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Post by indiehouse on Dec 18, 2020 10:51:24 GMT -6
Ridiculous thread, I know. And I didn't want to hijack the other Interface thread.
But what would you guys do here?
Option 1 Keep my Motu 828ES/16a combo and add a Dangerous Convert-2 DA for monitoring.
Option 2 Sell Motu stuff and Purchase Apollo X6/X16 combo
I've got it worked out so that both options will eventually end up costing the same, roughly $900. Or I suppose there is a third option of just doing nothing and keeping the Motu interfaces without adding a DA.
I know the obvious answers of testing myself, personal preference, etc. But who's got time for all that?!?
Not a huge fan of the Motu routing matrix. And I have lots of outboard that I enjoy using. But I have been considering lately about slimming way down, as I've noticed the gear is getting in the way of music making. Even writing this thread is taking time away from that.
What would you do?
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Post by indiehouse on Dec 18, 2020 10:53:14 GMT -6
I wouldn't track with UAD plugs, but I would enjoy monitoring with some nice reverb. But I have a super nice OB Reverb unit that I could try to route in during tracking.
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Post by tkaitkai on Dec 18, 2020 11:01:26 GMT -6
If you don’t plan on tracking through UAD plugs, I’d steer clear of the Apollo (unless you’re looking to get into LUNA).
That’s one of the main selling points of an Apollo. When you take that out of the equation, it’s not vastly different from most other mid-level/sort-of-high-end interfaces (the X16 might be an exception).
Sonically, I wouldn’t expect the Apollo to be a massive improvement over the MOTU. Haven’t used it personally but most people speak pretty highly of the 16A.
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Post by phantom on Dec 18, 2020 11:08:12 GMT -6
If you don’t plan on tracking through UAD plugs, I’d steer clear of the Apollo (unless you’re looking to get into LUNA). That’s one of the main selling points of an Apollo. When you take that out of the equation, it’s not vastly different from most other mid-level/sort-of-high-end interfaces (the X16 might be an exception). Sonically, I wouldn’t expect the Apollo to be a massive improvement over the MOTU. Haven’t used it personally but most people speak pretty highly of the 16A. That's my impression as well. But I haven't compared both side by side. Although I'm used to the Apollo X sound and somewhat to the MOTU. But the thing is, Apollos comes with much more than other interfaces. I mean, the DSP, the Unisons, now Luna and the whole UAD ecosystem is no small thing by any means. But yeah, if you know you don't need any of that, I see no reason of going to the trouble of changing your whole set-up.
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Post by Drew @ UA on Dec 18, 2020 11:10:43 GMT -6
Hi indiehouse, I'll not speak to the subjective sonics, but let me know if you have any UA questions I can help with.
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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 18, 2020 11:16:34 GMT -6
If I remember correctly, I thought the X series (IMHO) sonics were slightly better. But total toss up. That being said, I feel like the Dangerous DA is better than both. I really like the UA environment and Luna is a big plus for me. Haven’t heard the x16 DA. With having a budget and needing that much I/O, it would be a tough call.
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Post by tkaitkai on Dec 18, 2020 11:33:55 GMT -6
But the thing is, Apollos comes with much more than other interfaces. I mean, the DSP, the Unisons, now Luna and the whole UAD ecosystem is no small thing by any means. For sure. I definitely don't mean to downplay the feature set of the Apollo — as a system with Luna, it's totally unparalleled. The only thing that comes close would be an HD rig, which costs a small fortune in comparison. I don't use the Apollo's mic pres or A/D anymore, but I'm still hanging on to my Twin because the workflow has completely spoiled me. I just can't get rid of the damn thing.
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Post by svart on Dec 18, 2020 11:41:51 GMT -6
Motu 828es has the mythical Sabre dac chips. No need for separate monitoring dac.
Apollo has that annoying ua midrange.
Choose wisely.
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Post by Drew @ UA on Dec 18, 2020 12:01:57 GMT -6
All X series are also Sabre ESS DACs.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Dec 18, 2020 12:06:13 GMT -6
Stick with the MOTU conversion and buy, literally anything else with the $900 bucks. New guitar. Another mic. 1 massage per month for the year. Anything.
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Post by kcatthedog on Dec 18, 2020 14:15:41 GMT -6
Be good if you could demo the x16, as it has the best DA in the apollo line and now you have the increased headroom which would compliment your OB, the rack apollo acts also as your controller with multiple monitors, so factor that in too and the 2 Apollos give you 12 sharc chips for tracking or mixing and Luna lets you run a more hybrid system.
Check if you can get non heritage equipped apollos, that’s UA new embedded plug deal that while discounted still costs you on top of the Apollo, not certain what UA is doing if client is buying more than 1 apollo.
Maybe Drew can chime in ?
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Post by indiehouse on Dec 18, 2020 14:56:17 GMT -6
I honestly don't know if I'll use Luna or not. I'm still trying to learn the basics of Cubase that I bought last year. That and Luna currently doesn't support HW inserts.
And to be honest, my time right now is so limited, when I do get a chance to work in the studio, I'd rather record than mess around with learning a new DAW. Or troubleshooting gear/software, or trying to remember how the hell Motu's routing matrix works, etc. I'm at the point where I just wanna plug and play.
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Post by kcatthedog on Dec 18, 2020 15:13:45 GMT -6
You can just ignore Luna, use console as your daw front end, use your ob, track into your daw, with comfort UA verb on aux and mix from your daw, if you have console set up as a template for your ob, pretty well plug , (set levels) and play.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2020 16:02:35 GMT -6
900 isn’t enough for a real upgrade. The current Lynx Aurora (24) will cost you at least 2500 more from selling your current 2500 MOTU dollar rig used. Go big or keep your money.
if you want tracking verb, The motu has a crappy digital one built in and the relab lx480 is super low cpu with the saturation turned off.
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Post by indiehouse on Dec 18, 2020 17:57:02 GMT -6
900 isn’t enough for a real upgrade. The current Lynx Aurora (24) will cost you at least 2500 more from selling your current 2500 MOTU dollar rig used. Go big or keep your money. if you want tracking verb, The motu has a crappy digital one built in and the relab lx480 is super low cpu with the saturation turned off. Man, I just CANT spend $5k on an interface. I’d have 3200 wrapped up in the Apollo’s, but that’s me wheeling and dealing.
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Post by nick8801 on Dec 18, 2020 18:11:07 GMT -6
You seem to be in a similar situation to me! How horrible is the Motu routing? I hear mixed things.
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Post by indiehouse on Dec 18, 2020 19:13:01 GMT -6
You seem to be in a similar situation to me! How horrible is the Motu routing? I hear mixed things. I mean, once you figure it out, it’s not terrible. Set and forget. Make presets, etc. The forget part of that gets me, though. Cause I have to relearn it every time I need to make a change.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2020 19:33:47 GMT -6
You seem to be in a similar situation to me! How horrible is the Motu routing? I hear mixed things. If you can figure out Reaper, you can figure out MOTU
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Post by nick8801 on Dec 18, 2020 19:55:03 GMT -6
You seem to be in a similar situation to me! How horrible is the Motu routing? I hear mixed things. If you can figure out Reaper, you can figure out MOTU Ha!
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Post by mulmany on Dec 18, 2020 21:53:23 GMT -6
I am always curious why everyone is always talking about changing the MOTU matrix around?
You should only need to mess with it if you add an additional interface, other wise let your DAW handle everything. I am running 2x 16a's with a Svart Box AD/DA hanging off the 1st units optic's.
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Post by brendanmccusker on Dec 18, 2020 23:11:29 GMT -6
the x16 conversion sounds incredible, imho
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Post by Blackdawg on Dec 19, 2020 2:04:58 GMT -6
You seem to be in a similar situation to me! How horrible is the Motu routing? I hear mixed things. I mean, once you figure it out, it’s not terrible. Set and forget. Make presets, etc. The forget part of that gets me, though. Cause I have to relearn it every time I need to make a change. the real question here is, why are you having to make a change? Cause switching to UAD isn't going to solve that. You'll still have a whole different routing system before your DAW. IMO you want to change converters, find something that doesn't have all the DSP stuff in it that you never use anyways and all the routing and such. Just get a nice rock solid interface that works with the DAW directly that you're using. Simple will be better for your flow it sounds like. Otherwise..I'd address the issue of what are you having to change that is causing you to have to fiddle with the Motu routing? Do you just need more I/O? More analog patch bays?
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Post by ChaseUTB on Dec 19, 2020 6:55:50 GMT -6
As an experienced Apollo user, you do not have to use Console at all to track w/ your DAW of choice. I bypass Console for recording, all inputs muted. ( inputs stay muted for HW inserts in PT too )
I monitor out of the DAWs: S1, PT, Ableton Live. I can reliably use 64 buffer on all, even 32 bit PT10.3.1 & Live 8 on 2012 MBP & FW Apollo.
Usually have Auto Tune EFX, Rcomp, & 2-3 sends for Room/ Hall/ Delays. I use stock time based Efx or Waves. Slate, or McDsp or any low latency plugins would work as well.
Keep it simple so u can get right to the music:)
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Post by indiehouse on Dec 19, 2020 7:47:37 GMT -6
I should have said that I’ve used Apollo and Consile before. I had a silverface and an 16 MKII. So I’m not a complete stranger to the Apollo workflow.
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Post by kcatthedog on Dec 19, 2020 8:01:02 GMT -6
I posted this in my new heritage thread, but thought you want to know where apollo stand alone are available ?
Don Schenk said: 12 Hours Ago At this moment, (8PM EST Dec 18, 2020) here in the USA, Sweetwater, Proaudiostar, and Guitar Center each show they still have some x8 Apollos non-heritage editions. Sweetwater and Guitar Center show x6 Apollos still available without heritage editions. And Guitar Center has a used x6 in excellent condition for $1749 in their Huston, Texas store.
:- Don“
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