New Motu 1248 questions

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Discussion related to installation, configuration and use of MOTU hardware such as MIDI interfaces, audio interfaces, etc. for Mac OSX
webstersp
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New Motu 1248 questions

Post by webstersp »

I'm looking for a new interface for my macbook pro retina.
Can we bypass the mic preamps on the 1248 with external mic preamps!?
And are there any differences in conversion and mic preamp between the 1248
and the 828x or 828mk3

Thanks
NazRat
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Re: New Motu 1248 questions

Post by NazRat »

If it's the same as the 828 series you cannot bypass the preamps (2 on the 828, 4 on the 1248). But you have eight analog ins without preamps to connect your external gear on both the 828 and 1248. I don't know if you've noticed that the mic inputs on the 1248 are strictly XLR and not combo ins like the 828 series. You can call MOTU and see if they can/will give you any specifics as to the quality of the pres.
DP8.06 PT11.2.0 VEP 5.3.x
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HCMarkus
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Re: New Motu 1248 questions

Post by HCMarkus »

webstersp wrote:I'm looking for a new interface for my macbook pro retina.
Can we bypass the mic preamps on the 1248 with external mic preamps!?
And are there any differences in conversion and mic preamp between the 1248
and the 828x or 828mk3

Thanks
Get the 16A instead.
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freqsound
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Re: New Motu 1248 questions

Post by freqsound »

The info from their website says the 828mk3 is identical to the 828x other than Firewire/Thunderbolt.

The three new interfaces all list for $1495, where as the 828x sells for about $850 and the 828mk3 about $750.

The 3 new interfaces bring back a feature missing since they've dropped dual firewire ports on their recent USB/Firewire interfaces. They supports a connecting Ethernet protocol for audio & video streams, so you can connect multiple interfaces into one system with their bridge device.
webstersp
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Re: New Motu 1248 questions

Post by webstersp »

well if it's same quality as older 828 mk3 I'll go somewhere else. They are not bad for the price.. I mean at around 750$ for the 828 mk3 is ok but at around 1500$ I'll grab something else
Thanks all
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HCMarkus
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Re: New Motu 1248 questions

Post by HCMarkus »

webstersp wrote:well if it's same quality as older 828 mk3 I'll go somewhere else. They are not bad for the price.. I mean at around 750$ for the 828 mk3 is ok but at around 1500$ I'll grab something else
Thanks all
Read the specs. Same D/A A/D as Symphony. Better S/N than 828 and older PCIe interfaces. More i/o. Looking pretty sweet to me.
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Re: New Motu 1248 questions

Post by EMRR »

Yep, on paper the new AVB line sounds like a step up in audio quality, plus even higher sample rates if you want to use them. Improved S/N suggests more attention to the power supply and shielding, which has been a complaint for some people with the older lines.
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woodlakesound
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Re: New Motu 1248 questions

Post by woodlakesound »

How does software fit into this equation. Cuemix talkback system? And digital I/O is relegated to spdif and adat. Two channel only of spdif per box. Ugh! Why did MOTU drop the 308 anyway? AES is now abandoned but we could at least get adapters for them to get into spdif ports. But only 2 channels?

Still is tempting to go with the new boxes and use a little Mac mini to run the studio.
Cory
webstersp
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Re: New Motu 1248 questions

Post by webstersp »

I'm looking at the motu 1248 and the rme UFX.
Brand new at my store there is difference of 500$.
Is the new mixer window comparable to total mix fx, or offer more options
then cue mix?
Thuderbolt is a great addition since I'm on a macbook pro retina and only have 2x usb ports.
I don't need that Ethernet protocol for audio & video streams, I only need a better sounding interface then the older 828 model and a better "cue mix".
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Re: New Motu 1248 questions

Post by EMRR »

The web description is pretty thorough, as well you can download and read the manual to see if it fits your needs.
Doug Williams
Electromagnetic Radiation Recorders
The Martha Bassett Show broadcast mixer
Tape Op issue 73

DP 11.31
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webstersp
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Re: New Motu 1248 questions

Post by webstersp »

I've tried to look for the manual few days ago and couldn't find it... I'll try again tonight then!!
webstersp
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Re: New Motu 1248 questions

Post by webstersp »

Ok I see it on motu's product manual's page.... Wasn't there few days ago!
TinenTech
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Re: New Motu 1248 questions

Post by TinenTech »

To quote the MOTU website:
The 8M employs latest-generation ESS Sabre32 Ultra converters, known for their industry-leading performance, together with expertly engineered analog circuits that reflect more than three decades of pro audio engineering expertise. The result? The 8M achieves actual, measured performance of 123 dB dynamic range (A-weighted, 20 Hz to 20 kHz) on its balanced TRS analog outputs.
The 1248 has 8 line input jacks to connect external mic pres; however I think the gold standard would be to connect a preamp with ADAT Optical outputs (like the Grace m802) to the digital ins of the MOTU.

Odd, that they didn't use XLR combo jacks on this, but do on the 8M; probably because of the guitar jacks on the front panel.

In my experience, previous MOTU preamps sounded OK, and I was more than willing to use them over analog-controlled preamps in many situations because of their dB-by-dB calibration. My main gripe is that they don't have enough gain for distant classical miking.
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webstersp
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Re: New Motu 1248 questions

Post by webstersp »

After reading a lot about it on gearsluts I guess that I might take the plunge!
Looks pretty good!
I just need a few good reviews :P
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Re: New Motu 1248 questions

Post by EMRR »

The 16A is great so far, I can't speak to the features of the other two units. I plan to get a second 16A ASAP.
Doug Williams
Electromagnetic Radiation Recorders
The Martha Bassett Show broadcast mixer
Tape Op issue 73

DP 11.31
Studio M1 Max OS12.7.3
MOTU 16A and Monitor 8
M1 Pro MBP for remotes and editing
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