To: Motu 828MK3 Owners

[joegreen]

I'm thinking about purchasing a Motu 828mk3, but after reading through the threads on the internet about this device since its inception, I am still unsure if the following two problems are unresolved or not:

1) the overly loud output
2) the hot line level inputs

Some people have posted with the updated drivers, the output is more manageable, and the line level inputs are not overly hot, some people have posted that the problems remain. So I would like feedback from owners of this device about if these 2 things are truly resolved or not. It puzzles me that a device that had so much promise has so many negative threads on the internet. Is it that bad?

Thanks

[tms8707056]

No firmware update I have installed has fixed the issue with the line in being too hot. When I put in a ticket with MOTU support they told me that the inputs were calibrated for use with a wide range of sources. However, when I attempt to play my guitar (Seymour Duncan Humbuckers) through one of the mic/line inputs the gain still peaks in the red with the input gain as low as it will go. I ended up running my guitar through a DI and using the mic in instead. It sounds better like that anyway.

I would not let the input level issue determine if I bought this unit. You can simply use a DI while waiting on a firmware update that fixes the issue. I have not experienced the issue with the outputs being too hot.

[joegreen]

Thanks for the info. I just want to clarify, it is the 2 instrument combo xlr/trs inputs in the front that you say are way too hot? but the 8 trs inputs in the back are fine? If i were to hook my synths to the 8 back trs inputs, I wouldn't have the overly hot input problem?

Is basically the problem only with the 2 front panel inputs when you use something like a guitar with a TRS cable that causes the overly hot signals? but using XLR mics with the front is fine?

[CassidyGT]

If you are on PC I would recommend a big NO!! MOTU has the sh!ttiest firewire driver implementation I have ever seen. I went through several units on different PCs over several years and could never get their garbage to work right. I wanted it to but it just wouldn't. I was a PC tech for years and know my way around a PC. You've been to their forum where people are practically begging for mercy on a regular basis.... dfegad

I did all the extensive and complicated work arounds that tech support suggested - like gathering mushrooms at midnight under a full moon, doing a full reboot, powering on the unit, rubbing dog feces on my left buttock while dancing a little jig on one foot, opening regedit, rubbing my nose three times, going to currentcontrolset, and whcking off to a picture of a unicorn! IT DOESN'T F'ING WORK!!!

[bobwarren]

I'm a very satisfied MOTU user! I have the 2408 mkIII, the 828 mkII, and 896HD. All with a PC. Imagine that!

[CassidyGT]

Originally Posted by bobwarren

I'm a very satisfied MOTU user! I have the 2408 mkIII, the 828 mkII, and 896HD. All with a PC. Imagine that!

Wow - you must have a TI Firewire chipset from lot 4769 made in April of 2006 in Szechuan Province. I heard that was the only batch that MOTU would work reliably with

[bobwarren]

I dunno really. I just go to Best Buy and buy either Compaq or Toshiba stock and add a decent video upgrade and Ram and I'm good to go! I did have a little hiccup with the 896HD and the Toshiba Satellite, but it seemed to work itself out.

"TI Firewire chipset from lot 4769" What's that?

[6strings]

Originally Posted by CassidyGT

I went through several units on different PCs over several years and could never get their garbage to work right. I wanted it to but it just wouldn't.

So what are you using now?

[tms8707056]

Originally Posted by joegreen

Thanks for the info. I just want to clarify, it is the 2 instrument combo xlr/trs inputs in the front that you say are way too hot? but the 8 trs inputs in the back are fine?

Right.

Originally Posted by joegreen

If i were to hook my synths to the 8 back trs inputs, I wouldn't have the overly hot input problem?

I have not had any problems with the 8 inputs on the back.

Originally Posted by joegreen

Is basically the problem only with the 2 front panel inputs when you use something like a guitar with a TRS cable that causes the overly hot signals? but using XLR mics with the front is fine?

Yes.

[CassidyGT]

Originally Posted by 6strings

So what are you using now?

I am using an M-Audio Profire 610. I decided to give it a try and it has been fantastic. Rock-solid, decent pres, nice conversion. I have no complaints whatsoever and indeed must sned props to M-Audio for creating such a fine device at that price point. Build quality, driver quality. It just works.

Some units I went through that sucked for one reason or another:

MOTU 828 Mk II and Mk III
Focusrite Saffire Pro 26
MBox
MBox 2
Digi 002R
M-Audio 410


Units that worked for me as advertised and are worth buying:

M-Audio Profire 610
Mackie 400f
RME Fireface 400

[akindy]

Originally Posted by joegreen

It puzzles me that a device that had so much promise has so many negative threads on the internet. Is it that bad?
s

I'm still puzzled at why people assume that the bad posts on forums they see mean it's a bad unit. The people for whom it works perfectly are usually not as motivated to go shouting about it than those who have issues. My 2 cents.

As far as my 828mk3, I had pre-ordered mine from Full Compass and was among the first to get their units. It has been powered up and running perfectly for the majority of the time after that and it hasn't skipped a beat. Yes the Instrument ins are a bit hot (I only really have issues when plugging in something active) but you can always use a DI with a 20dB pad. My only complaint is that it handles the monitor outs as 9-10 instead of 1-2 (which seems stupid to me, maybe not to others). Otherwise, for the money I'd say it's the most functional, all around unit you could get.

A small aside, I had an M-Box 2 Pro for a few months before my 828mk3 came, and barely used the thing. It never really did anything well enough for me to say it's worth the price (Pro Tools might be the only thing that made it worth it). Anyway, one month after the warranty ended the thing started outputting only static, and it was a nightmare to get anyone at Digidesign to help me. I ended up having to pay 3 dollars a minute to talk to someone helpful; thankfully they were kind enough to get it covered under warranty. Long story short, 828mk3 performs well enough and is solid as a rock, I couldn't have asked for more at the price point.

[joegreen]

Sounds good guys. I use mac/logic, so i really want to stick to motu. The 828mk3 has the best feature set at the right price for me. But I am just starting out, so this will be the second biggest purchase for my studio next to my computer, so I'm making sure it is a worthy centerpiece.

[alaskamother]

Hi there, I've owned a 828mk3 since march.
IMO you need to factor in the price of a d/i and a dedicated volume control in addition to what you're paying for the 828mk3, to make it work like its supposed to.

This is because, as others noted, the hot instrument inputs and even if there's a built-in limiter function on them, well it does what it's designed for and crushes your tone when driven hard and does this on all my guitars.

The volume control is for safety of equipment/ears. I of course didnt read the manual much before i got started and while cuemix, the digital mixer works as it should, its a little unintuitive to me and its easy when you're a bit tired or stressed to accidentally bring the level of all outputs to max, and this with a single mouse-click! i fried a pair of headphones, that i was fortunatley not wearing.

/uffe

[shanabit]

I have a MOTU828MKii
MOTU MTPAV Parallel
MOTU MTPAV USB

I WILL NOT be buying anything more from MOTU here. Defective 828MKii that I had to send back. Crappy midi drivers . Service blows etc.

To each his own I guess