#643

ive been using the same old audiofire pre8 for years and years. thinking of letting it go for an ultralite just because it can sit on the table next to my computer wherever around my studio I am, rather than being wedded to the patch bay. i want my studio to be as modular as my synths dammit !

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#644

Got great deal on an SSL six and a patchbay to use with my ultralite. Really fun, flexible combination! Mixer learning curve for sure, as I’ve never used a real console. But I’m finding it pretty approachable to record a few tracks at a time then patch up for mixing. Wasn’t sure if this was the right move tbh, but already so glad I did it! (Note even cheap cables are expensive when you need a ton of them, so the great deal kinda evaporated by the time I was done wiring)

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#645

Nice! The SiX has completely transformed my studio practice–the quality and features beyond my Mackie mixer are another world. I also set up a patchbay–and I hear you on the cabling. I built a ton of cables, and then bought some snakes, and now I’m building some snakes–haha. Still can’t get over how great the SiX sounds, the eq/compression, and the routing possibilities.

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#646

Short version: Will I regret upgrading to a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 instead of the MOTU 828es?

Long version: I have outgrown my Scarlett 2i2, and for the first time in forever I have the space and budget to build out a more permanent studio space. The 18i20 would give me plenty of channels to track multiple voices from my modular and hardware synths simultaneously, the ability to use outboard effects, good enough mic pres for my needs, and room to expand via ADAT down the road.

My only hesitation is about future-proofing. The MOTU 828es has roughly the same I/O, but adds Thunderbolt connectivity and DC-coupled outputs. I use an iMac with Thunderbolt ports, so it seems shortsighted to buy an interface that doesn’t take advantage. And although I’m not sure if routing CV from my interface to modular is something I need, it might be nice to have down the road. The MOTU is roughly twice the price, and I guess I’m just not sure if the extra expense is worth it now, or might be worth it later.

Is there anything I am missing in my accounting? Or is this a case where both options are good enough and it comes down to how much I’m comfortable spending?

#647

I wouldn’t shell out $500 just for Thunderbolt 2 (particularly now that we’re on Thunderbolt 3 and 4 is on the horizon). If you decide you want to do CV, using the ES-3 over ADAT is a lot more convenient, anyways, and an ES-3 costs $250 (or less, if you go used).

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#648

I have the MOTU 828es. I use four of the outputs to send CV to the modular, using Silent Way (a bit more flexible than CV tools for clocks), I’ve got a Behringer ADAT ultragain that expands it to 18 channels of input. It’s connected to my 2019 iMac via Thunderbolt 2 and an Apple adaptor.

I can wholeheartedly recommend the above set up, it’s completely rock solid and flexible, I have a guitar and mic permanently wired to the front of the MOTU, then multiple outs of the modular to the other channels.

I can’t speak to the alternative but the MOTU works well for me.

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#649

I’m kind of hoping that someone soon realizes there is a big hole in a lot of synth lines. I find myself yearning for something that would basically be the mixing/monitoring/effects equivalent of the Mother 32.

As someone that has 2 M32s, 2 DFAMs, and. Subharmonicon, I can personally attest to just figuring out an easy way so that I could hear them all has probably cut the time I spent playing them IN HALF!

I spent months looking at different Eurorack mixers I might be able to use, but nothing really struck me as the right fit. Did I miss anything?

The same goes for pretty much any manufacturer I think of. I feel very similarly to all my Elektron stuff. The Octatrack could theoretically function kind of how I’m thinking about, and I know some people use it in that way. But then again the OT is so deep you may as well just be going the DAW route at that point. Though at least you’re still free from a computer.

Perhaps once I dig into Ableton again when the weather starts to suck, I’ll lose my laptop phobia and learn to embrace the dreaded world of MIDI clocking.

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#650

Not really clear to me what you’re looking for that you’re not finding.

As far as Eurorack mixers go, I have a comparison resource,

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#651

Wow. Def could have used that 2 weeks ago! Nice resource! Thanks!

Well…there are ALOT more options than I realized. But after a close inspection I am still left a bit over/underwhelmed.

Without repeating what I said many posts ago, I still think I made the right choice for me. Though if money weren’t part of it, I think Id have gone with two of the WMD Performance Mixers. Then again, that’s some pretty serious coin for spending $1500 without even having gotten into monitors yet.

Yes, part of me would have liked to have said mixer/effects all contained within my Eurorack, but for the number of tracks I’d like to have we’d be talking a minimum of about a 104hp just for mixing. Not saying that isn’t reasonable, it’s just…a big rack.

Of course I realize shrinking a quality mixer into Eurorack must be kind of like building a Swiss watch. So I get the expense…

Perhaps I am overestimating my needs. I do have a Xoh/XPan/Rosie on the way to tinker with. Depending on how I like them, I could see just buying a few more might be a lot of fun.

@mdoudoroff can I ask which one you ended up with? Not sure what your setup is, but you’ve obv done your homework.

#652

Thanks for the perspectives @autogeneric and @mdoudoroff. I hadn’t considered the ES-3 as a way to send CV, and it’s good to know that I can add that functionality down the line if I decide to go with the Focusrite. I think it comes down to whether I want to use a little more of my budget on the interface or spread it around in some other areas. Not such a bad problem to have.

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#654

Trapped in a perilous google hell hole wondering if I should get an ES-8 or an MOTU for interfacing with my modular.

I recently built a Windows PC, so my original plan of aggregating an ES-8 with my Focusrite 18i8 is a bit out the window (I know about ASIO4All but have read multiple accounts that it’s really best suited for users that don’t have a sound card).

With the MOTU I could use one interface for everything (Interfacing with the modular, recording instruments, podcasting). With the ES-8 I’d have to swap between the two since the Focusrite only has ADAT in.

One potential nice thing about the MOTU is if I end up finding trying to calibrate the DC outs annoying I could always use the ADAT I/O on a Ultralite mk4 or AVB to interface with some Expert Sleepers gear.

I’ve also read some pretty dire experiences with the Mk4 on various forums and reviews so I started to think about the AVB but it only seems to have 6 DC outs…

#655

I have a MK4 on the way, what issues did you read about?

#656

I think there was some bad QC in some of the early batches related to the DAC they shipped with

EDIT link

#657

Can’t you just run them both at the same time? Something like aggregate audio devices on Mac OS surely exists in windows land too?

#658

There’s ASIO4all but it seems to pretty commonly introduce latency issues compared to proprietary drivers, so I’m not super inclined to risk it.

#659

Ok thanks. I read this article as well. I think the early demo versions had a different DAC chipset than the ESS/Sabre? Not sure if that’s related but I think all production models have the upgraded DAC.

Most reports I’ve seen is that they sound great for the price point and have fairly stable drivers.

#660

I might end up going with the mk4 then! VCVrack flies on this thing and it’s making me antsy to hook it up to the modular already haha.

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#661

I just got an SSL SiX and there are many things I love about it. Many design decisions that make working with it intuitive. However, plugging things in/out of the back is not a great experience. Primarily because it’s impossible to see what you’re doing or how anything is labeled.

The Quickstart Poster has a diagram of the back but it is laid out as if you’re looking directly at it from behind which is not how I’m using it.

All this to say, I made a version for myself that is the correct orientation if you’re using it on a desk and reaching/looking over the top of it.

Posting here in case it’s useful to someone else. :slight_smile:

SSLSIX+Back
SSLSIX+Back1500×731 306 KB

SSL+SIX-BACK.pdf (405.0 KB)

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#662

Clever, this will be helpful. Thanks for making it and sharing.

1 Like
#663

Anyone else out there with an SSL SiX? Mine has recently developed a problem with the bus compressor where it applies a pad or super-heavy EQ roll-off when engaged and it gets more or less severe depending on the threshold, really strange. The result is that it ends up being more like a panner than a bus compressor.

You can see video of it here, no audio but the meters show what’s happening:

Anyone else having an issue? Or is there something obvious that I’m overlooking? The content is mono, center panned.