Motu Ultralite and E-MU 1616m

abnorm · Post by **abnorm** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:42 pm

I was a happy user of E-MU 1616 untill I broke the pcmcia card. The sound quality was amazing, much better then my Echo Indigo DJ. Now I need a new card and having trouble deciding between 1616m and Motu Ultralite. Motu looks like it's better suited for travel and firewire is more compact. I am afraid that it won't sound quiet as good as my 1616 did, as E-MU uses very high quality DACs. Can anyone help me decide?

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:51 pm

Motu is nice but cant match 1616m sound which is truly amazing , no Fw can match PCMCIAs latency specially the midi.

abnorm · Post by **abnorm** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:56 pm

Thanks for the reply. That's the same conclusing I am coming up with after doing a lot of research. Latency is important, but sound quality is my main priority. It looks like 1616m's sound quality is unmatched within similar price range.

joesapo · Post by **joesapo** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:04 pm

PCMCIA is dead.

I would got for the Ultralite, without a doubt. Plus the EMU's hardware effects are crappy and add latency, and their software routing system is hard to work with and limited.

My $0.02

dj superflat · Post by **dj superflat** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:27 pm

i like the emu better than (e.g.) my RME (both for sound and routing options), concerns about cards being obsolete only apply if you expect to keep your card longer than your current computer (and emu seems likely to come up with a way to use the dock with an express card). if you're concerned about sound quality and latency, definitely go with the emu.

abnorm · Post by **abnorm** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:46 pm

My new laptop, Lenovo Z61p, has both regular and express pcmcia slots, so I am not worried about that. I am worried about outputs going out in the middle of a gig like I read from some poster.

dj superflat · Post by **dj superflat** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:53 pm

i've had no problems with my 1616m, but mileage obviously will vary. good luck.

abnorm · Post by **abnorm** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:02 am

I am glad you don't have any issues with yours. Eventhough my 1616 is damanged (maybe my fault) and rear outputs are only at half the volume they use to be, I want to give 1616m a try just because I love the sound so much and DSP panel is great. I just hope it won't crap out on me during a gig.
Probably the next step up from 1616m is Fireface 400, which costs more then twice as much and is an overkill for what I do.

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 10:13 am

abnorm wrote:I am glad you don't have any issues with yours. Eventhough my 1616 is damanged (maybe my fault) and rear outputs are only at half the volume they use to be, I want to give 1616m a try just because I love the sound so much and DSP panel is great. I just hope it won't crap out on me during a gig.
Probably the next step up from 1616m is Fireface 400, which costs more then twice as much and is an overkill for what I do.

I am RME user and would never say it is better then EMU, better built and with perfect drivers, actually everything- that is what you pay for, but for the sound i dont think it matches the 1616m.
BTW.I read so much about "complex" routings and software of EMU so when i tried it I was surprised, what is so complex about it? I think those people should stay with a Portastudio and internet cafes.

joesapo · Post by **joesapo** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 10:44 am

what is so complex about it?

More than likely - you haven't tried to do anything complex with it...

ploy · Post by **ploy** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 10:56 am

PCMCIA is dead.

Ah. It´s not the new hot shit, right.

the EMU's hardware effects are crappy and add latency

True. They are true horror.

their software routing system is hard to work with and limited.

Not at all.

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 11:34 am

joesapo wrote:
what is so complex about it?
More than likely - you haven't tried to do anything complex with it...

Soundcard is not for making anything complex really, just do the job,sorry that it upsets you so much.
PCMCIA arent dead, you find them on all higher end new notebooks, no Macs since these became just branded garden variety of notebooks. Mac as hardware quality market leader is perhaps dead, too bad that they try to cut costs at wrong end.
P.S. I would love to hear what is really bad about 1616m since after checking it yesterday I am really impressed by the sound and contrary to all the internet horror stories- probably written by intelectually challanged-got it working in few minutes. I am not interested in the 3rd class FX, when i buy a car I dont care if it has good cup holder or coffee machine.
Like with most of gear I did the most important part- asking my buddy at service department of on of the Germanys biggest retailers- in fact one 1616m was right there, for the second time. He says not more of them then other brands, of course RME the e Porsche of soundcards he never had returned. There are some issues, Emu knows about and replaces the units.
The biggest disadvantage is giving up Mac but considering the disappointing quality of the new breeds wont bother too much.

So if anyone knows please say, what is really wrong with the 1616m, if at all.

Coupe70 · Post by **Coupe70** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:55 pm

I had a 1616m and it died 3 times in less than a year.
I got a brand new box every time, EMU support was
the best I ever experienced, but for me the 1616m
was not reliable. I gave it back and got a MOTU
Traveller.

jazzy · Post by **jazzy** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:55 pm

Hi
I have Motu Ultralite and it works exellent. I also have a M-Audio Solo but needed more inputs. You won't fail with Motu. Good Luck.

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:43 pm

I used to use an 1820m, but knowing I was going to a Mac this year, I bought an Ultralite to replace it. the Ulatrlite has 95% of the sound quality of the Emu convertors IMO, it's SOOOO close.

Having said that, I like the Motu better, easier to use, more portable, firewire (future proof), rock solid drivers, and it can be used as a standalone mixer. Oh, and it has dedicated knobs for headphone and master volume. I was able to ditch my mixer too after getting it.

If you're really serious about about quality, blacklionaudio.com is modding Ultralite (all motu card actually). Mine's lined up to be done in January.