Buying a new MOTU interface

[rainmaker]

Shooshie, it doesn't see them as two interfaces combined as one, it simply sees the one interface that's actually connected to the computer as one interface with more of its own inputs being used.

In other words, the computer really doesn't know that there is a second interface connected because to the computer, it's not (as far as drivers and such goes). You're simply plugging the outputs of the second converter digitally into the interface that is connected to the computer and Cuemix simply sees them as more inputs to the first interface. Because in fact, that's all they are.

But if you were to plug in the second interface via FireWire to the computer, it would have its own Cuemix interface because now the computer sees there are two separate interfaces connected. It's the fact that you don't plug that second interface in via FireWire and only it's outputs to the adat inputs of your first that you end up with all your channels present on both interfaces and in one Cuemix window.

[rainmaker]

At least that's my understanding of it. I actually have never had the Motu FireWire interfaces. I've only ever had the PCI interfaces that always combine automatically into one Cuemix window. But from my reading about the other interfaces from Motu, I believe that's how it works.

[twistedtom]

Congrats Shooshie, I'm sure the 896 will satisfy your needs.

I sure hope so. Replacing failed stuff is very low on my list of priorities. Things should just last for decades, IMO. I used to have an early 1950s refrigerator that we didn't replace until about 2005. It's in my garage now, and still runs. The only reason we needed to replace it was because the shelves and hardware kept breaking off, after 50 years or so of continuous use. We had a van that lasted 25 years. That's the kind of stuff I like! With computers, it's sort of the opposite; we like the newest stuff, because everything else is designed to work with only the latest computers, so you have to keep upgrading. But most of my rack gear is between 12 and 25 years old. That's changing now. Sheesh.

Shoosh

I have an old wife made in the 50's, she still works fine so I will keep her.

[donreynolds]

Shooshie I have 2 896HD units that I have had for years. I had both of them modded by Black Lion and also bought their sync generator. I am very pleased. They continued to work great.
My hearing is not as good as others who say they an tell significant improved quality in the audio due to decreased jitter and the the improved component specs. I just know my audio sounds great. It seems as though the my mixes are more spacious and more apparent cleanliness to the low end if that makes any sense? More depth to the mixes overall I feel. Of course I cannot A/B the units as I had them both done the same time.
I recommend them though.

[Tonio]

Hey TT, don't talk about my 1224 like that
I just want an upgraded wifey

T

Congrats Shooshie, I'm sure the 896 will satisfy your needs.

I sure hope so. Replacing failed stuff is very low on my list of priorities. Things should just last for decades, IMO. I used to have an early 1950s refrigerator that we didn't replace until about 2005. It's in my garage now, and still runs. The only reason we needed to replace it was because the shelves and hardware kept breaking off, after 50 years or so of continuous use. We had a van that lasted 25 years. That's the kind of stuff I like! With computers, it's sort of the opposite; we like the newest stuff, because everything else is designed to work with only the latest computers, so you have to keep upgrading. But most of my rack gear is between 12 and 25 years old. That's changing now. Sheesh.

Shoosh

I have an old wife made in the 50's, she still works fine so I will keep her.

[Tonio]

All jokes aside, nice review/thoughts Shooshie, I'll need some to time to regurgitate

My initial thought/question( which I forgot to bring up earlier) is: does the xlr input bypass the preamps? I only glossed over your review(s), so I may have missed it.

Oh, I have an old frig (Sanyo)thats in the garage- I won't say what we use it for...

T

[mikehalloran]

If you have not seen Magic Dave's NAMM videos yet, I recommend them. I posted links in the Tutorials thread.
http://www.motunation.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=27

I found the one on the 828x particularly informative. He goes into CueMix FX pretty well. The demo has put me in the market for the 828mkIII Hybrid - although I may rethink that and get the 896. In any case, my 828mkII is still working great but I liked the possibilities of the mkIII.

[Shooshie]

Does the xlr input bypass the preamps?

My understanding is that the preamp knobs become trim knobs for TRS input, while in XLR they become preamp gain. You double-tap/hold for about a second to turn on phantom power. Double tapping alone gives you a -20dB pad. Lights beside each knob apprise you to the current function.

The Trim knob has something like 53dB gain. Very impressive, and if I recall correctly, it's analog gain controlled by a digital knob.

So, to answer your question more succinctly, with TRS input, the knobs are trim knobs. Tomato, tomahto, potato, potahto, Pre-Amp, Trim. It's all about gain in the analog domain. Want -10dB line pad for TRS? Use the trim. Want +4dB line level for TRS? Use the Trim.

The more I use this thing, the more impressed I am with it, but I don't have time to describe it fully right now. It's a very versatile device!


Shooshie