MOTUnation.com

Hey
I am trying to figure out weather or not to buy an 828MK3. I think the unit seems great on paper, but I've read alot things that concern me (ie crazy loud output/drivers are hard to install/Inst DI is loud and distorted/sound quality not so good/Motu support sucks/DAW/comp has hard time recognizing unit/FW chipset compatibility issues etc.)

I understand many of these issues have been addressed with recent driver/firmware updates, but understandably I am still a little hesitant investing $865 CAD on a interface that might cause me greif.

I currently have a firewire interface (Presonus Firebox) that runs great on my comp, so I'm not too worried about FW chipset compatibility (I have TI FW chipset) but I am wordering about the following things...

-Are the Mic Pres/Inst DI clean sounding with plenty of gain or distorted?
-Is the MIDI clock sync tight with low jitter?
-Is it really possible to daisy chain units (anyone have success with this yet?)
-When MK3 is in stand alone mixer mode, does it still generate MIDI clock?
-Has anyone had any luck using a MIDI controller like Mackie Contol Universal to control the MK3? If so what paraments in the MK3 are controllable and are they MIDI assinable?
-Do the dynamic fx sound decent or cheap?
-Do the analog ins have lots of headroom and gain
-Can I use adat out to adat in to creat an fx loop to output tracks from my DAW through the MK3 fx and back into DAW?
Sorry I have so many questions. I have done all the research I can and there is no manual available online for me to use.

Thanks

i will try to answer your questions
*mic pres are ok i mainly use outboard preamps so i havent used em too much but they are fairly clear, im not a fan of the DI for bass, for guitar is acceptable
*i cannot comment on the MIDI functions as enableing the MIDI on my 828mk3 causes pc to run slow and become unstable even on a TI FW port
*daisy chain cannot comment, tho check around the forum and you will find allot of posts about it
*i think most of the dynmaic fx and eqs sound rather good, you can run plenty of them and i have had no stabilty issues with the cuemixFX software
*i am happy with all the analouge ins and outs, sound is fine and routing is excellent.
sorry half my post is probly useless im sure if a few more people post you will get a bit of an overview.

my advice, invest more and definetely go RME. this will probably save your time and your mental health.

Are the Mic Pres/Inst DI clean sounding with plenty of gain or distorted?
YES, then are distorted indeed
-Is the MIDI clock sync tight with low jitter?
i tried MIDI in few arrangements, so far so good. i'm talking here about simple patterns looped for few minutes, max 2 or 3 MIDI channels, nothing serious..
-Is it really possible to daisy chain units (anyone have success with this yet?) didnt tried, the unit itself seems having too many issues working in a standalone fw port, so i will not recommend it.
-When MK3 is in stand alone mixer mode, does it still generate MIDI clock?
never tried

-Do the dynamic fx sound decent or cheap?
the fx are ok, i like the EQ and the comp, which seems to be modeled after the LA2A.. didnt like the reverb, tough it would be useful when record monitor a vocal channel for example

-Do the analog ins have lots of headroom and gain, it seems to me the case, i mainly drive the 828 mk3 with some loud synths (waldorf) and a guitar/podxt, still there is headroom for much more gain

-Can I use adat out to adat in to creat an fx loop to output tracks from my DAW through the MK3 fx and back into DAW? didnt tried that, but im using two analog (7-8) chanels IN/OUT to my reverb unit and then back again to the daw, works pretty good.. i am also having a 8IN/OUT behringer converted connected to the 828 mk3 ADAT A IN, BNC word clock sync (828 is master), works pretty good..

as you mentionned, there are many issues with the FW first of all. i have a ricoh chipset on my laptop, bought a belkin expresscard, and all i got is tons of BSOD.
motu support? there is no support i guess, at least for me, they never helped me, all i got is useless answers after weeks (answers like "did you deactivate internal sound card"), i do not think they will release an update to fix the FW incompatibility, so my 828 mk3 is just sitting in a corner, makes me sick when i use it with the ricoh, as i get intermitent blibs and high pitched sounds..

the 828 mk3 LOOKS like its the best interface you can get, but as u said only in paper...very sad.. some have had better luck with it maybe..