So I'm in the market for one of these devices, and I'm hoping that someone can perhaps explain the advantages or disadvantages of going with a system through the 424 card versus a system through standard firewire.
I'm curious mostly about performance issues and stability. Latency, integration with DP (4.61) (OSX 10.4.x) etc... The only advantages that seems obvious to me is the extra ports in the 424 for consolodated expansion, and the 2408Mk3 specifically seems to have itself more expansion possibilities with ADAT devices, digital mixers etc...
But really what are the more internal performance advantages of one over another?
2408Mk3 via 424 versus 828Mk2 or Traveler via Firewire
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Discussion related to installation, configuration and use of MOTU hardware such as MIDI interfaces, audio interfaces, etc. for Mac OSX
Discussion related to installation, configuration and use of MOTU hardware such as MIDI interfaces, audio interfaces, etc. for Mac OSX
2408Mk3 via 424 versus 828Mk2 or Traveler via Firewire
G5 Dual 2.0Ghz, 2 Gig Ram, 250 Gig HD, 200 Gig HD, 600 Gig HD, OSX 10.5.2, MOTU Traveler, MOTU 8Pre, DP 5.13, EWQLSO Silver, Blue Bluebird Mic, Focusrite VoiceMaster Pro, Korg Triton Extreme
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stephen1212b
- Posts: 236
- Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:01 pm
- Primary DAW OS: MacOS
- Location: San Francisco Bay Area
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I have both a 2408Mk3 and a Traveler. I use them on different computers a dual 1Gig g4 and a G4 laptop.
To be honest the traveler has been more reliable. I had the volume control go bad on the 2408 and the PCI card often isn't recognized after I update other unrelated software in the computer, so I have to open it up remove and reseat the card so it will be recognized again.
The Traveler has 4 OK mic preamps with 48 Volt phantom power. I would recommend going with the Traveler unless you anticipate needing more than 16 inputs at once, While you can expand i/o with a second firewire interface you will loose the integration of cuemix. One interface will not merge itself with another unlike the PCI card that will combine up to four interfaces into one powerful setup.
To be honest the traveler has been more reliable. I had the volume control go bad on the 2408 and the PCI card often isn't recognized after I update other unrelated software in the computer, so I have to open it up remove and reseat the card so it will be recognized again.
The Traveler has 4 OK mic preamps with 48 Volt phantom power. I would recommend going with the Traveler unless you anticipate needing more than 16 inputs at once, While you can expand i/o with a second firewire interface you will loose the integration of cuemix. One interface will not merge itself with another unlike the PCI card that will combine up to four interfaces into one powerful setup.
hmmm...
That's a good point. I guess the PCI 424's cuemix is done on the card, whereas the cue mix for the Traveler or 828 is done on the unit. So adding additional 828s or Travelers would mean they'd all have their own cuemix mixers. That could get confusing. Hadn't thought of it that way.
Then again, I'm having a hard time coming up with a scenario needing more than 16 inputs in my very small project studio. And the "portability" might be a nice option down the road.
That whole business with the removing, reseating the card doesn't seem appealling either.
Is there any noticeable audio quality differences you've noticed?
Thanks for your input.
More to think about....
That's a good point. I guess the PCI 424's cuemix is done on the card, whereas the cue mix for the Traveler or 828 is done on the unit. So adding additional 828s or Travelers would mean they'd all have their own cuemix mixers. That could get confusing. Hadn't thought of it that way.
Then again, I'm having a hard time coming up with a scenario needing more than 16 inputs in my very small project studio. And the "portability" might be a nice option down the road.
That whole business with the removing, reseating the card doesn't seem appealling either.
Is there any noticeable audio quality differences you've noticed?
Thanks for your input.
More to think about....G5 Dual 2.0Ghz, 2 Gig Ram, 250 Gig HD, 200 Gig HD, 600 Gig HD, OSX 10.5.2, MOTU Traveler, MOTU 8Pre, DP 5.13, EWQLSO Silver, Blue Bluebird Mic, Focusrite VoiceMaster Pro, Korg Triton Extreme