MOTU Announces 828mkII FireWire 96kHz Audio Interface20 inputs, 8-bus monitor mixer, 96kHz I/O, MIDI I/O, LCD display, and stand-alone operation
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May 14, 2003MOTU announced
the 828mkII ($795), a single rack-space, FireWire audio interface for
Macintosh and Windows computers. The 828mkII replaces the 828 at the same
price and adds many new features, including more simultaneous inputs (20)
and outputs (22), 24-bit 96kHz operation, 8-bus monitor mixing with front
panel LCD programming, stand-alone operation, front-panel
mic/guitar/instrument inputs with preamps and sends, SMPTE time code sync
and MIDI input/output.
"The 828mkII is equally well-suited for both studio and stage," said Jim
Cooper, Director of Marketing at MOTU. "It gives you all the analog and
digital I/O you need for desktop recording, including convenient front-panel
mic inputs with sends for your favorite compressor, EQ or guitar amp. You
can program multiple monitor mixes on-screen with the included CueMix
Console software, hit the road, and then tweak mix settings at your gig
using the front-panel LCD display, without the computer. And we've added
convenient MIDI jacks so you don't need to carry an extra MIDI interface.
The 828mkII is the world's most capable and versatile FireWire audio
interface ever."
The 828mkII provides all of the same features as the original 828, along
with many new features, including:
Built-in CueMix DSP monitor mixing
The 828mkII provides DSP-driven digital mixing and monitoring for all 20
inputs. Users can connect mics, guitars, synths and effects processors, and
monitor everything from the 828mkII's main outs or headphone jack with no
separate mixer needed and no latency. The 828mkII supports up to four
separate stereo monitor mixes assigned to any four digital or analog output
pairs. For example, separate monitor mixes could be set up for the main outs
and headphone outs, while two additional stereo buses could be used for
send/return loops to reverb units or other outboard gear. Each mix can
support all 20 inputs (8 TRS analog, 2 mic, 8 ADAT optical digital and
stereo SPDIF digital). A new "CueMix Bounce Back" feature lets the user to
route one of the four CueMix DSP mixes back to the computer. This allows
users to record their entire mix, including monitored inputs, back into the
computer, for example.
Front-panel programming
828mkII users can access their mixes, or any 828mkII setting, directly from
the front panel using six rotary encoders and a 2x16 backlit LCD display.
Mix settings such as input gain, panning, +4/-10 input level, 6dB boost,
stereo pair grouping, mix output assignment and others are quickly accessed,
clearly marked and easy to adjust. Users can create, save, recall and
duplicate eight global presets.
Stand-alone operation
An 828mkII user can program the unit at the studio with the included CueMix
Console software and then take the 828mkII on the road for mixing/monitoring
without a computer. Any setting can be changed on location with the backlit
LCD and front-panel controls.
Front-panel mic/instrument inputs with sends
Two front-panel Neutrik combo (XLR/TRS) jacks with preamps and phantom power
allow users to connect a microphone, guitar or any quarter-inch input with
front-panel convenience. The XLR jack serves as a low-impedance mic input,
and the TRS jack serves as a high-impedance guitar/instrument input. Before
A/D conversion, the pre-amplified signal from each front-panel input is
routed to one of two rear-panel quarter-inch analog sends, so that users can
insert a favorite outboard EQ, compressor, amp or effects processor to the
mic/guitar input signal before it is converted to digital form. The
resulting output from the outboard gear is fed back into the 828mkII via one
of the eight TRS analog inputs on the rear panel, for routing to the
computer and/or inclusion in the 828mkII's built-in monitor mixes.
20 inputs / 22 outputs
The 828mkII provides the following simultaneous, independent inputs and
outputs: 8 channels of quarter-inch TRS 24-bit 96kHz analog I/O (with
individually switchable +4/-10 reference levels on input), 2 mic inputs with
preamps and phantom power, 8 channels of 24-bit ADAT optical digital I/O (4
channels at 96kHz), 24-bit 96kHz SPDIF digital I/O, headphone out and stereo
main out. All inputs and outputs can be individually addressed from host
audio software running on the computer. All inputs can also be individually
addressed in the 828mkII's built-in CueMix DSP mixer. The headphone output
and main outs each have independent front-panel volume control. The
headphone output can be programmed via software to either mirror another
pair of outputs (such as the main outs) or serve as its own independent
output pair.
96kHz digital I/O
The ADAT optical digital inputs and outputs provide 4 channels at 88.2 or 96
kHz. 96kHz SPDIF is also provided. As with the original 828, the optical I/O
can be switched to the TOSLink format via software.
Sample-accurate MIDI
MIDI IN and OUT jacks are provided for users to connect a MIDI controller
and/or sound module with no separate interface needed. MIDI timing is
sample-accurate with supporting software.
Built-in SMPTE synchronization
The 828mkII is the first FireWire audio interface to provide on-board SMPTE
time code synchronization features. These features allow users to slave
their 828mkII system to SMPTE time code without a synchronizer via a
dedicated quarter-inch SMPTE input jack. A SMPTE out jack is also provided
for time code generation. The 828mkII provides a DSP-driven phase-lock
engine with sophisticated filtering that provides fast lockup times and
sub-frame accuracy.
The included MOTU SMPTE Console software provides a complete set of tools
to generate SMPTE for striping, regenerating or slaving other devices to the
computer. Like CueMix DSP, the synchronization features are cross-platform
and compatible with all audio sequencer software that supports the ASIO2
sample-accurate sync protocol.
Additional 828mkII Features:
ADAT sync input -- allows sample-accurate digital transfers with ADATs or any
other device that supports ADAT SYNC.
Word clock input/output -- allows the 828mkII to be synchronized with any
digital audio clock source. For example, with a MOTU MIDI Timepiece AV-USB
interface and synchronizer, the 828mkII 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.
Two 1394 FireWire connectors -- connects the 828mkII to the FireWire port on
any computer via a standard FireWire cable. Two connectors are provided to
allow daisy chaining of multiple 828mkII's or other FireWire devices without
the need for a FireWire hub.
IEC power receptacle -- the 828mkII has an internal power supply with a
convenient external switch for either 115V or 230V operation.
Universal compatibility -- the 828mkII is compatible with virtually all audio
software on Mac OS 9, Mac OS X and Windows Me/2K/XP.
Includes AudioDesk -- sample-accurate workstation software for Mac OS with
24-bit recording/editing and 32-bit automated mixing/processing/mastering.
The 828mkII is expected to ship in Q2, 2003. Price is $795.
For more information, visit their web site at www.motu.com. | 
