Using the Motu 8pre as default audio interface

  • Thread starter Thread starter MaximumMetal288
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MaximumMetal288

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I bought an 8pre yesterday, and I want to use it as my default interface.

I used to run my Firepod as the default interface in Windows as opposed to my soundcard, so I used it for recording and I used it for listening to songs, watching movies, playing back midi files... all the stuff you'd do as any average computer user, and it worked great.

When I installed 8pre drivers via the CD, turned on the 8pre and followed the windows instructions, and I got sound to play back, but for some reason it doesn't want to play back midi files. My band uses Guitar Pro (a tablature program, similar to PowerTab) to write and learn songs, and when I play files in Guitar Pro I hear nothing.

I've tried several reinstalls of the drivers and reboots and what not, but I can't seem to get midi files to play back. I'm so lost when it comes to Midi stuff, so maybe I'm missing something obvious, but I'd appreciate any help I can get. I want to love the 8pre, but if I can't hear Guitar Pro files and playback Midi files on Windows Media Player then the 8pre isn't right for me. I'm sure there is a way to get it to work, I just can't figure it out

Thanks for an replies!
 
go into the settings panel and make sure its specified to use the 8pre. Also is it configured to be the default soundcard for everything in control panel?

And by the way how are you finding it for recording (could be picking one up soon)? what made you change from the firepod?
 
I've switched the audio source at the control panel. I changed the default outputs to mains 1 and 2 on the 8pre and I hear the computer audio through it, everything except midi sounds. I've tried switching the control panel and guitar pro midi outs to and from the 8pre and Microsoft Midi Synth and niether seemed to do much. I've reinstalled the drivers numerous times with no luck, I'm going to reinstall Windows and see if that does it, its been on about a year on my machine so its about that time anyway.

I haven't had a chance to record with the 8pre because I've been busy with all this junk, but once I get it working I'll be sure to let you know. I liked my firepod, but I needed something that was expandable (and something with a power switch on the front :D).
 
Ok, I reinstalled Windows XP, put on Service Pack 2, and installed the 8pre. I installed the drivers, rebooted, then turned on the 8pre and windows took over and the 8pre was installed. Sadly all audio plays except for midi files. I'm lost, I don't know what I can do to allow them to play. They won't play in Cubase, Windows Media Player, Guitar Pro or anything Midi related.

I would call Motu's customer service but I am not home to do so, I work and go to school and I am not home when they are available so I figure that someone on here might have some idea and be able to give me a hand.
 
My advice? Go to:

http://www.unicornation.com/phpBB2/index.php

and ask there. Somebody has probably been there, experienced that, and probably knows exactly what to do.

EDIT: Never mind. I see you already did and nobody has answered. This may just be a fundamental limitation in Windows (lack of any soft synth functionality)....

Do you have a SoundBlaster card you can use for that stuff? I generally think it's a bad idea to use your recording interface for system sounds anyway, since you're liable to get a system beep at full volume through your headset while recording and rupture an aneurysm or something.... :D
 
I've thought about that, but my brother and I are always using Guitar Pro as a reference when we record, and going back and forth from the 8pre when recording to the soundcard when viewing guitar pro files would be a real hassle. Also, the Midi playback isn't working in Cubase, so if I go to import one of our band's Midi's into cubase for a reference when we record, I won't be able to hear it. But oddly enough when I have EZdrummer on the midi track it plays back just fine.

Could I get a midi soundcard and run it into the Midi ports of the 8pre?
 
MaximumMetal288 said:
I've thought about that, but my brother and I are always using Guitar Pro as a reference when we record, and going back and forth from the 8pre when recording to the soundcard when viewing guitar pro files would be a real hassle. Also, the Midi playback isn't working in Cubase, so if I go to import one of our band's Midi's into cubase for a reference when we record, I won't be able to hear it. But oddly enough when I have EZdrummer on the midi track it plays back just fine.
Click to expand...

In software like Cubase, you should be able to add a virtual instrument track and send the MIDI data to that. I figured you were talking about in Windows Media Player or some such software.
 
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