My MOTU Ultralite Mk3 Review(-ish)

[machinedelmorte]

So far so good. The only problem is that on my computer I have to disconnect my internet connection because of some sort of interference. I am not sure how it stacks up against other interfaces

[Silence]

ohh...let me bring this thread back to life!

could one use the dsp in live? using the plugs and what not?
how does one us it as a standalone thingy?

[machinedelmorte]

All the DSP is used before the signal gets into LIVE. If you have the MOTU software open you will notice at the top there is the DSP meter which shows how much you are using. You can only use it as a stand alone mixer by clicking on the button on the front panel and going through the menus. Check out the manual and it will guide you more on using it as a stand alone. What I have done is to set up each input and output on the MOTU before hand and route everything into LIVE. My Live tracks reflects what I have set up on the MOTU so that I can control everything through LIVE.

[Silence]

that sux <-- the dsp part... sounds useless...

and the stand alone thingy...sounds tedious, seems that i could just start the comp ...

[machinedelmorte]

Having the Motu do a lot of the DSP processing is the best way to go. It frees up the computer to do other things. I have my vocals, bass and other instruments going in and out of the MOTU and some additional effects from LIVE. It also helps a lot with the latency issues that most people have.

[Hidden Driveways]

The latest mk3 is now a hybrid USB 2.0 & FireWire interface. It's got the DSP, reverbs etc., it claims to have compressors that emulate LA-2A's, and it can slave to and generate SMPTE time code. Nart too shabby.

[machinedelmorte]

YEah i know. I would like to see if I can upgrade my software or swap the old one for the new. Then again I will wait to see how the new one performs.

[Silence]

Having the Motu do a lot of the DSP processing is the best way to go. It frees up the computer to do other things. I have my vocals, bass and other instruments going in and out of the MOTU and some additional effects from LIVE. It also helps a lot with the latency issues that most people have.

any tips on setup?...
would i have to route sound out of live and back into it via the Cuemix or?... i might sound dense but im new to that sort of thing...?

[machinedelmorte]

I route all the sounds from the Motu into Live. In the CueMix set up all your parameters for each track first. I use the first two mic inputs for my vocals and bass. All other inputs I use for my synths and other stuff. From Live I have all tracks going out to the Master outputs. Then I have a default setup in Live which mirrors the tracks in the Motu. In Live I leave each track empty meaning I don't have any effects on. I slowly add effects as I work.

[Silence]

thanx man! sounds interesting i might have to try one out...
what do u think of me using it to bypass the comp for ease of use when id rather play a keyboard straight out the monitors i have... like a Korg SV-1 straight out to the monitors via the ultralite? or a synth?

[machinedelmorte]

Just push a few buttons on the control panel and your good to go.

[rosti]

So you cant use the DSP straight as a plugin or somehow route the signal to the DSP without having to do I/O loop with patch chords? Bit downer..

Still.. ordered mine couple of days ago.. cant wait the mailman to come!

[Silence]

was the ultralite plug&play on OS X?
or is it driver time?

[Semuta]

PC users of the hybrid version:

Are there any??

I use a windows xp machine, soon upgrading to win7. One day when I grow up, I'll move back over to Apple, but for now I have what I have. I am very interested in the ultralite hybrid, but I want to hear from some PC users as to how well the usb interface works in terms of driver stability, latency, and simultaneous channel count.

Thanks!

S

[steko]

any tips on setup?...
would i have to route sound out of live and back into it via the Cuemix or?... i might sound dense but im new to that sort of thing...?

So you cant use the DSP straight as a plugin or somehow route the signal to the DSP without having to do I/O loop with patch chords? Bit downer..

I have the 828mk3, but afaik it's the same: No I/O loop with patch chords. Just use Motu's assignable Return, including the DSP effects (here input: 13/14), or Reverb return (input 11/12).

Warning: the Return inputs can cause feedback loops! DO NOT assign this input to a track that shares the same 828mk3 output pair as the returns.

was the ultralite plug&play on OS X?
or is it driver time?

It's driver time (never had any problems) : http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=135662