Hello everyone!
I've been thinking of buying the 828 MKII firewire to record my bands jam sessions. I have some questions about the capabilities of the unit. Maybe some of you could help me out.
I'm running a home built PC with a AMD Athlon 3500 processor 2.2GH, 1 GB RAM and a massive HD. And would also probably be using it with a new laptop when I get one in the future.
On to the questions:
1. The description of the unit says 20 inputs 22outputs, but from the photos I've seen there are 8 plug ins for input and 8 for output... Can anyone explain this to me?
---- What I want to run into it is 2 guitars, 1 bass, a drumkit mixed down to one or 2 channels through a passive mixer, a set of turntables, and up to 3 mics, plus maybe Reason coming through a different computer. So thats 10 simulaneous channels. Can this thing handle that? SIMULTANEOUSLY??
-- the reason I ask is because it looks like there is only 8 channels in and I will need at least 10 channels in, so how would I set that up??
2. Has anyone ran 10 channels on this thing simultaneously into a PC similar to mine and had good results? What is the latency like?
3. Lastly, I would like to run all of my inputs into a passive mixer and run each of the lines out into the 828 so therefor I could have a true mixer control of the levels.... Does anyone know of a mixer that would do this well?
Thanks in advance for any help!!
Sven
NEED ADVICE!!!! MOTU 828 MKII questions - thinking of buying
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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
One more question
Just thought of one more question...
The descriptions I've read said this thing can be used to record without a computer. Does it have a harddrive then? If so how long can it record on its own?
The descriptions I've read said this thing can be used to record without a computer. Does it have a harddrive then? If so how long can it record on its own?
Here we go.
1. You have to count the ADAT I/O (8 channels in and 8 out via 2 optical cables. Also there's the SPDIF I/0 and the Sends.
As you want to record 10 channels or so, you should take a look at a mic pre-amplifier with ADAT I/O, such as the Beringher ADA 8000. It is very cheap and sounds pretty good for the price.
2. I use a Mac, so... But the MOTU driver (which is one of the responsables for a low latency experience) are pretty good. And I think you PC is fast enough. Also, put more RAM in it. And use a second HD to record the projects.
3. The 828 can act like a mixer very well. But you should look for mixers that have direct outs.
4 (your "one more question").
You misunderstood.
It's not that it can RECORD without a computer.
The right thing is that you can USE it without a computer.
Like as a mixer, as I mentioned above.
The 828 onboard CueMix function is very cool for that and for setting up some different mixes for the recording musicians or singers.
Good luck.
Gordon
1. You have to count the ADAT I/O (8 channels in and 8 out via 2 optical cables. Also there's the SPDIF I/0 and the Sends.
As you want to record 10 channels or so, you should take a look at a mic pre-amplifier with ADAT I/O, such as the Beringher ADA 8000. It is very cheap and sounds pretty good for the price.
2. I use a Mac, so... But the MOTU driver (which is one of the responsables for a low latency experience) are pretty good. And I think you PC is fast enough. Also, put more RAM in it. And use a second HD to record the projects.
3. The 828 can act like a mixer very well. But you should look for mixers that have direct outs.
4 (your "one more question").
You misunderstood.
It's not that it can RECORD without a computer.
The right thing is that you can USE it without a computer.
Like as a mixer, as I mentioned above.
The 828 onboard CueMix function is very cool for that and for setting up some different mixes for the recording musicians or singers.
Good luck.
Gordon
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steveninkster
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positivemu
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Thanks everyone for the replies!
D_Gordon -
So what you are saying is that I would need to buy another device to take advantage of the ADAT I/O? I take it the Behringer is a device that mixes down 10 channels to 1 ADAT output that can be routed through the MOTU? Am I understanding this correctly?
Maybe I'd be better off buying an M-Audio delta 1010 unit - I believe that has 10 inputs... But then that won't hook up to a laptop...
This is starting to seem too difficult...
All i want to do is to record 10 channels of audio to seperate tracks so I can go back and do some editing (add a little delay here, a touch of reverb there, cut out that bad solo there) and have this thing be portable, but if I have to buy the 828 @ around $750 plus the ADAT input device @ $200 or so, plus some more RAM (which I was going to buy anyway), this is starting to get pretty expensive for me.
Anyone got any better ideas? I like the idea of a firewire device, so laptop accessible and I like rack mount devices. Is there anything else out there that fits the bill? That can record 10 tracks simultaneously and is reliable and cheap???
D_Gordon -
So what you are saying is that I would need to buy another device to take advantage of the ADAT I/O? I take it the Behringer is a device that mixes down 10 channels to 1 ADAT output that can be routed through the MOTU? Am I understanding this correctly?
Maybe I'd be better off buying an M-Audio delta 1010 unit - I believe that has 10 inputs... But then that won't hook up to a laptop...
This is starting to seem too difficult...
All i want to do is to record 10 channels of audio to seperate tracks so I can go back and do some editing (add a little delay here, a touch of reverb there, cut out that bad solo there) and have this thing be portable, but if I have to buy the 828 @ around $750 plus the ADAT input device @ $200 or so, plus some more RAM (which I was going to buy anyway), this is starting to get pretty expensive for me.
Anyone got any better ideas? I like the idea of a firewire device, so laptop accessible and I like rack mount devices. Is there anything else out there that fits the bill? That can record 10 tracks simultaneously and is reliable and cheap???
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gregwhartley
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With the 828 mkII you need to keep in mind that it's only got 2 built in preamps. This means all other inputs would need to be line in, or you'd have to use extra preamps. MOTU's not alone in this, many manufacturers who make devices with more than two inputs make the rest of (if not all of) the inputs line level. The Traveler's got all the same stuff as the 828 mkII with two more preamps (four total).
I haven't had any problems with my Traveler accepting or sending any digital input (SPDIF and optical). It's all been crystal clear and sync'd.
The ADA 8000 would be a good partner for the 828mkII or the Traveler, bumping your track count up significantly with it's 8 extra mic pre's (so 8 out to ADAT, not 10). You could still be quite portable with this.
Make sure that whatever you buy has enough pres for what you need.
2 ch drumkit mixdown = 2 line ins
Turntables (coming out of turntable mixer) = 2 line ins
2 guitars (1 mic each) = 2 mic ins
1 bass (line or mic) = 1 line in or 1 mic in
3 mics (vox?)= 3 mic ins
So at minimum (without Reason) you need 4-5 line inputs and 5-6 mic inputs (depending on how you like/need to record bass). Neither the 828 mkII or the Traveler has this by itself. You'd need an 8-pack of pres going out to a digital output (up to 8 channels for ADAT) that would be sent into the digital input of whatever audio box you choose.
Greg
I haven't had any problems with my Traveler accepting or sending any digital input (SPDIF and optical). It's all been crystal clear and sync'd.
The ADA 8000 would be a good partner for the 828mkII or the Traveler, bumping your track count up significantly with it's 8 extra mic pre's (so 8 out to ADAT, not 10). You could still be quite portable with this.
Make sure that whatever you buy has enough pres for what you need.
2 ch drumkit mixdown = 2 line ins
Turntables (coming out of turntable mixer) = 2 line ins
2 guitars (1 mic each) = 2 mic ins
1 bass (line or mic) = 1 line in or 1 mic in
3 mics (vox?)= 3 mic ins
So at minimum (without Reason) you need 4-5 line inputs and 5-6 mic inputs (depending on how you like/need to record bass). Neither the 828 mkII or the Traveler has this by itself. You'd need an 8-pack of pres going out to a digital output (up to 8 channels for ADAT) that would be sent into the digital input of whatever audio box you choose.
Greg
"We are all disgusting, doomed to our dirty little tasks. Eating and farting and scratching and smiling and celebrating holidays." -Bukowski
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gregwhartley
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Unfortunately the original won't help you any farther than the mkII will for inputs, as far as the analogue inputs go the original is the same as the mkII (with the main difference being sample rate).
"Would be significantly cheaper if I grabbed a used one off eBay."
Yea, tell me about it! I bought mine for like $800 new back in '01! What are they at now, like $200-300?
I did a quick search and found an action for one. This cracked me up:
"IT (the original blue 828) CAN NEVER BECOME OBSOLETE AS PORTABLE DIGITAL TRACKING GEAR"
- I beg to differ pal
!
For absolute minimalist equipment that'll do what you want (I'm not saying it's going to win you a Grammy or even any praise in Tape Op) you could try this: If you got an 828 mkI (which does have ADAT optical in/out) off eBay you could run an ADAT optical into it from the ADA8000 for an extra 8 ch of preamps in addition to the two built into the 828. In this scenario you'd have a total of 10 mic pres and 6 line inputs for $700 or less (assuming you've already got all the mics and cables, etc.). Not a bad price at all. Since the ADA 8000 also has line inputs you could also do 16 ch line inputs with the same rig. Although this is a quantity over quality setup it will most certainly give you all the inputs you need to record your band's jams.
Greg
"Would be significantly cheaper if I grabbed a used one off eBay."
Yea, tell me about it! I bought mine for like $800 new back in '01! What are they at now, like $200-300?
I did a quick search and found an action for one. This cracked me up:
"IT (the original blue 828) CAN NEVER BECOME OBSOLETE AS PORTABLE DIGITAL TRACKING GEAR"
- I beg to differ pal
!For absolute minimalist equipment that'll do what you want (I'm not saying it's going to win you a Grammy or even any praise in Tape Op) you could try this: If you got an 828 mkI (which does have ADAT optical in/out) off eBay you could run an ADAT optical into it from the ADA8000 for an extra 8 ch of preamps in addition to the two built into the 828. In this scenario you'd have a total of 10 mic pres and 6 line inputs for $700 or less (assuming you've already got all the mics and cables, etc.). Not a bad price at all. Since the ADA 8000 also has line inputs you could also do 16 ch line inputs with the same rig. Although this is a quantity over quality setup it will most certainly give you all the inputs you need to record your band's jams.
Greg
"We are all disgusting, doomed to our dirty little tasks. Eating and farting and scratching and smiling and celebrating holidays." -Bukowski
Thanks again Greg!
I'm bidding on a ADA 8000 at the moment, it seems that is one key piece that I will need. I need to look into the sample rate difference between the MkI & MkII, maybe you know them off the top of your head?
What does anybody think about buying a MKII used off eBay? Is it a good idea, does MOTU still help out if things go wrong?
I'm bidding on a ADA 8000 at the moment, it seems that is one key piece that I will need. I need to look into the sample rate difference between the MkI & MkII, maybe you know them off the top of your head?
What does anybody think about buying a MKII used off eBay? Is it a good idea, does MOTU still help out if things go wrong?
Since I already have the 8 channels coming from the Behringer, all I really need is a good sounding firewire device that has optical input/output on it right? So... is there any rackmount device that would suit me well, and maybe cheaper than the MKII? It wouldn't have to be a lot of channels, could be like 4 or so...