Motu vs Apogee

Ok so now I am confused. I just read a posting that stated Motu 828mk3 or the Motu Traveller are the best audio interfaces to have. Are they better than the Apogee Ensemble or Duet?
Thanks.

I own a 828mk2 and the Ensemble. MOTU always finds the bang for the buck angle on things. They have been doing this since they came out with the Midi Timepiece AV that replaced a Digidesign product for less than half the cost.
HOWEVER,my Ensemble kicks butt compared to the 828mk2. By this I mean better converters ,better pre-amps,better drivers,better sound overall and complete integration into the core audio of OSX.
You can control Ensemble from within Logic 8.
I have seen the 828mk3 ads and it does look like a cool thing but will it sound as good? Maybe
Does it have more i/o? Yes ,also has some on board DSP for reverb and EQ and such. The mixer looks cool too.
All said, I bought the Ensemble in an emergency whim purchase, when my 828mkII died and I have never thought about any other interface except a Symphony system from Apogee or the Duet for a little portable rig. Ensemble,expensive? Yes but, so far for me,worth it.
GF

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L8 with 2 soundcards

Hi ,does anyone know if this is possible ? I have a motu hd192 , and i'm considering an upgrade to a apogee rosetta , would it be possible to use the motu and apogee together when i need a few extra inputs for drums ? ( Motu inputs 1-12 rosetta inputs 13-21)
Regards
MC

Matt Condon1 wrote:
Hi ,does anyone know if this is possible ? I have a motu hd192 , and i'm considering an upgrade to a apogee rosetta , would it be possible to use the motu and apogee together when i need a few extra inputs for drums ? ( Motu inputs 1-12 rosetta inputs 13-21)
This would be done from the Audio/MIDI set-up utility found in your Utilities folder.
It's called creating an aggregate device. When creating the aggregate device, you simply tell it what two (or more) audio devices you want included.
Then when you launch Logic, you select this new aggregate device as your audio driver.
It's very easy to do

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Hi,
welcome!
What type of interface you need depends on what you want to do. In general, for home recording, a 2 channel interface, maybe with MIDI in/out, is sufficient. Good brands are, for example, Presonus, MOTU and Apogee. Most Logic user that use the Apogee Duet like it very much because of it's superior sound quality. The old rule is true, also: You (usually) get what you pay for. So don't expect too much out of a 100$ interface that has many features. It probably will also feature hissy preamps and buggy MIDI.
I have worked with cheap interfaces, though, and they can be usable, nevertheless. I have an Alesis I/O 2, and it works okay. Also my Tascam Fireone is nice, although the preamps lack some quality. I have worked with an Edirol UA-25EX, too, and like it very much. But the next time i buy an interface, it will definitely be a MOTU or the Apogee Duet.
Fox

Where/how can I address this to Apple?

Hi! LPX 10.0.5 update has removed recorder button R from track when USB hardware is connected!
Where/how can I address this to Apple?

Evindar,
I didn't say it was 'only' with M-Audio but the interfaces that are failing tend to be either older M-Audio ones or ones that follow the same sort of design or were designed by the same Dev teams.. such as Alesis for example... though a few USB mics have failed as well..
Other USB2 devices such as Motu and Apogee interfaces are unaffected.... even if they are class compiant (driver free) though in the main, most Pro level USB2 devices now do have drivers for them even if initially they were supposed to be driver free devices... for other reasons..
The Motu Audio Express will happily work without drivers as it is class compliant.. and is unaffected by this 10.0.5 issue... as will the Apogee Quartet... which is another class compliant driverless USB2 device and that seems to be unaffected by this issue too
Also, I am not aware anyone has said it was Mavericks related though actually it could be.. in the sense that something in the 10.0.5 update was changed to reflect/hook into new routines in Mavericks... and that could have tripped up certain USB2 devices...

Do i need interface to record in logic and what brand is recommended if yes

i have a macbook 13 incher, i have an old mbox2 interface but i know i need a new one, wondering if there were apple compatible ones that were better than others? also if it is recommended that i use an interface with logic. what are some good brands or ones you enjoy that work?

Hi,
welcome!
What type of interface you need depends on what you want to do. In general, for home recording, a 2 channel interface, maybe with MIDI in/out, is sufficient. Good brands are, for example, Presonus, MOTU and Apogee. Most Logic user that use the Apogee Duet like it very much because of it's superior sound quality. The old rule is true, also: You (usually) get what you pay for. So don't expect too much out of a 100$ interface that has many features. It probably will also feature hissy preamps and buggy MIDI.
I have worked with cheap interfaces, though, and they can be usable, nevertheless. I have an Alesis I/O 2, and it works okay. Also my Tascam Fireone is nice, although the preamps lack some quality. I have worked with an Edirol UA-25EX, too, and like it very much. But the next time i buy an interface, it will definitely be a MOTU or the Apogee Duet.
Fox

Recommended set up?

Okay. So I know I want to get some kind of set up to use for work, school, etc. I would like a laptop and a display of some sort, so does anyone have a recommendation? I'm choosing from a MPA 11, MBA 13, MBPr 13, or MBP 15 for the laptop (I'll be traveling with it a lot, so none of the original MacBook proa with the regular display). For the display, I need to choose an iMac 21 or 27, or a 27 inch Thunderbolt Display. I'm mainly using it for multitab web browsing, a lot of work on iTunes, iMovie, and Adobe Auditions since I'm a radio DJ and need to edit music. Thanks for your help! And if you included the configurations for the items when checking out, like extra flash, I would love you for the rest of my life!

Tburke08 wrote:
Hello I plan on buying an iMac soon
With it I was going to get Logic.
Does anyone have a recommended set up?
I was going to buy a M-audio USB interface
and a MIDI controller
any suggestions?
powered speakers?
mixer?
Please do yourself a favor and get another brand (NOt M-Audio0 their drivers are worthless, and will cause you to commit suicide within a few days of trying to get their products to work.
Good brands, for audio interfaces :
Motu
Digidesign
Apogee
As far as monitors, get the best you can within your budget. there are plenty of good brands out there, I suggest you actuallt go to a music store, and LISTEN to many different brands, before settling on ones. Remember they will still sound different in your actual room.
As far as amixer / monitoring setup, please make a list of what you expect to do day in and day out, and this will tell you what you need, as far as audio routing / mixing is concerned.
Cheers

Best 2ch interface?

Hey
Advice needed.
I have MBox 2 and Saffire. OK, but if you want to make your recordings go all the way?
Metric halo? Motu? Apogee? Others?
I´m going for a portable solution.
Thanks.
JanD

Another vote for Duet. Crystal clear sound and lots of gain on the preamps. Easy to use, portable, and integrates seamlessly with Logic. You will never need another audio interface (unless you need more than 2 inputs).

PLEASE HELP! Logic 8 w/ Apogee Ensemble & MOTU 8pre

Hello everyone!
This is my first post…I've been tracking this forum for a while and I must say you guys are all informative and generous. So, I hope I can have some generosity FLUNG my way!
Ok, I have:
*Logic 8 running on my MacBook Pro (2.2GHz , 250GB HD, 4GB RAM).
AYAK, Mac Book Pros have 1 Firewire 800 & 1 Firewire 400 input; I also have a Firewire PCI card plugged in which gives me 2 more FW in's.
*A MOTU 8pre running into my FW CARD with my LaCie HD running into the FW800.
I just recently bought an Apogee Ensemble…. WOW! Are the pres nice! And a FINE integration with Logic, ie the control panel n such! The pres are NEARLY as nice as my Millennia and that's saying a lot! Plus, if I run my Ridge Farm Gas Cookers or my LA-610 into the last 4 inputs, I get a GREAT variety of sounds and controllability.
WELL, the Ensemble is like a HOT girl friend that makes your toes curl but THEN, you find out she's a PSYCHO…but you don't wanna dump her cuz she's just so freakin hot and does things to you that…..c'mon I know we've ALL been there!…..with the girl AND the gear!
So, why PYSCHO? I just bought my unit this past August 22, 2008 (3 daze, I mean DAYS ago) from GC in Hollywood. I figured or ASSUMED it was a CURRENT version without all the BETA issues we've all read about! Well here are the issues:
1.) The MacBook Pro/LOGIC has lost sync (went offline) with it a couple of time and I had to reboot. The Apogee Audio Control Panel has become MOLASSES SLOW…leaving to have to reboot……Are the above DRIVER issues? How do I fix em?
2.) At START UP, I MUST have the Ensemble turned OFF and THEN, once booted up turn on the Ensemble for it to be recognized…now is this NORMAL for a Mac or is this an Ensemble trait? OR is it ANOTHER problem with the Ensemble? (OBTW, I'm a NEW Mac user woo hoo!)……..my MOTU 8pre would always have to be turned on BEFORE I booted up for it to be recognized and used in Logic….this is NOT the case for the Ensemble. I'd like to keep my MOTU 8pre….it's a pretty good interface and served me well as my first interface, as well as having more than decent pres!
3.) Last issue; when I hook BOTH the Ensemble and 8pre to my MBP (via FW of course), LOGIC will NOT recognize the 8pre. I can't even find it as an audio option. I'd like to be able to use BOTH of these and be able to record 16 channels at once…I've tried hooking these up MANY different ways…
-Ensemble to FW port of MBP with 8pre hooked up TO the Ensemble via Ensemble's FW and vice versa
-Ensemble to FW port of MBP with 8pre hooked up TO the Ensemble via Ensemble's LIGHT PIPE
-Ensemble to FW port of MBP and the 8pre hooked up to FW PCI Card port of MBP.
The above didn't seem to work… Can I indeed connect the 8pre AND Ensemble to my MBP and use them TOGETHER????
Now I am a NEWBIE to Mac AND Logic, BUT I ain't no FRESH OFF THE IDIOT TRAIN NEW…I work in computer recording frequently so please don't assume I'm a newbie NOT doing research. This is REAL WORLD TROUBLE HERE!
Also, if you think this is a case of RTFMJ (Read The F**** Manual Jacka$$), then you have NO IDEA what kind of manual comes WITH the Ensemble! Yeah, for those of you that know, the manual is a JOKE and doesn't really address much!
So, please help my fellow Logiceers!! Should I dump the girl and get another 8pre (which I KNOW I can daisy chain together)…remember, this girl is SO HOT….I love this Ensemble, but for $2,000, it shouldn't have THIS many issues! For 2K I get another MOTU 8pre, $500, another HD, $700 (a good Glyph 1TB always comes in handy…hey who doesn’t need another HD sitting around??), and maybe $800 of plug ins! Or shoot, I'll PAY SOME BILLS! So, any clues? Tips?

Here's the skinny.....
1) SOUND: Yummy! The best of the gear that I've come from (started 2002 with Roland 1880 & 2480 with Ridge Farm Gas Cookers & Boilers, True System P-Solo, Millennia HV-3, & UA LA610.) Yes, the pre's on the Ensemble are great. Not grungy like my Gas Cookers or even sweetly clean like my Millennia or True.....a nice middle ground. And the Soft Limit is great....the converters (inputs 5-8) going through my pres are sensational! Headphones have finally cleared up! Hmmmm, as have my monitors! Yes I'm going from Roland to Logic 8. It's a world of diff, even though I whole heartedly respect and love the 1880/2480's.......
2) LATENCY: Yeah Firewire vs Roland's format....well..... unless I REALLY cap my headphones tight, it sounds like I have a 5 millisec delay. I can live with it and compensate.... I'm new to Logic; is there a setting I can change whilst tracking? I don't use plugs while tracking..... I use the 8 X 8 mode to go at a HIGHER samp rate! Oh wow! NICE! And clear as a whistle! I don't get to use the Headphone outs at this rate, instead a TRS to 2X 1/4" break out from the Analog 1 & 2 OUTS....very nice! But, anyhoot Roland does win for Latency. Never any with my Rolands.
3) MAESTRO: Pretty well laid out and user friendly. UPDATE YOUR DRIVERS FOR LOGIC AND ENSEMBLE!!!! DO IT NOW!
4) DRIVERS: see above.
5) SUPPORT: Roland always sucked (wow, I didn't try to make this a Roland comp, just wanted to let you all know where I was coming from), Apogee....well..... 3 voicemails and 2 emails later, and no response on daisy chaining MORE THAN ONE Ensemble (which was one of the advertised selling points) OR using my aforementioned MOTU 8pre WITH the Ensemble via Lightpipe.... The Ensemble CAN NOT, repeat CAN NOT be used with ANYTHING ELSE! I've tried......
With the Ensemble you are STUCK with 8 I/O's.... PERIOD. Now, this isn't necessarily a BAD thing. It's the BEST, I repeat, BEST 8 channeler out there! But, again, with for a Firewire Interface, it is the best, but you're stuck with ONLY 8 inputs until you upgrade to Symphony.
In my case, a Symphony Mobile card (which is what I'd need, since I work through a Mac Book Pro), with an AD16X, DA16X & TWO X-Symphony cards (one for the AD16X & one for DA16X). So that would be a 16 in & 16 out with NO latency and, of course I would need 8 more preamps..... so to best the Ensemble ($2,000), I'd need the above Symphony System ($525, $3,000, $3,000, $175, $175, respectively, plus $4,000 of GOOD pres= $11,000ish)
So, a $2,000 BEST IN CLASS FIRWIRE interface that CAN'T be used with anything else but it's own 8 ins of joy, or $11,000 top of the line kick *** Symphony. I guess I'll keep my Ensemble. I RARELY do more than 8 tracks at once these days. Even for drums...c'mon...if you can't make drums sound kick *** with a KICK, SNARE, HI-HAT, OVERHEAD L & R, TOM, TOM & TOM/SNARE BOTTOM, you need to get a drum machine!
PLUS, the Ensemble will always be great for a quick interface on the go....shoot... a quickee recording gig with my only bringing my MacBook Pro (with CASE of course), a Rackmount (with my rackmounted gear as follows: Power Conitioner, Ensemble, Millennia, LA610, headphone amp, midi/usb interface & Glyphs) a Dolly, some mic stands, Mics, & a plug snake & cables..... that's a pretty darn good to-go menu! Shoot, how many ON LOCATION gigs have we done where this set up coulda been used! (Christmas CD's, choirs, Jazz Pianist, Voice overs).....let's just hope your client doesn't need NINE tracks recorded at once! yes, still bugged about that APOGEE!!!!!!
So there ya have it as far as my experience goes. I'll keep reporting back when I have more tastes of this 8 TRICK PONY ..... but what a pony it is!
OBTW, looks like I'll be SELLING my MOTU 8pre since I can't use it with my Ensemble!
Stay tuned.....

Apogee vs. Motu?

Ok, so since my question on an audio interface with seamless compatability with Imacs isn't generating any answers https://discussions.apple.com/message/19312229#19312229, let me ask this way. If you were going to buy a new audio interface, one that won't cause your Imac to kernal crash (as my M-Audio Fastrack Ultra does), then would you get an Apogee or a Motu, and which of either of those makers would you get and why would you get them? I record my own music, and want some ability to record multi-instruments at the same time, but don't need a lot of different inputs, and would like to stay in the 400-700 range. It looks like the Motu 4Pre, Audio Express, and Ultra-lite hybrid are in the area of what I'm looking for. As for Apogee, there's the One and the Duet 2. Those are small and compact, but are the lines out a hassle? Does the chord give you the ability to connect up 2 XLRs or 2 1/4 inputs at the same time, 1 of each?
Thanks in advance.
Joyce

OK, sorry you didn't get a response previously, so I'll take a shot with a personal anecdote, if that's OK with you.
Earlier on this year I upgraded my Mac (G5 1.8 dual processor) to the latest Mac Mini server and found that my Presonus Firebox didn't like it (long story) - bought an Apogee One as a temporary measure and I'm still using it as it seems to fill the requirement that I need at this time, since I work on my own mostly, just have to plug things in and out (guitar/microphone inputs or monitors/headphones output). I can get a really good level going into Logic from the mic (much better than the Firebox) and there's a really good range when you use the volume fader on the front of the One, the mic pre-amp is good quality - basic stuff that you really want.
You just need to decide what you might want to do - if you want to record a drum kit with 5 or 6 mics, for example, you're obviously going to need something with more ins and outs, but it doesn't sound like that's the case, it sounds like the Duet could be what you're looking for, from what you've said. I don't have any personal experience of MOTU stuff but they have a considerable reputation since both Apogee and MOTU have focused on designing their products to work with Mac OS for quite a while, soI'd just base the decision on your present or near future requirements and see where that leads you.

Mac OSX Mavericks 10.9 firewire audio problem on RME Fireface 800, MOTU 828 Mk II and Apogee Duet on late 2013 iMac i7

I just got the late 2013 iMac 3.5GHz Intel Core i7 and all my firewire based audio interfaces do not work properly although I upgraded to the latest drivers. iTunes or Youtube can play for a short and then there are unbrearable digital noises.
Apogee Duet is slightly better that can play for a few minutes. Then it may have short pause or digital noises. I need to reset the "Sample Rate" to other values to get it work again.
MOTU 828 mk II and RME Fireface 800 are having the most serious problems. Alternating the sample rate can sometimes help but often I need to reboot the iMac to get it work again. However, it works for only 1-2 minutes before the digital noises.
These are the software/drivers I installed:
- Apogee Maestro 2 version 2.8.8
- MOTU Universal Audio Installer for Mac OS X version 1.6.58373 (8/20/2013)
- RME version 3.19, firmware 2.77
I connect the fireware through Apple Thunderbolt to Firewire convertor.
These drivers are supposed to work with 10.9 but they don't. Anyone can help or share experience?

I've read in other forums that there are two issues that is causing this problem of chopping audio and freezing interfaces. One has to do with USB 2.0 /USB 3.0 issues in OS. The other seems to be an issue with the Fusion drive.
The fix for the fusion drive issue that has been shared online is to either:
Option #1. Don't use the fusion drive and create an external boot drive clone (either SSD or standard HD) and use as your primary drive (completely surpassing the internal fusion drive).
Option #2. Split the internal fusion drive. From there you can use them as two separate logical drives. Load your OS on one of the drives (SSD or HD). http://www.macworld.com/article/2015664/how-to-split-up-a-fusion-drive.html
Before, you do any of the above, make sure that you backup your current system setup.
I just received my imac (2013) with 3TB fusion and I plan on trying option #1. I bought a 3TB external USB drive which I plan to clone after I have the machine running. Once I clone the internal drive, I will test how the machine runs from both the internal fusion and the external to prove if this addresses the audio clipping/stopping problem. Hopefully, Apple will find a fix for this.
It is really a dissapointment that a brand new $2500+ machine and software was not tested to perform something that my 2008 MacBookPro and my home built Window XT machine (circa 2003) did without issue. I wished that I would have checked the forums about these issues before I purchased the machine.
You can do some searches online and find even more detail discussions on this topic.
Message was edited by: Juice5280

Logic Pro 7 with MOTU 828 or Apogee Ensemble??

I've been using Logic with MOTU's 828MKII interface for about 4 years now. Since couple of days go, the 828 keeps freezing. I had to turn unit off and turn it back on and it starts to work again, but freezes again couple seconds later. I've talked to MOTU guys and they told me to switch voltage back and forth and try again. Same thing.
I finally came to 2 option.
1. Send the unit to MOTU and get it fixed and hope to work with it without anymore problem in the future.
2. Get the new MOTU 828MKIII
3. Get Apogee's Ensemble audio interface. (this one is really pricey for me)
What do you guys think?
Should I just get 828MKii fixed or try new gears..?
I'm a starting film/TV composer/producer and beginning to
do quite large projects.
My set up is
-G5 Quad PowerPC with 2.5GB RAM
-250GB main hardrive, 500GB second internal hardrive
-Yamaha HS50M Speaker
-Yamaha S90ES Synthesizer
-Apple Cinema 23inch
-Running Logic Pro 7 with bunch of samples
and plug-ins in my second internal hard drive.
Share your opinions please.
Thanks
Chris

Motu use to make one of the most reliable drivers in industry. If you're happy with it and can get it fixed... so why not stick with it for a while?
On the other hand the new Apogee's software seems to be really solid and Ensemble's converters are much better than MKII.
So get the 828 fixed, stick with it for a while, save some cash, buy the Ensemble, dump the old 828.
Hope that helps

Motu Ultralight or Apogee Duet?

About to buy one of those - biggest question is which one is better? Studio use until I'll be able to afford a bigger interface again (like the idea of the Apogee Ensemble).
Any people using one of these?

Well, the duet has a breakout cable, 2 mic inputs, 2 instrument inputs, 1 stereo monitor out, and 1 headphone in .............. The single knob in the duet controls the monitor out and the headphone out volume at the same time..... and that really ***** ! so I connect the monitor out in the duet to the input in the monitor station, and I connect all my headphones and monitors in the monitor station with individual volumen setting on each...
But I love my Duet, way better than my previous mbox 2 or Digi 002 !

Pop and crack on Apogee Duet 2 recorded tracks ????

Pop and cracking in garageband on Apogee Duet2 bass and lead vox tracks. Just had latest updates done. Was working fine before this.

I have the same issue with my Motu Ultralite Hybrid via USB. It even collapses after 10 seconds if connected via Firewire (400 to 800) into Thunderbolt (via Appla FW80 to Thunderbolt adapter). Is this a OS 10.9 Problem?

Alternative to Apogee Duet?

I think I'm ready to move on from Duet. It sounds great, but I just seem to spend too much time listening to static. I'm sure there's an answer to this and I usually can get things working very nicely in the end- but not for long. I would really prefer to use an interface that is idiot proof and just very reliable.
So is there an interface that works more or less trouble free? I'm on a MAC and I am using Logic 8 and MAX MSP.
Any recommendations would be most welcome.
Many thanks.

I had a problem with my Duet too and worked with Jeff in Apogee Support. He was very helpful, but my problem never got resolved. I returned the first one because the best guess we could make was that it must have been defective, and ended up returning the second one as the static never went away and it finally just died. It was under store warranty and I ended up getting a MOTU Ultralite instead because I just didn't want to bother with futzing with the Duet anymore. I really wish Apogee had been able to solve the problem because when it was working the Duet really was dead easy to use with Logic and it sounded incredibly good, but I was pretty frustrated. Apogee should be on the lookout for two Duets returned from the Boston Guitar Center and maybe they can figure it out. The MOTU is more complicated to use but I didn't notice any drop off in quality, and it works really well with Logic. I'd have preferred to have stayed with Apogee because they seem like a great company but after having mysterious problems using the Duet for months, my patience was at an end.

Apogee jam not showing

I have an Apogee Jam USB audio interface. It shows up and works under MainStage, GarageBand and in system prefs > Sound, but it does not show up in Apple Logic Pro. I'm using Logic 8.0.2.   I can't use it as I can't set it as the audio device in Logic's Preferesces > Audio > Device.
I also have a MOTU Traveler audio interface, and it shows up just fine in Logic.
Is there some way to have Logic take a fresh look at what audio interfaces are there? It seems so odd that it shows up under MainStage, but not under Logic.
i am running on a MacPRO 10.7.2
Any thoughts on getting the JAM to show up in logic would be appreciated.
I know there is v9 out there, but I don't want to shell out $ just to get it to show up.. I can't think of any reason it shouldn't work in v8.
Thanks!
Bill

Ah.... wait... update for you. I restarted Logic after creating the "Aggregate Device" in the Audio Midi setup tool and now "Aggregate Device" shows up in the pick list in Logic 8 and after I selected it, it is working!
So it looks like this now in the OSX Audio Midi setup tool:
Clock Source: Jam
Sample Rate: 44100.0Hz
USE                    AUDIO DEVICE          IN     OUT          DRIFT
X                             Jam                         1      0               X
X                             Motu Traveler           22    22              X
All the other in/outs are left unchecked.

Motu vs Apogee

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