MOTU 896mk3 - FireWire/USB 2.0 Hybrid Audio Interface

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Re: MOTU 896mk3 - FireWire/USB 2.0 Hybrid Audio Interface

Postby Christopher Fluegel » Fri Sep 28, 2012 3:53 pm

Hi Tim,

at Coolux we have not any experiences with this device. But since MOTU has only one driver for all the USB / Firewire devices this device should be ASIO compatible too.

It really seems to be a good choice depending on the connectivity options and visual feedback of playback :)

Hopefully there's somebody out there with any experience.
Christopher Fluegel
Technical Support, coolux GmbH
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Re: MOTU 896mk3 - FireWire/USB 2.0 Hybrid Audio Interface

Postby JustynR » Sat Sep 29, 2012 3:29 am

From personal experience and the experience of a few other peers...

STAY AWAY from MOTU!!!

I (and peers at other companies) have had that MOTU unit on a few shows and it caused nothing but problems... HOURS to get working and to get PB to see it. Then it would crash nearly every hour on the hour (the MOTU unit would crash - in a live show environment or not)
This is using a Server with standard Coolux hardware - AND 3rd party hardware on Players. Just crashy!

I have recently purchased an amazing RME Fireface UFX - it only has 2 XLR outputs & the rest are balanced 1/4" - so you only need to adapt and not use a DI.
It is expensive yes, BUT it took about 3 minutes to setup - from plugging it in to installing the drivers to having audio coming out of the back end of it - literally 3 minutes... ok maybe 4...
I have had this unit on several shows with the same computers that I was using with the MOTU (which have since been ghosted and had all remnants of MOTU obliterated) and I have not had any stability issues with it at all - it works every time!

The MOTU requires that you install a whole bunch of FX programs and recording programs that you'll probably never use - and it has a lot of those features that could potentially mess up audio coming out of your system. (do we really need the option to put a delay or reverb on a subwoofer channel through the ASIO interface?) Extra options that just make it unstable and cluttered in a live show situation

The RME unit only installs a small GUI to control channels on the unit - most of things you can control on the front display but is much more convenient and faster on the GUI.
Stability is key for me so we made the sacrifice and spent the extra cash, but I haven't had a problem since.
I have it on a standalone 7.1 surround sound show that is happening as we speak.. and I'm comfortable being at home while it is running... not so with the MOTU...


This is just my experience and my opinion though,
I hope it helps,

J
Justyn Roy
Toronto Ontario Canada
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Re: MOTU 896mk3 - FireWire/USB 2.0 Hybrid Audio Interface

Postby Jason Riordan » Sat Sep 29, 2012 8:24 pm

Well put Justyn!

I am one of those peers who had a MOTU and will never own one again for use with PB. Their drivers are just disasterous whenever you need to remove them - all registry files it touches it blows them apart. Very poor planning on their part.

RME is the way to go!

Jason.
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Re: MOTU 896mk3 - FireWire/USB 2.0 Hybrid Audio Interface

Postby sami_rautio » Sun Sep 30, 2012 9:32 am

MOTU has been traditionally really bad on their support for Windows. On the other hand, the Mac drivers are rock solid (been running MOTU sound rigs for nearly ten years). So yeah, for PC, stay away from MOTU.
Sami Rautio

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