MOTU 896hd VS Digi 002

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pmpnotiq

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I was in the Guitar Center the other day looking to buy the Digi 002 mixer with the rack (not the command 8), and one of the salesmen told me to just get two motu 896hd's, an m-box, and the command 8 control surface.

I want to run protools on a mac. The price is about the same:
two 896's= price of the 002 mixer
command 8= price of the 002 rack

What I do like is the fact that I can see my meters on the 896 and control gain right on the front pannel. He told me with the 002 mixer and rack that I was just paying for the name so just get the m-box so that i can run protools and control it with the command 8 and the 2x MOTU 896hd's for 16 channels of input.

I am kind of feeling the motu/m-box set up. Out of the two setups im just looking for some input on which to get. I dont want to end up with no bull s#!t
 
What he didn't tell you is that Pro Tools LE doesn't accept multiple soundcards, which would render your Motu's useless. The M-Box only has 2 analog inputs and one s/pdif stereo input. So you could only attach an extra stereo pair.

I'm afraid if you want to go with a multiple I/O interface and Pro Tools the only way is the Digi002/r. They also have ADAT I/O so if need be you could connect another 8 inputs from say a Motu device.
 
So if you connect a motu interface to the digi 002 it will work?
 
They gave you Sh!t advice. Pro tools only will work with digi's stuff. the 896 is a cool interface, so is the 002 ( I have a 002 and my uncle has a 896) the only thing about the 896 is you have to buy software to use with it. You can use the 896 with the 002 but you'll have to track the 896 through the 002 with the optical i/o
 
grimaybeats555 said:
So if you connect a motu interface to the digi 002 it will work?
Click to expand...
Yeah. You just need to connect them together through the ADAT lightpipe on the back. That'll give you an extra 8 inputs.
 
Thats good looking out, I think im going to go with the digi 002 + 002 Rack. That right there is 16 inputs. Are you saying that I can add an 896 via lightpipe and have 24 ins. That would be off the chain.
 
Thats good looking out, I think im going to go with the digi 002 + 002 Rack. That right there is 16 inputs. Are you saying that I can add an 896 via lightpipe and have 24 ins. That would be off the chain
Click to expand...
You realize that pro tools isn't going to recognize both? What your doing is kinda a end around.
 
Pro Tools will only work with one interface, and it has to be Digidesign. So you could get the Digi002 or Digi002R and then connect another interface to that through ADAT. If you wanted more inputs your only option would be s/pdif - which will allow you only another stereo pair.

So all in all, you could have a total of 18 inputs with Pro Tools LE. I imagine that would be more than enough.
 
correct me if im misunderstanding So the 002 rack w/ command 8. Then for additional inputs i could add a 896 thru adat.
 
too make things easier if you plan on using protools get oo2 in not get the MOTU joint
 
Please tell me the name of the store and the salesperson cause I WILL NEVER DO BUISNESS WITH THAT FOOL OR HIS STORE. His advice was totally incorrect. And would have cost you no ends of trouble. Use the correct gear with the correct software whatever you do. I would go with the OO2 personally but the DP system is cool too. I use that also. Mixing the two would be like mixing oil and water.
 
"correct me if im misunderstanding So the 002 rack w/ command 8. Then for additional inputs i could add a 896 thru adat."

yup thats right, if you can get the 002 cheaper go for that but if the 002 rack and command 8 come out cheaper get them either way your really getting the same thing.

and if your not so stuck on the motu stuff there are some other options.
this is to connect to the light pipe adat for the extra 8 I/O with a digi 002 or the digi 002 rack.

alesis have the AI3 which is only inserts no pre amps.

presonus has the digimax which is 8 pre amps.

st audio have the adam24 which has 2 pres and the other 6 are just inserts.

focusrite have the octo pre and octo pre le ( lite edition ) with 8 pre amps.

all of these are cheaper then the motu.
 
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"So the 002 rack w/ command 8. Then for additional inputs i could add a 896 thru adat."

yup thats right, if you can get the 002 cheaper go for that but if the 002 rack and command 8 come out cheaper get them either way your really getting the same thing.

and if your not so stuck on the motu stuff there are some other options.
this is to connect to the light pipe adat for the extra 8 I/O with a digi 002 or the digi 002 rack."

Is this a good set up cause Its wierd Im pretty sure im going with a MOTU 2408mk3 for now and when I start working in the major market I feel I should upgrade to protools just so im "compatable" with other studios/set ups and major lables.even independants point being if My upgrading turns out to actually expanding thats friggin great! Is this right?I should go with that motu use my Cubase and what not then when its time to upgrade I can get the oo2Rack and it will all work together in harmony?
 
i just had a look at the 2408 and i really think you should look at a different unit, it has 24 channels of adat and tdif, now it seems it might be a waste for you when you will only need 1/3rd of that. you might also want a unit that has some pre amps on it. I think for what your looking at doing there will be another unit that will suit your needs perfectly.
i will have a little think at some other suggestions keeping in mind you want to go from cubase up to pro tools with out having to get a whole new system.


also with the price of the motu unit and then cubase on top of that, also you will need some pre amps you might find the 002 rack a bit cheaper. so go with pro tools right away.
 
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Im going with RME and Cubase for now.I will get a 002 digi rack at a later time...I got things under control.
 
Sounds like horrible advice (IMO). Firstly, I would never get a Mbox. I've worked with them, it's the U.niverally S.low B.us. BLEH...

I'd say, just go with the Digi002 - that's what I did for my studio B-Room.
 
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