Motu 4 instrument input signal is low

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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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harmonicaman
Posts: 44
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2022 5:34 am
Primary DAW OS: Windows

Motu 4 instrument input signal is low

Post by harmonicaman »

Hi

I have Motu 4 , front two mics are OK but the back side the instrument input signal is too low
What can I do?
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mikehalloran
Posts: 15769
Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:08 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: Sillie Con Valley

Re: Motu 4 instrument input signal is low

Post by mikehalloran »

harmonicaman wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 10:06 am Hi

I have Motu 4 , front two mics are OK but the back side the instrument input signal is too low
What can I do?
If you're referring to the M4, the issue is that those are not instrument inputs; they're -16dBu Line inputs. Even the first version of the M4 brochure was wrong on that. Only keyboards with line level outputs can drive them. Despite the fact that many of us here do own such units, most keys etc. do not.

You need a DI of some sort.
I like the Morley MLLS 2-channel Line Level Shifter (was the Ebtech LLS 2) and the Radial J+4
https://www.sweetwater.com/c957--Direct ... 2high&pn=2

Many other recent threads on this subject including these:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=69371&p=587103&hil ... ch#p587103

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=69797
DP 11.32; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.6.1, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3, Zoom F3 & UAC 232 32bit float recorder & interface; 2012 MBPs (x2) Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
harmonicaman
Posts: 44
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2022 5:34 am
Primary DAW OS: Windows

Re: Motu 4 instrument input signal is low

Post by harmonicaman »

Thanks

Do you mean this ?
https://www.amazon.com/Morley-MLLS-2-ch ... B08NQ1SMTJ

Will it work with my Motu 4 ?
Do I need to connect that to another USB port too?
Thanks in advance
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mikehalloran
Posts: 15769
Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:08 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: Sillie Con Valley

Re: Motu 4 instrument input signal is low

Post by mikehalloran »

harmonicaman wrote: Thu Mar 31, 2022 11:48 am Thanks

Do you mean this ?
https://www.amazon.com/Morley-MLLS-2-ch ... B08NQ1SMTJ

Will it work with my Motu 4 ?
Do I need to connect that to another USB port too?
Yes, Yes and No

That is a simple 2-Channel step up (or step down) transformer. It is quiet, passive and very good. The +4 jack goes to the M4 and you plug your keys (or CD/Tape player etc.) into the -10 jack.

The transformer has excellent low end/bass response as all good ones do. Cheap transformers don't give you adequate low end response.

Here's the instruction sheet:
https://morleyproducts.com/wp-content/u ... 070717.pdf

You can use either TRS balanced cables or an XLR-M to TRS going into your M4. The jacks are parallel so it makes no difference which you use but TRS–TRS cables are ubiquitous and inexpensive. The M4 wants a balanced in. Something like this will be fine:
https://www.amazon.com/SEISMIC-AUDIO-SA ... ref=sr_1_4

The -10 jack can take anything. Balanced/unbalanced input cable doesn't matter to the MLLS-2.


Amazon is a good place to buy because of their 30 day return policy. If the output level isn't enough for your situation, you will want an active 2-channel DI instead.
DP 11.32; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.6.1, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3, Zoom F3 & UAC 232 32bit float recorder & interface; 2012 MBPs (x2) Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
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