst either.

OVERALL OPINION

Flat, not musical. Made all my recordings very dull. I recorded at 48/24. better than your standard soundcard.

i * hated that thing. It sucked so bad at recording stuff. made everything sound dull. Im only writing this review to warn others of its crappyness.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: housewreckinpro ( 1-, 2006)