Howdy everybody -
I'm curious if there's anyone out there who's using the MOTU 8 pre and what your thoughts are.
I'm considering getting it, but before you go making comments or suggestions, let me explain *why* I'm getting it.
For all of my recording, I'm on-location only. I go out with a rack of pres, converters and the RME Fireface to take it all into the computer. It's really annoying having to drag that rack into my control room so that I can use the FF800 as the interface in the studio. Plus it takes up precious space (it's not a small rack) and adds to the heat in the room.
I'm thinking of getting the 8Pre for the following reasons:
1 - I'd leave it racked in the studio 95% of the time as my in-studio interface which would only perform the duties of conversion.
2 - On rare gigs where I either need more channels of lightpipe enabled pres or if I am doing a few remotes on the same day, this may go in the field on some of the smaller gigs (high-school ensembles, etc.)
3 - In the studio, I get people wanting to lay down tracks from time to time. This would cover those as well (I also have plenty of pres in the studio, so I'm not overly concerned with the quality of the pres...)
Does anyone else have any suggestions or comments on the above? It's been a while since I went shopping for an interface and the choices are staggering.
Cheers-
J.
Comments
Actually, these are the kinds of thoughts I'm looking for. Yes
Actually, these are the kinds of thoughts I'm looking for.
Yes, the main goal is for D/A conversion in the studio so that I can use it to monitor. That is goal number 1 and would make up a good 80-90% of its duties. (Actually, I've even got DA covered with my Central Station which has excellent conversion, I just need a means to get any signal out of my computer...analog or digital, I'm not picky)
The preamp inputs would be used in the studio more for basic, non-classical recording such as acoustic guitar, vocals, drums, etc.
On the other hand, since posting this, I've actually decided to go the route of the TC Konnect 24D which gives me a couple preamps and several other means of input as well as decent to good DA conversion. And since it has SPDIF output, I can just feed it straight to the Central Station anyway and all's good.
I think that ought to get me straight for a down-and-dirty interface for in-studio...
I'm not sure what sort of comments you are hoping for, Jeremy.
I'm not sure what sort of comments you are hoping for, Jeremy.
I've looked at the 8pre for my own use, and decided against it for a couple of reasons that may be personal to my own usage and not relevant to yours:
* Line-level ins do not appear to by-pass the pre-amps
* 8 ADAT I/O at 96KHz (good) but still only 8 at 48KHz instead of the expected 16.
* Only two line outs (+ headphone)
* No external word clock input
You indicate that you are wanting it for studio ADC duties, but presumably you are accepting the standard of conversion relative to (say) your Millennia. However, I guess you are bringing most jobs into the studio already digitized, but need local additional conversion for overdubs and the like.
All that said, the 8pre does look good value for money. For my own use, I decided to save up and wait to try the Mackie 1200F, which has only just become available in the UK at the street price of £1299 ($2600 US), compared with under $1600 where you are. Someone as well as the UK Government is making big money there.
Cheers,
B