MOTU 24i/o with laptop

[dbainbri]

Is there anyway to use a MOTU 24i/o with a laptop? I've looked for a box that does a PCI to cardbus adaption but does not look like it exists.

[BradLyons]

Just buy (3) 8pres, it will do the trick.

[billruys]

Is there anyway to use a MOTU 24i/o with a laptop? I've looked for a box that does a PCI to cardbus adaption but does not look like it exists.

There are devices by Magma that will do it. Check out the links below:
ExpressCard to PCIe
Cardbus/ExpressCard to PCI/PCI-X

If you have a modern laptop with an ExpressCard, I'd go with that option and use a MOTU PCIe-424 card. Otherwise your only option is to go with the Cardbus option and use the MOTU PCIX-424.

I knew a guy who ran multiple PCI soundcards from a PC with limited PCI slots in one of the big external Magma chassis' (6 or 7 slot) and he was very pleased with the performance. That said, I have no experience with how well the Cardbus hosted solutions work.

[BradLyons]

This is true, but WAY more money---and the performance may not warranty it.

[billruys]

This is true, but WAY more money---and the performance may not warranty it.

The Magma Chassis' can often be had on eBay for a couple of hundred, but you'd have to make sure it either had the CardBus host card or have it available as an option from Magma. The people I have known with Magma chassis' both picked them up from eBay. There are ex-ProTools PCI based units that often come available, probably from users who have migrated to the newer Macs that are PCIe only.

But I'm with you Brad, I wouldn't pay the >$900 they want for them new!

[dbainbri]

Thanks all - looks like the Magma is the way to go.

[Sickculture]

virtuavia.eu - 4slot expansion. I bought it for my host pc. but there is a external chassis for express card.