896HD and 8Pre

[pdlstl]

I just bought a used 8Pre and plan to use it with my 896HD for a total of 16 inputs.

I plan to hook them together using optical cables.

I'm using XP and SONAR 8.5 Producer.

Any things to look out for as I try to get them to play nice together?

TIA,

Earl

[minx_man]

Sorry i don't have any answers for you but I wondered how you got on? I currently own an 896HD and am tempted to get an 8pre but can't decide if I should just get a Presonus Digimax since its cheaper.

From what I can tell the benefit of the MOTU 8pre (over the Digimax) is that it integrates with CueMix. I can confirm that using the MOTU896HD in standalone operation that the cuemix setup is persisted even when the PC is switched off. Something I would like know is, when using an 896HD together with an 8pre does this remain the case? even for the inputs of the 8pre that might have been routed to one of the 896HD's four busses in Cuemix?.

In other words I have monitor mixes configured in CueMix for my 896HD which stay in place in standalone operation, however if I incorporate an 8pre into the CueMix setup its not clear whether any routing from the 8pre to the 896HD outs will stay in place in standalone operation.

Many thanks if you're able to answer this question.

Tony

[BradLyons]

There's a few ways to do this. One option certainly is via ADAT optical and using the panel of the 896 interface for the control. However you can also add the 8Pre as an interface via firewire and use it as a secondary interface with the 896, however that opens up more channels to the firewire bus.

[HCMarkus]

From what I can tell the benefit of the MOTU 8pre (over the Digimax) is that it integrates with CueMix. I can confirm that using the MOTU896HD in standalone operation that the cuemix setup is persisted even when the PC is switched off. Something I would like know is, when using an 896HD together with an 8pre does this remain the case? even for the inputs of the 8pre that might have been routed to one of the 896HD's four busses in Cuemix?

The ADAT I/O on the 896 is there whether an 8pre or Digimax is connected. As such, the CueMix setup should be persistent regardless. Unless you work at sample rates in excess of 48k, I recommend Lightpipe connections to allow both devices (896 and 8pre or 896 and Digimax) to function under control of the 896 CueMix hardware mixer. My one complaint about the MOTU 8pre is the lack of wordclock I/O, forcing users to clock via Litepipe. I believe the Digimax offers wordclock input for a cleaner clock. One other point: You already have 8 MOTU mic pres. Might a different flavor not offer some variety?

[pdlstl]

"One other point: You already have 8 MOTU mic pres. Might a different flavor not offer some variety?"

True, however I own a lunchbox with external pres (which I would interface through the 8Pre). The 896HD pres have been modded by BLA, so I've got the "flavor" thing covered.

minx_man:

I have been in the hospital for a few days and have yet to get the 8Pre integrated into my system.

Will report back as soon as I get this done, most likely this weekend.

To all others, thanks so much for the information!