MOTU vs. RME?

Posted on

I tune down down...
Member Since: Jun 11, 2007

Tell me what you think about these two interfaces, please. :)


www.guitarcenter.com/MOTU...425-i1154842.gc


www.guitarcenter.com/RME-...317-i1125869.gc


Despite the limit in channels, do you think the RME is better or not?

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Member
Since: Mar 03, 2008


Mar 25, 2008 02:08 pm

The RME is definitely a nice piece of gear but you have to remember that it is an A/D converter only and you will need either a ProTools HD card(the RME is designed to interface directly with the HD units) or any other card with ADAT light pipe.

The MOTU however is a standalone recording interface and although you will still need to get 24 preamps of whatever variety(IE: 3 8 channel pres or 12 2 channel etc...) you can plug this directly into your computer via FireWire.

If you don't absolutely need 24 channels of I/O(which most people don't) you can look into either the MOTU 8 Pre or the RME Fireface 800. Both of which have built in preamps(only 5 on the fireface) and are expandable via ADAT.

I tune down down...
Member
Since: Jun 11, 2007


Mar 25, 2008 07:18 pm

Yeah, I'm really looking to get 24 channels. My drummer has a HUGE kit and we mic the thing up insanely too much. (IE. Two Mics per tom 3 over heads. 2 room mics.) That and if I ever get a band that wants to jam it out live in the studio, I'd like to have PLENTY of inputs. I'm ultimately thinking of getting th MOTU with an UA 8110, a FireStudio, and a Digimax.

Member
Since: Mar 03, 2008


Mar 25, 2008 07:28 pm

With that many mics you are going to get major phasing problems unless you spend two or three days on mic placement. Seriously, two mics per tom? That's crazy. Even if you're using the mics as triggers that's way too much. At least if you were planning on using Drumaggog it would make sense. As it is, it sounds like a mixing nightmare.

Try this, use four mics: two omnis as overheads, one on kick and one on snare. Don't put any sort of high pass filter on the overheads. Just leave them flat. Get out your measuring tape and make sure you use the 3 to 1 rule. (distance between mics should be three times the distance from the source.) I'll bet you find it easier to get a good sound from this than from your current set up.

I tune down down...
Member
Since: Jun 11, 2007


Mar 25, 2008 08:54 pm

Haven't had a WHOLE lot of problems with phase just yet... We mic the top and the bottom of the drum to capture both sides of the it.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Mar 25, 2008 09:21 pm

And you can do much better price wise on the MOTU unit if you look around. GC is way over priced.

You will get much more bang for the buck with the 24 i/o as well.

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