Motu 24ai input levels ?

[papango]

Hi
I am looking to replace my 3 Behringer ADA-8200 preamps which feeds the 3 optical inputs of my Motu 24Ao with one 24Ai.

I've read all the specs of the 24Ai and it just says that it's balanced/unbalanced. But I don't see anywhere anything about the accepted input levels.

Can I feed the 24 inputs with either
- condenser mics which requires +48v ?
- dynamic mics ?
- line out from a keyboard ?
- bass guitar ?
- electric guitar ?
- line out from a Pedal board ?
And adjust the appropriate input level with Trim ?

Actually my issue is that I use the Web app of the 24Ao for mixing remotely. But I require to go to the front panel of the XLR rack where are the ADA-8200 to adjust the gain !
With the 24Ai I would be able to control everything from input to outputs from the Web app.

I don't want to purchase a separate preamp or +48v feed.

Any answer welcome.

[mikehalloran]

From pg 14 of the 24Ai-24Ao User Guide
https://cdn-data.motu.com/manuals/avb/2 ... _Guide.pdf

5. The Device tab has settings for the
hardware itself, such as mic input
phantom power and preamp gain
…
18. These are the Input Settings for the
24Ai, which provide digitally
controlled analog trim from -96 to
+22 dB.

and so on...

[HCMarkus]

I believe the 24ai is meant to handle Line-level signals. It has no mic pres.

Pretty sure the Device Tab preamp controls verbiage Mike referred is boilerplate for all of the MOTU AVB devices and are not available with this unit.

SO, unless you want to use your Behringer units as analog front end to the 24ai, you are gonna need mic pres for microphones and for direct electric guitar. The ai provides at most 22dB of gain.

[mikehalloran]

I believe the 24ai is meant to handle Line-level signals. It has no mic pres.

Pretty sure the Device Tab preamp controls verbiage Mike referred is boilerplate for all of the MOTU AVB devices and are not available with this unit.

SO, unless you want to use your Behringer units as analog front end to the 24ai, you are gonna need mic pres for microphones and for direct electric guitar. The ai provides at most 22dB of gain.

the 24ai has mic preamps as I already quoted. One needs 8-channel Panasonic/Tascam format DB-25 breakout cables to connect directly.

$66 – $275 depending on the brand (x3 for 24 channels).

https://www.sweetwater.com/c831--SM_XLR_to_DB25

[HCMarkus]

Sorry to disagree Mike, but I think you may be mistaken.

22dB of gain isn’t mic pre territory. And no phantom power that I can see.

If in doubt I’d encourage op to reach out to MOTU for confirmation.

[mikehalloran]

Sorry to disagree Mike, but I think you may be mistaken.

22dB of gain isn’t mic pre territory. And no phantom power that I can see.

If in doubt I’d encourage op to reach out to MOTU for confirmation.

I went by this from pg 14 of the user guide.

5. The Device tab has settings for the
hardware itself, such as mic input
phantom power and preamp gain

but inaccurate/confusing language is not unusual from MOTU manual—probably copied and pasted from another manual.

[papango]

I've read the doc and yes that was the confusing point , it says it has Mic Preamp and Phantom power on the text part but I don't see such thing on the Web App .

And generally speaking, all Motu which has Mic preamps have it written down on the connector itself like on the 828ES (mic/line/instr).

Anyone has a 24Ai here ?
If I need to keep my 3 ADA-8200 I don't see the point of adding an extra 24 AI . It's one or the other.

[HCMarkus]

I've read the doc and yes that was the confusing point , it says it has Mic Preamp and Phantom power on the text part but I don't see such thing on the Web App .

And generally speaking, all Motu which has Mic preamps have it written down on the connector itself like on the 828ES (mic/line/instr).

Anyone has a 24Ai here ?
If I need to keep my 3 ADA-8200 I don't see the point of adding an extra 24 AI . It's one or the other.

Send a Techlink to MOTU.com seeking a definitive answer. I'm betting mine is correct.

[papango]

Confirmed with Motu support : no mic level nor phantom on the 24 AI