https://www.motunation.com/forum/viewto ... 25#p605825
I decided to start another thread for this. The units below require drivers for Windows but work over CoreAudio on the Mac. The M2 Mac driver adds Loopback and slightly lower latency.
stubbsonic wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 1:06 pm Yes. I've had it for a while. I just tried it with the M-Audio Air 192 6 plugged into the UGREEN and supplying the UGREEN with pretty generic 5V from a random charger (I don't know the amp rating-- but probably not more than 1A) and it worked fine, including phantom (well it didn't shut off when I switched phantom on. I didn't load the phantom with an actual mic-- so I don't know if that would have been a deal breaker.
mikehalloran wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 11:51 am USB 2 powered specs call for 5V 2A and most iPhone chargers now deliver this. I don't see a power requirement for the 192|6 but notice that my Zoom recorders require only 1A at 5V. I'll be trying without the hub and 15 & 18V chargers into the CCK to see if it can handle phantom and a mic that actually requires 48V. None of those wimpy 9V or 24V mics for this test, nosir!
I finally made some time to compare my MOTU M2, Mackie ProFX6v3 and the M•Audio AIR 192|6 that I bought on sale. All are 2 I/O over USB 2. Rather than giving a blow-by-blow review, I'll talk about similarities and differences.stubbsonic wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 9:12 am FWIW, Musician's Friend is having a special sale (Stupid Deal of the Day) for the M-Audio AIR 192|6 Audio/MIDI i/o for $69 today --9/1/23 --only. (Though, I've seen this particular deal before a couple times). The full price is $169.
I decided to pick one up at this price. I've been wanting to put together a small rig using a MIDI controller and an iPad for synths, FX, etc. I'm curious to see how the M-Audio compares -- especially with latency-- to the M4.
I wanted to check three things besides basic features: Compatibility with my Lightening iPad Pro 12.9" 2nd Gen, Gain staging, how it works with an SM7B. I used pairs of Groove Tubes 5sm, KSM 33, various Neuman and United Twin87 mics, some over 25 years old and bound to be more power hungry than others. Since all my AKG condensors run 9–52V, I didn't bother with those.
All three require the Apple USB 3 CCK to connect to my iPad—no surprises. From there, things got a little weird. Stubbs and I both have this cool UGREEN USB 3 Audio hub, unfortunately discontinued but can be found if one looks hard enough:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HP ... UTF8&psc=1
When I hooked up the M2 to my iPad, I powered the CCK with a 20W fast charger and cable. The M2 crashed as I engaged Phantom as expected so I inserted the UGREEN hub. As I was getting ready to connect a 5W/2A phone charger to the hub, the M2 lit up with phantom engaged no mater which mics I used. Removing the UGREEN made the M2 crash. OK... that's weird. I then substituted a 12W iPad charger for the 20W and got identical results. Since the charger in the CCK is required to keep the iPad charging, I didn't bother using a 5W or 10W. I never did connect the 5W to the UGREEN.
The AIR did not require the UGREEN in the chain for 48V phantom to work perfectly with the 12V iPad charger. Again, I tried many different pairs of mics to see if any had excess current draw.
The Mackie uses a wall wart so power to the CCK is not an issue—48V works fine.
The M•Audio AIR has a weird gain structure—the 192|6 and my my 192|14 are identical in this regards. Condenser mics work between the 8.5 and 9.5 positions on the dial. M•Audio has always had a reputation for being able to drive an SM7B and they do not disappoint if you can handle the fact that the adjustment range is between 9.5 and 9.75 on the input dial—really touchy! A Triton Fethead or cloudlifter isn't really necessary for gain but either gives a better impedance match for flatter response (and 25–27 dB gain).
The M2 and Mackie have standard gain response curves. Set the gain at 50% for condensers and go from there. The only way to get (barely) adequate gain on an SM7 is to peg the gain full and you will hear the unit's self-noise. The Triton can be found for $50.
https://www.amazon.com/TRITON-AUDIO-Fet ... ref=sr_1_3
The AIR 192|6 and Mackie have I/O blend controls for monitoring; the M2 does not.
The Mackie does not have MIDI but does have Loopback without drivers. The M2 requires the Mac drivers installed while it's not available on the 192|6 (my 192|14 does have Loopback without drivers).
The Mackie has built-in hard effects (!!!) plus a built in mixer and can send Mics 1/2 mono into both R/L with a switch. Higher track versions have pan pots. There's also a pair of Line/Instrument Ins and a 3.5mm TRS for mp3 players and audio out from my iPad or iPhone. Unfortunately, even the 33 channel version of ProFXv3 has only 2 Out/4 In over USB—clearly designed so that you can record your gig while performing so, while you can use those as interfaces, why would you? Too bad there's no MIDI.