MOTU 24AI - limited to 24x24?

[Funkstar De Luxe]

Hi everyone!

I recently bought a MOTU 24AI to use with MacOS / iPadOS. The problem is, I appear to be limited to 24 in and 24 outs. I have a couple of Behringer ADA8200s connected to use as outputs but it won’t let me use them as additional 8x ins.

I am using the latest version of MacOS and iPadOS on USB. Every single app only shows 24 in 24 outs. Is there anything I can do? The MOTU website says it should do 72 channels including the optical IO.

Is there something wrong in the setup? Can anyone advise me? Thank you!

[MartinBaird]

Yes, you can do 72 inputs at the same time:

https://motu.com/products/avb/24ai-24ao/specs.html

Have you set up the routings in the software?

Martin

[monkey man]

You can't do more than 64 simultaneous channels over USB.

MOTU upped the ante by increasing the limit from 24 to 32 some years ago and followed that up (6 months later IIRC) by increasing the limit to 64.

I've not heard of any other manufacturer achieving this, but even if one has, I doubt it was able to take it beyond 64 channels.

[Funkstar De Luxe]

64 channels would be enough. I’ll tweak the config this evening and get back to you all. Thanks!

[Funkstar De Luxe]

I can’t see how it’s possible to increase beyond 24x24.

When I try to change the values of “from computer” or “to computer” beyond 24, they simply revert back to 24.

Am I doing something wrong? Or is there another setting I need to use? Have anyone actually achieved this with a MOTU 24AI?

[Funkstar De Luxe]

I’ve read the manual, tried every options I can see. I can find no way to have more than 24x24 over USB on this thing. What a pain! Please, someone tell me I’m wrong.

[nk_e]

Following this discussion. Thanks.

[MartinBaird]

My apologies for missing that you are connecting via USB - my bad.

Martin

You can't do more than 64 simultaneous channels over USB.

MOTU upped the ante by increasing the limit from 24 to 32 some years ago and followed that up (6 months later IIRC) by increasing the limit to 64.

I've not heard of any other manufacturer achieving this, but even if one has, I doubt it was able to take it beyond 64 channels.

[MartinBaird]

I can confirm 64 channels from my 828es connected via USB 3 card in my 2009 modified Mac Pro. See attached screenshot. I didn't test to the point of passing audio, but when I type "64" in the Enable Outputs > To Computer field, then hit Tab or Enter buttons, I get what the screenshot shows.

Martin

Screen Shot 2023-06-19 at 8.52.59 AM.png (607.21 KiB) Viewed 3546 times

I can’t see how it’s possible to increase beyond 24x24.

When I try to change the values of “from computer” or “to computer” beyond 24, they simply revert back to 24.

Am I doing something wrong? Or is there another setting I need to use? Have anyone actually achieved this with a MOTU 24AI?

[CharlzS]

It appears to be acting as if you have a 4x sample rate selected (176,192). That would be a no go on your ADA8200s anyway - try 48k.

[Funkstar De Luxe]

It appears to be acting as if you have a 4x sample rate selected (176,192). That would be a no go on your ADA8200s anyway - try 48k.

Tried 44.1 and 48. Same result. I’ll only use 44.1 anyway

[CharlzS]

How about a factory reset? https://motu.com/techsupport/technotes/reset

[Funkstar De Luxe]

Thanks, tried that but nothing

[STUDIO|GIBON]

Hello, is there any reason not to use ethernet instead of USB for the connection? This connection is problem-free and you can use all available inputs/outputs. If you don't want to use it for some reason, may I know what? Because I've encountered this problem multiple times and I still have no idea why people don't use ethernet connections. Thank you for the info. r.

[Funkstar De Luxe]

Hello, is there any reason not to use ethernet instead of USB for the connection? This connection is problem-free and you can use all available inputs/outputs. If you don't want to use it for some reason, may I know what? Because I've encountered this problem multiple times and I still have no idea why people don't use ethernet connections. Thank you for the info. r.

Unfortunately, yes, my rig doesn’t have compatible Ethernet

I’m in the process of buying a Mac Studio, maybe that will resolve the problem