MOTU 24I/O Questions

[ChrisU]

Hello!
I'm considering acquiring this device as an end-all for me ever needing more inputs and outputs, sometime in the future, but definitely not right away. Its webpage says that it can be used as a core system that comes with a PCI-424 card. So, I just want to make sure I have it figured out before I get set on buying it; if anyone can answer any of these questions I'd really appreciate it!

1. I'm planning on building a dedicated music desktop with an ASRock Z77 Extreme4 motherboard, so would the MOTU PCI-424 go into a PCI slot or a PCIe slot?

2. I'm aware that it doesn't have any preamps or phantom power inside, so I want to make sure my imagined configuration would work: for example, an AT2020 with an XLR cable into a Nady TMP-1, then from the out on the preamp run a TRS cable into the first input on the MOTU 24I/O?

3. Is it compatible with PreSonus's Studio One?

4. I'm also at a loss on how to hook up monitors to it, since it has no volume controls whatsoever. My TASCAM US-1800 also has some line outs with no volume controls and when I connected headphones to them they just blast super loud, but I believe the volume can be controlled in the DAW. With monitors (like PreSonus's Eris E8's), would I need something like Presonus's Monitor Station? I.e. run a TRS cable from output 1 on the 24I/O into ST1 Left on the Monitor Station, then out from A Left on the Monitor Station into the monitor? But how does the MOTU designate left and right? Do you establish that in the DAW?

If you've read this far then I applaud you. Sorry for such a long post, but it's a good chunk of money to spend only to find out I had no idea what I was doing. If anything I've said in the questions was dumb, feel free to yell at my noobness.

Thanks!
Chris

 

[Dags]

Hi Chris

I have a 24 I/O but I'm using it with a Mac.

Yes, you will need to buy the 424 PCI-e card to connect the interface to your PC. You should be able to purchase the 24 I/O with the 424 card as a package (I bought the 2408Mk3 that way)

1) Choose the PCI-e core option rather than the older PCI core option. PCI-e will be compatible with newer machines should you upgrade your PC.

2) Yes, this makes sense.

3) Uncertain about 424 compatibility with Presonus. You could send a query to MOTU to find out.

4) Monitors can be connected via a pair of the 24 outputs (usually 1&2) Just make sure you set your software main outs to also be 1&2. They are configurable as stereo pairs. Going to a monitor station first will allow you to control the output to your speakers, which makes good sense. It will also allow you to power up the PC and leave the speakers muted to avoid power up thumps.

Hope that MOTU get back to you with a positive reply!

Dags

 

[Farview]

Those are all good answers, but to add...

Yes it will be compatible with any daw software that uses ASIO drivers, which I'm sure studio one does.

You will need to get a monitor controller to control the volume of your monitors. There are some simple ones that cost a couple hundred bucks.

What I aould do in your situation is hook the monitor controller to outputs 1&2 and get a headphone amp and hook that to outputs 3&4, so you could be feeding the person you are recording a different mix than you have coming out of the monitors.

The reason you want to use a monitor controller is because, as you turn down the output if the daw, you lose resolution, everyhing starts to sound a little fuzzy. Since you only get full resolution by having the main output around zero, the only time you are hearing it for real is when you are blasting it at full volume out of the monitors.

There are other motu products that do have monitor controls built in, do you really need to record or play back 24 channels at a time? I've run a commercial project studio for almost 20 years and I've needed to record that many tracks at once a total of four times. 16 channels at once is ussually plenty, unless the drummer pulls up with a monster drum set or you are recording big band or jazz ensemble. The only reason for 24 outputs would be to mix on a hardware mixing console, which is pointless unless you have a special (read: expensive) board.

Look at their firewire and usb units, there is some good stuff there. If you want to go with a core system, the 2408 has monitor controll and headphone output. It only has 8 analog inputs, but if you buy an outboard converter, you can still have 24 ins and outs going at once.

 

[ChrisU]

Awesome, I really appreciate the answers! I'll have to get around to contacting MOTU to tie up any loose ends probably, but otherwise I think I'm set on this unit. And Jay, my TASCAM US-1800 is a USB unit and I love it for its capabilities, but I want an upgrade where I'm not stuck with whatever amount of ins/outs it has; which I have considered PreSonus's FireStudio Projects and just daisy-chaining a bunch together if I ever needed more ins or whatever, but I also like the 24I/O's inherent versatility, being able to choose whatever preamps you want to use and such (though it is a couple hundred more dollars than buying 3 FireStudio's). I know this setup may sound stupid to someone with way more experience than myself but I'm looking to sort of future-proof any recording possibilities that may arise.

Thanks!
Chris

 

[Farview]

Awesome, I really appreciate the answers! I'll have to get around to contacting MOTU to tie up any loose ends probably, but otherwise I think I'm set on this unit. And Jay, my TASCAM US-1800 is a USB unit and I love it for its capabilities, but I want an upgrade where I'm not stuck with whatever amount of ins/outs it has; which I have considered PreSonus's FireStudio Projects and just daisy-chaining a bunch together if I ever needed more ins or whatever, but I also like the 24I/O's inherent versatility, being able to choose whatever preamps you want to use and such (though it is a couple hundred more dollars than buying 3 FireStudio's). I know this setup may sound stupid to someone with way more experience than myself but I'm looking to sort of future-proof any recording possibilities that may arise.

Thanks!
Chris

There are other units in the motu line that will allow you 24 ins and outs, albeit with the purchase of other gear, without being locked into a unit with no monitor control. But, tc electronic and a bunch of other companies make simple monitor co trolers for less than $200.

Just because it is a usb device, doesnt make it inferior. There are high end units costing over a thousand dollars that are usb. However, for 24 ins and outs, you would probably need firewire.

I just got rid of my 24io and 2408 core system because I think the future will take us away from towers with pcie slots and toward laptops with firewire or thunderbolt. I'm changing the focus of the studio, so I'm replacing all of that and my mixing board with a UAD Apollo.