Motu 828 vs. Tascam US-428

[yongjoo]

Has anyone tested both the Motu 828 and the Tascam US-428 on a mac? I'm planning on buying either one. I'm hearing good things about both. Does anyone feel partial toward Firewire or USB connections? Of course, the Tascam is cheaper, but I've also heard that the sound quality isn't very good. And, I haven't heard anything bad about the Motu.

I've heard the compatilibilty of both work well with the new iBOOKS. If anyone has any input on the subject, I'd like to know. Thanks.

[chikaboom]

I got the 828 in May which I use with my G4 Cube. I love it. From everything that I have heard, the MOTU is superior to the 428, but of course, it is much more expensive.

[Lama]

I wouldn't recommend the USB at all unless you doing no more than 2 tracks.

The MOTU828 is pretty decent. I own one and have had only minor lag problems, though I'm not recording more than 6 tracks at a time. If you're running on an iBook you're pretty much stuck with either USB or Firewire, however, if you've got a laptop with PCMCIA there are a few other good options available from Echo (Layla24) and from RME-audio.

Hope this helps,
... Tacket
MadPeeps Productions
www.rememberfull.com (http://www.rememberfull.com)

[yongjoo]

Thanks. I'm definitely leaning toward the Motu. I needed some confirmation that the extra 3 hundred bucks I'm spending will be worth it.
What's the best audio software to run with this? I'm obviously asking a 'preference' question. Is the Audio Desk program any good?

[The Snuff]

hey,
audiodesk is good. you can do a lot with it, and learn a lot from it. you may want to upgrade to Digital Performer 3 later on though. and if you already have audiodesk, you can get the upgrade for about 350 or so. and if you know how to use audiodesk, youll be able to use DP3 with ease.

JESSE

[dhosek]

One thing to consider, if you've got the budget is to ultimately get both. What the US-428 gives you which is nice to have is:

1. MIDI in/out
2. A nice control surface for mixing in DP3

But for straight audio in/out, Firewire is the way to go. Much apparently depends on your system speed, but on the MOTU-Mac list there are apparently plenty of people doing 8-track recording to TiBooks with the 828 without any problems. I've got neither at the moment (I record to an E-mu Darwin, then transfer audio files to my G4 tower by sneakernet), but I will probably get first the US428 as a control surface (more pressing need), then add an 828 and TiBook for doing my recording (and then I can transfer audio files by ethernet... if only someone made a ~$200 4-port gigabit switch...)

-dh

[Enos]

Hi,
Definitely MOTU is the way to go. I got mine yesterday!!! And have been all day testing it and it's software(audiodesk). I use it on a G4 but since it is a firewire interface, it will connect easily to any firewire interfaced computer(ibook,for exampe...)

I had heard that the Audiodesk isn't so good.But I've been surprised by its performance.And of course, you can always update it to DP3.

[Lama]

Audiodesk is basically Digital Performer 2.7 without MIDI, so for people without the cash, it should work just fine.

... Tacket
MadPeeps Productions
www.rememberfull.com (http://www.rememberfull.com)