Metric Halo ULN 2 connected to Motu Traveler

[MattJazz]

I know you can set up aggregated device in OSX 10.4x .
So both units can be recognized as one in Logic - etc.
But, can cue mix in motu recognize the ULN2 through the firewire chain on the Traveler????
I have the Traveler and am purchasing SCHOEPS pair. So I want better preamps.
Should I go with preamp with converter to AES or SPDIF in on Traveler?(I want to bypass the motu preamps-especially for vocalist and classical stereo rec.)
12 inputs all together is more than enough for me.
Or, could I daisy chain Motu and Metric Halo into logic?
I am getting confused.

If I have ULN2 I could leave Traveler at home when only using SCHOEPS pair, which would be nice and light.
For more tracks I would bring traveler as well.
What do you all think?

[Larry Elliott]

You can certainly use the MH for two mic recording using it’s dedicated recording panel. Then you import the files into your editor. I do this all the time. As to interfacing different systems, check our the Metric halo group. http://mail.music.vt.edu/mailman/listinfo/mobileio

[henryrobinett]

Yeah the record panel is the schnizzit. But I'm not sure what you're trying to do here. I don't use Cuemix, so I;m not sure of the answer to your question Matt.

I just use the aggregate devices thing-a-ma-bob, or in DP it has it's own built in system, pre OSX aggregated device. But my PCI-324 is not the PCI-424, so I've rarely used curmix. It's very cool. I work at a studio that has it, but I'm not very hands on, orry to say.

[MattJazz]

Ok,
I have Traveler, I am adding ULN2.
I will use aggregated device to see all inputs from both devices in Logic.
They will both be going in to Mac on same firewire chain.
I have been told by Metric Halo that this is a good way to go.
Now, I want to continue to use cue mix for the traveler. Can I run Metric software at the same time? To control the ULN2????
Or, can Cue mix from the Motu Traveler see the Metric Halo through the firewire????

Make sense??

I love cue mix, fantastic way to monitor, easy to use and consistent.
If I am on location with both Motu Traveler and ULN2 I know I can not use Metric software to monitor inputs from Motu.

Help any Traveler users?

[Jimbo]

You can run the MIO Console (software) along with the MOTU software. However, most of the controls you need to manipulate the ULN2 are external.

I doubt very strongly that either box can see the other through firewire. I known the ULN2 can't see the MOTU -- can't pass signal between

I recommend you take AES/SPDIF out of the ULN2 and into the MOTU. Then mix your signals in the MOTU software.

You will still need to use the MIO Console to sync your ULN2 clock to the MOTU, as well as receiving the mixed output from the MOTU (the AES/SPDIF returns) for playback through the ULN2 headphone amp -- a good sounding amp, I think.

Keep in mind that once you connect a stereo SPDIF send/return between the MOTU and ULN2, you have a large amount of signal routing options using the MOTU software and MIO Console.

- Jim

[MattJazz]

Thank you very much. I am very excited to get started with both units.
Matt

[frugalpole]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

You can run the MIO Console (software) along with the MOTU software. However, most of the controls you need to manipulate the ULN2 are external.

I doubt very strongly that either box can see the other through firewire. I known the ULN2 can't see the MOTU -- can't pass signal between

I recommend you take AES/SPDIF out of the ULN2 and into the MOTU. Then mix your signals in the MOTU software.

You will still need use the MIO Console to sync your ULN2 clock to the MOTU, as well as receiving the mixed output from the MOTU (the AES/SPDIF returns) for playback through the ULN2 headphone amp -- a good sounding amp, I think.

Keep in mind that once you connect a stereo SPDIF send/return between the MOTU and ULN2, you have a large amount of signal routing options using the MOTU software and MIO Console.

- Jim

i agree w/ jimbo 100%. that is the way to go.

[MattJazz]

one more question.

Would it be ok to run Metric through Motu firewire chain for accessing MIO?
Or do I need separate firewire. I have read that the Halo draws a lot of power so maybe I need to make sure I am using external power as well.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by MattJazz

one more question.

Would it be ok to run Metric through Motu firewire chain for accessing MIO?
Or do I need separate firewire. I have read that the Halo draws a lot of power so maybe I need to make sure I am using external power as well.

Chaining the ULN2 with the MOTU via firewire should not cause a problem. There is more than enough bandwidth in Firewire to handle both boxes....and then some. I have three MIO units chained.

Your preamps and outputs will run better with with external power. Always use it whenever the option is available.

- Jim

[MattJazz]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Keep in mind that once you connect a stereo SPDIF send/return between the MOTU and ULN2, you have a large amount of signal routing options using the MOTU software and MIO Console.

- Jim

Jim,
I am not quite following here. Could you give me a few examples of routing options?


I am also having some pop issues between motu and uln2.
They seem to go away as long as motu is first in chain. Any chance you know why?
I have uln as master sync. Also first in aggregate. But, Motu seems to have to be first on firewire chain.( actual physical connection.)
Seems weird.

[henryrobinett]

Yeah Matt, that might be the case. MOTU sometimes forces, in the case of DP, the issue in it's own favor. I know you cannot, for example, make changed to the hardware set up (external clock) outside of DP. DP has to force the clock to adhere to it and will not take commands from anywhere else.

I don't know in relationship to Traveler, etc.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by MattJazz

Jim,
I am not quite following here. Could you give me a few examples of routing options?

Once you connect the ULN2 spdif outs to the MOTU spdif ins, you can route the ULN signals with your MOTU software (I don't know what the name of it is).
Then once you connect the MOTU spdif outs to the ULN2 spdif ins, you can route the MOTU channels through the MIOConsole matrix to any of the ULN2 outputs/mix-panes.

OK, let's have some fun with this configuration. Let's say you have an analog effects unit connected to your ULN2, and you want to run a channel of MOTU through the effects unit. You would route the dry MOTU channel through the ULN2, using the MIOConsole to route the signal out to the effects unit, then use the MIOConsole to route the wet signal back to the MOTU.

Cool?

- Jim

[MattJazz]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

OK, let's have some fun with this configuration. Let's say you have an analog effects unit connected to your ULN2, and you want to run a channel of MOTU through the effects unit. You would route the dry MOTU channel through the ULN2, using the MIOConsole to route the signal out to the effects unit, then use the MIOConsole to route the wet signal back to the MOTU.

Cool?

- Jim

Jim,
Very cool, I am slowly understanding.
Motu Traveler - ULN2 by the way.
I had a problem with pops, but that seems to be cool. Motu has to be first in firewire chain . (oddly though not in aggregate list.) Fussy stuff Motu.
I am seeing amazing combinations combining cue mix with Metric dsp.
I am routing signal as you described but using dsp eq. Wow!!!!!!!!!
Matt

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by MattJazz

I am seeing amazing combinations combining cue mix with Metric dsp.
I am routing signal as you described but using dsp eq. Wow!!!!!!!!!
Matt

Are you talking about the +DSP plugins? If so, I completely agree....MIOLimit, MIOComp, MIOEQ6/12!!!

[henryrobinett]

Yeah! Those Metric Halo plugins are the bomb! Matt, you took the +DSP plunge?? My man! Great news. You diggin' it?

[MattJazz]

Dsp is incredible. Yes I have ULN2 DSP!

[MattJazz]

Hey Jim and Henry

I have been very successful syncing Halo to Motu.
However I can not get Motu synced to Halo with out getting pops. Especially when running multiple sound sources. ( ie. internet stream and Itunes at same time)
Any clue? Do I need to use wordclock out of Halo into Motu? Is Metric clock a lot better than Motu Traveler?
Or, are they the same? (another reason to get Black Lion Mod?)
Thanks guys,
Matt

[henryrobinett]

Yes, the clock in ULN-2 is much better than the Traveler. How are you syncing the two? I'd WC. ULN2 master WC to Traveler.

[MattJazz]

Henry,
Yes word clock now!
Much better. Only thing I notice is lag on system sound alerts from mac. So I have them going through system outs. Everything else is perfect. Halo clock is excellent.
Matt

[henryrobinett]

Yeah baby! I like your avatar.

[MattJazz]

Monitoring out of the ULN2 is ridiculous!

[DaveD]

Somebody mentioned somewhere that the DSP pluggins are 'suped-up' versions of the MIO Chanel Strip...

I have an ULN2 and was thinking of investing in Chanel Strip, but now I'm wondering about +DSP... just how much better sounding are the DSP plugs over the chanel strip?

[MattJazz]

I am sorry , I do not know.
I did not use channel strip. But, DSP is incredible. It gives you so much control without outboard gear.
I am use to logic and protools. This is a big jump forward for me as far as software plugins go.

Henry would know better than I.

I am still learning, so I will keep this post updated if I discover more.


Henry,
what is dsp in virtual mode?
M

[Jimbo]

"Virtual mode" is really just a teaser for MIO boxes that don't have +DSP. However, you can also use Virtual Mode to configure a +DSP signal chain when your Mac isn't connected to a +DSP MIO, save the chain, then route signals through the chain when you reconnect with your Mac.

I have both ChannelStrip (CS) and +DSP.

The +DSP plugs are numerous, and meant to be combined into unique signal chains. CS is a single plug designed to be accessed by the DAW software. The +DSP plugs can only be accessed as out-board. There is one plug in +DSP that is analogous to CS. It is called MIOStrip. MIOStrip is very similar to CS except:
- MIOStrip has an adjustable knee
- CS has three flavors or compression, while MIOStrip has one badass compressor
- The MIOStrip EQ is more powerful
- The MIOStrip Compressor has an adjustable ceiling
- others that I'm forgetting

If you go to the metrichalo website, and look under "documentation" (I think that's where it is) you can download the docs for the +DSP plugs. Look them over to get a feeling for what's there. The ones I use the most:
- Mid/Side processor encoder/decoder
- MIOStrip: like CS, but a little different
- MIOLimit: Mastering-grade limiter
- MIOComp: Mastering-grade compressor
- EQ 6/12: Mastering-grade EQs

- Jim