Motu HD192 Black Lion vs Motu 2408

[Dubai]

2408 mk1 rca nonbalanced
2408 mk2 TRS
2408 mk3 ?
guitar1 & vocal1 same converter?
guitar 2 & vocal2 same converter?

can you upload loop test with internal motu pci-324/423 clock?
what software was used, cubase, reaper, etc...
what mp3 converter was used?

was recorded at 44.1Khz 24 Bits?

[bdemenil]

apologies - I should have specified - 2408 MK3
guitar1 & vocal1 are same converter - etc

[Karloff70]

Did an HD192 v 1296 v 2408 a long time ago...all original. The HD192 SHAT all over the 2408........

[bdemenil]

OK, here is a new round of files. For voice and guitar I have posted the BLA 192 and the stock 2408, each clocked internally and with BLA microclock Mk2. I redid the guitar with no FX/ no reverb. The numbers in this posting do not necessarily correspond to the first posting.

[bdemenil]

Originally Posted by Karloff70

Did an HD192 v 1296 v 2408 a long time ago...all original. The HD192 SHAT all over the 2408........

Tried to find your old post but couldn't. Could you link to it?

It's weird, on these individual tracks I'm not hearing a big difference between clocks, but when I listen to the whole mix through DA, the difference seems plain - much more detail with the BL clock. I wonder if something that's happening in the AD conversion is obscuring the difference...I guess it would be good experiment to pass the whole mix through the converters with each clock... no time for that now though

[Dubai]

Originally Posted by bdemenil

OK, here is a new round of files. For voice and guitar I have posted the BLA 192 and the stock 2408, each clocked internally and with BLA microclock Mk2. I redid the guitar with no FX/ no reverb. The numbers in this posting do not necessarily correspond to the first posting.

thanks for the test..

yes, Bl clock sounds much better.
the 2408mk3 is better than 2408mk2, big improovement.

the HD192 BLA mod with BL clock mk2,
vs.
2408mk3 with BL clock mk2,

its a totally diferent sound,
whats better?
depends on music style and personal taste.

the 2408mk3 sounds more upfront and transparent, but less dynamic.
the other sounds a bit less transparent but much more dynamic.

for some music styles the upfront sound of the 2408mk3 is better.
the 2408mk3 sounds impressive, sounds "finished" but still has a bit plastic sound for acoustic music.
the HD192 does not sound as LOUD or Upfront, but better for acoustic music.

would be nice to test steinberg mr816x vs. motu 2408mk3 vs. focusrite liquid 56 vs. TC konnekt 48 vs. MH ULN-2 2D

[Karloff70]

Originally Posted by bdemenil

Tried to find your old post but couldn't. Could you link to it?

It's weird, on these individual tracks I'm not hearing a big difference between clocks, but when I listen to the whole mix through DA, the difference seems plain - much more detail with the BL clock. I wonder if something that's happening in the AD conversion is obscuring the difference...I guess it would be good experiment to pass the whole mix through the converters with each clock... no time for that now though

Wasn't something I posted here. Just did it at a studio when having all three there on a mix to decide which sounds needed to come out where.....

[bdemenil]

dubai, I think I'm with you on that - though I hear the difference as subtle - so which ones do you think are which?

[Dubai]

Originally Posted by bdemenil

dubai, I think I'm with you on that - though I hear the difference as subtle - so which ones do you think are which?

can you make:

HD192-->2408
&
2408-->HD192

both with BL MC mk2 ?

and also if possible to upload the original .wav 24-bit files, each file compressed individually with .zip at best compression, so others can test other interfaces & clocks.

[Bubbakron]

Originally Posted by bdemenil

I've been curious about how much improvement there is - if any - with Black Lion modification of Motu converters and #2 how the 2408 stacks up to the HD192 (Motu).

So I ran a vocal and guitar track through DA -> AD of the BLA Motu HD192 and then the stock 2408. Both units were clocked to the Black Lion Microclock MK2. FYI, the original tracks were recorded through the HD192 for what it's worth.

My theory going into this was that most of the benefit Black Lion brings to Motu is from the improved clock. I hear a slight slight improvement with HD192 over 2408 - but given that the converters are supposedly better to begin with AND it has been modded - I would have expected more. Sorry I don't have a straight HD192 BLA to HD192 stock to compare.

I'll post which is which after everyone has had a chance to listen.

Ben

(just re-uploaded - forgot to remove original file names from meta data)

BLA is One!! results?

[JimLahey]

According to your track labels..

I agree with the comment that the 2408 is louder, but also sounds a little harsher to my ear. Each time i played a 2408 track i instinctively reached for the volume knob to turn it down when the high frequency passages came on; either the plucking guitar part or the sibilance in the vocal parts.

The HD192 is a bit quieter but sounds smoother, relaxed and I can have the volume up without irritating my ears. Also each pluck has better ‘weight’, that is to say, to me at least, it isn’t as thin as the 2408. But this is subtle. ..to my ears anyway.

[ryandfl]

Bump for an awesome post. This really seals the deal for me that I should get the Black Lion upgrades for my 2408 MK3.

Selling it for a HD192 and then upgrading that is tempting too. It did sound noticeably better to me. Not sure if I can swing that though...

[jrod9900]

Any more input on the 2408 BLA mod? Trying to figure if it would be worth it or just get a better interface.

JROD

[jrod9900]

Oh, just realized the 2408 was stock right? So I'm sure it would sound better with an upgrade as well.

JROD