MOTUnation.com

I have been using my 2480 Mk3 since the day it came out with little to no trouble, starting with Windows XP/PCI-424 to now with Windows 7 x64/PCIe-424.

My 2408 is rack-mounted. I recently rearranged my (cramped) studio and while the rack is only slightly farther away from where I sit, it's now just far enough away that I can't easily reach the volume knob.

From what I've read, it looks like the CueMix software allows remote volume control, but that would mean leaving the Main Volume knob in a nominal position, which I'd rather not do in case of volume spikes, etc.

Aside from physically moving the unit closer, does anyone have any ideas? Possibly leaving the Main volume up and inserting another line-level volume controller between the 2408 and the amp? Probably not the best solution with regards to audio quality, but I can't think of anything else.

A couple other quick questions:

- My 2408 reports the following version info in the Interface Options box:

(4) firmware 1.0 hw 1.0

I could not find any info about a firmware update, but I have seen others report later versions. I am running the latest driver package as of April, 2016. Guessing I am limited by the hardware version, but is there a firmware update available, or should I leave well enough alone?

- The Main Volume knob has started to sound a little scratchy. I have never taken my 2408 apart, but would rather not if the volume pot is a completely sealed surface-mount type prohibiting getting some contact cleaner in there. Anyone else have this issue and know of a solution?

Thanks for reading!

Edit: I'll leave the link up but there is no firmware update for any of the MOTU PCI interfaces. The only exceptions are that, if you you have a PCI-324 card, you can upgrade to the PCI-424x or PCI-424e depending on your PCI slot. The 424x is backwards compatible with slots that took the 324 or 424.

Here is the Firmware change log:
http://www.motu.com/techsupport/technot ... echangelog

Except to install a hardware limiter in the signal chain, I don't know how to answer your other question.

Thanks for your reply. With regards to Firewire or USB, the 2408 uses the PCIe-424 interface card. I'm also guessing there's no user-upgradable firmware for the 2408 Mk3, as it's not even listed on that page.

As for the volume control, it looks like people are using these in similar situations:

http://www.smproaudio.com/index.php/en/ ... patch-plus

http://www.tcelectronic.com/level-pilot/

Would still have to leave the volume on the 2408 up (full? half-way?) for this to work. Is there a way to set the 2408 main volume out to "fixed"?

I misread and thought you had an 828. Damn, I shouldn't look at this board before coffee.

Ignore my previous post.

Hey no worries - Think I'm going to snag one of those 2 devices I linked earlier. Hopefully won't be a problem having another volume control after the main out.

Any thoughts on the scratchy knob? Do you happen to know if the pot is sealed? Some gear I've taken the time to disassemble only to find sealed pots that can't be cleaned.

I have cleared many a bad knob by rotating back and forth 100 or more times.

PreSonus makes some nice units, too, and the Mackie Big Knob is another favorite. Strong headphone amps are a plus.

I use the V1 version of this:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MonitorStatV2

Caig DeOxit or Fader Lube is the ticket for fixing bad pots. GREAT products.

http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.293/.f
http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.188/.f
http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.292/.f

If going passive, this works well for me. I like that there are trim pots on top to adjust the sensitivity of the control when different switches are engaged. The headphone amp is active but I haven't use it yet.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MC3

If active, the Presonus and Mackie linked earlier have become the industry standards. You won't go wrong with either of them. I tried the new Behringer Xenix and just didn't like it. For starters, it took up way too much space on my desk.