#520

Another plus one for the MOTU M4… In addition to high sound quality and low latency, it has also DC coupled outputs for sending CV signals like clocks, etc. from the computer (if you have modular gear).

#521

Yes, in half-normaled mode, a patchbay channel would go out the back to your normaled out, but also output the signal out of the front without breaking the default connection. Check out the Samson patchpoint plus, it is definitely the best features/value option out there, and has been really solid for me.

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#522

there are a decent number of small format mixers that have one pre-fader aux bus (most mackies), but not a ton that have more than one, and most of them are a bit larger than you’re probably looking for and possibly more expensive. here are a couple that fit your description, in ascending order of size/cost:

double check before buying but i think any of these would work.

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#523

Is anybody successfully using one of the MOTU Thunderbolt interfaces (currently looking at the 8a) as part of an aggregate device on a Mac? My main interface is the Sound Devices MixPre 6 and I’m looking for a solution to add a number of inputs and outputs, primarily for integration of an external matrix mixer and for CV duties. Any experiences you could share would be helpful. Especially about if the MOTU interfaces play along nicely in an aggregate device. Thanks!

#524

The aggregate nature of the devices happens at a higher level than the audio driver is aware so there shouldn’t be any issues whatsoever since that is transparent to the driver. That said, I cannot comment on your specific case, but I can’t think of any reason at all why there should be complexities beyond the ordinary aggregate device concerns.

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#525

I did do this, using the MOTU 828es and two of the Roland AIRA Eurorack FX modules.

It worked fine as I recall - the only reason I stopped was that the aggregate devices tied me to the high sample rate of the AIRA boxes (24/96 if I remember rightly), and I picked up a Behringer Ultralite instead.

I guess my point here is that it works, but the ADAT solution (which appears to the Mac as a single interface) seemed a bit cleaner for me.

1 Like
#526

Has anyone experience with this:
https://cymaticaudio.com/utrack24-productpage/

In short its 24 tracks, linkable of up to 4 units, I was thinking pairing it with this for 16 outs directly from a eurorack case…

Only drawback is it seems you need a computer connected to route things properly…

Any thoughts?

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#527

Pretty nifty, that utrack–practically in a class of its own at that budget and capability, from what I can tell. I like that you can option in ADAT. The only thing I would miss compared to my interface is DC-coupling, which does not seem to be within its scope of capability–that is, on the analog side of things, as I think the ADAT option would make it possible (with ES3, et al), though probably only as an interface (do multitrack recorders for CV even exist outside of the euro format?).

As a general mixer and recorder, it seems like it would be exceedingly handy, particularly since you can apparently control it with a mobile app. I can imagine a touchscreen might prove less cumbersome than a laptop.

#529

A mix of “reviews” here:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/uTrack24--cymatic-audio-utrack24/reviews

It seems too good to be true.

#530 
Has anyone experience with this: https://cymaticaudio.com/utrack24-productpage/

I got one. Happy to answer all your questions about it.

Some quick stuff:

They really sell it as a “plug in any 2,5” hard drive".
That does not work. I have tried a bunch and after checking with support as well it seems that any hard drive that is bus powered draws juuust a biiit too much power whenever it is writing. This manifests itself by very low tones on track 7,8,15,16,23,24. There is a demo on: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gudgf4v4tlck31/testny.zip?dl=0

If you are using a hard drive with its own power supply this problem is totally gone.

Only drawback is it seems you need a computer connected to route things properly…

Well there is not really any routing. When recording, all the tracks come out of stereo LR and headphones. You can mix and pan them, but you can not route them back to another output.

I got the ADAT card, that is really nice and handy!
If you connect an ethernet cable and plug it into a router you can controll most settings, levels etc. from a computer, en iPad or iPhone.

When connected to a computer it works as a normal audio interface instead of a recorder.

While it has its quirks it is definitly a lot of bang for your buck! I use it a lot!

1 Like
#531

Hey, so I was thinking about getting the iConnectivity 4+ audio interface that supports two computer hosts at a time, mainly because it would be very easy for in-person musical collaboration. The problem is that there is only one headphone output, but there are four line outputs for monitors. I want to be able to have two people individually listen to two different mixes on two different DAWs with headphones. Can I mix those four outputs on the audio interface into a L + R headphone mixer eurorack module?

#532

I picked up a UA Arrow recently. So far pretty happy, the bus-powered TB3 factor is nice, sound quality seems good so far, and UA dsp plug-ins are handy. Only bummer is the front Hi-Z Chan 1 port basically overrides the back Mic/Line Chan 1 port, so one must plug/unplug the Hi-Z when opting for stereo ins on the back, rather than being selectable via the interface (find this to be a slight chore when wanting to switch from a guitar to a synth for instance).

As the above post re: an easy interface for live shows I think it cuts it as a bare bones option, and is pretty much why I bought it. It serves well in the studio also and I appreciate the bus power for no fuss cabling.

I do pretty quickly hit the wall once I start wanting to enjoy routing or perhaps putting things in line - I did manage to create something of an FX loop by using the individual headphone out routed to the back of the unit for an external FX chain (Mono only however as per above).

But then sometimes I really just want a looper, or a multi-track recorder, that sort of floats between the couch and the desk, or even the field. I feel like the market is missing something that accommodates this elegantly. Potentially a four track, something one could overdub across the tracks with. I’d love a small guitar pedal that was a multi-track recorder, so one could jam and come up with ideas, but also use as a high quality sketch pad with transferable files to a DAW later if needed.

I did see the Electrix Repeater which looks amazing in terms of rack mount, something like that in a small footprint would be amazing.

A lot of multi-track recorders out there seem to be all or nothing, like, you can’t just record one or two tracks, then go back over and record further tracks in 3 and 4, it’s all simultaneous.

Anyway a bit off topic with multi-track record. But if anyone knows of anything out there that could suit I’d love to hear about it.

The best thing I can come up with is a Boss Micro BR but it just seems kinda I dunno tiny and fiddle, but maybe that’s it.

#533

Does it do this well?

Also this review for folk:
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/cymatic-utrack-24

#534

Does it do this well?

Yes but there are no extra features. I/O 1-24 is always that. So if you want to do any routing you have to do it in your DAW etc.

Headphones and main out is mirroring 1-2.

1 Like
#535

Its more expensive but a K-Mix would give you 3 stereo in’s and the 4th stereo input can be used for the stereo Aux (they actually have 3 stereo Aux outs but no further Aux ins).

#536

Worth taking a look at the Sound Devices MixPre line of recorders and the Musician’s plugin.

4 Likes
#537

Thanks alot! I don’t think I’ll ever use it to record directly to hard-drive. I have a few questions:

  1. Can I use it as a mixer while not recording, and no computer attached? IOW will LR be outputting a mix of the inputs?

  2. When it’s acting as an audio interface, what comes out of LR? I assume “whatever I send it there from my daw”.

  3. How do you like the sound?

  4. Did you try linking two or more devices?

#538

@a773

Can I use it as a mixer while not recording, and no computer attached? IOW will LR be outputting a mix of the inputs?

I can double check this when I am back in the studio next week. Because I know that you can do this when there is a hard drive connected, but you have to set it into pre record mode. So I guess technically it always records but deletes until you actually press record. This however works really well and is easy to controll either from the unit itself(although a bit clunky with setting each track manually with the dial) or from the app.

I’ll have to double check if this still works with no hard drive connected.

When it’s acting as an audio interface, what comes out of LR? I assume “whatever I send it there from my daw”.

Correct! Everything you send to track 1-2 from your daw will come out of out 1-2, main out LR, and headphones out.

How do you like the sound?

I would describe the sound as neutral. There are no preamps and what you send in/out is what you get. I havn’t gone super nerdy about a-b testing, but I have never registered any problems with the sound.

Did you try linking two or more devices?

No I havn’t tried this as I only got one. If you plan to only use it as an interface double check that you can do it. Maybe it is an recorder-only feature.

Another thing I remember is that when I bought it there was a bit of latency when using it as an interface. This was fixed in a firmware update and without having tested it (other then just using it), I would describe the latency as “like any other interface”.

#539

So I’ve recently embarked on an endeavor to clean up my home studio situation and get focused on ergonomics and ease of use. I’m spending a lot of time here for the the foreseeable future and it seems like a worthwhile investment of money and effort.

This does include some new gear purchases at some point because, well, gear is fun! The main thing I’ve learned is that its easy for new stuff to beget more new stuff. I’m trying to create a compact space that works well with little effort and is flexible enough to accommodate some new stuff in the future.

This starts with overhauling my patchbay. Do we have a thread on patchbays or studio ergonomics or general studio tools/process?

This topic seems only slightly tangential to “Mixers and audio interfaces” but I don’t want to crowd the thread.

5 Likes
#540

not sure if there’s a thread on that, but i recently purchased a serious midi interface and was able to clear the following clutter:

IMG_20200610_165647
IMG_20200610_1656473216×2685 2.33 MB

it just took me over 10 years to do it :o)

as for patchbay replacements, i’ve been happily using an allen heath qu-pac which makes routing a breeze.

7 Likes