What's the best firewire audio interface for Ableton Live?

NativeOps · Post by **NativeOps** » Wed May 14, 2008 10:26 pm

I recently purchased a MOTU 828mk3. what a piece of junk. I think they released this product before it was ready. nothing but crackling, fuzz, hiss, squealing, audio drop outs, and crashes. When I contacted MOTU, they pointed the finger at Ableton and said they are doing something wrong. LOL!

So, I'm shipping it back tomorrow, and i wanted to get some opinions from everyone and their experience with their firewire audio interfaces. I'm not that interested in USB 2.0 because of the heavy CPU load. And i'm not particular to any specific brand, but I kinda lean away from M-audio because I hear the A/D converters aren't as good as the leading competitors.

Gear used: (and will need dedicated inputs for each audio source)
Hi/z inputs aren't that important because all instruments will be routed through FX boards and pre-amps prior to input.

inputs:
1 Classical Guitar (mono 1/4")
1 Electric Guitar (mono 1/4")
1 Microphone (mono 1/4" or XLR)
1 digital turntable (Stereo 1/4" or RCA coax)
1 External Synth (Stereo input 1/4" or RCA coax)

Outputs/Sends:
1 master out (stereo 1/4" or XLR)
1 out for talk box (mono 1/4" or XLR)
1 FX send (mono or stereo, digital spdif or anolog)

If the interface has pre-amps, thats a plus, but it is not necessary since i will already be using outboard pre-amps. ADAT light pipe is also important in case I need to add additional channels from another device.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
thanks in advance.

NativeOps
.

leedsquietman · Post by **leedsquietman** » Wed May 14, 2008 10:36 pm

What computer platform (PC/Mac) / computer specs / firewire chipset etc are you running?

I don't know about the mk III but the 828 MK II is an awesome interface, but firewire presents some challenges to certain hardware setups.

It is common business practise to deny any problems and pass it off to the software manufacturer or blame other hardware, MOTU and RME are regarded as 2 of the best and they are both just as guilty of this as M-Audio, Edirol etc.

Geezus · Post by **Geezus** » Wed May 14, 2008 11:07 pm

my presonus firebox doesnt give me any problems and its built like a tank

polyslax · Post by **polyslax** » Thu May 15, 2008 1:11 am

Never had any trouble with my RME Fireface 800 on my iMac and Mac Pro. I'd recommend it.

NativeOps · Post by **NativeOps** » Thu May 15, 2008 1:41 am

cool thanx for the replies.

I'm using a apple G5 1.8 gig processor. 4 gig of RAM, 3 HD's one for OS and apps, one for recording, and one for disk streaming large sample libraries. I use Ableton 7, newest T-racks, Rob Papen Predator, and Kontakt 2.
As far as the firewire card, not sure, have to look it up, but i know it's the standard card that came with the computer: FW400.

any one else have any firewire interface recommendations?

I'll definitely have to look into these other interfaces recommended. thankyou very much.

adventurepants_ · Post by **adventurepants_** » Thu May 15, 2008 2:29 am

+1 for firebox. happy x 3.

leedsquietman · Post by **leedsquietman** » Thu May 15, 2008 2:43 am

RME (yes, tasty), Presonus etc are all nice interfaces too, but there are plenty of satisfied MOTU customers who run Macs on this website, either the 828 i or II or the Ultralite.

SHow yourselves MOTU freaks !

foogermooger · Post by **foogermooger** » Thu May 15, 2008 7:55 am

NativeOps wrote:I recently purchased a MOTU 828mk3. what a piece of junk. I think they released this product before it was ready. nothing but crackling, fuzz, hiss, squealing, audio drop outs, and crashes. When I contacted MOTU, they pointed the finger at Ableton and said they are doing something wrong. LOL!

So, I'm shipping it back tomorrow, and i wanted to get some opinions from everyone and their experience with their firewire audio interfaces. I'm not that interested in USB 2.0 because of the heavy CPU load. And i'm not particular to any specific brand, but I kinda lean away from M-audio because I hear the A/D converters aren't as good as the leading competitors.

Gear used: (and will need dedicated inputs for each audio source)
Hi/z inputs aren't that important because all instruments will be routed through FX boards and pre-amps prior to input.

inputs:
1 Classical Guitar (mono 1/4")
1 Electric Guitar (mono 1/4")
1 Microphone (mono 1/4" or XLR)
1 digital turntable (Stereo 1/4" or RCA coax)
1 External Synth (Stereo input 1/4" or RCA coax)

Outputs/Sends:
1 master out (stereo 1/4" or XLR)
1 out for talk box (mono 1/4" or XLR)
1 FX send (mono or stereo, digital spdif or anolog)

If the interface has pre-amps, thats a plus, but it is not necessary since i will already be using outboard pre-amps. ADAT light pipe is also important in case I need to add additional channels from another device.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
thanks in advance.

NativeOps
.

Hi....Funny u mention the drop out and crackle issue....I just bought the 828 MK 3 and im getting that also..maybe every hour or so the music drops out.....I initially bought the Ultralite and the same happened also.....Infact i got shot of the Ultralite to get the 828 mk3......Until i read ur post i thought it must have been something else other than my Interface, perhaps my Mackie Big Knob..or the power pack in my pc...

Regarding the Firebox, i used one and its ace....My only gripe is not enough ins and outs for what i needed...

Regards

S

dazzer · Post by **dazzer** » Thu May 15, 2008 9:01 am

leedsquietman wrote:RME (yes, tasty), Presonus etc are all nice interfaces too, but there are plenty of satisfied MOTU customers who run Macs on this website, either the 828 i or II or the Ultralite.

SHow yourselves MOTU freaks !

I would post my love for the Ultralite (worked well on a Powerbook, MBP and MB) but from having seen the OP's posts over on Unicornation, I don't think he'll be going with MOTU anymore.

NativeOps · Post by **NativeOps** » Thu May 15, 2008 9:03 am

cool thanx everyone. i'll have to look into these recommendations ASAP. the money is burning a whole in my pocket and my instruments are getting lonely and dusty.

soundwave · Post by **soundwave** » Thu May 15, 2008 2:06 pm

NativeOps wrote:cool thanx for the replies.

As far as the firewire card, not sure, have to look it up, but i know it's the standard card that came with the computer: FW400.

I had exactly the same problems that you described earlier (with m-audio firewire solo) and it was because of a NON Texas Instruments chip on the firewire card.
Whatever it is worth, I am on a PC...
Cheers

jesso · Post by **jesso** » Thu May 15, 2008 3:55 pm

I have an rme fireface and a personus firebox, and theyre both great. Love the robustness and size of the firebox, but the fireface sounds better, and is more flexible.

purveyor2 · Post by **purveyor2** » Thu May 15, 2008 8:57 pm

I had bad luck with the Firebox (seem to be in the minority), Motu sounded OK. I love my Apogee Duet. Now it seems that you need more I/Os so if you can afford it go with the Apogee Ensemble. Truly seemless integration.

Kodama · Post by **Kodama** » Fri May 16, 2008 6:10 am

Fireface is like 3x the price of firepod and over 2x ultralight.

Comparable Apogee & metric halo stuff is even more.

I'm wishing for a new card for macbook pros that has 4/4 with ultralow latencey & decent sound & nice breakout box that needs no power for less than 500.

(Holding breath)

whichpaul · Post by **whichpaul** » Fri May 16, 2008 9:38 am

I would like to hear thoughts on the best compact / budget Firewire device!

I don't have a need for heaps of incoming and outgoing channels, just 2-in and 4-out would be plenty, but I do want a portable unit that will be low-latency for live performance (as opposed to studio work).

Any suggestions ... ?

What's the best firewire audio interface for Ableton Live?

What's the best firewire audio interface for Ableton Live?

Re: What's the best firewire audio interface for Ableton Live?

Best compact / budget Firewire audio device?