Re: [microsound] FireWire moving in PART II

[David Kiers <david@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

http://www.motu.com/english/other/press/index.html


MOTU UNVEILS 828 FIREWIRE AUDIO INTERFACE FOR MACINTOSH AND WINDOWS
MOTU 828 FIREWIRE AUDIO INTERFACE INCLUDES ADAT DIGITAL I/O, MIC PREAMPS AND
SYNC
NAMM, ANAHEIM, CA - January 18, 2001. MOTU, Inc. (www.motu.com) debuted the
828, a single rack-space audio interface for Macintosh and Windows 2000/NT5
personal computers with 8 channels of ADAT optical digital input/output
(switchable to S/PDIF optical), RCA S/PDIF, 8 channels of balanced 24-bit
analog input/output, mic pre-amps and an ADAT SYNC input for sample-accurate
synchronization. In addition, the 828 provides CueMix? Plus zero-latency
monitoring of live input with separate front-panel volume control over the
monitored input signal. The MOTU 828 connects to any FireWire-equipped
windows PC or Apple Macintosh computer, such as the new G4 Cube, via
standard 1394 FireWire. No PCI card or PCMCIA card is required. The 828
includes an ASIO driver for compatibility with all major audio software on
both computer platforms. Also included is AudioDesk, a complete audio
workstation software package for Macintosh.
³FireWire audio is here,² said MOTU Marketing Director Jim Cooper. ³With a
total of 18 simultaneous input and outputs, two built-in mic pre-amps, zero
latency monitoring, and the ability to synchronize to anything via ADAT
sync, the 828 provides a complete studio in a box. The MOTU 828 takes
professional audio recording a leap forward in portability and plug-and-play
operation, especially when you combine it with Apple¹s latest offerings,
such as the ultra-quiet G4 Cube or the sexy new Titanium PowerBook.
Personally, my dream system is a MOTU 828 and MTP-AV USB in a 3 rack-space
gig bag slung over my shoulder and a new Titanium G4 PowerBook tucked under
my arm. But anyone can jump in at just about any price point, from the
affordable iMac all the way up to Apple¹s G4 Cube and their latest
dual-processor machines.²

Inputs and Outputs

The MOTU 828 rear panel has the following connectors:
? 8 channels of 24-bit analog in/out ­ all eight outputs and six of the
inputs are on balanced/unbalanced TRS connectors with 24-bit converters. Two
additional inputs are on Neutrik? combo (XLR/TRS) connectors each equipped
with a microphone pre-amp. 48 volt phantom power can be supplied to the mic
pre-amps via a front panel toggle switch. All analog inputs have 40dB of
trim provided by a front-panel trim knob.
The signal-to-noise ratio for the inputs is 105dB.
? 8 channels of ADAT optical digital in/out switchable to optical S/PDIF
(TOSLink) -The optical input and output can be individually switchable
between the 8-channel ADAT format and stereo optical S/PDIF (TOSLink).
? Main analog outputs ­ these two extra TRS outputs can be connected
directly to a pair of speakers. A front panel volume knob is provided for
convenient hands-on volume control of the main outs. The main outputs mirror
the signal on outputs 1 and 2. In addition, they sum these signals with up
to two channels of live input from any pair of analog inputs via the 828¹s
zero-latency monitoring bus. The user chooses any two analog inputs (via
software) as the monitor inputs. A separate knob is provided on the front
panel for convenient hands-on adjustment of the live input level, relative
to the main mix.
? RCA S/PDIF digital in/out ­ provides industry standard S/PDIF digital I/O.
? ADAT sync input ­ allows sample-accurate digital transfers with ADATs or
any other device that supports ADAT SYNC. The ADAT Sync port also allows the
828 to be synchronized with any external clock source. For example, with a
MOTU MIDI Timepiece AV-USB interface and synchronizer, the MOTU 828 audio
interface 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.
? 1394 FireWire connector ­ connects the 828 to the FireWire port on any
computer via a standard FireWire cable.
? IEC power receptacle ­ the 828 has an internal power supply with a
convenient external switch for either 115V or 230V operation.
Front panel volume control, trim, phantom power and indicator lights

The MOTU 828 front panel has the following features:
? Quarter-inch headphone output
? Main volume knob ­ controls both the headphone out and the main outputs
(including the monitored live inputs, if any).
? Monitor level knob ­ controls the volume of any two analog inputs being
monitored on the main outs, if any.
? Five input gain trim knobs ­ inputs 1 and 2 (equipped with mic preamps)
have individual input trim knobs. Input pairs 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8 have one trim
knob per pair. Each knob provides 40dB of input gain.
? 48 volt switch ­ provides phantom power to the mic preamps on inputs 1 and
2.
? Analog activity lights ­ glow red when signal is detected on an input or
green when signal is present on an output.
? Status lights ­ Indicate audio activity on the RCA S/PDIF in/out
connectors and ADAT optical connectors. Also indicate either 44.1 or 48kHz
operation.
? Power switch

CueMix? Plus Zero-latency monitoring
MOTU 828 users can connect a pair of speakers directly to the quarter-inch
main outs. In addition, they can choose, via software, any two analog inputs
for monitoring via the main outs. On the front panel, the main volume knob
controls the entire mix, while a separate monitor level knob lets users
adjust the monitored input level relative to the main mix. The CueMix? Plus
monitoring path is handled entirely in the 828 hardware itself; it is not
passed to the computer before being routed to the main outs. Therefore,
there is no latency in the monitored signal. At their option, users
can also route the input to the computer for simultaneous effects
processing, mixing the dry monitored signal with reverb, guitar distortion,
or other effects on the computer. By combining the two signals in this
manner, the user can eliminate audible delay in the processed audio from the
computer. When playing back disk tracks on the computer, full effects
processing can be used with absolutely no latency, regardless of the host
audio software being used.

Software compatibility and AudioDesk?
The MOTU 828 includes ASIO drivers, which provide multi-channel input and
output with any ASIO-compliant host audio software on Macintosh or Windows.
In addition, the 828 ships with a WDM kernel audio driver for Windows
2000/NT. The 828 also includes AudioDesk, MOTU¹s audio workstation software
for Macintosh, which provides complete recording, editing, mixing,
processing, and mastering of multitrack audio recordings.

Availability
The MOTU 828 is expected to ship Q1, 2001. The list price is $795 US.
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