New Firewire Audio Interface from MOTU
 |
| (Click for a close-up) |
January 24, 2001MOTU, Inc. debuted the 828, a single rack-space audio interface for Macintosh
and Windows 2000/NT5 personal computers with 8 channels of ADAT optical digital
input/output (switchable to S/PDIF optical), RCA S/PDIF, 8 channels of balanced
24-bit analog input/output, mic pre-amps and an ADAT SYNC input for sample-accurate
synchronization. In addition, the 828 provides CueMix™ Plus zero-latency
monitoring of live input with separate front-panel volume control over the monitored
input signal. The MOTU 828 connects to any FireWire-equipped windows PC or Apple
Macintosh computer, such as the new G4 Cube, via standard 1394 FireWire. No PCI
card or PCMCIA card is required. The 828 includes an ASIO driver for compatibility
with all major audio software on both computer platforms. Also included is AudioDesk,
a complete audio workstation software package for Macintosh.
"FireWire audio is here," said MOTU Marketing Director Jim Cooper.
"With a total of 18 simultaneous input and outputs, two built-in mic pre-amps,
zero latency monitoring, and the ability to synchronize to anything via ADAT sync,
the 828 provides a complete studio in a box. The MOTU 828 takes professional audio
recording a leap forward in portability and plug-and-play operation, especially
when you combine it with Apple's latest offerings, such as the ultra-quiet G4
Cube or the sexy new Titanium PowerBook. Personally, my dream system is a MOTU
828 and MTP-AV USB in a 3 rack-space gig bag slung over my shoulder and a new
Titanium G4 PowerBook tucked under my arm. But anyone can jump in at just about
any price point, from the affordable iMac all the way up to Apple's G4 Cube and
their latest dual-processor machines."
Inputs and Outputs
The MOTU 828 rear panel has the following connectors:
- 8 channels of 24-bit analog in/out - all eight outputs and six of the inputs
are on balanced/unbalanced TRS connectors with 24-bit converters. Two additional
inputs are on Neutrik™ combo (XLR/TRS) connectors each equipped with a microphone
pre-amp. 48 volt phantom power can be supplied to the mic pre-amps via a front
panel toggle switch. All analog inputs have 40dB of trim provided by a front-panel
trim knob. The signal-to-noise ratio for the inputs is 105dB.
- 8 channels of ADAT optical digital in/out switchable to optical S/PDIF (TOSLink)
- The optical input and output can be individually switchable between the 8-channel
ADAT format and stereo optical S/PDIF (TOSLink).
- Main analog outputs - these two extra TRS outputs can be connected directly
to a pair of speakers. A front panel volume knob is provided for convenient hands-on
volume control of the main outs. The main outputs mirror the signal on outputs
1 and 2. In addition, they sum these signals with up to two channels of live input
from any pair of analog inputs via the 828's zero-latency monitoring bus. The
user chooses any two analog inputs (via software) as the monitor inputs. A separate
knob is provided on the front panel for convenient hands-on adjustment of the
live input level, relative to the main mix.
- RCA S/PDIF digital in/out - provides industry standard S/PDIF digital I/O.
- ADAT sync input - allows sample-accurate digital transfers with ADATs or
any other device that supports ADAT SYNC. The ADAT Sync port also allows the 828
to be synchronized with any external clock source. For example, with a MOTU MIDI
Timepiece AV-USB interface and synchronizer, the MOTU 828 audio interface can
be resolved to SMPTE time code, word clock, blackburst or video.
- Punch in/out - this quarter-inch input connects to any standard foot switch
for hands-free punch-in and punch-out during recording.
- 1394 FireWire connector - connects the 828 to the FireWire port on any computer
via a standard FireWire cable.
- IEC power receptacle - the 828 has an internal power supply with a convenient
external switch for either 115V or 230V operation.
Front panel volume control, trim, phantom power and indicator lights
The MOTU 828 front panel has the following features:
- Quarter-inch headphone output
- Main volume knob - controls both the headphone out and the main outputs (including
the monitored live inputs, if any).
- Monitor level knob - controls the volume of any two analog inputs being monitored
on the main outs, if any.
- Five input gain trim knobs - inputs 1 and 2 (equipped with mic preamps) have
individual input trim knobs. Input pairs 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8 have one trim knob per
pair. Each knob provides 40dB of input gain.
- 48 volt switch - provides phantom power to the mic preamps on inputs 1 and
2.
- Analog activity lights - glow red when signal is detected on an input or
green when signal is present on an output.
- Status lights - Indicate audio activity on the RCA S/PDIF in/out connectors
and ADAT optical connectors. Also indicate either 44.1 or 48kHz operation.
- Power switch
CueMix™ Plus Zero-latency monitoring
MOTU 828 users can connect a pair of speakers directly to the quarter-inch
main outs. In addition, they can choose, via software, any two analog inputs for
monitoring via the main outs. On the front panel, the main volume knob controls
the entire mix, while a separate monitor level knob lets users adjust the monitored
input level relative to the main mix. The CueMix™ Plus monitoring path is
handled entirely in the 828 hardware itself; it is not passed to the computer
before being routed to the main outs. Therefore, there is no latency in the monitored
signal. At their option, users can also route the input to the computer for simultaneous
effects processing, mixing the dry monitored signal with reverb, guitar distortion,
or other effects on the computer. By combining the two signals in this manner,
the user can eliminate audible delay in the processed audio from the computer.
When playing back disk tracks on the computer, full effects processing can be
used with absolutely no latency, regardless of the host audio software being used.
Software compatibility and AudioDesk™
The MOTU 828 includes ASIO drivers, which provide multi-channel input and
output with any ASIO-compliant host audio software on Macintosh or Windows. In
addition, the 828 ships with a WDM kernel audio driver for Windows 2000/NT. The
828 also includes AudioDesk, MOTU's audio workstation software for Macintosh,
which provides complete recording, editing, mixing, processing, and mastering
of multitrack audio recordings.
Availability
The MOTU 828 is expected to ship Q1, 2001. The list price is $795 US.
For more information, visit their web site at www.motu.com. |
