MOTUnation.com

Ah, my continuing saga with my new piece of gear....2 things:

--I have an old 8pre lightpiped to my new 8pre-es. I'm getting signal passed to the ES, because I can see the meter on the ES monitoring the input. I guess I don't know much about optical, because nothing is coming out of my speakers! shouldn't the ES just pass the audio along to Digital Performer? I have 16 inputs set up IN DP, one for each of the boxes' 8 outputs. All 8 of the ES' input show and play the tone running from them but not from the 8pre. I've heard about 'aggregation' before, but I don't think that is necessary here???

--Routing! Let's start with a rant: I wish the MOTU manuals would lessen the touting of their boxes' most excellent features and spend more ink on detailed explanations...also seems they expect buyers to know all the ins and outs of the acronyms, newest specs on cables, digital hookups and etc. Although I know a little, I am a user first and nerd-esque second. (I do like their products, and have 7 or 8 different ones.)
Now, where was I? Am pretty baffled about the routing page in the Pro Audio app. I understand what it is supposed to do, but am unclear on how to do it. I compounded my problems by writing over the routing setup that came with the software instead of saving a new preset. I rebooted, restored 8pre-es factory setup, re-installed the Pro Audio, looked at all the MOTU videos, deleted preferences, etc etc, but my the box doesn't reset. I understand the 'from/to' concept, and how to check the little boxes, but......help??

I've got an 8pre-es but I haven't used the optical yet. But from `Pro Audio Control` web interface in the `Routing` section I can see buttons for optical.

Are you using one optical connection or two? I can't say how 2 would work Sorry. But I'd suspect that is the case of aggregation maybe?

Anyways, I think you need to make sure that your ADAT A/B routing is going to your computer. There is a place in `Enable Outputs` where you can put however many routes to the computer than you need. I have 8 but you'll need 16. From there you can route your ADAT inputs (on the top) to the computer inputs (on the left).

Hi Darrell,

I don't have an 8Pre-ES but I have a 112D.

First check both boxes are running at the same sample rate - I don't know how to set the 8Pre but however you do it set it to say 48KHz
Plug the optical out of the 8Pre into optical input A (which is 1) of the 8Pre-ES
The 8Pre-ES is controlled by the web app (or the front panel controls I guess). In the web app select DEVICE from the left hand control panel. If you can't see a control panel then hit the triangle in the very top left of the screen.

In the DEVICE panel set the sample rate to 48KHz and the CLOCK MODE to optical A (which is what my 112D calls optical 1) the CLOCK STATUS should flash and then lock. If it doesn't make sure you have the optical plugged into the same input as you are trying to clock from. If stuck repost here.

With the devices synced and at the same sample rate. Plug a source of audio into input 1 of your 8Pre. Check the meters on the 8Pre so you can 'see' the signal out going.

I assume your speakers are plugged into Analog Outputs 1 and 2. TURN YOUR SPEAKERS DOWN LOW BUT NOT OFF

Back at the web app on the left control panel select ROUTING
The webapp allows you to turn on and off various inputs to your 8Pre-ES. Find the ENABLE INPUTS section (usually at the top of the panel) and make sure your OPTICAL A ( the input that the 8Pre is plugged into) is enabled.

Now the Routing Matrix.
The routing matrix is a row and column selector system, routing inputs across the top to outputs down the side. In order to make the routing more manageable you can turn off inputs and outputs to reduce clutter and you can collapse 'groups' of inputs.
So the eight inputs from your 8Pr may not all be visible, they maybe collapsed. But if there is audio on any of these inputs the round level indicator directly under the name ADAT A (which is what optical 1 is called on my screen) will flash to show signal.

Expand these inputs using the small triangle directly above the vertical name tab of the inputs. You should now see all 8 inputs and any signal present on them. It should be on input 1

Now look for your analog outputs down the left of the matrix. Again check the ENABLE OUTPUTS panel (under the ENABLE INPUTS panel) and make sure Analog Outputs are enabled.

Expand the outputs using the triangle to the left of the name label and then use your mouse to find the 'cross point' between the input with the signal on it and the output which your speakers are connected to and click on the cross point.

And you should hear audio.

Each output can only have one cross point input but you can use the mixer to well mix inputs to outputs.

But that is another story.

ta

AGM

Wow! Thanks, AGM!

I'm going to give this a try....I really appreciate it.

d.a.

Video about MOTU web app and a short intro to digital set up.

https://youtu.be/k8le_URMmo8