motu 896hd

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Member Since: Jan 15, 2006

I just got a new motu 896hd and right out of the box it has problems. The phantom power on channel 1 makes a horrible noise. All the other channels are ok although they make a small amount of noise when they are turned. Does any one have an opinion about motu hardware reliability,pro or con?

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 15, 2006 10:29 pm

How do you know it is the phantom power? You didnt plug the mic in with pahntom power on did you? As well is it a condensor mic you are plugging in there?

And do you mean they make noise when the input gain knob is turned? That shouldnt happen to a brand new unit.

I like MOTU stuff for the most part. I have installed many of the PCI based systems without any problems at all. Units worked great right out of the box. I dont know if it can be blamed on the firewire unit or not, but it does seem that every manufacturer is prone to horror stories regarding firewire and the bad things that do or do not happen with firewire gear.

Honest opinion here is I think you may be dealing with customer service here either from the sales point or direct with MOTU.


Member
Since: Jan 15, 2006


Jan 15, 2006 11:25 pm

Channel 1 makes on going poping and hissing sounds with or without a condencer mic pluged in as long as phanton power is on. When the gain is increased the noise gets louder. I always turn gain down and phantom power off to connect or disconnect a mic. Can a phantom power unit going bad hurt my condenser mic ? When the phantom power is off channel 1 is noise free, it also works fine with a dynamic mic. All other channels work fine.

jimmie neutron
Member
Since: Feb 14, 2005


Jan 16, 2006 02:59 pm

Check your computer power supply and the 896 power supply. Be sure you're gear is properly grounded EVERYWHERE, preferably all on one circuit, using the same ground connection. Be sure you've got a good mic cable AND a good firewire cable (check your mics & cables in other audio gear besides the 896). Be sure you have your computer optimized for audio. Use this site and www.musicxp.net as guidelines... Be sure you've got your mixer (if used) levels down, and any other gear in the chain turned down (or muted if not used). Use balanced all the way, or none of the way... Do not mix balanced & unbalanced cables...


Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 16, 2006 06:49 pm

jamil might have a point if it where doing it on all channels. The fact it is only on the first channel makes me suspect that something is amiss in only that channel. It is odd the channel is noise free when phantom poer is off, but it could be something internal that is not wired or soldered proper. Or a bad part of the cirquit.

I guess I would double check to make sure you are using a proper balanced cable as well. But you have obviously tried the cables in the other inputs with no noise so that is probably a moot point.

Have you cantacted tech support or the seller yet? IF the unit is brand new I would demand a differant unit. As a brand new unit should not have that kind of problem out of the box.

As for the thing doing damage to a mic, I guess safety would be to not use that channel with a condensor to avoid any unpleasant surprises later with a mic.

Member
Since: Jan 15, 2006


Jan 16, 2006 10:41 pm

I contacted Motu,they were helpful.

It ended up being trash or something in the toggle switch.

I had already tried switching it on and of several times to see if it would help but they suggested I try this again with more rigor.

Problem solved.

I still find it odd that a new unit would have this kind of problem. I could hear something loose like a screw or something ratteling around inside when I first took it out of the box.

The Motu 896hd is an impressive machine.
I just want to make sure the reliablity is as impressive as the features.


Member
Since: Jan 15, 2006


Jan 16, 2006 10:48 pm

By the way thanks for the response. It helps to have access to people with studio knowledge.


Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 16, 2006 11:03 pm

Glad it is sorted for now. I as well feel the same Bob, I dont think it should have to be like that fresh out of the box. But then again, it may not be MOTU's fault as delivery systems can sure beat the heck out of the most well packaged pieces of gear.

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