Which choice for 2nd FW audio interface?

[Nanobots]

New guy here, hello.
I have an 828mk2 with Logic 6.4. I need another interface (with pre-amps) to get 16-18 ins. I have a 2nd 828mk2 but Logic will not see 2 x "the same interface", unless I boot in OS9, which I want to get away from (I use 10.3.9 for everything else) so I need something which will use a separate driver.
I don't want to get Logic 8 as I would then need a new Mac.
Question is, what would people recommend as my 2nd interface - I'm probably looking at between;
Motu 8pre (NB does it use a different driver from the 828mk2?)
Focusrite (UK) Saffire Pro 10 or 26
Presonus Firepod (nice'n'cheap)
...or any other suggestions?
Yeah, I know it's old

[Dwetmaster]

New guy here, hello.
I have an 828mk2 with Logic 6.4. I need another interface (with pre-amps) to get 16-18 ins. I have a 2nd 828mk2 but Logic will not see 2 x "the same interface", unless I boot in OS9,

Can't you make an aggregate device in OSX?

Presonus Firepod (nice'n'cheap)

Not positive but I think that the FP doesn't play well with other interfaces.

[steveninkster]

Hi Nanobots,

I have two 828mkII's which are grouped as an aggregate device as mentioned above. It works real smooth with my Mac Pro.

I also have a Focusrite Octopre LE with the digital option, and I use the ADAT optical connection to stream audio from this unit's 8 pre-amps to one of the MOTUs. Again this works very nicely.

There's also a trick with the clocking of the 2 MOTUs - set unit 1 to "internal" and unit to to "unit 1" and you should be good to go.

Hope that helps!

Steven

[Nanobots]

Thanks for the help guys but unfortunately I believe aggregating is only possible in Logic 8 - for which i'd need to buy a new mac.
Also, I've always thought there was a loss of quality when 2 units were linked by lightpipe.
I mean, it's not like I'm trying to do anything I shouldn't be able to.
Thanks also Dwetmastr for the Firepod comment - I've seen a lot of comments saying Presonus stuff sounds good but is problematic.
So it's £500 for a new interface or £1500 for a new Mac and Logic 8 - plus, I'd still need some frontend pre-amps for the Motus (Octopre sounds good).
All the best,
NB

[steveninkster]

Thanks for the help guys but unfortunately I believe aggregating is only possible in Logic 8 - for which i'd need to buy a new mac.
Also, I've always thought there was a loss of quality when 2 units were linked by lightpipe.
I mean, it's not like I'm trying to do anything I shouldn't be able to.
Thanks also Dwetmastr for the Firepod comment - I've seen a lot of comments saying Presonus stuff sounds good but is problematic.
So it's £500 for a new interface or £1500 for a new Mac and Logic 8 - plus, I'd still need some frontend pre-amps for the Motus (Octopre sounds good).
All the best,
NB

Nanobots,

Aggregate devices is a Mac OS function, not a Logic function. It makes all the ins and outs of both MOTUs available to audio applications. Lightpipe is not used at all between the 2 MOTUs.

It sounds more confusing that it really is.

[Nanobots]

Nanobots,

Aggregate devices is a Mac OS function, not a Logic function. It makes all the ins and outs of both MOTUs available to audio applications. Lightpipe is not used at all between the 2 MOTUs.

It sounds more confusing that it really is.

Thanks again Steve, I have been trying to find out elsewhere and i realised that. I think though, it didn't come in till 10.4 so I'll have to upgrade to that first (anyone know if it's right from the start of 10.4.?) Seems like Apple took a long time to get us back to things that worked perfectly well in OS9 ! Just to let you know, I have lightpiped my 828mk2's together and it worked, functionally, but there was a definite quality loss.
Well, if I go to 10.4, keep the 2 x 828s and add a pair of Octopre's I should end up with 20 ins. And I'm still using Logic 6.4.3. Anyone foresee any problems?
Thanks again for your collective input.
Nanobots

[steveninkster]

Well, if I go to 10.4, keep the 2 x 828s and add a pair of Octopre's I should end up with 20 ins. And I'm still using Logic 6.4.3. Anyone foresee any problems?
Nanobots

Hi Nanobots

I can't comment on the Logic part, but assuming you're free to assign any audio interface output or input that belongs to the aggregate device, I think you should be good to go. Certainly that setup would work with Cubase.

Don't forget you also have 16 line level inputs to connect more pre-amps to if you need to...

Have fun!

Steven

[daniel.sneed]

Can't comment on Logic side, but some deep issues have been reported on this forum about Mac OSX aggregate devices used in DP.

DP has his own aggregate devices system which works fine though. It's thru "configure hardware driver ".