Hi,
I have progressively lost inputs, now totalling 3, on my 896HD. I have tested these inputs with mics, line ins etc and played with the switches. The gain meters on the front register nothing and obviously no sound is being heard.
I'm reasonably experienced in the audio realm and believe that it is pretty hard to blow up preamps, even if you were trying. I am using nothing but quality gear, mainly synths, access virus & nord.
I have noticed from time to time that the (-42db, ie. one bar) gain metes of the three inputs that do not work flash up simultaneously, whilst the remaining ones that do work, do not.
I have also noticed that when I switch the unit off, the 3 meters of the preamps that no longer work flash up (this time up to around the -18db bar). I presume that this is a test that is trying to tell me something.
I am hoping that this is some sort of firmware/stupid problem, as I really cannot afford to be without an audio interface.
Has anyone experienced any similar problems or have any advice?
Regards,
zakk
896HD Dead Pre-amps/Inputs
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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
Might be alittle late....
Granted, this post might be 5 months too late, but I am having the EXACT same problem! I have the non HD 896 and it was working fine about a week ago (i.e. all the inputs were working) yesterady I lost channel 8, then 4 went dead, and now 1 is dead, but if i rotate the trim knob i get a crackling like its trying to do something. I've been told to spray contact cleaner, and try checking for loose wires and such, but I just can't see how it all of a sudden just stops working. I don't think I blew the pre amps or anything. Did you find anything out with your situation?
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bencopland
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wow
well atleast I know I am not alone! Did you attempt to fix the problem? or are you just gonna give up? cause I haven't decided what I am gonna do yet. I just bought some contact cleaner today, so I will try that. I will let you know what happens. I just dont want to spend anymore money haha
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sonicproducer
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2006 8:42 am
- Primary DAW OS: MacOS
- Location: Frankfurt am Main
- Contact:
pres
after 6 monthon on my first 896 i lost almost 2 preamps and one firewire port - no problems there with motu they send a new one (to Frankfurt 
via UPSred!!). With my 896 HD i dont use the preamps any more only the inputs, cause in live recording situations the preamps are too soft and not "strong enough" so i compare this with a very good sounding digidesign 8 Channel Mic Pre - this one sounds better than Presonus Digimax LT and the internal Motu Pres.
via UPSred!!). With my 896 HD i dont use the preamps any more only the inputs, cause in live recording situations the preamps are too soft and not "strong enough" so i compare this with a very good sounding digidesign 8 Channel Mic Pre - this one sounds better than Presonus Digimax LT and the internal Motu Pres.Cubase SX 3.0, ASUS M6V Centrino,
MotU 896 HD,
digidesign PRE,
Presonus Digimax LT,
RME ADI96 PRO,
Houston Controller,
and a too small Roland PC160A Midicontroller, Genelec 1030APM, incl. Subwoofer
under XP,
MotU 896 HD,
digidesign PRE,
Presonus Digimax LT,
RME ADI96 PRO,
Houston Controller,
and a too small Roland PC160A Midicontroller, Genelec 1030APM, incl. Subwoofer
under XP,
setup
that sounds like a good setup to me, similar to what I have. I would do something like that with the different pre amp, but I think the inputs are COMPLETY dead on mine (input 1, 4 and , so using a different pre amp wont do much, but I still like the idea. I think i will have to send it back to MOTU 
oh well
, so using a different pre amp wont do much, but I still like the idea. I think i will have to send it back to MOTU oh well
Amnion165,
It's sort of a sucky suggestion as you paid for a 192kHz interface, but you could always use a pre with digital out (to the 896 via ADAT optical), you'd just be limited to 44.1/48@24bit. If it's anything like the 2408, you can probably find a way to use three of the external lines and the five remaining ones on the 896 (maybe by mirroring or something).
It's come up a bunch lately already, but an extra 8x8 lightpipe box is always good to have, and if the 896 ever screws up bad enough that you can't use it at all, you can dig up something with an optical input and let the ADAT box get you by until you get another interface.
I guess most of us really can't say, but the dying input thing sounds a little bit more serious than what our older (analog) stuff does when the wipers get crusty. Seems like even if it were a digital pot controlling another circuit, there would be some intermittent signals when you rotated it around, at least when it first started getting bad. Having them just "pop" and disappear, sounds like something further up the ladder.
It's a shame there isn't someone "outside" of MOTU who fixes this sort of stuff (equipped with service manuals if there are such things). I'd rather have someone who would openly explain what happened to it, and why, describe exactly what could be done to repair it, ideally preventing it from ever happening again. Paying to get a refurb (or even new unit), possibly containing parts from the same exact batch of components, and obviously having the same exact design (and 90 day warranty?) as the ones we've got, is sort of a "flip of the coin". I'd much rather abuse something to break it, or know that the replaced parts died of old age and were now "new" again.
Sorry about the hassle, and hope it works out OK,
George
PS- Just keep in mind: zakk80 lost three inputs for no apparent reason, made that one post, and then left (I guess). You saw it and described the same thing. Two other guys (who happen to be around right now), see yours, and say the same thing. I know there are a bunch of them out there which still have all their inputs, as there are also many more dying ones which don't show up here, but I think most of us would be willing to bet that none of you guys really did anything out of the ordinary, to "encourage" any of these channels to start dropping off. Comparing one company's handling of "out of warranty repairs", to another company's handling of "factory defects", can't really tell you that much.
It's sort of a sucky suggestion as you paid for a 192kHz interface, but you could always use a pre with digital out (to the 896 via ADAT optical), you'd just be limited to 44.1/48@24bit. If it's anything like the 2408, you can probably find a way to use three of the external lines and the five remaining ones on the 896 (maybe by mirroring or something).
It's come up a bunch lately already, but an extra 8x8 lightpipe box is always good to have, and if the 896 ever screws up bad enough that you can't use it at all, you can dig up something with an optical input and let the ADAT box get you by until you get another interface.
I guess most of us really can't say, but the dying input thing sounds a little bit more serious than what our older (analog) stuff does when the wipers get crusty. Seems like even if it were a digital pot controlling another circuit, there would be some intermittent signals when you rotated it around, at least when it first started getting bad. Having them just "pop" and disappear, sounds like something further up the ladder.
It's a shame there isn't someone "outside" of MOTU who fixes this sort of stuff (equipped with service manuals if there are such things). I'd rather have someone who would openly explain what happened to it, and why, describe exactly what could be done to repair it, ideally preventing it from ever happening again. Paying to get a refurb (or even new unit), possibly containing parts from the same exact batch of components, and obviously having the same exact design (and 90 day warranty?) as the ones we've got, is sort of a "flip of the coin". I'd much rather abuse something to break it, or know that the replaced parts died of old age and were now "new" again.
Sorry about the hassle, and hope it works out OK,
George
PS- Just keep in mind: zakk80 lost three inputs for no apparent reason, made that one post, and then left (I guess). You saw it and described the same thing. Two other guys (who happen to be around right now), see yours, and say the same thing. I know there are a bunch of them out there which still have all their inputs, as there are also many more dying ones which don't show up here, but I think most of us would be willing to bet that none of you guys really did anything out of the ordinary, to "encourage" any of these channels to start dropping off. Comparing one company's handling of "out of warranty repairs", to another company's handling of "factory defects", can't really tell you that much.
I think my best option will be, like u said, to get an 8x8 light pipe of sorts and use the 5 remaining inputs. I will have to look into it more to see what the best option will be for me, but thanks again for the info. I really appreciate it!My 896HD doesnt sound as bad as yours,yet. One of my main outputs crapped out on me,but im able to use 7 and 8 as my main outs by changing the software in the audio MIDI setup. if i do buy another interface,which no doubt i will,i'll be checking the repair policies closer.It's hard to do that,you almost have to take their word for how good these electronics are,i was going by what i read and by reputations,but that was a mistake.i don't believe this industry is ready for virtual instruments and computer recording and home recording with all the junk i see these once promising companies putting out.You have to be a hands on electronics genius to keep this stuff going,my opinion.My old mackie analogue mixer still works tho,i wonder if mackie has taken the same road as all these other companies i see,i hope not.
Oh no!
Wow! I wish I would have known about this site before I bought an 896HD. A friend of mine has one of the original 828's and it has been rock solid for years, so I thought, "Wow, this MOTU stuff is good." And I went out and bought an 896HD. Mine is too new to have any problems yet, but from reading these postings, I'm considering returning it before my 45-day return period ends.
I must say that I am extremely disappointed in how cheaply the 896HD appears to be built. I mean it's not even in a metal box! Instead it is may of some nylon/polycrap stuff.
Well guys, as a Purchasing Agent for a large company, I can tell you that the problems you have all encountered with the 896HD is most likely the result of outsourcing to low cost countries. All large companies are so focused on cost reductions, that they overlook what the cheesy quality does to their image. I would have gladly paid another $100 for my 896HD if it would have a metal case and higher quality knobs, electronics, etc...
I hope the management at MOTU visits this site, they could learn alot.
Good luck with you 896's, I think mine is going back.
I must say that I am extremely disappointed in how cheaply the 896HD appears to be built. I mean it's not even in a metal box! Instead it is may of some nylon/polycrap stuff.
Well guys, as a Purchasing Agent for a large company, I can tell you that the problems you have all encountered with the 896HD is most likely the result of outsourcing to low cost countries. All large companies are so focused on cost reductions, that they overlook what the cheesy quality does to their image. I would have gladly paid another $100 for my 896HD if it would have a metal case and higher quality knobs, electronics, etc...
I hope the management at MOTU visits this site, they could learn alot.
Good luck with you 896's, I think mine is going back.
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stephen1212b
- Posts: 236
- Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:01 pm
- Primary DAW OS: MacOS
- Location: San Francisco Bay Area
- Contact:
Most problems are mechanical in nature. A bad switch, or bad connector, or bad pot. Most mechanical problems will be intermittent if they aren't the result of an obvious accident.
Electrical problems are often sudden and permanent. It may not be the cause in any of these reports, but always turn off the 48 volt phantom power before making or breaking connections, and while firewire is supposed to be hot plug-gable, if you don't absolutely need to, why not make your connections with the power off. Power surges and static electricity can also wreck havoc (the 896 is a plastic box?) Don't use a ground lifter on the power cord to get rid of hum.
I am fixing eight amplifiers that blew because they were all turned on at the same time by a poorly designed power conditioner.
Pro gear is expensive because it is designed to work even when abused.
Extra care is needed with more price sensitive gear like the MOTU hardware. Of course all the care in the world can't make up for poor design. It sounds like the 896 might have a problem, but more info would be helpful in trying to discover a pattern, find a diagnosis and possibly suggest a cure.
Electrical problems are often sudden and permanent. It may not be the cause in any of these reports, but always turn off the 48 volt phantom power before making or breaking connections, and while firewire is supposed to be hot plug-gable, if you don't absolutely need to, why not make your connections with the power off. Power surges and static electricity can also wreck havoc (the 896 is a plastic box?) Don't use a ground lifter on the power cord to get rid of hum.
I am fixing eight amplifiers that blew because they were all turned on at the same time by a poorly designed power conditioner.
Pro gear is expensive because it is designed to work even when abused.
Extra care is needed with more price sensitive gear like the MOTU hardware. Of course all the care in the world can't make up for poor design. It sounds like the 896 might have a problem, but more info would be helpful in trying to discover a pattern, find a diagnosis and possibly suggest a cure.
Krishna,
Unfortunately, one of the complaints you'll often see here is that no one but MOTU is authorized to do the repairs. I doubt that this means that no one else ever can repair anything of theirs, but it probably means that no one else can get their service manuals, schematics, firmware, or whatever else they may need to do so in many cases.
George
PS- I was thinking recently that if any significant percentage of the hardware problems might be the result of corrupt program data, or faulty chips, it's sort of a shame that the units have to go all the way back for a "repair". The main chips in mine (2408mk3) are socketed, as I'm sure most of the others are as well.
Unfortunately, one of the complaints you'll often see here is that no one but MOTU is authorized to do the repairs. I doubt that this means that no one else ever can repair anything of theirs, but it probably means that no one else can get their service manuals, schematics, firmware, or whatever else they may need to do so in many cases.
George
PS- I was thinking recently that if any significant percentage of the hardware problems might be the result of corrupt program data, or faulty chips, it's sort of a shame that the units have to go all the way back for a "repair". The main chips in mine (2408mk3) are socketed, as I'm sure most of the others are as well.
i too have lost an input brother
figured it cant hurt to post it up here in case someone from motu takes a look one day (at this, and his concience) and decides fair enough thats plenty of people that have paid for this piece of crap perhaps its time to fix it!
i mean come on........... dying inputs, random screeching/screaming playback - not good for business!
i mean come on........... dying inputs, random screeching/screaming playback - not good for business!
2408 MK III, OS x.3.8, DP 4.5.2
896 HD, Micro Express
896 HD, Micro Express