MOTU 1224

The MOTU 1224 is a digital audio interface that is fire wire based. It has eight channels with 1/4" TRS inputs and outputs, as well as word clock in and out, an AES/EBU input and output, and XLR outputs for your monitors. It also has a 1/4" headphone output on the front. This all fits in a single size rack mountable unit.

UTILIZATION

Setting up and using the MOTU 1224 is really easy, as there isn't anything complicated about it's make up whatsoever. Everything is really easy to follow, and there isn't anything out of the ordinary so if you have experience with other audio interfaces, this knowledge will transfer to the 1224. The metering on the front panel of the unit is also very helpful, making it easy to monitor your levels. I haven't seen a manual for the 1224, so I can't comment on it's make up.

GETTING STARTED

While the overall tone of the 1224 isn't anything to write home about really, it is overall pretty clean and will work in most situations. The sound of the MOTU 1224 does come off a bit digital, if you understand what I mean, but it will reproduce your signal pretty accurately for the most part. It doesn't have the thickest or fullest sound out there, but definitely isn't the worst. Since it doesn't have any real mic preamplifiers on it, you're going to need some preamps to use with it anyway, or use it in tandem with another MOTU interface.

OVERALL OPINION

While the MOTU 1224 can be used as an expansion unit for a MOTU 2408, it can also be used on it's own. I've used it with a 2408, but it will definitely work as a stand alone unit as well. I have used the 1224 mostly in a home studio for use with Wavelab 5 for editing purposes, so I didn't really do much actual recording with it. I'm not sure what type of price the 1224 commands exactly, but MOTU usually has very reasonably priced gear at a high quality. I'm a fan of the 1224, but there are a lot of options out there, so I'd recommend doing a good amount of research on both the 1224 and other interfaces...

J uses this card with a PC that runs XP and I used the preamp or console channel strip.

UTILIZATION

Home Motu c j is the one that got more stable, I'm for less than a year and I have not yet had a blue screen and bug with 0.
Before this one I'd a 896HD, ultralite, 828Mk2 usb and firewire .. and a lot of bug.

I usually work on standalone in samplitude and melodyne asio.

I have never done the update driver (not required)

GETTING STARTED

Easy to install drivers.
Cons by J had a little bug with my Lynx.
J have the reverse port between the two cards and run everything (weird but good)

OVERALL OPINION

J have compared this card on the master with a Lynx one XLR and one apogee mini me.
between the lynx and 1224, filing of the motu stereo is more realistic, low-range and cleaner and more defined treble.
Apogee when the conversion is even clearer that the motu.

For the 8 inputs against outputs do not sound the same, they have less lower than the master, c is a shame the only weakness that I blame him.

The Core System MOTU 1224 audio interface is a link to the famous PCI324 card (MOTU heart of the sytem) via a cable AudioWire. Released in 2000 it was worth a bygone era around 15000frs making it the top of the range and MOTU converters equipped with the best of the market (in this price range of course).
The front presents itself as all the MOTU interface system (2408, 24i / o, etc.).: On / off button, LED bargraph display level 8 on each of 8 inputs and 8 outputs and the AES / EBU and the main out and one on the left headphone.

carracteristiques:
- 8 inputs gold-plated TRS symetic
- 8 TRS outputs symetric gold plated
- 2 Main outputs on XLR symetric
- Input / output AES / EBU
- Worldclock
- Converter A / DD / A 24bit 48khz
- Dynmic 116dB
- Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.0010% Inputs - outputs 0.0015%

In short: it's high end!

UTILIZATION

The implementation of the driver on PC (winXpro) and extremely simple .... except ... for users of VIA chipsets (that is, the most part of motherboard for AMD). Hey yes PCI324 card option requires a change either in the BIOS (CPU to PCI option must be POSTWRITE DISABLE). But this little problem has not SPECIFICATIONS 1224 but the entire system MOTU. Rest assured once you modify this option the couple PCI324/1224 runs like clockwork.

Managing card settings is done via the MOTU PCI Audio console where you manage the buffer size, routing options, etc.. There is also a console dnomm CueMix that manages the routing software I / O, but experienced users prefer much used Cubase or Logic for that.

GETTING STARTED

The basic principle here is simplicity and efficiency is not saying no option 96khz crazy, it's simple, accurate, and it works. It is an ideal interface for anyone who wants to lead a project to be on CD or Vinyl produts. Its strong point: The dynamics ... (Jai bcp works on audio interfaces and is by far the most dynamic). Of course today it's hard to rival with the 192HD, but the 1224 has already 5 years old and I do not think in five years 192hd Always take the road!

Personally it is connected to my patch and then a console. I record 8 tracks simultaneously easy to 48khz with latency 0. And what is more accepting of PCI324 3 interfaces can upgrade your system up "has 24 entries!

OVERALL OPINION

The MOTU 1224 is an interface by the surprising quality of his converisseurs and dynamic. At a time when manufacturers bcp Courrent to 192kHz of the 1224 after four years of service shows that it is the tjrs through a system with a 48kHz converters faithful and music, and that's the most important .

For CHARACTERISTICS, go see the other view, and the specifications! lol

I use it in my home studio, plug in my PC.

Indeed I take this opportunity to explain to people intersse by this card running on PC and yes the 1224 + PCI 324 works on PC! and no problem!
this is what the guys from MOTU support very promptly said:
"The IS 324 card compatible with motherboard Any PC That Does not Have Any of the Following:

- DDR RAM
- Hyperthreading
- PCI slots 3.3volt
- PCI "X" - PCI slots

This includes MOST P4 motherboards and a lot of AMD-compatible motherboards as well. For best results with a newer PC, we recommend our 424 card (Which is still compatible with older PCI interfaces like the 1224). "

gold .... I turn on an AMD XP 1700 +, ASUS A7N8X E Deluxe Nforce 2 chipset, 512 DDR RAM .. and when it works even with the old PCI 324!

To know that it works on the same motherboard with VIA chispet, simply disable the option in BIOS "CPU to PCI post write" (on the MSI K7).

UTILIZATION

It runs like clockwork, no cracking, no slowdown, a marvel .. ca nikel turns!

Note, however, has a fairly laborious installation (I installed and uninstalled a dozen times .. + + format). For everything to work right the first time must:

1) install the driver through the setup Submitted in the file.
2) Turn off the machine and install the PCI card only!
3) turn on and once the new windows adtect material, show him the back of the driver and he will put perforated (attention, it is possible that the installation wizard opens 2 times, and must do it!).
after the hardware install turn off the PC.
4) branhcer the rack using a cable "audiowire" on the PCI card. Turn the rack and attendrequ'il be initialized.
5) turn on the pc, and it just go to the list of program, and the fiddle CueMix console lol

GETTING STARTED

Updated driver on the website of motu (www.motu.com)
For the latency, I descended to 128 samples without problem under Cubase SX 2.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a week, and I redcouvre all the songs I've heard yet and rentendu hundreds of times, a real treat!
This is where we take onscience of what is often called the wrong "big sound"
We took a real slap! this card has excellent converters truly dynamic (116 db!) (trs and a good clock, so I suppose ...), the sound is trsdfini, clear, prcis, deep, with a REAL Stereo (impressive, especially on the APRS have turned Edirol and echo) .10 000 km above my old MIA lol.

I thought mine was 550 euros OCCAZ in perfect state ... saw it cost 15 000 francs has its output quality .. the report price is more than excellent!
the rack is solid gold connectors and XLR output.
The day I need more input and output, I buy a replacement! especially since you can chain up to 3 interface on a single PCI card.