I went to turn on my 828 Mk1 (the older one) and the Mac wouldn't recocgnize it. It was then that I noticed that telltale electrical burning smell that could only mean bad things. I opened it up and the first IC in front of the FireWire port looks burnt. I am right in the middle of an important project and all of it is on AudioDesk/Motu 828.
My questions are:
-is it worth fixing (or even possible)
-Can I use another interface like a newer Motu and still stay in AudioDesk
-Should I look for a used 828 Mk1
God this sucks.
My Motu 828 is fried..am I screwed?
Moderator: James Steele
The most crucial thing you have to deal with is time.
-- How quickly could you get the mk1 fixed? It would probably have to go back to MOTU, and even with overnight shipping it could be gone for at least a week.
-- How quickly could you get your hands on another mk1? Something like E-bay might take a week or two, but I tend to shy away from electronics or items with moving parts from E-bay because I don't know where they've been.
-- Consider that an mk1 could set you back about $400. A used mk2 might be a better investment even if it will cost a little more. At least it will have a longer shelf life. Best of all, of course, would be a new interface. (Don't you have a birthday coming up with family and friends who REALLY care about you?)
-- Is there any way to borrow a MOTU interface just to finish your project?
Time can be unkind. With more time you could plan financially a bit better, shop around and test used gear, etc. On the other hand, you could have a new unit within the time it takes to get to and from your local electronic music store-- but then money becomes the issue which has to be weighed against your deadline.
Any MOTU interface will work fine with AudioDesk.
..and yes-- this truly sucks out loud, my friend. My best advice is to get something new and get the best thing you can afford.
-- How quickly could you get the mk1 fixed? It would probably have to go back to MOTU, and even with overnight shipping it could be gone for at least a week.
-- How quickly could you get your hands on another mk1? Something like E-bay might take a week or two, but I tend to shy away from electronics or items with moving parts from E-bay because I don't know where they've been.
-- Consider that an mk1 could set you back about $400. A used mk2 might be a better investment even if it will cost a little more. At least it will have a longer shelf life. Best of all, of course, would be a new interface. (Don't you have a birthday coming up with family and friends who REALLY care about you?)
-- Is there any way to borrow a MOTU interface just to finish your project?
Time can be unkind. With more time you could plan financially a bit better, shop around and test used gear, etc. On the other hand, you could have a new unit within the time it takes to get to and from your local electronic music store-- but then money becomes the issue which has to be weighed against your deadline.
Any MOTU interface will work fine with AudioDesk.
..and yes-- this truly sucks out loud, my friend. My best advice is to get something new and get the best thing you can afford.
6,1 MacPro, 96GB RAM, macOS Monterey 12.7.6, DP 11.33
Thanks Frodo,
It's looking like I'm shopping for a new/used unit in the area. Toronto is an hour away. Probably my best bet. Haven't decided what I'm getting yet. Money is tight.
One last question from this analog geezer turned digital newbie; when it says "PCI Card" that means it's only good for PC's, right? I'm guessing I have to have the FireWire/USB version of any Motu I get. I feel so stupid sometimes.
Probably a no brainer question for you but not for me. God, I wish these things had a few moving parts. I might be able to get a better grip on them.
Thanks in advance,
It's looking like I'm shopping for a new/used unit in the area. Toronto is an hour away. Probably my best bet. Haven't decided what I'm getting yet. Money is tight.
One last question from this analog geezer turned digital newbie; when it says "PCI Card" that means it's only good for PC's, right? I'm guessing I have to have the FireWire/USB version of any Motu I get. I feel so stupid sometimes.
Probably a no brainer question for you but not for me. God, I wish these things had a few moving parts. I might be able to get a better grip on them.
Thanks in advance,
Yes-- if you look on MOTU's site, you'll see (in the products menu) that interfaces are organized by those that use 1) PCI and 2)FW/USB. There are two different types of connectivity.
With the understanding that there's no such thing as "extra money", I've repeatedly thrown $300-400 here and there replacing dodgy gear only to realize later that I could have had a better piece of gear and saved money in the long run. The issue, I know, is what money is available in the short run.
Interim solutions-- and a look towards the future:
1) I'm not a big fan of M-Audio's sound, but when I was up against a time and money brick wall, I bought an M-Audio interface to get by. They are cost effect-- there's now the Fast Track (24/48 for $100) and M-Audio Transit (24/96 for $80) Both use USB connections. That will hold you over until such time you can get a better interface with better converters. (You might need to roll off a little bit of 10k and higher with the M-Audio gear because, imho, it sounds a little harsh up top.)
2) Take stock of your entire studio-- software and hardware. Sort out what is on its last legs, and start saving for repairs or replacements. Make sure you list your needs in order of priority, and set a fiscal timetable for when these items will be replaced. For example, I got my G5 2.5 a year ago, and I anticipate having to get an Intel no later than 2008 due to the rapid development of Apple's hardware. As software bloats with more features and requires more CPU power, my current computer will eventually reach the end of its shelf life at least as a functional DAW.
In the meantime, there are smaller considerations to maintain my studio. Cables are always an issue, so I'm planning to lose the last of my analog connectivity for the sake of making all-digital connections. It will cost as much money as it will save in maintenance initially, but I know that after a certain point I'll not have to buy or repair 1/4" snakes any more. There will be DP upgrades for at least $150 each, software plugins and virtual synths, and on and on.
It's not so much a desire to have the latest and greatest, but there is some consideration for staying reasonably up-to-date as my needs require-- and to keep an eye on old gear that has seen better days. In the long run, it really saves money.
All it takes is one disaster to change your whole approach.
With the understanding that there's no such thing as "extra money", I've repeatedly thrown $300-400 here and there replacing dodgy gear only to realize later that I could have had a better piece of gear and saved money in the long run. The issue, I know, is what money is available in the short run.
Interim solutions-- and a look towards the future:
1) I'm not a big fan of M-Audio's sound, but when I was up against a time and money brick wall, I bought an M-Audio interface to get by. They are cost effect-- there's now the Fast Track (24/48 for $100) and M-Audio Transit (24/96 for $80) Both use USB connections. That will hold you over until such time you can get a better interface with better converters. (You might need to roll off a little bit of 10k and higher with the M-Audio gear because, imho, it sounds a little harsh up top.)
2) Take stock of your entire studio-- software and hardware. Sort out what is on its last legs, and start saving for repairs or replacements. Make sure you list your needs in order of priority, and set a fiscal timetable for when these items will be replaced. For example, I got my G5 2.5 a year ago, and I anticipate having to get an Intel no later than 2008 due to the rapid development of Apple's hardware. As software bloats with more features and requires more CPU power, my current computer will eventually reach the end of its shelf life at least as a functional DAW.
In the meantime, there are smaller considerations to maintain my studio. Cables are always an issue, so I'm planning to lose the last of my analog connectivity for the sake of making all-digital connections. It will cost as much money as it will save in maintenance initially, but I know that after a certain point I'll not have to buy or repair 1/4" snakes any more. There will be DP upgrades for at least $150 each, software plugins and virtual synths, and on and on.
It's not so much a desire to have the latest and greatest, but there is some consideration for staying reasonably up-to-date as my needs require-- and to keep an eye on old gear that has seen better days. In the long run, it really saves money.
All it takes is one disaster to change your whole approach.
6,1 MacPro, 96GB RAM, macOS Monterey 12.7.6, DP 11.33
Frodo,
You have been a great help. I'm currently bidding on a replacement 828 Mk1 (Ya, I know, I know) on eBay. It's cheap and an hour away. If that falls through I'll probably get either a new UltraLite or 828 Mk2.
Question: Are the new interfaces compatible with my OS9 iMac? Don't tell me I need a new computer as well!
snipeguy
You have been a great help. I'm currently bidding on a replacement 828 Mk1 (Ya, I know, I know) on eBay. It's cheap and an hour away. If that falls through I'll probably get either a new UltraLite or 828 Mk2.
Question: Are the new interfaces compatible with my OS9 iMac? Don't tell me I need a new computer as well!
snipeguy
Good question. The issue would be if there are OS9 drivers for the newer units.snipeguy wrote:Frodo,
You have been a great help. I'm currently bidding on a replacement 828 Mk1 (Ya, I know, I know) on eBay. It's cheap and an hour away. If that falls through I'll probably get either a new UltraLite or 828 Mk2.
Question: Are the new interfaces compatible with my OS9 iMac? Don't tell me I need a new computer as well!
snipeguy
Just checked with MOTU:
Firewire Audio Drivers/Consoles OS9
This install contains MAS and Firewire Drivers/Consoles for the 828, 896, 828mk2 and 896HD for OS9.
and...
MOTU Audio System (MAS) 2.4
Unstuff archive with Stuffit Expander 5 or 7. Installer has options to install MAS Only, MAS & PCI-324 Drivers, or MAS & Firewire Drivers.
So, it sounds like you are in good shape. Just go to motu.com> downloads> OS9.
Let us know how it goes! Inquiring Hobbits want to know!!
6,1 MacPro, 96GB RAM, macOS Monterey 12.7.6, DP 11.33
OK, Frodo, even though I respect what you have said, I bought a replacement 828 on eBay so I'll be waiting at least a week and a half before it arrives. In the meantime, I was wondering if I should get my Firewire port checked out. The old 828 literally fried right in front of the Firewire jack so I'm a little worried that there is something amiss. I'd hate to fry the new one.
Or was it just some kind of spike (I suspect sunspot activity, haha). Should just plug in the new unit and go.
Or was it just some kind of spike (I suspect sunspot activity, haha). Should just plug in the new unit and go.
No prob-- just offering some cost-effective options for you. Hopefully, the 828 will do the trick and work out well. Congrats on getting to phase 2!!snipeguy wrote:OK, Frodo, even though I respect what you have said, I bought a replacement 828 on eBay so I'll be waiting at least a week and a half before it arrives. In the meantime, I was wondering if I should get my Firewire port checked out. The old 828 literally fried right in front of the Firewire jack so I'm a little worried that there is something amiss. I'd hate to fry the new one.
Or was it just some kind of spike (I suspect sunspot activity, haha). Should just plug in the new unit and go.
As for the FW port, I would run a hardware test. Two things you could do-- if you have another FW device like a hard drive, see if it still works. The other thing would be to use the discs that came with your computer and run a hardware diagnostics test to see if any error codes arise.
One other, more awkward consideration would be to just take it to an authorized Apple repair location while you wait for your 828 to arrive, but if the other two options prove to yield no malfunctions, I'd say you're okay for now. You haven't reported any other problems with files, so it sounds like your HD's haven't been effected. If you have a disk utility, try running it just to make sure all files are repaired and all directories are in order.
You might want to try opening your projects using Built-In Audio just to make sure everything is behaving.
6,1 MacPro, 96GB RAM, macOS Monterey 12.7.6, DP 11.33
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emulatorloo
- Posts: 3227
- Joined: Mon Jan 03, 2005 10:01 pm
- Primary DAW OS: MacOS
- Location: Iowa
No, PCI is the name of the expansion slot on the the motherboard. Some macs have PCI slots -- the old beige G3's, the blue and white g3 towers, the G4 towers, the first few iterations of G5 towers. Most of those machines I mentioned have 3 PCI slots available for PCI cards.snipeguy wrote: when it says "PCI Card" that means it's only good for PC's, right?
So if you had one of those machines, you could indeed use a MOTU interface that comes with a PCI card, like the 2408.
Imacs and powerbooks don't have PCI slots.
The newest G5s dont have them either -- they have a new slot called PCI-express. That's abbreviated as PCI-e
It is damn confusing! glad to see that you found a new used 828!
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