Original Motu 828

[Shayhart]

I was digging thru some old gear the other day and I found my original motu 828 from early 2000’s.
Does anyone know if this thing is still usable with any current DAW or is it pretty much just a boat anchor at this point in time?
Thanks In advance for any info.

[mikehalloran]

Oooops! I was thinking of a 2408.

Your 828 should still work even in High Sierra.

[HCMarkus]

I was digging thru some old gear the other day and I found my original motu 828 from early 2000’s.
Does anyone know if this thing is still usable with any current DAW or is it pretty much just a boat anchor at this point in time?
Thanks In advance for any info.

I think Mike is thinking you have a 2408... the original 828 Firewire interface is, I believe, still being used by more than a few. Check the MOTU website for current drivers. You will need a Thunderbolt to Firewire adaptor (likely FW800, thus necessitating an additional FW800 to FW400 adaptor/cable) if your Mac doesn't have a Firewire port.

[Phil O]

My 828 is still working with my MacPro 6,1 and OS 10.13.6. I'm using the latest driver from MOTU. The Thunderbolt to Firewire adaptor works as it should, but for some reason daisy chaining further FW from the 828 does not. The only problem I've had with this setup is if I assign the 828 as audio output in Audio MIDI Setup [Use This Device for Sound Output] some apps send audio to the wrong channels of the 828. DP 9.52 still works fine with it.

Phil

[mikehalloran]

Yes, I was thinking 2408.

[FutureLegends]

Have it as well... used it to record live shows back in the day... so it’s been lugged around in just a plastic bag and been to more after parties than I can remember, had its ADAT out connector smashed in so it rattles around inside the unit... but the 828 just keeps on working! (it obviously can’t output optical anymore, but optical in still works!)

MOTU is good at supporting even discontinued interfaces...

[Armageddon]

I was digging thru some old gear the other day and I found my original motu 828 from early 2000’s.
Does anyone know if this thing is still usable with any current DAW or is it pretty much just a boat anchor at this point in time?
Thanks In advance for any info.

Yes, it can, even though it is extremely limited by today's standards. I believe MOTU still makes drivers for it. Mine actually stopped working at the end of 2007, and I was able to send it back to MOTU for repairs, even though it was looooooooong out of warranty. I had to pay a repair fee ($89) and shipping. MOTU either repaired it, or -- as I have long suspected -- simply sent me another one. Whatever the case is, the one I have now works as well as it did the day I bought it back in 2000. Though I haven't tried it in PT or Logic, it uses MOTU's CoreAudio driver on the Mac, so I assume it just works with everything, and works extremely well with DP. And now, I feel a little guilty that it's sitting in my office closet next to my old iBook.