Saffire Pro 40 - or - MOTU 8Pre

[Ventura]

It's come down to these interfaces, folks.

Macbook Pro
Reaper

Which one and why?
Thanks kindly,
Mo

 

[Ventura]

Obviously a BORING thread, and for this I apologize...

My struggle is with what seem to be superior pres in the Saffire versus the engineering/pad-and-phantom-per-channel layout of the MOTU.

I promise I won't ask this again - and thanks to nodnarb and craftm1 for you nudge in the MOTU direction

 

[Red_Label]

Wish I had some helpful input. I've been on the verge of picking up the Saffire Pro 24 for som time and have read nothing but great reviews of it. I've compared it to all comparable units and the reviews for it seem superior. I did consider the Pro 40, but I just don't need that many inputs as I only intend to record 2 mics in stereo for my next acoustic project.

 

[Ventura]

Wish I had some helpful input. I've been on the verge of picking up the Saffire Pro 24 for som time and have read nothing but great reviews of it. I've compared it to all comparable units and the reviews for it seem superior. I did consider the Pro 40, but I just don't need that many inputs as I only intend to record 2 mics in stereo for my next acoustic project.

Appreciated man. The only beef I have with the Pro40 is the limit of the 2 pads. Believe it or not, I've been in situations where I have 2 different mics on 2 different cabs with 2 different heads, running in stereo. It's incredible. And to capture it effectively, the 4 mics in total really does it justice.

So I can see needing the pad per channel, as well as phantom/48V per channel; although the P40 is fine with 50/50 phantom/48V in groups.

P40 seems to have the best pres at this pricepoint, but there's a lot of spewing about the MOTU being good too.

It'll come together - thanks for the 411

 

[skoora]

I'm not familiar with the Saffire but with how rock solid my Ultra-lite has been over the years I would give MOTU a first look over any other I've tried.

 

[guitarobert]

I may be the dissenter on MOTU, but I would go with the Focusrite. I own a MOTU Ultralite mk3 and have had a problem with it. It periodically changes the gain range of the inputs down to a low level. It's a bitch to notice the problem, and can only be fixed by turning the device off/on. Then it's fine for a few hours until the problem creeps up again. When this happens the level meters in software also stop working

I would say it's just mine, but a friend of mine bought one and has the same problem, and there was another one I used for work and it had the same issues. I've also used other MOTUs and have had other software problems (828 series). Regarding the Ultralite, the problem happens with both a PC and Mac.

For Focusrite I haven't heard of any issues. A friend has one of their devices and has been happy with it. in my case I moved from MOTU to RME. Based on my experience I'd go with the Focusrite over the MOTU. They are excellent when they are working, but I've encountered too many issues given the range of their products I've used.

 

[garey77]

Why not presonus?

 

[craftm1]

Saffire Pro 40 in my opinion is best of the two. Better drivers, better support!

 

[Ventura]

For Focusrite I haven't heard of any issues. A friend has one of their devices and has been happy with it. in my case I moved from MOTU to RME. Based on my experience I'd go with the Focusrite over the MOTU. They are excellent when they are working, but I've encountered too many issues given the range of their products I've used.

Mac or PC base??

Saffire Pro 40 in my opinion is best of the two. Better drivers, better support!

Mac or PC base??

Just asking. The Pres are considered higher quality and more clear on the Pro40. My only bitch is the 2 x pads limit on Ch.1 and 2. Sucks. If it had pad/ch. I'd buy it without hesitation.

Keep 'em coming men.

 

[skoora]

I may be the dissenter on MOTU, but I would go with the Focusrite. I own a MOTU Ultralite mk3 and have had a problem with it. It periodically changes the gain range of the inputs down to a low level. It's a bitch to notice the problem, and can only be fixed by turning the device off/on. Then it's fine for a few hours until the problem creeps up again. When this happens the level meters in software also stop working

I would say it's just mine, but a friend of mine bought one and has the same problem, and there was another one I used for work and it had the same issues. I've also used other MOTUs and have had other software problems (828 series). Regarding the Ultralite, the problem happens with both a PC and Mac.

For Focusrite I haven't heard of any issues. A friend has one of their devices and has been happy with it. in my case I moved from MOTU to RME. Based on my experience I'd go with the Focusrite over the MOTU. They are excellent when they are working, but I've encountered too many issues given the range of their products I've used.

Interesting. My Ultra-Lite is an older version. Isn't that just the bitch about software driven tech. You're one model/firmware revision away from disaster sometimes. If my Ultralite dies I'll have to check out other brands.

 

[Nodnarb25]

Uncle Mo - Good thinking to qualify whether PC or Mac based concerns.

I'm Mac + MOTU all over and I've got no issues. Their AD and DA converters don't stink either. They aren't branded "Focusrite", but I don't mind.

I've got a Focusrite "Liquid Mix" for compression and EQ. You want to talk about slow to respond to updates in firmware to correspond with changes in Mac OS, etc. Focusrite is slow as molasses.

Yes Apogee rules. There can be no arguments there. But, I don't have that kind of coin.

MOTU has been all about Macs since day one. They just did the PC world a huge service by finally releasing DP8 as cross-platform. I use DP7 as my DAW and have been a dedicated Digital Performer user since I started digital audio recording 12 years ago with a blue and white 350mHz G3 and a single 2408 Mk1. But, I digress...

 

[Ventura]

Uncle Mo - Good thinking to qualify whether PC or Mac based concerns.

I'm Mac + MOTU all over and I've got no issues. Their AD and DA converters don't stink either. They aren't branded "Focusrite", but I don't mind.

I've got a Focusrite "Liquid Mix" for compression and EQ. You want to talk about slow to respond to updates in firmware to correspond with changes in Mac OS, etc. Focusrite is slow as molasses.

Yes Apogee rules. There can be no arguments there. But, I don't have that kind of coin.

MOTU has been all about Macs since day one. They just did the PC world a huge service by finally releasing DP8 as cross-platform. I use DP7 as my DAW and have been a dedicated Digital Performer user since I started digital audio recording 12 years ago with a blue and white 350mHz G3 and a single 2408 Mk1. But, I digress...

Awesome read. Awesome post. Ya, I'm a Mac cat through and through. Thanks AGAIN for this... Your patience is well appreciated.

Uncle Mo

 

[guitarobert]

In the case of the Ultralite mk3 problem, it is happening on both Mac and PC. I use both. I started with a PC, had the problem. Checked with my friend running a Mac and he has the problem. I recently got a Mac and using the latest drivers/firmware I still have the problem happening. So it seems to be related to the hardware on the Ultralite mk3 itself.

Maybe the model you are looking at doesn't have any issues, but based on my own experience with MOTU I'm avoiding them. It's a shame because their mixer software is quite nice. I'm running an RME now and am happy. Likewise I heard good things on the Saffire.

 

[Nodnarb25]

Awesome read. Awesome post. Ya, I'm a Mac cat through and through. Thanks AGAIN for this... Your patience is well appreciated.

Uncle Mo

No prob! You're welcome. I understand your desire to get it right. It's an important decision!!!

 

[Ventura]

Why not presonus?

No lightpipe.