MOTU UltraLite-mk3 with Roland TD-20 drum module

[CJ-Craze]

Hello all,

I've been reading around about balanced/unbalanced and hi-z/low-z and I've gotten myself a bit confused and am looking for some clarification on something. My Roland TD-20 drum module has 8 unbalanced outputs. I'm thinking about purchasing the MOTU UltraLite-mk3 which has the following inputs according to the Motu site:

6 Analog 24-bit 192 kHz on +4/-10 bal/unbal TRS
2 Mic/instrument preamps 24-bit 192 kHz on XLR/TRS combo

I'm planning on running the 8 unbalanced outs from the TD-20 through an 8-way DI box, then into the MOTU unit. However, the "2 Mic/instrment inputs" are confusing me. By this do they mean Hi-z inputs that could take a direct unbalanced connection from my TD-20? Or will I still need the DI since it says the instrument inputs use TRS which I thought was only for balanced signals? If that's the case, what's so special about these two instrument inputs - is it only for the preamps? I do need to get all 8 outputs recorded at the same time - preferably in the same way so there are no discrepancies in sound between the 8 instrument sounds.

Thanks,

CJ

[vyedmic]

I would be interested in this as well. Anyone wants to clarify please?

[IntenseJim]

My Roland TD 6 Manual has no info on the outputs. I am interested in this, too. I think they are unbalanced line level and have run the TD module out into my old RME ADI- PRO converters as well as into the DI on my Chandler TG2.

Recently I had an interesting encounter running them into a Fearn LP-1 and then into the mic inputs of the TG2...oddly, with 48 v power applied it sounds good. I dunno.

[CJ-Craze]

I still haven't found out the answer to this myself. The other unit I'm looking at is the m-audio firewire 2626. It states that it has 8 TRS inputs on the back and that the two instrument inputs on the front are TS - which makes sense. I still don't understand how the MOTU can be TRS instrument inputs. Everyone I ask kinda just shrugs their shoulders and says it just works. Any MOTU people out there who could explain this? Otherwise I may be joining the m-audio team. But I've heard good things about MOTU on macs so I'm tempted to go MOTU.

[vyedmic]

I would say that m-audio is better option for you because I've heard that motu preamps are nothing spectacular and I can't see no mention about them two front inputs accepting line level input(ie low z) on TS or TRS(?) jacks. Seems like you would need to use a DI box to avoid high gain setting.

Or I am completely wrong and that's why I'm interested in clarification.

[CJ-Craze]

I got my hands on an Ultralite mk3, so I thought I would pass on some info to anybody who was interested. First off, I was wrong about even needing a DI from the TD-20. The ultralite mk3 takes balanced or unbalanced signals into its inputs. Since the TD-20 is line level, plugging into the back 1/4" jacks works just fine.

As for the 2 instrument/mic inputs, according to the manual, there are a number of things that can be connected such as condenser mics, dynamic mics, guitars, -10db line level via TRS, -10db line level vs xlr, +4db line level xlr. However, it recommends that if you are plugging in +4db line level, to use one of the back 1/4" inputs. Although Roland doesn't seem to publish much about the 8 outputs on the back, I believe they are -10db unbalanced. If I take all 8 directly into the Ultralite, I'm able to adjust the trim to get adequate levels on every sound. The only thing is the 2 instrument inputs which are a tad hot at full volume from the TD-20 mixer. I compensated for this by turning the Crash L and Crash R chanels (which were plugged into the 2 instrument inputs), down a bit on the mixer to get a max level of about -6db. I also tried a condenser mic and a electric guitar into the input, and both worked perfectly after setting the 48v power and pad switches accordingly. So it seems that these instrument inputs truly are multi use.

MOTU could avoid a lot of confusion by releasing its manuals to potential buyers. If you go on their website and make an account, they want you to buy the manual which is lame.

As a side note, the ultralite mk3 was a breeze to set up on my macbook pro - everything worked perfectly.

Thanks.

[vyedmic]

Thanks for info. Glad your setup's working!*