OK, I have made the decision to go with MOTU's Digital Performer software for
my home-studio upgrade. I have bought a Macintosh G4 1.25gHz dual-processor
computer to build my software-based system around.

But one thing that has me confused is which MOTU computer interface is right
for me? I have narrowed the field down to these three:

MOTU 828 MkII
MOTU 2048 MkIII
MOTU 896HD

I have looked at the MOTU website, and when you read the description of each of
these items, it sounds like they ALL would be fine, but there must be some
"big" difference that I'm missing; otherwise, why offer these three different
models? What do I need to educate myself on in order to choose what's best for
me? Latency-free monitoring is a BIG deal with me, so the 896HD, which touts
basically zero latency, is what I'm leaning towards...but I want to hear from
the rest of you nice folks.

I guess what I'm asking is this: Which MOTU interface do you prefer, and why do
you prefer it?

I plan to record track-by-track, and NOT a full band at once, but I would like
to have that capability at some point. The most inputs I need at one time
RIGHT NOW are just enough to record a fully-mic'ed drum set...but of course, I
do want the most inputs I can get for the money! :-)

Thanks in advance........................................... ..............

I use the 2408 MKII - the MKIII of the same bread uses the same PCI card
as the 2048 (99% sure). The others, as understand it use firewire
connections. Firewire is fine and you can use it with laptops but if you
are using a tower, who cares. The cost of those is much higher then pci
card versions.

Pst that, I think you have to look at specs to see if they will make the
sound you are after, then listen. My 2408 MKII is not the smoothest
sounding conversion. The high end tends to sound thin and tinny. I have
2 alesis AI-3's that sound better to me. All truth be told, I wouldn't
like anything 100% unless it was put to tape so I might be a little too
critical.

HWBossHoss wrote:

MOTU 828 MkII
MOTU 2048 MkIII
MOTU 896HD

I have looked at the MOTU website, and when you read the description of each of
these items, it sounds like they ALL would be fine, but there must be some
"big" difference that I'm missing; otherwise, why offer these three different
models? What do I need to educate myself on in order to choose what's best for
me? Latency-free monitoring is a BIG deal with me, so the 896HD, which touts
basically zero latency, is what I'm leaning towards...but I want to hear from
the rest of you nice folks.

I guess what I'm asking is this: Which MOTU interface do you prefer, and why do
you prefer it?

I plan to record track-by-track, and NOT a full band at once, but I would like
to have that capability at some point. The most inputs I need at one time
RIGHT NOW are just enough to record a fully-mic'ed drum set...but of course, I
do want the most inputs I can get for the money! :-)

Thanks in advance........................................... ..............

I use a Mk III, had a mk II there is a dif between the crads
specifically the DSP, However, for your setup if you need no more than
8 mics at a time the 896 is the way to go, if more, grab a 2408 Mk III
and buy a couple of those outobard 8ch Mic Pres with ADAT optical
outputs.

IThat is how I have done my setup so i can record at least 20 trks at a
time in the studio.

Bryan Giles


On 2004-06-13 12:35:33 -0400, Danny Taddei said:

I use the 2408 MKII - the MKIII of the same bread uses the same PCI
card as the 2048 (99% sure). The others, as understand it use firewire
connections. Firewire is fine and you can use it with laptops but if
you are using a tower, who cares. The cost of those is much higher then
pci card versions.

Pst that, I think you have to look at specs to see if they will make
the sound you are after, then listen. My 2408 MKII is not the smoothest
sounding conversion. The high end tends to sound thin and tinny. I have
2 alesis AI-3's that sound better to me. All truth be told, I wouldn't
like anything 100% unless it was put to tape so I might be a little too
critical.

HWBossHoss wrote:

MOTU 828 MkII
MOTU 2048 MkIII
MOTU 896HD

I have looked at the MOTU website, and when you read the description of each of
these items, it sounds like they ALL would be fine, but there must be some
"big" difference that I'm missing; otherwise, why offer these three different
models? What do I need to educate myself on in order to choose what's best for
me? Latency-free monitoring is a BIG deal with me, so the 896HD, which touts
basically zero latency, is what I'm leaning towards...but I want to hear from
the rest of you nice folks.

I guess what I'm asking is this: Which MOTU interface do you prefer, and why do
you prefer it?

I plan to record track-by-track, and NOT a full band at once, but I would like
to have that capability at some point. The most inputs I need at one time
RIGHT NOW are just enough to record a fully-mic'ed drum set...but of course, I
do want the most inputs I can get for the money! :-)

Thanks in advance........................................... ..............

sound quality-wise, the 896hd is a very good converter setup. the
other ones are good setups.

*snip*
I guess what I'm asking is this: Which MOTU interface do you prefer, and
why do
you prefer it?

I have the 896 (not the new HD version) and it's great for me because i work
mainly with live bands and live musicians so the 8 clean hybrid neutrik
connectors on the back are a must. The firewire system is ridiculously easy
to setup. I can swap it back and forth between my drummers system and my
system without a hitch, and i plan on picking up a second one soon so that i
can increase my capabilities up to 16 tracks. I've used it with a wide range
of mics and instruments and the inputs are clean and natural.

The 8 ouputs just above the 8 inputs create deadly possibilities for
send-return chains for sending signals to outboard units (tube comps, tape
delays, etc) and back in through the inputs.

I plan to record track-by-track, and NOT a full band at once, but I would
like
to have that capability at some point. The most inputs I need at one time
RIGHT NOW are just enough to record a fully-mic'ed drum set...but of
course, I
do want the most inputs I can get for the money! :-)

do the 896 up bud. Really clean, solid package.

Roach