All user reviews for the MOTU 828 Mk2

His-options-quality converters, software-stability

-Used with Pentium 4 Dual Core Fixed to 2.2 ghz core and soon I3.

-System: Windows XP 32-bit

-Usage: Live Multitrack Recording

UTILIZATION

* The drivers are stable?
YES
* Are they often updated?
YES
* What software do you use most often?
Cubase SX 2, Live 7, Reason 3,
* What latency you get?
low
* How many tracks do you manage to record / playback simultaneously? ...
12 max

Very good

GETTING STARTED



OVERALL OPINION

* For how long have you been using it?
10 years
* What thing do you like most/least about it?
All the + =, = The least its not very accesible connectors, its not terrible preamp anyway ...
* Did you try many other models before getting this one?
Not too
* What is your opinion about the value for the price?
Cher at the time, Must now
* Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice? ...
No loot = Yes
With the loot = Apogee of course!

I wanted a compact interface with a maximum input-output in order to work with many external instruments and mix in 5.1, good mic preamps, completely controllable by software, but acting also as standalone. All at the best price of course.
I use it with Samplitude on a PC running Windows 7 64-bit processor core i7 4 HyperThreading 2.8 GB, 8GB RAM, 1TB of HDD in Raid.
I use Fostex PM2 monitors for front and center, PM1 for the rear, and subwoofer Eltax Atomic 15.2, all connected by XLR.
Y are connected in midi control surface Mackie Control Universal and a mini midi keyboard E-mu Xboard 25, a Roland JV1010 sound module, a micro SE2200a SE Electronics. All other input-output are reported on a Berhinger Ultrapatch.


UTILIZATION

I use this interface in turn with Samplitude and Vegas, as I work sound or image. The drivers are stable. It should however not forget to turn on the interface and all its peripherals afternoon before the computer, otherwise it does not track.
I did updated only twice (the last time in installing Windows 7 64 on my new PC). Everything works perfectly with 5ms of latency (256 samples).
It happened recently to record 12 simultaneous audio tracks + 8 to noon, all without flinching, but with a 10ms latency.


GETTING STARTED

Installation is trouble-free operation, even though Windows does not see one but 11 cards. The general setup is easy, I have not encountered any particular difficulty. It still lacks some controls on the supplied software such as a level adjustment of the main exit. Ds management monitors and headphones are not the forte of this software, as for plupar elsewhere. It would be easy to implement Contol controllable via MIDI. On the other hand, the talkback button is activated when pressed, while a fugitive function would be welcome.
The management of the sampling frequency is sometimes complicated by a conflict between native at 44.1 pc and the software that requires 48. But I think the problem is that most of the PC card.
Incompatibilities, and I admit to not having had to read the manual.


OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 6 years without problems. What I like most is its versatility. We can do things with maximum control and all without moving (in my studio when I work behind the console, I have no visual access to the Motu).
What I like least is the use standalone. Appreciating interfaces like "one button = one function", I have difficulty to use when you can press to have a function, then turn power to choose a setting, then press again to confirm before they finally settle. This is not my logic.
The value for money is excellent nonetheless, and despite his age, I do not want to part with it.
I tried other models since then, and in this price range, the EMR would be my choice today, thanks to its sound quality, but it is much more expensive.

Nothing missing, in fact, it has extra that comes in very handy. I like to purchase equipment based on whether the equipment can be used for production and live. With the 828mkII, you get a free mixer practically! There are 4 mix channels and slots to save mixing presets. So you can have a "Studio" for a headphone mix and another for Monitoring, then just load a "Live" preset for when you go gigging. CueMix has saved me $80.

Price paid

$750

UTILIZATION

The learning curve is next to nothing. The MOTU 828mkII comes with software for your PC to control anything with a better user interface. Given the limited size of the LCD on the 828mkII, it's a bit hard figuring where things are at first, but using the PC interface, you'll get a good idea and won't find it tough the next time you use the LCD. It comes with ASIO and MME drivers and you can run both concurrently. If you're running your sequencer using the ASIO drivers, you can still run, say, Winamp thru the MME drivers.

GETTING STARTED

Just looking at the construction of the thing tells you it can take a beating... but who'd want to beat a $750 piece of gear with lights in it? You got your wife for that! :P I've only had it for almost a month and I take extra care of any gear, if an accident were to happen, I'm sure as hell confident it'll survive.

OVERALL OPINION

The sound quality is prestine. Recording at 96kHz/24-bit has great improved the overall sound of any recording. Recording in 96kHz better captures waveforms more accurately. 24-bit allows for more digital processing without any noticeable degradation/data loss. All plugs are gold-plated, reducing any possibly of radio/noise interference (of course, hi-quality TRS/XLR cables to help A LOT!) If you're a perfectionist, 96kHz won't be enough(386kHz!). But 96kHz is beyond practical, and if your machine can't handle this, there's 88.2kHz... which is twice more samples/sec. than an ordinary CD.

First of all, it's black, sleek, green and blue lights and an occasional red light when you're clipping... I went from the M-Audio Quattro to this and instantly my recordings sounded better, my production time quicker. If I were given the choice between 10 Digidesign Digi 002 Rack and just one MOTU 828mkII... I'll just take the MOTU (well, take the Digis, sell them all and get more MOTUs!!) It looks good, works excellent, and it's versatile... if I moved to Arkansas, I'd marry this thing!

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Borthox ( 2-, 2004)

Allows you to record up to 20 channels at the same time at 24bit. The only catch is that 8 of those channels are ADAT (Great if you have a digital mixer) and 2 of them digital coax. That leaves you with 8 1/4" to work with and a pair of combo XLR 1/4" on the front.

Price paid

700

UTILIZATION

Not bad, I was worried at first not having a lot of reviews from PC users running WinXP. Don't even worry about it, this thing links up with no problems and you can set everything from the Cuemix console on the computer and store it to 20 presets in the unit. Any one of the presets can be loaded from the front panel or the computer very quickly. The six push-turn buttons on the front are confusing as heck, but after a couple of hours of messing with them, you will have the logic down. Lots of routing options, so if you have more gear than inputs, pick up a patchbay at the same time then you can set one Cuemix setup and use your patchbay hardware to do the input switching. The manual is very weak, no help there if you have major questions about using the system without the computer. Its totally written from the computers point of view, assuming that you are running Cubase. If you are running any software that is not ASIO compatable, you can still use it running legacy drivers according to the manual, but its not recommended.

GETTING STARTED

Windows users, you will love this product if you are running Cubase, Vegas, Soundforge, or Acid Pro, All Inputs and outputs are available for use at 96kHz/24bit resolution. I set presets for my diffrent software right into the Cuemix and recall them quickly with the touch of a button on the front panel, as I switch from diffrent Aps. Its even works with my windows laptop with no problems recording 18 channels to the internal hard drive in the field. This is one nice firewire interface that give you a lot of routing options. One word of advice. GET A PATCHBAY so you don't have to reach around back to get to your inputs and outputs, especially if its racked and

OVERALL OPINION

Absolutly flawless, no cracks, pops, or coloration to the sound. What you put in is what you get out. Used a compressor and eq chain on inputs 7 and 8 straight from the powered pre-amp outs on the 2 front panels and got a perfectly polished sound from my bass straight into the computer. You can also record the raw sound from the front panel at the same time.

Wouldn't have my studio with out it! Get one of these! They rock!

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Smoothbassman (January 2-, 2005)

Well, the cuemix function doesnt work on 828's, yet the marketed it like it did.

Price paid: 300 usd

UTILIZATION

No problems, worked like it should.

GETTING STARTED

Not the greatest build, but not the worst either.

OVERALL OPINION

Flat, not musical. Made all my recordings very dull. I recorded at 48/24. better than your standard soundcard.

i * hated that thing. It sucked so bad at recording stuff. made everything sound dull. Im only writing this review to warn others of its crappyness.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: housewreckinpro ( 1-, 2006)