MOTU and Windows

[dcwave]

I have used an mLAN setup for quite sometime. mLAN is getting long in the tooth and it does not look like there will be future drivers for windows.

I am thinking of replacing my 01v and 01x/i88x with a Tascam 3200 and a motu 2408mk3.

Is anyone running a 2408mk3? Are there 64bit drivers for windows? Does MOTU and windows suck together?

Should I scrap the Motu since I am on windows and just get an RME card and add an extra ADAT card to the Tascam?

Thanks

[Vinark]

Motu and Windows is indeed a little questionable. A Ultralite MK3 here (@ my musical partner). The supplied driver and the latest at the time we bought it were silent (OMG). After searching motu nation we found a version the worked and worked ok. Newer drivers never really worked here (we now gave up installing newer ones). Another point is latency, cubase reports a much higher latency with the same buffer settings then my RME and Tascam. And even my Tascam FW1804 has honest latency settings and seems to perform better at lower latency's. ATM I'm running that one as a live guitar machine with guitar rig at 64 samples on a 2.4 ghz dualcore on a ddr1 mobo (no powerhouse...).
And it's too easy to disrupt the motu driver by overloading it, which then might require a restart. OTOH, my partner is happy with it and it sounds great, better then an Mbox 2 (which performs even worse)...
Get RME:D:D:D
Vincent

[Daryl]

Does MOTU and windows suck together?

Thanks
Yes. :icon_eek3:

D

[dcwave]

Okay then. Thanks.
Too bad. It would have been nice to have 24 i/o via the TDIF ports without spending more for additional cards.

[LEX]

Okay then. Thanks.
Too bad. It would have been nice to have 24 i/o via the TDIF ports without spending more for additional cards.

I haven't had any problem with my MOTU setup and windows. I have 4 2408's as well.

I'd suggest you find the right PCI slot for it though. it can be unforgiving otherwise.

MOTU support is no existent as well. I'd say goto guitar center, pick one up, try it out.
If it doesn't work for you return it. GC has a 45 day return policy.

LEX

[kdm]

Ditto to Lex's suggestion. No problems here either. PCIe. The only problem I ran into that seemed new from my RME setup is that when/if the MOTU is Windows default audio device, Quicktime tends to grab the driver and reset the sample rate, even from within Nuendo with video present. This system didn't have onboard audio, so there is no way to turn of the default device without having an alternate device loaded - had to use my Decklink card as the Windows audio device just to avoid this.

Otherwise, MOTU is fine here with XP.

[Sound Drifter]

I used to have the 424/2408mkIII with a tascam DM24. This was a while ago and the 424 card wasn't compatible with my mobo. I had to build an entirely new computer. Apparently, there was issues with VIA chipsets at the time with 424 cards. Motu tech support was absolutely terrible about helping sort the problem. I had to figure it out myself.

[Animus]

MOTU midi devices totally suck on Windows. I had one for awhile and had to ditch it since it could constantly go to "sleep". Seems it is a common problem. Went back to my trusty but obsolete Midex.

[TAFKAT]

Just a headsup

There is an ongoing incompatibility with the 424 version 1.5 cards - both PCI and PCIe and some current boards using the X58/P55. The systems will most times not boot, and/or if they do are totally unstable.

I have been trying to get an answer from MOTU for many months now, and still have not had any response or confirmation as to what the issue is , or if they are even looking into resolving it.

Interestingly the V1.0 version of the 424 cards work perfectly fine.

Difference between the cards is that the earlier cards were 3.3/5 V compatible, later cards are only 3.3V, from my understanding , there may also be some firmware changes. Its interesting the older cards work fine while the newer do not, but without MOTU stepping up to the plate I am totally in the dark about what the issues is.

[dcwave]

Just a headsup

There is an ongoing incompatibility with the 424 version 1.5 cards - both PCI and PCIe and some current boards using the X58/P55. The systems will most times not boot, and/or if they do are totally unstable.

Good to know since I have a p55 board.

I really want to move away from FW and into PCIe and start migrating towards 64bit.

Anyone use a DM3200 or DM4800?

[kdm]

I'm not but I think a friend is using one (with Cubase). I also helped another friend setup a 3200 with a Logic/Mac recording rig - not super intuitive but it seemed to work fine via firewire and lightpipe to/from Logic.

If you want reliable PCIe audio, RME would be my first choice if their card configs fit your requirements. I went MOTU simply because I needed more than 4 lightpipe ports, and MADI was 3-4x the cost of a MOTU system.

[dcwave]

The whole reason I was thinking Motu was due the DM3200 having 24 channels of TDIF.

Thanks everyone of the input.

[LEX]

The whole reason I was thinking Motu was due the DM3200 having 24 channels of TDIF.

Thanks everyone of the input.

TDIF sucks. But, you can use the 2408 as a standalone

LEX

[dcwave]

TDIF sucks. But, you can use the 2408 as a standalone

LEX

What sucks about it - Ive never used it. Always been an ADAT light pipe user

[Sound Drifter]

Good to know since I have a p55 board.

I really want to move away from FW and into PCIe and start migrating towards 64bit.

Anyone use a DM3200 or DM4800?

http://tascamforums.com/index.php?showforum=45

[Sound Drifter]

I have never used the 32 or 4800, but the dm24 was a fantastic piece of gear. It did have a kinda harsh sound. The only downside was the sound, well that and the depreciation of digital gear. I paid 3K for it and sold it for $700. The feature set of it was great.

[Animus]

It did have a kinda harsh sound. The only downside was the sound, well that and the depreciation of digital gear.

Isn't that the most important part? :eusa_think:


:D

[Sound Drifter]

hehe :) Well, with something like this (preamp/mixer/processing section/control surface/....) It's a balance. The motu 2408 is great because you can use 16 TDIF and use the motu's analogue section for outboard gear. That's what I did.

Since then I went all racked outboard / control surface :wink: Much better investment. And sound... http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/TAO2k/Emoticons/yummy.gif

I still have fond memories of the dm24. I always wondered what it would have sounded like clocked to a big ben. My thinking when I sold it was: "I better sell it before it is worth absolutely nothing."


Ahhh The Memories...
http://www.tommylander.com/woodcrest/mix_ang.jpg

[dcwave]

hehe :) Well, with something like this (preamp/mixer/processing section/control surface/....) It's a balance. The motu 2408 is great because you can use 16 TDIF and use the motu's analogue section for outboard gear. That's what I did.

This was my thinking as well - the MOTU could give more returns/sends to outboard gear.

Can I assume that since you went rack and control, you are not tracking groups/bands? If you are, how do you handle cue sends, verb etc.?

One of my reasons for keeping a mixer is the flexibility for tracking.

[dcwave]

Oh and I have heard the DM24 and DM3200 - different sounding - the Dm3200 is more open and does not exhibit the thinness that I heard on the DM24 - I was going to get the DM24 in stead of the 01x but got such a good deal on the 01x ($300) that I couldn't pass it up.

[Sound Drifter]

Hey Dave,

I track bands all the time. I use cubase's control room for cue mixes into a presonus central station. The control room mixer allows for inserts so you can roll off the bass so the singer sings more on key and add a reverb to sweeten up their feed, And/Or with the push of a button on the central station, I can send the singer/band the control room mix. I have a book shelve system in the live room too so the band doesn't have to drop their instruments to listen back in the CR. I use a total of 4 d-a convertors of the Aurora to facilitate this for L+R CR mix and 2 mono or 1 stereo cue. If a band needs something else, I just patch another output in. You just need a system that can do low latency. I track at 88.2 and the total latency is around 5ms when tracking. I've never had a problem. If there ever was a latency problem, I would just click "Constrain Delay Compensation" on the project window. Before cubase 5 (SX3), I created additional output where I would use aux sends for the same purpose. After tracking I route back out to rack gear for the parallels/more destructive processing and print them to parallel tracks.