How to use a MOTU interface as a standalone mixer?

[David Polich]

File this under dumb questions..(sorry). I'd like
to use a MOTU interface (like an 828 MK3)
as a standalone rack mounted sub-mixer for
my live keyboard rig. I will be feeding four
keyboards into it, for a total of 8 inputs. I need to set it up so
I have two aux sends, one pre and one post,
the post send will feed my onstage keyboard
monitor, the stereo main outs will feed the house.

The MOTU interface will be hooked to my
laptop running DP. Can I set up all the "patching"
from the interface's front panel, or do I need
to do that in Cue Mix?

[bayswater]

You can control everything on a 828-3 using the combinations of button presses and knob twidddles on the front panel. But with the limited number of controls and the large number of adjustable parameters, it's just impractical to do more than a few basic level adjustments. Once you get the hang of Cuemix, it's pretty easy to do.

[mikehalloran]

What Bays says.

The good: You can control nearly everything from a few multi-function knobs.

The bad: You control everything form a few multi-function knobs.

[rockitcity]

I think the only reason to attempt to use the interface without Cue Mix is if you don't have a computer hooked up to it. Since you will have a laptop hooked up anyway, just use Cue Mix. It's way easier to control and you can have DP and Cue Mix open at the same time. Plus, you can save your settings as you modify them. The tiny knobs are too much trouble, especially in a live performance setup.

[David Polich]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like I'll be
going the CueMix route.