UltraLite MK-4

[DougieFresh]

A new ultralite. USB-2 based. Been hoping for a portable MOTU interface with Thunderbolt for a while, but maybe USB2 is still OK?

http://motu.com/newsitems/introducing-the-ultralite-mk4

[mikehalloran]

USB 2 has tons of bandwidth where audio is concerned. Even USB 1.1, as is found in older MOTU devices has more than enough for the Ultralite. USB 2 is better, of course.

[manuvanos]

Hey guys, anybody know if there's a difference in AD/DA converters between the Ultralite mk4 and the Ultralite AVB? I know that the Ultralite AVB is different from all other full length 19" AVB interfaces...was hoping that this Ultralite mk4 shares the conversion of their top-end card

[mikehalloran]

The press release doesn't say one way or the other. You'll have to ask them.

http://motu.com/newsitems/introducing-the-ultralite-mk4

[Cosmos275]

I have the mk3. My only major complaint is that you can't use the reverb unless you're using 44.1/16. If you want to record at 24 bit, sorry, no reverb for you. They fixed this in the AVB, but not worth all the change for me to upgrade (plus I don't like guitar-centric front end design). I assume they fixed that here. Also, the mk3 isn't bus powered on the USB2. I wonder if they have that now.

[mikehalloran]

I have the mk3. My only major complaint is that you can't use the reverb unless you're using 44.1/16. If you want to record at 24 bit, sorry, no reverb for you. They fixed this in the AVB, but not worth all the change for me to upgrade (plus I don't like guitar-centric front end design). I assume they fixed that here. Also, the mk3 isn't bus powered on the USB2. I wonder if they have that now.

The specs don't indicate bus power:
http://motu.com/products/proaudio/ultra ... specs.html

How many portable interfaces let you use onboard effects while recording at higher sample rates? None that I own (3). In fact, the software that comes with my Zoom and Shure iOS mics is the same way—on board effects only at 44.1/16k as is my Zoom R24. I'm so used to it not being available that it doesn't occur to me that anything else is different.

[Cosmos275]

Don't get me wrong, I love my mk3. That said, when they advertise both x sample rates, and y effects, they should disclaim any limits. I found out down the road, far after the purchase. X does not work with Y. You can say that's par for the course, but I felt a little burned.

[bayswater]

I have the mk3. My only major complaint is that you can't use the reverb unless you're using 44.1/16. If you want to record at 24 bit, sorry, no reverb for you.

Not even using the reverb return bus?

[Cosmos275]

It says "reverb only at 1x sample rates" Whatever they mean by that, it is disabled when you go 96kHz

[mikehalloran]

You can say that's par for the course, but I felt a little burned.

I'm not certain it is par but it might be.

My R24 is the only gear I recall where it was mentioned in the flyer or on the website blurb. Otherwise, you have to find and read the manual before buying.

I agree about feeling burned.

When a company advertises a feature or spec, care should be taken so that, if there's a qualifier or disclaimer, you can find it on the same page even if marked with an asterisk. How many have bought (fill in the blank) because it had X# channels and can run at 96kHz only to find out that, at high sampling rates, the real channel count is only half? Well, you go back and read the lit to see how you could have made that mistake and the truth wasn't there for you to find.

[bayswater]

It says "reverb only at 1x sample rates" Whatever they mean by that, it is disabled when you go 96kHz

What about 24 bits at 48K. I used to use a 828 Mk3 and IIRC I used all the effects at those rates regularly. It's pretty old and I can see why effects would stop working above that. (1X would mean 44.1/48K)

[Cosmos275]

It says "reverb only at 1x sample rates" Whatever they mean by that, it is disabled when you go 96kHz

What about 24 bits at 48K. I used to use a 828 Mk3 and IIRC I used all the effects at those rates regularly. It's pretty old and I can see why effects would stop working above that. (1X would mean 44.1/48K)

I haven't tried that combo. I will.

44.1kHz should be called 2X imho. The Nyquist theorem tells us that you must sample at TWICE the frequency of the signal you wish to capture to do so successfully. Humans hear up to 20kHz, and this is why 44.1 is about twice that. Sorry, have to get my nerd pokes in for that one.

[Cosmos275]

it does run at 48k, but no higher. There is no bit depth setting actually. Googling, I'm led to believe it's 24 bit regardless of the sample rate.

Anyway, I'm going to assume the mk4 can do better considering the AVB does. I'll check for sure before I buy one, if and when I do.

[bayswater]

Yes, check it. The description of the effects for this unit is pretty much the same as the description of Cuemix FX for all the earlier MOTU interfaces. My assumption is it's the same. You'll find endless debates on whether anyone can hear the difference once you go beyond 48/24. Going to 96 helps latency, but I can't hear any difference.

An email to sales@motu.com might get the answer.

[Cosmos275]

Can you hear a difference between 44.1 and 48? Thanks