Is ANYBODY happy with the 828 mk3?

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Discussion related to installation, configuration and use of MOTU hardware such as MIDI interfaces, audio interfaces, etc. with Windows
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tranel
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Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 5:40 pm
Primary DAW OS: Unspecified

Is ANYBODY happy with the 828 mk3?

Post by tranel »

The 828 Mk3 indeed looks droolworthy with the built-in EQ (which I've heard is good), but I read so much about firmware problems that I am now scouting around for something else.

How many of you Mk3 users here are happy with the unit? Is it a reliable product worth buying? Have the initial problems been fixed in the firmware?

Another key point for me: Is the reverb any good?

Eagerly looking forward to your responses....

Kind regards,

Tranel

(I am new here by the way, greetings to you all!)
blockie1
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Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 4:32 pm
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Post by blockie1 »

yep - damn right

Got mine a month or so ago - first class.

So far very stable ASIO drivers - reverb is nice and the digital LA2A is excellent. I play a lot of Tommy Emmanual/Chet Atkins style acoustic guitar and I love the limiter/compressor dynamics section.

Mind you I was stepping up from the Audio in the Tascam US 428 - which I am proudly using for what it should really limit itself at doing - and that's being a control surface!

Didnt hear it pre the 1.05 firmware upgrade, but I gather it was bad - but now its fine. You wont want to have your :) monitors up too high though!

get one - excellent value

ab
Andrew A Block
Q9550 PC, XP SP2, 4GbRAM, 828 Mk3, Tascam US428 controller, Sonar 7, Waves plug-ins, Alesis MkII studio monitors, 3 LCD's, Joe Meek preamp, NI GR3 & B4, Morphology, Kontakt, lots of mics, Martin M16 acoustic.
saturnius
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Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 8:04 am
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Post by saturnius »

Well, I've had mine for a few days now. There was the ubiquitous beeping problem to contend with. Fortunately I was prepared for it; but unfortunately it kept happening on mine even after the driver and firmware updates! I was about 5 minutes away from shipping it back.

But then MOTU Support finally answered the phone (it's nearly always busy :roll:). After shutting off and restarting the 828 and my computer several times, and then with a few adjustments, the updates finally seem to have been effected.

This is the best unit on the market, in my opinion, even when compared to interfaces that are more expensive. Cuemix software is awesome: the number of inputs/outputs and the the routing possibilities, the EQ, the reverb (which is fine as far as it goes), the fact that it can be manipulated via MIDI controller. . .

My only complaint (aside from the infernal beeping) is the solid plastic chassis. Ok, it's lighter than any other rack unit, but you're not going to be carrying the ••••ing thing in your back pocket. . .
acidrecords
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Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:00 am
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: Europe > Vienna

Post by acidrecords »

saturnius wrote:After shutting off and restarting the 828 and my computer several times, and then with a few adjustments, the updates finally seem to have been effected.
which adjustments?

mine is working perfect i only wanna know them cuz when i get a problem i maybe can try the adjustments.
saturnius
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 8:04 am
Primary DAW OS: Unspecified

Post by saturnius »

Well, let's see, one that I remember on the MOTU was the function to restore factory defaults (from the Parameters button). There were some others, mostly computer related, as I recall.

Also, as a follow up to my earlier post, I have since determined the culprit for the latter beeping problem: a Lexicon MX300, connected to my computer via USB. It doesn't happen so long as that's turned off. So that's settled. . .

Any other happy 828mk3 users out there? What kind of music are you recording? Mine's not up yet, but pretty soon. . .
Jed
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Location: NH
Contact:

Post by Jed »

I've had mine for about 1.5 months, original firmware - works like a charm and an incredible value

cheers,
blockie1
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Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 4:32 pm
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Post by blockie1 »

These are fantastic units - and very good value for money

Im still sorting out in my head where the recorng signal path and the monitoring signal path are.

They ought include a flow diagram with the manual so you know where all these inserts, sends etc are in relation to the progressive signal path, and importantly, where the recording path is. Ive had a go at one for my own use - and would be happy to share - but cant upload on this site.

Im finding Im setting up the sound I want on a guitar, say in Cue Mix, and then finding the signal that hit the HDD - is completely different.

ab
Andrew A Block
Q9550 PC, XP SP2, 4GbRAM, 828 Mk3, Tascam US428 controller, Sonar 7, Waves plug-ins, Alesis MkII studio monitors, 3 LCD's, Joe Meek preamp, NI GR3 & B4, Morphology, Kontakt, lots of mics, Martin M16 acoustic.
sustainiac
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:52 am
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Post by sustainiac »

>Ive had a go at one for my own use - and would be happy to share - but cant upload on this site.


Join and upload any 828 MK3 related stuff to the Files area at the Yahoo MOTU 828MK3 User Group:

http://tinyurl.com/3lwp8b
Audio Oblivion
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Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 8:27 am
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Post by Audio Oblivion »

After having initial driver problems mine is now solid as a rock and i am MORE then happy with it.

I had a mark 2 USB2 previously and was happy with that, but this thing is so much better!

Im loving the EQ and effects on all inputs... its given a new lease of life to my hardware synths.

:)
saturnius
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Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 8:04 am
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Post by saturnius »

Audio Oblivion, ditto for me! My old unit was an M-Audio 66/Omni. I've also used a Seasound, and recently a Projectmix. The MOTU is better than any of these and more, once you learn how to use the software. . .

sustaniac: thanks for the link!
ChiantiM
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:14 am
Primary DAW OS: Unspecified

Oh Yeah!

Post by ChiantiM »

I came to the MOTU 828MK3 by way of a FireWire 410. The 828MK3 is far superior in sound quality; built-in effects and durability. I dig the CueMix software and intuitive controls.

Does the Screeching sound make me want to Scream in anger that they'd release such a great product with such a significant issue ...yes! Yes! YES!

It would kill me to turn around and sell this interface because of the bug, as there is nothing else like it on the market. I can be patient for a bit longer; but MOTU better step-up, improve their tech support and issue a fix.
CSprague
Posts: 79
Joined: Sat May 31, 2008 11:25 am
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Post by CSprague »

What screaching sound? I only played with mine a little, not fully set up, using one input from my mixer and one output to my nearfield monitors and everything is crisp and clean. I did get a little antsy waiting to finish my new DAW, and hooked it up to a Tablet PC to play with Cuemix FX and it sucked up all my processor time. But the processor did not meet MOTU's minimum requirements. I like the unit, much prefered over my old EMU 1820m.
emanman
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Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:07 pm
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Post by emanman »

I recently sold two of my Presonus FP10's for my 828mk3 and don't regret it one bit. Have a couple of preamps patched into the back, love the flexibility of CueMix FX has to offer, and it sounds just a tad bit better to my ears. Of course I've had problems with the screaching, but its a minor annoyance I can deal with... for now.
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