PCIe 2408 Mk3 move to something better?

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Discussion related to installation, configuration and use of MOTU hardware such as MIDI interfaces, audio interfaces, etc. for Mac OSX
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rosindabow
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PCIe 2408 Mk3 move to something better?

Post by rosindabow »

I own a couple of 2408s Mk3 - obviously running via PCIe. I am running an Apple Mac Pro, mid 2012 - it does not have thunderbolt. Are there any better interfaces out there than the ones I'm running? The Apogee Symphony is no longer compatible unless you move to Thunderbolt and my Mac Pro does not have Thunderbolt. Anything else I can look at? Thanks.
DP 11.22, Mac Pro 14,8 macOS X 13.5, 128 GB RAM, Apogee Symphony I/O, Apollo x8p, UAD plug-ins, PSP, Waves Mercury, NI Komplete Ultimate 14, Spectrasonics, Hollywood Orchestra, Spitfire; Symphobia, Los Angeles Scoring Strings, True Strike, VSL, real violins, guitars, mandolins, pianos, drums, percussion & lots of other stuff...
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mikehalloran
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Re: PCIe 2408 Mk3 move to something better?

Post by mikehalloran »

Define "better". What do you need that your present rig cannot do?

If you need faster, there are inexpensive ways to hotrod most Mac Pro 2012 and older including newer CPUs from Intel. More RAM is available. SSDs will make the biggest improvement if you are still running mechanical hard drives.

Your 424 card can handle up to 4 interfaces. There are others from that work besides the 2408.

Thunderbolt Macs cannot run your 2408s. It's not possible. MOTU had TB and AVB interfaces but you'll need a new computer to run them. Again, what do you need?
DP 11.31; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
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rosindabow
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Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2004 10:01 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
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Re: PCIe 2408 Mk3 move to something better?

Post by rosindabow »

I have a 1TB SSD - that's all done. Plenty of memory 48GB. I've even had them modified by Black Lion Audio. I'm just looking for an overall better sounding PCIe interface. I run Pro Tools as well as DP.
DP 11.22, Mac Pro 14,8 macOS X 13.5, 128 GB RAM, Apogee Symphony I/O, Apollo x8p, UAD plug-ins, PSP, Waves Mercury, NI Komplete Ultimate 14, Spectrasonics, Hollywood Orchestra, Spitfire; Symphobia, Los Angeles Scoring Strings, True Strike, VSL, real violins, guitars, mandolins, pianos, drums, percussion & lots of other stuff...
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HCMarkus
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Re: PCIe 2408 Mk3 move to something better?

Post by HCMarkus »

The MOTU 16a would be a sweet (USB2 connected) replacement. Top-drawer converters.

Whether you will actually hear any different is an entirely different question.
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