New interface

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gustin
  • Start date Start date
G

Gustin

New member
Alright, I'm looking for a new interface. My current interface is fantastic, but I'm starting to use my computer as my live guitar rig, and the latency and/or audio dropouts at lower latencies is a problem obviously.

I'm looking for a firewire interface, preferably rack mountable with decent pres (as this will also be my recording interface). I will be using a Windows based laptop (at least for the time being).

Budget is about as cheap as possible. 300-800 or so.

I've narrowed it down to the Mackie Onyx 400f and the MOTU 828 mkII.

Any opinions on these two or recomend any others?
 
I'm in the same boat, and the research I've done points to the PreSonus FireStudio.... Take a look here: www.presonus.com/firestudio

It's really nice (~700 retail) and has 8 class-A pres, 26 total inputs, lightpipe expandability, etc.

Any specific reason why the firestudio isn't on your list? Let me know if you come across any info, and I will do the same. Good luck

-Joel
 
I didn't see the Firestudio, however I know several people who have had trouble witht he Firepod. Issues with it overheating and not working. I'll take a look at the Firestudio though!
 
Any other suggestions or opinions on these two (Onyx 400f and MOTU 828mkII)? I'm having trouble deciding between the two.
 
I hate to be a pain and bump this again, but I could really use some responses.

I'm having trouble deciding which will be best for my set up.
 
I have used the MOTU 828MKII for quite a while and its always been great for me. I use it with Guitar Rig as well as my recording apps and it always works perfectly. I am a dealer for the Mackie, and would definately not recommend it over the MOTU. the only units I recommend OVER the MOTU are the RME Fireface units. And thats back and forth for me, I actually like the interface of the MOTU more but the sound quality of the RME has a very slight edge.

Couple things. Any firewire unit is very picky about what FW chipset is being used in the laptop. Your best bet is a Texas Instruments Firewire chipset, whether that be built into your laptop or on a cardbus or express firewire card. The MOTU relies heavily on a good firewire device being attached to it.

re: the Firestudio. it still has some problems and is in its infancy. Presonus is working on a hardware and software update to the unit and I would not recommend it until the new units are available (they are not as of yesterday). I have a very close working relationship with Presonus and I know they're good guys who will make the unit good. Its just not there yet.
 
Gustin said:
I didn't see the Firestudio, however I know several people who have had trouble witht he Firepod. Issues with it overheating and not working. I'll take a look at the Firestudio though!
Click to expand...


i've never heard anything like that. i've had a Firepod for almost two years now and it's pretty much constantly on. never had a problem with it overheating or anything in my rack. it has worked flawlessly since it came out of the box.

i'm seriously considering the Firestudio in the near future, you should really check it out. looks like a pretty high quality unit, and more flexible than the Firepod.
 
Hard2Hear said:
I have used the MOTU 828MKII for quite a while and its always been great for me. I use it with Guitar Rig as well as my recording apps and it always works perfectly. I am a dealer for the Mackie, and would definately not recommend it over the MOTU. the only units I recommend OVER the MOTU are the RME Fireface units. And thats back and forth for me, I actually like the interface of the MOTU more but the sound quality of the RME has a very slight edge.

Couple things. Any firewire unit is very picky about what FW chipset is being used in the laptop. Your best bet is a Texas Instruments Firewire chipset, whether that be built into your laptop or on a cardbus or express firewire card. The MOTU relies heavily on a good firewire device being attached to it.

re: the Firestudio. it still has some problems and is in its infancy. Presonus is working on a hardware and software update to the unit and I would not recommend it until the new units are available (they are not as of yesterday). I have a very close working relationship with Presonus and I know they're good guys who will make the unit good. Its just not there yet.
Click to expand...

Awesome. Thanks for the the post. Any particular reason you pick the MOTU over the Mackie? Are you using a windows computer, because I've heard complaints of MOTUs driver support with Windows. Is that just something of the past or is it something I should be concerned about?
 
The firestudio is being tested for REAPER compatibility right now. Perhaps its something H2H found, but theres a little hiss on the outs that thankfully isnt on the ins. Hopefully we will also talk to them today

Truthfully the firestudio should cost 5 thousand bucks

to pack that much fature into a 1k box? there ARE going to be some problems, but hopefully theyre not insurmountable.

Hard2Hear. weve gotta get a Firestudio and two Digimax FS's for out smaller mobile rig and were going to order today...they are surely still back ordered. Can I assume that the reason is to fix whatever you found? or should I be asking them something when we order?
 
The MOTU has alot better sound quality and drivers than the Mackie. Its just a better interface all around. I am a Windows user, and always have been. The people at MOTU are working hard to change their image with the Windows world (they were the first company to release Vista drivers). But theyre a small company and a reputation changes very slowly.

I asked the head sales person at Presonus about the upgrade Firestudio today and he said they are in the pipeline. That means theyre on their way but not actually available yet. I'm supposed to be getting one directly to do additional testing on when the fixed version starts showing up at Presonus. I agree that its a feature rich box. It should be really great when its 100%.
 
Gustin said:
I've narrowed it down to the Mackie Onyx 400f and the MOTU 828 mkII.
Click to expand...

Depending on your needs, you might also consider the MOTU 8Pre. It's a stripped down 828MKII with more pres added. Less outputs, no S/PDIF, but 8 pres, hence the name.
 
dgatwood said:
Depending on your needs, you might also consider the MOTU 8Pre. It's a stripped down 828MKII with more pres added. Less outputs, no S/PDIF, but 8 pres, hence the name.
Click to expand...

I definitely looked into, but I like having a ton of outputs (one for each channel at least).
 
Hard2Hear said:
re: the Firestudio. it still has some problems and is in its infancy. Presonus is working on a hardware and software update to the unit and I would not recommend it until the new units are available (they are not as of yesterday). I have a very close working relationship with Presonus and I know they're good guys who will make the unit good. Its just not there yet.
Click to expand...

I kind of disagree with the new units part of your statement, all the units that have been shipped since Jan 07 are the good ones(per Chad), I purchased one in December and it was bad, I contacted Chad Kelly at Personus (I have worked with him before on other things) and they shipped me a new one in two days and this one works flawlessly with my Eureka and Digimax FS, I also had owned a Firepod and it never got hot and I never turn my equipment off.

and yeah the Firestudio should cost at least $1500.00 not $700.00 Gustin its a great box I recommend it over your other choices.
 
*Im editing what I posted here cause I just got off the phone again with the tech guys at Presonus.

They are shipping rev2 units that have the customer reported issues fixed, so depending on your view it is fixed. But I just got in a brand new rev2 unit yesterday that exhibits some problems still. ALSO, they're still working on the driver updates and the new version of the mix console. So yes, its part of the way there, but not completely finished yet. They've been tweaking and testing my test unit that I was told should arrive early next week.

I'll put the new one (again) directly up against the MOTU828MKII and the RME Fireface800 and see how it stands up.
 
Last edited:
What were they thinking not putting a headphone out on the Audiofire12? Ive only seen one of these theu here but it didnt cause any problems during installation and it tested well.
 
Alright I've got one more to add to the fray. The Yamaha i88x. I know it's discontinued, but I found a place that still has them in stock (for around 400 shipped). I've heard great things about the pres and it seems to have everything I need. The only thing that concerns me is mLan. I know there were some issues with it at its beginning. Does anyone know if those have been ironed out?


So, to recap. It's down between the 828mkII, 400f and i88x. They all can be had for around 400-500 (the 828 and 400f would have to be used though), all have 8 analog in and outs. All are firewire. The 400f has 4 good preamps, the 828 has 2 alright preamps and the i88x has 2 good preamps. The 828 has been proven reliable over time. Tough decision. I think I'm leaning towards either the i88x or 828mkII (depending on how the i88x is). Anyone care to shed anymore light?
 
I want the multiple outputs of the other three. I want to do surround stuff in the future, and I don't want to have to upgrade the interface. Unfortunately, the 8pre only has a stereo out.
 
Don't overlook Echo Audio interfaces. GREAT for the money and I've never been let down with their quality sound and drivers. I'm currently using a Layla 3G (PCI), and have had no issues with it. You'd be looking at identical quality as you'd get with the Layla 3G going with one of their AudioFire units. They are also there with Vista drivers along with RME and Motu. The pre's on the Layla are pretty good. In comparison to a DMP3 or a VTB-1 (both which I've used), they are about the same. In comparison to my True P-Solo, well, not quite.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top