Butterylicious
Well-known member
Since there isn't a home studio section, I guess I'll post this here.
I recently got into a new computer and a new band. It quickly became time to record a demo. My old sound interface (Terreatec) didn't cooperate with the new PC and it was a POS. I ended up with a Motu 8pre. The short answer is it's totally worth the 5 bills. For a , "get me started all I have are microphones" solution to get started recording, I'm very pleased. Crash ratio is pretty low. The firmware update was scary and I thought I was doomed for a minute but it all worked out. I can see the companion hardware (828) in my immediate future. The big limiting factor is the fact that it only has a a stereo bus output. Reamping or working outside of the box is not really a possibility with the 8pre. I did my recordings in 24/96. I did note that my vintage Samplitude software is a lot less forgiving at the higher bit rate, but the sound quality is vastly improved. I was a bit surprised at how much boost was required. The input sensitivity between too quiet, just right, and clipping is less than I'd expect but I'm an old fart who misses the forgiveness of tape compression. Once the level is set correctly, the end results are nice. I don't think I'd go so far as to call it "professional grade" but i base this on the professional studios I am familiar with who have API consoles and mics that cost more than my automobile. The queue monitor mix is simple to use but it's easily -20dB from Samplitude's 0dB output. This added steps between monitoring during over dubs and monitoring during mix down. I guess if it was simple. everybody would be doing it. This hardware (or my piece anyway) doesn't like a fast reboot. It want's to be shut down for about a minute before restarting. My assumption is that there are caps remaining charged. Use it, learn it, work around it's funkiness. Getting proper levels set seems to be the key to success. I found myself leaning toward the low end and normalizing objects after the fact. The sensitivity between just right and too much is less than this old fart is accustomed to, of course i come from the school of smacking the tape and loving it.
All in all, I love the hardware and have no regrets about paying zero dollars for it. I'd even be happy had I paid retail. Bang for the buck, I give it a 10. Ease of use I give it a 9. Reliability I give it an 8. Tech suck port I give it about a 5 because the firmware update sucked ass. Fidelity I give it a 7 but I'm extremely prejudiced.
I recently got into a new computer and a new band. It quickly became time to record a demo. My old sound interface (Terreatec) didn't cooperate with the new PC and it was a POS. I ended up with a Motu 8pre. The short answer is it's totally worth the 5 bills. For a , "get me started all I have are microphones" solution to get started recording, I'm very pleased. Crash ratio is pretty low. The firmware update was scary and I thought I was doomed for a minute but it all worked out. I can see the companion hardware (828) in my immediate future. The big limiting factor is the fact that it only has a a stereo bus output. Reamping or working outside of the box is not really a possibility with the 8pre. I did my recordings in 24/96. I did note that my vintage Samplitude software is a lot less forgiving at the higher bit rate, but the sound quality is vastly improved. I was a bit surprised at how much boost was required. The input sensitivity between too quiet, just right, and clipping is less than I'd expect but I'm an old fart who misses the forgiveness of tape compression. Once the level is set correctly, the end results are nice. I don't think I'd go so far as to call it "professional grade" but i base this on the professional studios I am familiar with who have API consoles and mics that cost more than my automobile. The queue monitor mix is simple to use but it's easily -20dB from Samplitude's 0dB output. This added steps between monitoring during over dubs and monitoring during mix down. I guess if it was simple. everybody would be doing it. This hardware (or my piece anyway) doesn't like a fast reboot. It want's to be shut down for about a minute before restarting. My assumption is that there are caps remaining charged. Use it, learn it, work around it's funkiness. Getting proper levels set seems to be the key to success. I found myself leaning toward the low end and normalizing objects after the fact. The sensitivity between just right and too much is less than this old fart is accustomed to, of course i come from the school of smacking the tape and loving it.
All in all, I love the hardware and have no regrets about paying zero dollars for it. I'd even be happy had I paid retail. Bang for the buck, I give it a 10. Ease of use I give it a 9. Reliability I give it an 8. Tech suck port I give it about a 5 because the firmware update sucked ass. Fidelity I give it a 7 but I'm extremely prejudiced.
