All user reviews of 4/5 for the MOTU 8pre

It's not at the top of my list, but it's no where near the bottom. It was obtained in a bundle deal and it pays for itself every time I use it. I probably wouldn't have bought one, and it would have been a shame. This thing is reliable and sounds great. USB is great but I always feel more confident with Firewire (not to mention you then have the ability to daisy chain). This audio interface would be a great addition to any studio, professional to bedroom.
Specs:
-8 Pre-amped inputs
-2 Main outputs
-8 ADAT inputs/outputs
-Dedicated phantom power & -20dB pad for each pre-amp channel
-MIDI I/O
-Firewire
-8 LED input meters
-XLR/TRS jacks on back
-Up to 96kHz & 24-bit
-Headphone jack on front for monitoring
-A single button/dial to control headphone monitoring and main outputs
-Single rack space

UTILIZATION

Great for tracking up to 8 channels at once! But don't worry, it's just as good when you are only tracking 1 channel too. And being a firewire device, you will have one less USB slot filled. I mainly use this with Pro Tools 10, but it works great with almost any other DAW. Some units don't have input meters on the front, and you don't have to use those units! The Motu 8 Pre has brilliant LED input meters (complete with green, yellow and red). With a quick response, the 8 Pre is a serious workhorse. Don't be afraid to run it hard, unlike cheap USB audio interfaces, this one won't crumble under the pressure.

The Motu 8 Pre features onboard SMPTE time code synchronization. Time code is generated by the 8 Pre and can be sent to analogue devices. Included is the MOTU SMPTE Console software. This allows the user to strip, regenerate or slave other devices to your computer.

Latency seems to be no issue for the Motu 8 Pre. CueMix DSP helps create different output and headphone mixes. You can also add send/return loops for your outboard gear with no noticeable latency.

This thing is NOT a burden in any way. It will only take up a single spot on your rack where comparable others can take up many. It's solid design not only feels great to the touch, but it makes me feel a lot more confident when moving it around.

If you aren't seriously considering the 8 Pre yet, lets look at a much under appreciated feature: dual XLR/TRS inputs. Cabling and be pricey, and there is nothing worse than buying a new piece of gear and realizing you don't have the right cabling for it. Similar units only have XLR inputs, this is not a bad thing but what if you are going straight into a TRS patch bay. Now you are going to have to order some TRS to XLR cables for the short trip to the patch bay, but not with the Motu 8 Pre.

GETTING STARTED

I bought the unit second hand so I'm not sure what it comes with (they didn't even provide the power cable!! Savages). However Motu's website has all the documentation that came with the unit. Motu.com also has all necessary drivers and software that you will need to run the 8 Pre.

The 1 button output/headphone control can be a bit confusing at first (especially if you didn't get a manual). But all things considered, this unit is very easy to jump right into. You shouldn't have any compatibility issues with this unit.

OVERALL OPINION

I liked the sound of the pre amps the best. The gain stage is gentle but can provide a serious boost towards the end. This is one of those analogue to digital converters that sounds more like an all analogue piece. Motu really did a great job with this unit, it in no way sounds like a cheap piece of gear. This was bought in a package with a bunch of other gear so I can't comment on the value for price. The average new price seems to be floating around $500-600ish (depending on generation).

Knowing what I know now I would have bought the unit. I'll admit that I wouldn't have bought the unit in the first place if it didn't come in a package deal, but I'm sure glad I've got it.

Pro's:
-8 Pre-amp inputs with dedicated -20dB pad & phantom power
-Firewire unit
-1 rack space
-Really good sound that almost mimics analogue sound

Con's:
-Only 2 outputs (really a drag and is what holds me back from giving a near perfect score)
-Headphone monitoring and main outputs are on the same button/dial
-LED's can be really bright in the dark

converter channels 8

I do not use the preamps sound card, but have tried with my pr KM184 in over head is fairly straight and neutral as his. It is clean and no breath.

I stick him in several preamp behind
(La610 MKII, neve 4081 ...)
Converters looks good, at least I could compare with rm converto and the human ear happens to tell me the difference blind I pay him a starry restaurant

UTILIZATION

it runs on mac and logic pro 9, no worries, you plug and it is part.
Easy to install and use

I record 8 tracks without any worries or other latency ...

GETTING STARTED

I think I've rarely had such a simple product and installation

OVERALL OPINION

I had a lot of model of the card before 8pre, I am fully satisfied even if I dream of other thing right now for the price it is a remake tail choice without hesitation

The next audio interface and preamp side Adat ...

I use it with Firewire and ADAT, and both sides are nice and troubleshoot well ...

Recording demos or albums or in addition to a multifaceted II is only ...

UTILIZATION

Drivers stable and easy to find.
I use cubase 6 and it does!

I can record 8 tracks with no worries for monitoring click, etc. ...

I have not watch the latency audio interface since, I save 99% live in this config.

GETTING STARTED

No worries of install except perhaps with P5BVM ASUS.

If not no worries. Manual nickel.

OVERALL OPINION

2 years of use while traveling.

I remake that choice without worry!

FireWire 8 In, 4 out.
A / D 8 channels ...
0 out in this config ....

I miss the D / A conversion on the analog outputs ...

UTILIZATION

Mac, no worries ... Plugg and play

Windows, I'm puzzled, Motu is not top in this config, this was true 10 years ago, now I do not know, not used with Windows 7, but in general, Motu = Mac

GETTING STARTED

Simple, open the file. Pkg is installed, it is shaped into refined the machine, and Yahoo, we bump ....

OVERALL OPINION

Even if it is interface quality after all, is a device that you buy for its preamps ....
Well, that's okay ... Mackis better than low-end .... Not colored in for two, a bit soft ... The Saffire preamps or OctoPre MkII is better bill ... This is only my opinion !!!!!!!!!!

This is an excellent adjunct to an interface that has 16 or 24 inputs, preamps reagents, without heat (you must know), but do not lie ....

Conversion ultra efficient, if one puts on a clock slave machine a little "upper class ".... Good choice, but Focusrite, at present, there are better .... For the same price ....

Very reliable mac ....

the 8 XLR inputs with phantom power over the adat (with a ADA8000 perfect for adding 8 inputs or 8 outputs)

any type of microphone or instrument, audio or midi

for audio recording on a laptop with mini firewire

UTILIZATION

used to live without too much concern on my vista pc, with low latency

GETTING STARTED

no worries particular config simple and effective

OVERALL OPINION

I sold because I did not use the 8 entries not finally and suddenly it was big for the use I had now but I have never regretted the purchase

Technical specifications: Not much info I find published, but the basics: 8 mic with pad and power supply 48, and taken rglages TO BACK.
Usage: Recording concerts nomad with a PC and a bag of microwave. (Rather classical 'chamber', choral and jazz in small groups)
Config: Toshiba rcent; Intel 1.7 G, 1G ram, 80G internal drive, the rest I know.

UTILIZATION

Install and compatibility absolutely No problem
Configuration: OK
Manual: Yes not bad, but as usual it rpond as issues that are adjacent the empty rponse for the rest dbrouille you ..

GETTING STARTED

Driver stable without problem. Last day I see no intrt. (It's amazing how soft updates from now Submitted as benefits when this is as close to default short ..)
Latency: 10ms enough for me. Test 8 tracks simultaneously in 88Khz. OK

A default my taste: the internal coupling between the exit (the TRS jacks 2) Submitted as internal cabling hardware) is actually the link dpendant firewire. If you are not connected or if the PC crashes, nothing on these outputs. Too bad for those who want to use this output as an 'emergency exit' cable to a hard-DAT recorder or other such, in case the PC would crash or 'crack' ...

OVERALL OPINION

Test 3 DIFFERENT concerts, for 6 months, plus a number of trials and tests 'at home'.
Goodies: 8 inputs and compact without regard dcrochage, all reliable.
Cons: A little of the construction, which is rather 'public': The pramplis are NJM2068, prampli Chinese low-end, arriving pniblement ensure proper bandwidth background gain. (-2dB @ 20kHz). convert the A / D AKM5385A.OK
Besides the fact that no figures on the performance of pramplis is dja public is suspicious in itself. (Other than the usual marketing spiel on the lyric 'clarity of pramplis)
The sensitivity of sufficient if there are static, but a fair bit with dynamic (as long as we want to make a thin voice like an announcer or hum ... just moves away.) . The gain which potentiomtres 1 of 3 crachotent run its course .. trs also little progressive, and would have won be notched, even if only to gain indents taken over a couple of 2-way micro xy, .. etc etc
It's true I'm a little demanding but that is the comfort when you're on the stress of 'live record' and normally not cost a lot more good design dtails.
For now, at this price, I not get any better ... hlas.

What characteristics have motivated your choice?
I needed a supplement of entry with my 828 mk3

With which instruments or systems (console, preamp, DTD ...) and you use the connection with what? ...
used a table with several preamps and analog zed420 hardwares she has found her place.Elle has become essential that clear.

What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / Ram / Disk ,...)?
The brand connects with a macbook pro 17 + a good external HD 64m cache partitions, the system is stable.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable?
a stability I would say no worries, I'm running macbook pro and AC roule.Je did not encounter any problems, I use it every day and I am pleasantly surprised as long as it lasts!

What software do you use most often?
Logic 9

How many tracks do you manage to record / playback simultaneously? ... 16

What latency you get? 3ms

GETTING STARTED

Quick Installation nothing to say everything works perfectly.

The general configuration is easy? Same config

Have you experienced any incompatibilities? no inconsistency

The manual is clear and sufficient? ... not need manual ..

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 years

Did you try many other models before getting this one?
m-audio and presonus good. I speak ......

What thing do you like most/least about it?
I appreciate the fact that it is portable and easy to configure.

What is your opinion about the value for the price? Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice? ...
excellent, yes I buy that card.

attention I read a little of everything on that map as "The preamps are NJM2068, Chinese low-end preamp, coming painfully to ensure proper bandwidth at full gain. (-2dB @ 20kHz" to clarify the preamps are not Chinese but Japanese is not at all the mm thing! when in fact they are "low end" I invite you to read their datasheet that says more .. http://www.datasheetcatalog. org/datasheet/newjapanradio/ae04022.pdf