Black Lion MOTU Interface Modifications

[gearboy]

Gearboy,

Sent it overnight on monday, had it back exactly a week later. Definitely hit up matt via email to find out his current lead times.

Thanks. I'll take your advice, although once I have my second 828mkii next week I really have no issues with time... unless my backup decides to call it quits, which I doubt.

Jeff

[Matcher]

About the s/pdif..you can still use the s/pdif ins with units that have a PLL clock and with units that have word clock i/o.

[Resonant Alien]

Those of you who get the mod, please keep posting to tell us of how you like the results.

After much deliberation on having my MOTU 828mkII modded, I finally decided to bite the bullet and buy the RME Fireface instead, but I would still like to hear about the results.

[Matcher]

I had my traveler's clock and analog stage modded and as said, it's a night and day difference. I'd like to hear some A/Bs with the fireface, though the ones at BLA site are very nice.

[baanes]

About the s/pdif..you can still use the s/pdif ins with units that have a PLL clock and with units that have word clock i/o.

Which units have a PLL clock? Are you referring to outboard units with a pll clock or MOTU units? What does this mean?

[CassidyGT]

Got the full analog and clock mod and it was well worth the money on my 828 II. Clarity, separation, tighter mids and lows - the real deal. The preamps sound as good as my Grace 101. Can't A/B the clock, but the clarity is unreal compared to stock - there always seemed to be a slight haze before - now that is gone. Can't say enough good things.

[James Steele]

Cool! Anybody do a HD192 mod? Will they swap out the fan for a quieter one too?

[azusa749a]

I just got my 2408 mk3 back 2 days ago.
I had both analog stage and clock modified.

There's a huge improvement: the bass seems tighter, more definiton and all sparks fly.
I can hear sound of reverb easier than before too.

[iMAS]

Cool! Anybody do a HD192 mod? Will they swap out the fan for a quieter one too?

It doesn't mention fan mods on the site...but in email, they told me they could do it. I am also planning to have my hd192 modified along with a quieter fan.

[mothra]

Clarity, separation, tighter mids and lows - the real deal. The preamps sound as good as my Grace 101. .... Can't say enough good things.

Well I think this pretty much makes up my mind for me! Ive been planning on picking up a couple 101's or the two channel model for awhile now..
And if the mods can make the built in pres compare to the Grace stuff Im sending in my email today!

[gearboy]

And if the mods can make the built in pres compare to the Grace stuff Im sending in my email today!

I am REALLY curious about this as well. I just stepped up my analog preamp options by adding Burr Brown chips to my Presonus MP20 and also picking up a Sytek MPX-4Aii with the Burr-Brown option on 3 & 4. I was planning on modding at least one of my 828mkiis. Now I am considering modding both of them and ditching my Presonus Digimax LT since hearing about how good the built in preamps sound post Black Lion. Right now I only use the 828's preamps for a talkback mic, since I've never really liked them.

Please jump in with details concerning the Motu preamps. This is good news for all of us.

Jeff

[Roland Ottewell]

I just got my 828mk2 back from Black Lion Audio. A buddy in NYC also got his Traveller modded on my suggestion. We are both pleased as punch. It sounds noticeably better -- more bass and high end, cymbals sounds tighter and crisper, more detail, the "haze" is definitely gone. I listened back to some tracks one of my bands is mixing on DP, and all the problems we were having have disappeared.

They replaced the original clock with two clocks, so now there's a switch on the front (between the RH trim pot and 48v switch) for 44.1/88 or 48/96. I haven't tried the pres yet -- but then I just got it back.

Only thing that mifffed me a bit was my buddy sent his in after me, got his back before, and they didn't charge him for shipping like they did me, even though I sent mine in well before the June 12 date when they said they would stop covering return shipping. Well, no matter ... I just had to gripe to someone. Maybe they're prejudiced against people who don't live in NY or LA

On a completely different note, can anyone tell me how to change my Unicornation "handle"? When I signed up I stupidly gave my real name, so now when I say something dumb everyone knows who it is. I want a cool handle like all you other guys (and gals).

[mothra]

Well youve only got 5 posts.. Your best bet is to just make a new one and start using that.. I think after 30 days of inactivity your old account will close if the option is set..

With phpbb ts up to the admin of the board to turn on the option to allow us to change usernames.. Prob ably best that they dont..

[James Steele]

Well I can delete your membership and you can create a new on from scratch... that way you can use the same e-mail address. I actually didn't know about the option to delete inactive accounts. I'll have to consider that.

[Roland Ottewell]

James, I'd love to make a fresh start. I've tried to make a new account but the machine always knows me. I would rather read than write most of the time, however. Have learned so much from you all.