Motu or Digi

[ParkerParker]

When saving up for my firewire interface this summer...should I plan on purchasing the Motu 828 or Digi 002?

JP

 

[Strryder]

That would depend on whether or not you want to use Pro Tools LE.

 

[noncon]

Strryder makes a great point which is probably the reason a lot of people go with Digi. I was recently making that decision and ended up going with a Firepod b/c I got a great deal on Ebay, and I have friend who has the 002.

But my end decision was actually going to be to go with the Motu, it just seemed to have much greater flexibility, both recording and stand alone. The price was better was well. Motu also introduced the Traveler which is very similar to the 828 but has two extra preamps if that's a concern.

Also, from what I'm told you can't edit/mix on your DAW with Pro Tools unless the 002 is powered on. I've also read good things on the board about the RME Fireface although some people expressed concern that it was their first firewire product and it might be better to wait until after it's seen heavier use.

 

[ParkerParker]

well I'm not trying to use the MOTU's preamps if I get it... but yes I plan to use Protools.

JP

 

[Craigory]

well I'm not trying to use the MOTU's preamps if I get it... but yes I plan to use Protools.

JP

Then what is you question. If you are planning on using protools, you buy the 02.

 

[NeoMagick]

But don't go with protools just because 'everyone else is' or whatever. There are other very viable options out there. While I love & respect protools, and it's what I was initially trained on, I greatly prefer the flexibility of Cubase, or Digital Performer (4.5 is hawt imho). Plus, whoever said you needed the Digi002 on to run it I think was right - protools won't go without its hardware, to the best of my recollection. But with a freestanding unit like the 828mkII (which is what I use) you can record into your DAW suite of choice, then just reassign outputs of your mix to whatever sound card you're running. Useful if you're intending on working on mixes on the go (on a laptop or something).

The preamps on the MOTU aren't anything to write home about, but they are incredibly nice for what you pay. They're clean, effective, and have a good sound to them. I'm planning on buying a couple other preamps for added versatility, but I'll still be using the preamps on the 828 for a long time to come.

For the $750 I paid for this thing, I have *never* thought twice about it. I know i'd feel differently about the Digi's. but that's just me.

 

[SonicAlbert]

Of course, you can use Digital Performer with the Digi 002 hardware. You just can't use ProTools with any other hardware but Digidesign.

 

[Supercreep]

I love my MOTU 896hd.

 

[sile2001]

I'm flying a Motu 828mkII as well, and have absolutely no complaints about it.

 

[mattamatta]

I swear, ever since I got my 828 a couple weeks ago I've been seeing threads about them everywhere.

 

[reshp1]

Another option to consider if you are planning to use protools is the new protools "M-Powered" that will work with M-Audio interfaces. It's brand new, so I'm sure there will be a few bugs to shake out. I've heard from a few people (who may of heard from other people) that you can use "M-Powered" with the 1010
http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/s...&fpart=1#110994

The above posts are correct though, Digidesign won't let you even open Protools unless their hardware is attached.

 

[NeoMagick]

I swear, ever since I got my 828 a couple weeks ago I've been seeing threads about them everywhere.

Sign of universal acceptance.. And as long as those posts and threads are of people singing their praises, or at least not bashing them, I think that's a sign of a pretty damned decent product for not even $800. I know I'm in mild awe of anything that can move between Cubase on WinXP, Ardour or DigiPerf4.5 on OSX, be taken to a gig to either stand on its own as a mixer or work with a laptop of any variety as an interface, all without touching a knob...

And from what I understand, the rest of motu's products are about equivalent, in terms of reliability, versatility, and other words that end in ility.

 

[ParkerParker]

I had heard the Motu was primarily reknowned for their MIDI products; those are the exceptional pieces they make or something. I also have a version of Sonar 4 Producer edition I can use, but I've never really enjoyed it's work environment. For those that run Logic, would the MOTU be a good solution?

JP

 

[NeoMagick]

I had heard the Motu was primarily reknowned for their MIDI products; those are the exceptional pieces they make or something. I also have a version of Sonar 4 Producer edition I can use, but I've never really enjoyed it's work environment. For those that run Logic, would the MOTU be a good solution?

JP

MOTU's reputation extends to both audio interfaces and midi products. I, personally, believe their midi timepieces and connection interfaces to be rock solid (that was my first introduction to motu hardware). That being said, I bought the 828mkII knowing that about MOTU's reputation, and hearing very good things about the 828mkII, and have to this day been very pleased with the result. If you do any live audio recording, and have the dough, I highly reccommend them. Again - a very solid investment.

There are more versatile solutions like the Traveler, or it's bigger brother the 828mkII, with a couple built in mic preamps (that also function as recording channels, leaving another 8 line-ins) which are also firewire and portable, so you can use them anywhere and everywhere, or more permanent fixtures like the HD192. Depends on what you need. But i strongly encourage you to peruse the Motu web site, see what looks appealing to your needs.

And the design of it all is quite impressive. With CueMix, you can very easily set up a complete virtual mixing console in front of you, with inserts, aux sends, etc etc, all at minimal latency (they say zero, but i've heard 4 or 5ms latency between input and output, no matter where the signal gets routed).

 

[ParkerParker]

Thanks to everyone...helpful.

JP

 

[NeoMagick]

Let us (well, me) know what you end up going with, or if you've got any more questions about the motu's. I'd like to know what you decide on, and how you like it a few weeks from now.

 

[earworm]

just to add my 2 cents=
i got the older 828 and i kinda love it,
its the best soundcard i used up till now
(soon i'll work with digi002, am curious about sonic difference)

so motu sounds great, has a great name,
and i really like the volume buttons on my 828,
the mk2 offers ALOT more !!

one thing though...bought mine second hand,
sometimes is buzzess a little bit, but that goes over,
sometimes my windows2000 doesn't recognize the soundcard after a boot,
but that might be because i also got SBLIVE drivers installed for my extigy (only for midi) (after another reboot the prob is solved)

honestly, PROTOOLS isn't such a big name to me,
yeah, their big systems, but the MBOX ? mhhhh, sometimes i can even laugh at that thing...

be proud if u get a motu, its cheaper than the digi,
u don't have automated faders./..but hell, !!


cheers

 

[NeoMagick]

just to add my 2 cents=
be proud if u get a motu, its cheaper than the digi,
u don't have automated faders./..but hell, !!

if you need a tactile interface right in front of you, the Mackie Control Universal works on both the DAW software and the motu hardware, so you can control live inputs, or the mix.

it's a good way to go, imho.

 

[therage!]

Or you could go this route with an MAudio 1814...

http://www.digidesign.com/products/mpowered/basics/index.cfm

 

[seveone]

Get the motu 828 MKII, DP4.5 and a Behringer BCF2000 for faders. Works great, just like a Baby HUI. $750 + $325 + $200 = $1275ish

Unless you want protools and only 32 tracks, and want to spend more.