MOTU 2408 et al. - dumb-assed question

[thehowler]

Hi there,

I'm relatively new at this, so here it comes....

I'm slowly understanding that a MOTU 2408MK3 would be useful to getting the output from my analog mixer into my DAW.

Has anyone else out there done this? Is it the right purchase for an audio interface? Does it provide 8 separate channels that can be mapped on to my DAW's tracks?

Sorry for being lame, but it's just confusing me a little...

 

[Track Rat]

I have a 2408 mkII and love it. But I use it for 24 channels of ADAT in/out plus its 8 analog in/outs. I use mine with an HD24 as a 24 channel sound card along with an analog console. Unless you intent to ad either ADAT or Tascam TDIF digital devices to your system, there might be better choices for you.

 

[Mr. Antrobus]

Yep, it looks like it has 8 channels of analog inputs plus some additional optical inputs.

There are a number of choices out there to confuse yourself with.

There's also the echo layla 3g that is similar in concept. but sells for about $500 new.

some questions to ask yourself.

1) Will you stay desktop based?
2) will you stay windows based?

Maybe its my own biases, but I'm a little wary of MOTU products on the windows platform. It seems like they've been more mac-centric. But that could be an error on my part.

If you also wanted to use a laptop or mac, you might consider a firewire device.

But pci seems a safe way to go for low latency with a desktop windows pc.

Do you really need 6 inputs? How many outs?

Lynx makes some cards that despite being internally mounted--have excellent converters.

You might check into those as well.

Another option: RME multiface 2/pci card combo.

 

[Track Rat]

Just for the record I've had my MOTU (two MOTU's actually) in many different PCs with zero problems. Their Digital Performer software multitracker is strictly MAC but in my experience the hardware plays very nicely with PC.

 

[fraserhutch]

DO NOT GET ANY MOTU PRODUCT WITH A PCI324 card.

Again, I repeat:

DO NOT GET ANY MOTU PRODUCT WITH A PCI324 card.


Get a new system with the PCI424 card. The older cards are nothing but problems with Windows systems, and Motu makes you buy the new ones outright.

I will never buy a MOTU product again.

 

[thehowler]

Thanks for the prompt replies, fellas.

As I'm analog-based, I'm thinking of the MOTU 24I/O

I will check out the Layla, though

 

[Mr. Antrobus]

Just for the record I've had my MOTU (two MOTU's actually) in many different PCs with zero problems. Their Digital Performer software multitracker is strictly MAC but in my experience the hardware plays very nicely with PC.

I think I'm still smarting from a midi interface that never made the transition from '95 to win2000xp. But all in all MOTU is a pretty good product.

 

[Track Rat]

DO NOT GET ANY MOTU PRODUCT WITH A PCI324 card.

Again, I repeat:

DO NOT GET ANY MOTU PRODUCT WITH A PCI324 card.

QUOTE]

Gee wiz. Should I sell my stuff and start over?

 

[Freudian Slip]

I'm a big fan of Echo's line of pci based interfaces. I've had one for 5 or 6 years and another for 6 months. Very solid and good sounding converters.

F.S.

 

[fraserhutch]

DO NOT GET ANY MOTU PRODUCT WITH A PCI324 card.

Again, I repeat:

DO NOT GET ANY MOTU PRODUCT WITH A PCI324 card.

QUOTE]

Gee wiz. Should I sell my stuff and start over?

No, not if yours is working fine. I am talking about potential owners.

The 324 cards have major issues with a lot (and I mean a LOT) of motherboards. his has been a well-known and long-standing issue with MOTU, and it likely will not work with your MB. So you return it, that's fine. The problem arises when its works on your current MB. If and when you upgrade your MB, it will likely not work with the 324, and you are SOL.


As a matter of fact, didn't I sell mine to you?

I could not get that to work in 6 or 7 different MBs.

If it works for you, all thew power to you, wish it did for me.