Should I get an 828mk3?

[Piplodocus]

Hello, n00b here...

I'm thinking of getting an 828mk3, but I can get an RME Fireface 400 for only £35 more. What are your opinions? The RME is said to be more solid (driver-wise) and sounds better, but the 828mk3 has more features and outputs, DSP FX, fancier looking software (although I don't know if it actually does the job better).

What would you guys say about the sound quality of the 828mk3 vs. the RME? Most comparisons on forums are from people with RME FF800s comparing to 828mk2's. The FF400s have the same preamps, but slightly inferior convertors. According to the sales guy at motu the preamps should sound the same as the mkII, except at 192kHz, but I heard on some forums the mk3's convertors are better and the mk3's sound better than mk2's, although I don't know if these people are comparing like sample rate with like sample rate, or best sample rate for best sample rate.

What do you think of the DSP FX? Useful, great, or just a marketing fad?

I've also read various forums where people have had problems with the 828mk3 (syncing/funny noises/etc.). Is anyone out there still having any problems who's using the latest firmware?

Any advice appreciated. It's tricky as the MOTU has more of everything, but the RME is said to be more stable and has better sound. How much better sound or stability makes all the difference...

[earldrum]

[quote="Piplodocus"]I've also read various forums where people have had problems with the 828mk3 (syncing/funny noises/etc.). Is anyone out there still having any problems who's using the latest firmware?[quote]

Hi Pip:

I'll jump in and say that I have had my problems with the 828 MK3 because I was an early adopter of the product, but I must say that now that MOTU has released the new firmware (1.06) and drivers that my MK3 is working great and sound excellent.

I believe there is a significant upgrade to the A/D and D/A conversion and the clock. I hear a huge difference from my orginal 828. I have heard the FF 400 and I believe the 828 MK3 sound as good as this unit and has more features.

So to answer your question ... I would say if you are looking for a great sounding interface at a competitive price, and you need extra input and output options and a good cuemix system, then this unit is a winner in my book.

[emulatorloo]

I've also read various forums where people have had problems with the 828mk3 (syncing/funny noises/etc.).

A few people griping loudly on an internet gripe board does not mean every body is having problems.

You have to take those things with a grain of salt. You don't know what else is going on with their computers -- bad ram, failing hard drive, conflicting software, corrupted software, didn't get the latest updates, and so on.


There are many users like earldrum who are really enjoying their 828mkIII's. But they aren't posting on the internet with threads titles like these:

HELP!!!! MY MOTU 828mkIII is WORKING GREAT!!!!!

They are too busy having fun making music.

---
I don't have a 828mk3, but I avoided motu interfaces for a long time out of some kind of snobbery or something. Anyway I finally got a used 2408mkII and was amazed at how great it was. worked great, excellent drivers, and so on. Now I have a 2408mkIII, and can't imagine that I will get anything but MOTU in the future.

[San Vizaj]

I've narrowed my choices down to the 828 MK3 and TC Konnekt Studio 48. I'm still watching closely as MOTU just released their new driver that seems to have fixed "the squeal" and other anomalies. As for TC, they've yet to get an acceptable working driver on the Mac. I like the extra inputs on the KS48, but I'd hate to have to suffer kernel panics in the middle of recording/mixing sessions.

[channelite]

My 828mk3 has worked great as of firmware v 1.05. As of 1.06 it's still rocking. The Cuemix, can eliminate the need for a mixer. I have now retired my mackie, less wires, less heat. I had the digidesign 003R, which didn't have any mixer capabilities and was big. If you don't need mixer capabilities and 28 ins and 30 outs, maybe the RME might be better since they are supposed to sound really good. But if you want to save the money and have a peice of gear that has lots of options and sounds great, the 828mk is awesome.

[jugealt]

i have owned a MK1 MK2 and now MK3 and have never needed tech support so prior to this would have recommended MOTU products.
I would find out from other users what RME tech support is like because i personaly found MOTU's to be non existant.

[jeff sanders]

I've narrowed my choices down to the 828 MK3 and TC Konnekt Studio 48. I'm still watching closely as MOTU just released their new driver that seems to have fixed "the squeal" and other anomalies. As for TC, they've yet to get an acceptable working driver on the Mac. I like the extra inputs on the KS48, but I'd hate to have to suffer kernel panics in the middle of recording/mixing sessions.

i chose my interface based on inputs, too. its a patience thing if drivers are not right yet. tc will surely be working to get things right with mac. as far as sound is concerned its just like cola a vs cola b. people will always stand by their choice but 9 out 10 still fail the blindfold test and the one that chose correctly just got lucky. 10 out of 10 will remain in denial and defend their favorite cola is best no matter what the outcome. pull out 50 grand of referencing gear and the test numbers may reflect differences that people can debate or just get what you need already and if you still feel the urge to second guess your choice, you can lament while youre getting work done.

larry the cable guy says, "get er done!"

[jeff sanders]

i have owned a MK1 MK2 and now MK3 and have never needed tech support so prior to this would have recommended MOTU products.
I would find out from other users what RME tech support is like because i personaly found MOTU's to be non existant.

no offense but i dont understand the logic here.

having owned 3 products and never needed tech support why would you base a purchase on tech support?

[jugealt]

i have owned a MK1 MK2 and now MK3 and have never needed tech support so prior to this would have recommended MOTU products.
I would find out from other users what RME tech support is like because i personaly found MOTU's to be non existant.

no offense but i dont understand the logic here.

having owned 3 products and never needed tech support why would you base a purchase on tech support?

The logic being that i always assumed there products were rock solid and if there was an issue it would be resolved fairly quickly. In my case a simple we know about the problem and will we will have it fixed in 3 months would have been enough.
However i had no response from their Tech support until a week before the new drivers were released.(they suggested i do evrything that i have already done change firewire ports cables etc)
I would have returned the unit and exchanged it for another but through this forum i learned of other people having the same issue so that seemed pointless.

Dont get me wrong im not bashing MOTU or anything like that its just made me aware of how important Tech support is and in future i will base my decision to purchase anything not only on the functionality of the unit but on my perception of how much customer service the company provides.

I have since developed a problem with the MK1 the firewire port is dead. i have read that MOTU repairs it for a fixed price of $80.

unfortunatley for me noone in Australia does this repair.

So in future i would probably be better off buying something that can be repaired without havin to ship it to the USA.

i think the return trip for the unit to get it repaired in the states is about $160

I hope you see my point.

Having said all that the MK3 now works flawelsy love the new cuemix.

I just hope it doesnt break for the next 3-4 years at least.

[jeff sanders]

i think i see what youre saying. maybe tight lipped techs sink ships? that is frustrating when your questions are hanging out there and youre not sure theyre even being consider yet by those in the best position to provide answers. a simple blanket response to all involved such as: we understand there exists issues with products x, y and z that are of utmost concern and we are working diligently to correct them as quickly as possible. we recommend a, b and c as precautions until we can provide a permanent solution. as far as bashing goes i do it too. when im unhappy i bash what makes me unhappy eg. apple. i love my computer but when i download an update that wreaks havoc and creates issues where i had none before i pull out my hair and curse apple. its too bad theres not a motu service center in every country but maybe the good thing is that the demand for repair is too low. i know that doesnt help your situation. i wish you luck on that.
cheers
jeff

[Akai96]

I've narrowed my choices down to the 828 MK3 and TC Konnekt Studio 48. I'm still watching closely as MOTU just released their new driver that seems to have fixed "the squeal" and other anomalies. As for TC, they've yet to get an acceptable working driver on the Mac. I like the extra inputs on the KS48, but I'd hate to have to suffer kernel panics in the middle of recording/mixing sessions.

i chose my interface based on inputs, too. its a patience thing if drivers are not right yet. tc will surely be working to get things right with mac. as far as sound is concerned its just like cola a vs cola b. people will always stand by their choice but 9 out 10 still fail the blindfold test and the one that chose correctly just got lucky. 10 out of 10 will remain in denial and defend their favorite cola is best no matter what the outcome. pull out 50 grand of referencing gear and the test numbers may reflect differences that people can debate or just get what you need already and if you still feel the urge to second guess your choice, you can lament while youre getting work done.

larry the cable guy says, "get er done!"

Funny thing is,on gearslutz.com there is a apogee rosetta test vs. 828MKII,repeat mkII! blind test,the 828 actually won,even the non motu snobs before finding out,insisted that the better version just had to be apogee.Using your ears really does pay off in the end,especially when it comes to saving money.