firewire interfaces

[jeffhoppe]

well, i thought it would be a good idea to get a laptop to do most of my recording. little did i know that my motu 2408 would not work with my powerbook. since it is a system called "audiowire" and not firewire, i have to get a new interface. i have been looking at getting a used motu 828 (just under $500) or one of those m-audio 410 4 input things.


i'm happy with m-audio gear so far, and since i don't really record drums, 4 inputs would probably do me fine.

so i guess my question is... anyone use the m-audio 410? pretty happy? any issues with os x? do you ever wish you had more inputs?
thanks everyone!
-jeff

[mingus2112]

never tried the maudio (but i know a guy who loves his maudio stuff), but I have the 828. GET IT. It has the most usable preamps I have found yet on an interface.

[alexdingley]

yeah... that "audiowire" connection on the 2408 is a proprietary MOTU connection, that just HAPPENS to be the same type of cable as IEEE1394(Firewire) I thought it was silly too... So, the 2408 WILL work on your machine, but you need the PCI-314 card... but wait.. if you're on a laptop, the 828 or 896 is your best bet.

good luck.

[foley]

I have the new 828 and I love it. I second the opinion on the mic pres - not APIs (hehe - or vintechs!) - but totally usable. A steady workhorse that gets the job done.

[Milkmansound]

I have a kind of related question - I use a Motu 2408 into the Pci card on my desktop, but I want to get a firewire interface as well for my laptop. How compatible are the 828 and 2408? Can I use the 828 to add more inputs to my 2408? Or can I use it via firewire as well as using the 2408 via pci card? Thanks - Tim

[JamesHE]

Can I use the 828 to add more inputs to my 2408? Or can I use it via firewire as well as using the 2408 via pci card? Thanks - Tim

I think you can do both actually. There may be differences in the latency however. ? If nothing else you can use the 828 standalone as an 8 channel converter going ADAT lightpipe into the 2408. One of the great things about the 828 is that you can use it without the firewire. The first few months I had mine in the studio, I used it as A/D/A into a RME digi 96/8. The firewire connection was just for control of the cuemix functions. -I had to do this cause I was still using Vegas audio 2.0, which didn't support ASIO. I'm using the 828mk2 with Vegas 4 and now Samplitude on PC with no problems.

[Milkmansound]

Just want to follow up on this and give serious props to Motu - not only can the 828 enhance the 2408 - but the 2408 can enhance the 828 with 8 more analog ins! The love goes both ways baby! - T