Microbook problems

[Bongaloo]

I bought a MOTU Microbook. Nice concept, terrible product.
Tried running with Live and Logic Studio (9.1.1)
Audio is full of crackles, glitches and dropouts. Worse if you run CueMix at the same time as the DAW. When I tried that with Logic, it fell over completely and I got no audio at all.
Tried different USB ports, tried using with and without other USB devices (such as MIDI keyboard), downloaded the latest driver (the out of the box driver didn't work at all - spent half an hour on the phone to MOTU support in the US). Ran iTunes just to make sure that there was some sound coming from the computer - after the Microbook had fallen over with Logic, I couldn't get anything out of it with iTunes. Had to toggle Sound preferences in System Prefs to built-in i/o to get audio.
Playing with the buffer size seems to reduce the problem a little bit but not much and if you run the DAW without CueMix open, you could sometimes (not always) be fooled into thinking that it was all working ok. But the second you launch CueMix, it all falls over and there's no bringing it back just by closing Cue Mix.
Any similar experiences?
Thanks

MacBook Pro, 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB RAM, OSX 10.6.4

[thracks]

Bummer. I saw your post over at the Ableton forum and was a little discouraged. I'm expecting delivery of a Microbook within a week. I'll be using it with a 13" Macbook Pro and Live 8.14, so I guess we'll see how it goes. MOTU has a pretty good record with hardware, so I'm hopeful your problems will be resolved. I'll definitely chime in once mine arrives.

[wkj]

Hi! Had the same problems as Bongaloo. But all it took for me was changing the USB cable.Seems MOTU shipped som bad USB cables!

[cpeiv]

I just started using my new MicroBook, and am having similar problems. No audio from the computer (iTunes, QuickTime,etc.). Trying to get in touch with Motu tech support. Will try different Preferences settings. If anyone has been able to correct this problem... please post. Thanks... Penn Edwards








Mac Pro Quad core 2.66 10GB ram DP-7.2

[cpeiv]

re: MicroBook; Ok... Changed output to MicroBook in System Preferences. Am now getting sound from everything (iTunes, QuickTime, etc.). Thanks for that. MicroBook is still a beast for me at the moment. Will call Motu for help on other issues with the MicroBook. Thanks... Penn

[thracks]

Just took delivery of the Microbook. Initially I did a custom install of the drivers to only install microbook drivers and USB audio drivers since I don't need Audio Desk installed. That didn't work though, the Microbook was never recognised. After doing "easy" install it clicked right in. So far it sounds & feels good. Audio output is clean & solid, no click pops or lag of any kind..... so far. Haven't tried using any audio inputs yet since that will be a rare occurance for me. Now I just need to figure out how to set it up to send my "Cue" out from Ableton Live to the headphones.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Thanks Thracks. Nice avatar!

Other than a few one post wonders (what's that about) any other experienced users have reports on the microbook? I'm thinking or ordering one this week.

[thracks]

I spent another two or three hours with this last night. Seems rock solid, as you'd expect from MOTU. I think I was a little confused about the routing possibilities though. I thought I would be able to send a discreet channel to the headphones output in Cuemix, like say an AUX track that is not being sent out the mains. I can't seem to get that working. Anyone know if this is even possible? I tried setting up a new mix in Cuemix, but the only output option from any host software I use is 1-2 (mains) Anyone got any ideas? I've never dabbled with Cuemix.

[mlehmann]

The Microbook is a 2 outs only interface. That means you'll hear the same signal on the headphones out and the main outs. This is because a limitation of the USB bandwidth.

I'm curious about the sound quality. How does it compare to other MOTU audio interfaces and the Apogee Duet/One?

[thracks]

The Microbook is a 2 outs only interface. That means you'll hear the same signal on the headphones out and the main outs. This is because a limitation of the USB bandwidth.

I'm curious about the sound quality. How does it compare to other MOTU audio interfaces and the Apogee Duet/One?

I was afraid of that. Oh well, I'll keep it for recording use, but for other work I'm going to have to pick up one of N.I.'s audio interfaces. I haven't done any real critical audio work yet, but what I have done sounds excellent. I'd say better than my 2408mk3. I don't have much experience with other gear.

[jorgev]

The Microbook is a 2 outs only interface. That means you'll hear the same signal on the headphones out and the main outs. This is because a limitation of the USB bandwidth.

I'm curious about the sound quality. How does it compare to other MOTU audio interfaces and the Apogee Duet/One?

I'm using my Microbook with Logic Pro 9, it gives me two output selections "Output 1-2" and "Output 3-4", yet it seems like everything (front headphone connector, line out, and main outs in back) goes to Output 1-2. I haven't been able to determine how to get 3-4 to work. I configured the Logic metronome to go to Output 3-4 but it doesn't come out of any of the outputs.

I was hoping to use the Microbook as a lightweight audio interface when playing with my band, and feeding the Logic metronome into the headphones while having everything else go to the main outs. So you're saying I won't be able to do this? Any other options available to me to set this kind of thing up?

[jorgev]

I was able to solve my problem by creating an aggregate device using the instructions here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3956" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

thracks, not sure if it'll help with yours, but probably worth a try. I created an aggregate device that contained the Microbook and my built-in output as the interfaces. Everything I sent to Output 3-4 would then come out of the headphone jack on my MacBook.

Anyway, didn't mean to hijack this thread. I haven't had much time to use the Microbook for recording, but once I do I will post my results here.

[marfin]

Hello,
I'm experiencing the same problems with my Microbook as Bongaloo. Can't get audio from itunes and it won't work with Logic. It is selected if system prefs. and Audio MIDI Setup in Utilities but it still doesn't work. I'm getting sound into Cuemix but not out of it. Has anyone solved this problem yet?
Thanks Marfin

[marfin]

I bought a MOTU Microbook. Nice concept, terrible product.
Tried running with Live and Logic Studio (9.1.1)
Audio is full of crackles, glitches and dropouts. Worse if you run CueMix at the same time as the DAW. When I tried that with Logic, it fell over completely and I got no audio at all.
Tried different USB ports, tried using with and without other USB devices (such as MIDI keyboard), downloaded the latest driver (the out of the box driver didn't work at all - spent half an hour on the phone to MOTU support in the US). Ran iTunes just to make sure that there was some sound coming from the computer - after the Microbook had fallen over with Logic, I couldn't get anything out of it with iTunes. Had to toggle Sound preferences in System Prefs to built-in i/o to get audio.
Playing with the buffer size seems to reduce the problem a little bit but not much and if you run the DAW without CueMix open, you could sometimes (not always) be fooled into thinking that it was all working ok. But the second you launch CueMix, it all falls over and there's no bringing it back just by closing Cue Mix.
Any similar experiences?
Thanks

MacBook Pro, 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB RAM, OSX 10.6.4

I'm experiencing the same problems re: itunes and Logic. Am getting audio into Cuemix but not out of it. Has anyone solved this problem yet?
Marfin

[nick danger]

I set one up for a friend a few months ago. He uses it exclusively for tracking with DP. He's had no problems that I know of, and the sound is at least as good as my 828mkII that I used to work with him on.

I don't know if he uses it with iTunes, but it certainly worked OK when I set it up.

Not sure how it compares to the Apogee uno/duet interfaces, but it's probably the same as it's always been-- get the Apogee if your goal is to get the best sound possible. Get the MOTU if you want good sound along with more features and more flexible features, at a lower price point.