All user reviews of 5/5 for the MOTU 896mk3 Hybrid

I was looking for a REAL sound card for techno sound is - say with buttons and flashing lights all over the place! And filled with connections !!

More Seriously, I recerchais card among 8 combo XLR / Jack Mic / Line / Instrumentation, whose gain can rgler for each channel with -20dB pad and phantom power per channel and a peak indicator dBFS and clips consquent per channel faade before ... and for my budget less than 1000:
MOTU did!

Hybrid His name comes from the fact that you can work via USB or FireWire. Moreover one has even 2 FW 800 ports to be able to cascade MOTU (3 max per port FireWire).

Yes, having an indication via numerous LEDs per channel that enters or leaves in terms of level dBFS, not on all maps found that, even in 2012!

the rear certainly no MIDI, but it was his one small default user for a musician, not a techno sound. MIDI has is added when you want (not that midi ...).
For rezte, the connection is complemented:
8 Line XLR outputs,
1 output XLR Main ST,
1 output Main in Jack stro 6.35 (prvoir Y)
1 + 1 between AES / EBU XLR ST,
1 + 1 between S / PDIF RCA,
1 + 1 between S / PDIF TOSLINK optical,
2 + 2 among ADAT optical outputs (2x 8 channels)
1 + 1 output between WordClock,
1 output ST headphone.

Whoa!

All this 44.1 kH 192 kHz! 16 and 24 bits.

BUT THE TOP is this: Routing willingness!

We can separate out 8 stro mix:
- 4 distinct ST mix on 8 XLR Line Out.
- And the mix 2x Hand Out (2 XLR Line Out, 1 ST 6.35 Line Out)
- 1 ST distinct mix via headphone jack ST 6.35 Line Out
- And 2 other mix ST (AES / EBU, S / PDIF, ADAT).

Internal DSP can calculate the effects EQ, Comp / Lim, and Reverb.

Voil enough to supply the facade FOH, monitors the returns, and the capture, plus a radio, tl ... our lovely mix stro.

A virtual console controls the MOTU 896 mk3 Hybrid, via software.
We can save / recall presets and configurations.

And all this is possible since BE Virtual Console software, IE from the buttons on the front facade of the MOTU MOTU making autonomous stand alone: ​​no computer needed on stage!


USE

The MOTU 896 mk3 Hybrid is perfect to use, very ergonomic, easy access, a jewel for its techie whose budget can frler 1000 to 8 analog tracks between (and many other digital).

Drivers very stable.
The CueMix console launches in 3 seconds or less.
Sometimes I have to restart the software of the virtual console "CueMix", but it happens rarely VERY close to zero eventually.

I use the MOTU 896 mk3 Hybrid Pro Tools 10, and it is ultra stable, no problem.
The buffer can be rgl with Pro Tools in increments of 64 samples. 128 or 256 samples, it is still playable musically without too much latency.

USB recording 32 Concurrent tracks and playback, Pro Tools 10 and MOTU 896 mk3 Hybrid will not budge. The t test was done with a series of SOnY VAIO VPC, based on Intel Core i5.

Latency is good, 128 as in 256 samples: admarre as dry finger and the eye, and is playable for musicians live.


IMPLEMENTATION

First install the drivers for the MOTU, then restart.
Then install Pro Tools 10, and Restart.
And voil a rotation as a new truck engine.

Paramtrage of the characteristics of the MOTU can be done in Pro Tools as out audio app. It is simple and straightforward, almost no need doc, even for beginners.

No incompatibilits meetings.
The manual is only for the Frenchman MOTU 896 mk3 Hybrid version not, but that does not change much.


NOTICE GLOBAL

I use the MOTU 896 mk3 for 3 months.

I used to use
- A 888/24 for Pro Tools TDM
- A Mbox2 Pro
- An MBox First release: say it!

I like the very simple ergonomics of the Motu, the possibility of rgler all parameters via the computer or from the front facade, its ultra rich connectivity, its LEDs for each input channel and out, of course its audio quality, its strength, srieux A Z.
The guts of the front facade could be greater than those 2 lines of characters, but you would do without problem.
Above all, the virtual console CueMix could be larger, resizable: it is the only default of this MOTU.

The rich connectivity is robust, pro, nothing cheap.

The price quality ratio is unbelievable, unbeatable.
Go for it, you will not be due, in all objectivity.

I know Motu since the 80s without ever having invested in the equipment due to intense Protools ... I recently purchased a Motu 896mk3 Hybrid Used for 800 euros and there I realized that Motu is serious! Finally Mac PC mainly because they are not out of the woods!
Mac, a real treat ... with several types of use: Live recording of Jazz and other groups in theaters, with Logic Studio on two configurations: either with a 24-track analog console Soundcraft 500 1985 ... Not a breath of pet ... Up a potato ... That sound!, Either directly 16 tracks coupled with a preamp Presonus Digimax 8 channel ADAT Fs: Great musicianship, nothing to say
Quality preamps is the appointment system and overcomes the constraints of DSP effects rack wiring spaghetti! Clocks are good and sync without problem even without the cable being used as Wordsync optics with a short cable of 50 cm!

UTILIZATION

The drivers are super stable on both Mac USB Firewire that even with minimum latency. on the other hand PC when it was right to make a gaffe install correct CUE MIX THE REFUSE TO LAUNCH windows 7 and all eventually crash! surprising ... Normal ... So nothing new PC from Winblows 98 ...
Back in the world of the living, on Mac! Protools LE on 9 or 10 or Logic: Nickel, with a slight preference for Logic because with this Motu sounds almost as good as Protools HD and I know what I'm talking about ... (That said, this is just my opinion ...)
Well, at the note, the 9 is for the Mac because it is zero for Windows! .... Too bad, because with Samplitude ....

GETTING STARTED

Mac no problem: we installed the latest driver and go, as it is written in aqueous manual. So at the PC, as I've said above, it installs clean and bang! it crashes all the sides and Motu is not even recognized most frequently (test with the same guaranteed result of my 3 PC audiovisual training center!) The implementation is very simple to have sound on I / O but the CueMix FX is not the most obvious to newcomers. Finally, as I have the Motu for about 1 month I'm sure things will get better with a little practice.
The manual is well and he tries to explain clearly the enormous possibilities of the system configuration.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for about a month and a half. As I have always eaten there since Protools with all imaginable Digidesign interfaces and clocks often a little rock'n roll, this is a new world for me and very encouraging.
For now, the feature I like most is the small DSP that reminds me a bit TDM and especially musicality and power with a small card to 900 €!
Second small feature very fashionable and not least the possibility of an alternative USB at a time when the supply connection of portable Macs melting like snow in the sun!
A positive note just in passing: Save 24 tracks at once with Logic on my Macbook Pro 2008 on the internal drive as well with a latency of 32 samples for 3 hours without flinching, it's fun!
With my short experience on this system, I would do without this choice problem. Now go in 6 months when I'm in my 10th album recording live with Mix and Mastering and everything! ...

I was looking for a REAL soundcard techno sound, that is to say, with buttons and flashing lights in all directions! And full connectivity!

Seriously, I recerchais card 8 combo inputs XLR / mic jacks / Line / Instrument, which can adjust the gain for each channel with-20dB pad and phantom power per channel, and an indicator of peak dBFS and Therefore clips per channel in front ... and for my budget at less than 1000 €:
MOTU has done!

Hybrid name is that you can work via USB or FireWire. Besides, it even has two FW 800 ports to be able to cascade the MOTU (3 maximum per FireWire port).

Yes, an indication via LEDs per channel many of which enters or leaves in terms of dBFS level, it is not on all maps found that, even in 2012!

In back, certainly not MIDI, but it's his only flaw for a user musician, not a techno sound. The MIDI that is added when you want (not until noon ...).
For rezte, the connection is complete:
8 XLR Line Output,
A main output XLR & T,
A main output in stereo jack 6.35 (bring a Y),
1 input + 1 output AES / EBU XLR ST,
1 input + 1 output S / PDIF RCA,
1 input + 1 output S / PDIF TOSLINK optical,
2 inputs + 2 outputs ADAT optical (2x 8 channels),
1 input + 1 output Word Clock,
1 headphone ST.

Whoa!

All this of 44.1 kilohertz to 192 kHz! And 16 to 24 bits.

BUT THE TOP is this: Routing at will!

We can separate out 8 stereo mix:
- ST mix 4 on 8 separate XLR Line Out.,
- 2x and the main out mix (2 XLR line out, 1 line out jack 6.35 ST)
- A mix ST separate from the headphone output jack Line Out ST 6.35
- And two other mix ST (AES / EBU, S / PDIF, ADAT).

Of internal DSP effects to calculate EQ, Comp / Lim, and Reverb.

That is what give the facade FOH, monitors return to, and uptake, more radio, TV ... our nice stereo mix.

A virtual console controls the MOTU 896 mk3 Hybrid, via software.
You can save / recall of presets and configurations.

And all this is possible since the BE virtual console software, IE since the buttons on the front of the MOTU, MOTU making autonomous stand alone: ​​no need for computer on stage!

UTILIZATION

Very stable drivers.
CueMix console starts in 3 seconds or less.
Sometimes I had to restart the virtual console software "CueMix", but this happens VERY rarely, finally approaching zero.

I use the MOTU 896 mk3 Hybrid Pro Tools 10, and it's ultra stable, no problem.
The buffer can be set with Pro Tools in increments of 64 samples. At 128 or 256 samples, playable yet musically it's not too much latency.

USB recording 32 tracks simultaneous playback mode, Pro Tools and MOTU 896 mk3 10 Hybrid not budge. The test was done with a Sony Vaio PCV series, based on Intel Core i5.

Latency is good, as in 128 in 256 samples: it starts as dry the finger and the eye, and it's still playable for live musicians.

GETTING STARTED

First install the drivers for the MOTU, then restart.
Then install Pro Tools 10, and restart.
And now: it runs like a brand new truck engine.

The setting characteristics of the MOTU can be done in Pro Tools as audio out soft. It is simple and straightforward, almost no need doc, even for beginners.

No incompatibilities encountered.
The French manual is only for the MOTU 896 mk3, not Hybrid version, but that does not change much.

OVERALL OPINION

I use the MOTU 896 mk3 for 3 months.

I used to use
- A 888/24 for Pro Tools TDM
- A Mbox2 Pro
- An MBox first version: it's saying!

The connector is pro, robust, nothing cheap.

I like the simple ergonomics of the Motu, the ability to set all parameters via the computer or from the front, its connectivity ultra rich, its LEDs for each channel incoming and outgoing audio quality of course, its robustness, reliability from A to Z.
The screen of the front could have been bigger than these two lines of characters, but you would do it without problem.
Above all, the virtual console CueMix could have been greater, and resizable: it is the only defect of this MOTU.

Finally, the MOTU card is used in many pro studios in Paris, a guarantee of reliability and quality, in my opinion.

RESULTS: In a word, go for it, eyes closed, and objectivity: the price / quality ratio is unbeatable.