MOTU 896 Mk3

28 channel in/28 channel out firewire interface.
8 instrument/mic in and outs
16 ADAT/Toslink i/o
Spdif and AES/Ebu i/o
DSP powered effects.


UTILIZATION

On Mac I just love Motu. This is my 3rd Motu interface. On PC I'd rather use something like a Fire Face.

GETTING STARTED

Set-up is insanely simple, install drivers, connect, turn on...record.

OVERALL OPINION

There is nothing I don't dig about this interface. AND it sounds great.
Whether I use it for a mic pre or as my word clock.
It comes with a software mixer that lets you run separate mixes. Actually I have used it as a stand alone mixer without computer. The small interface is a bit fiddly for this but it does work as described by the manufacturer.

When you open the software mixer you have three panes. One for inputs, next is mixes, next outputs. You can run effects on the inputs or on the outputs. SO you have the choice to print them or not. It comes with soft clipping so you can hit the inputs without too much worry of digital distortion.
My favorite of this is that when you're using it with another interface that has a fixed sample rate and you connect them via AES/EBU you can run the Motu at your project sample rate and convert at the AES/EBU outs. Or vice versa. Ingenious!

Plus the fact that you can send different mixes to different sources, at this price makes it a great value for the money.

I was looking for a sound card with multiple inputs, reliable and a higher range.
I use it for recording vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, and my samplers
(And mixes!)
It is interfaced with a PC Motherboard Asus Quad core 8GB Ram windows 7 pro.
I takes only 8 because it does not have a MIDI interface.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable, there is nothing to say except some crashes when I turn on the compressor and / or external preamp. Just turn it off and restart (a 10aine seconds).
I use Cubase5.
Next record, I record one track. Mic, guitar, samplers and MIDI tracks.
Side reading, 20, 30, 40 tracks and more.
I have a latency of 12ms. I never really set this option. 12ms is the last proper limit and it suits me.
I put 8 because the drivers are not updated, the Hybrid is preferred.
But they are stable.

GETTING STARTED

Quick installation and trouble-free!
Setup is simple, you just understand the CueMix (software management inputs, outputs, EQ, Compression, and effects for each track), but it's fast.
No inconsistency, I had interfaced with a Tascam FW-1082 on its second Firewire port: no problem.

OVERALL OPINION

I love its appearance, beautiful and strong. The master volume knob is a bit small, and as I often used my fingernail has etched a little facade, so more paint near the volume button. I intend to take a case management monitoring to mute the output with a volume button.
The Main Output and Headphone volume management is not terrible, the headphone output is connected to the Main Out 1/2. So, if I want to use THAT headphone, I must turn my monitor speakers. (Or so I missed a config routing in CueMix? Send me a message if you have a solution )

Before I had a Tascam US-428 (beautiful blue) and a FW-1082. I wanted more inputs, better converters, m ^ me if those are the Tascam respectable, and a rack-mounted.

Side converters, nothing to say, no breath, transparent.
It lacks an interface MIDI.J 'I had to get an external USB, from M-Audio.

MOTU 896 HD has added the functionality I rvais, namely the effects of Intgr trs good quality (Rverbe, EQ, Compression, Limiter), so as to increase re substantial comfort in the musicians' recordings.

Surcrot of all rglages is available in "Stand Alone", which makes it a good rev mixer for live!

Used as a converter with a Neve 1073, TL Audio Valve Classic, etc..

UTILIZATION

Extremely simple installation in 3 minutes ...

GETTING STARTED

Drivers stable.
Used with Cubase & Samplitude.
Recording 16 tracks simultaneously by combining my other HD 896.

OVERALL OPINION

Reue 2 weeks ago.
What I like most:
Versatility of the card (pramplis transparent, good converters).
Trs Intgr effects of good quality (can also be used for mixing ...)

Trs qualitprix good value given the fact that this interface is actually a sound card, a converter honnte trs, table 8-track mixer with effects Intgr!