USB, Firewire, MOTU, M-Audio ???

n-Track Studio Discussion Forum
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Audio interfaces

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Hey guys and gals,

I seem to be getting more and more involved with on-location recording. My DAW currently uses a Terratec EWS88MT 8 input PCI/Breakout-box setup.

For portability I’m considering using my laptop and a USB or Firewire card. So I’m considering selling a guitar or two (did I really say that!!), and getting a MOTU or M-Audio or something else. Looking for 8 analogue inputs.

I’d be interested in any real-world experiences of MOTU or M-audio USB/Firewire interfaces.

The MK1 MOTU 828s are still resonably expensive here on ebay (about 1 medium quality guitar), and the Mk2 and Mk3 are way too much. Not sure about the M-audio.

Cheers guys

Mark

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How many I/O do you need Mark? (Duh D… read the post…) If it’s eight or less at 24/44.1 I’d be tempted to look at a USB2.0 device like the Tascam 1641. If you need more, Firewire is the game but it’s also more finicky about PC chipsets and such. Do your homework carefully… Lot’s of guys I chat with around the webber net swear by MOTU. Probably the heaviest hitter for Firewire performance is RME. However, RME == $$$$$!

D

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The 828 Mk III is fabulous…sorry 'bout the price…even the preamps in it are good…I have the firewire version…

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Hi Mark A:

The quality of the files that TomS is creating with the hardware he has is so nice…
I’m tempted to spend money on the same stuff for this room I’m working on…


Are you using it with a laptop TomS ????
What machines do you have it connected to ?



Bill…

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Hi chaps, and thanks for the replies.

That Tascam looks nice but it’s a bit out of budget.

I’ve been reading the reviews of the MOTU on Harmony Central and the MK1 gets some pretty poor reviews. Ho hum

Mark

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So, folks, does anyone have any real-world experience of the MK1 Motu 828 on a PC?

The reviews are not particularly good for the MK1 - mostly around connectivity rather than capabilities. So I’d appreciate a bit of insider info.

The Tascam US-1641 looks great as do the mkii and mkiii Motu’s but they are too costly especially over here.

I suppose I could keep ebaying but I’ve got a gig to record in two weeks and I wanted to try laptop recording rather than taking my desktop PC and I could probably get a mki in time.

OK, I’m rambling now.

Any thoughts chaps and chappesses?

Cheers

Mark