MOTU UltraLite (Review)

[doybins]

http://www.studio-central.com/phpbb/vie ... pre#283264
http://www.studio-central.com/phpbb/vie ... pre#283240
http://www.studio-central.com/phpbb/vie ... pre#277329
http://www.studio-central.com/phpbb/vie ... pre#243151
http://www.studio-central.com/phpbb/vie ... pre#232287
I realize I refer to the 8Pre as 8x2 - I believe the "Phones" mix is independent of the "Main L/R" analog outs. However, using the phones jack as an additional set of outputs would be unbalanced, not to mention a hassle when it came to panning, Y cables, levels, etc.

thanks _controlfreak! peace!gGBU

[Dimey]

Baanes, the maximum amount of gain you can get out of the UL's preamps is 60db. How does that work if only 24db are adjustable? Hopefully this can explain:

PAD SWITCH: DOWN (-36db)
MIN GAIN: 0db
MAX GAIN: 24db

PAD SWITCH: FLAT (-18db)
MIN GAIN: 18db
MAX GAIN: 42db

PAD SWITCH: UP (+/- 0db)
MIN GAIN: 36db
MAX GAIN: 60db

-

So you see, it all revolves around the "PAD" switch: there are 3 gain stages, and you can add +24db in each one using the trim knob. With the PAD off and the TRIM knob at 0, I still am getting +36db of gain. With the TRIM knob maxed, I am getting +60db of gain.

Don't ask me why MOTU did it this way, but I kind of like it! I mainly pad things on the mic rather than the preamp; so I almost always need 40db or more of gain.

You wouldn't happen to know off hand the max gain db's of other MOTU products? I can't locate it on their site & I used the search key here.

Specifically the 828mkII. But, I wouldn't mind knowing the max gain of the 8pre & Traveler too.

[nanashiwanderer]

motu gear all uses the same circiut. for everything all gear shares preamps, and convertors.

[mcramer]

Not true, while the Ulralite has 3 stages for the Pad switch (Up, flat, down) the 8pre only has two, on or off.

The gain range is the same as the ultralite though.

[egopanic]

Well, I thought about buying the new Konnekt Live by TC for my mobile studio set-up, but then I came across this wonderful piece of equipment: the MOTU Ultralite. Now the question that will decide whether I`ll buy it or not: Does it have loud headphone-outputs? I can`t find any detailed specs about this product or am I blind?

[_controlfreak]

Does it have loud headphone-outputs?

YES. I can't give you an exact figure, but if you have the Phones volume anywhere near the maximum, then you need to take the cantaloupe out of your ears. I'm sure the 828 and Traveler dish out 60db's on their preamps too.

[egopanic]

Does it have loud headphone-outputs?

YES. I can't give you an exact figure, but if you have the Phones volume anywhere near the maximum, then you need to take the cantaloupe out of your ears. I'm sure the 828 and Traveler dish out 60db's on their preamps too.

Thanks a lot for your reply! I`m currently using the K141 Monitor which has 600 Ohm and is not as loud as its bigger brother the K141 Studio (55 Ohm). So loudness is pretty relative...what headphones are you using that your output is so extremely loud? Sorry, I just want to make sure I make the right choice, since I don`t want to use a seperate amp for my headphones. I need to be able to do live gigs and produce when I`m on the road...

It looks like I will buy this thing on Monday...

[egopanic]

By the way: I own a Motu 828 and the output isn`t that hot...

[Dimey]

By the way: I own a Motu 828 and the output isn`t that hot...

Well then...you can't compare it to the Ultralite though, so..

[Dimey]

I have been researching the UltraLite a lot lately. Some people describe the mic pre's as dark and muddy at some times. Can this be true?

[_controlfreak]

Dark and muddy... compared to what? The 410? Nope. The Firebox? Nuh uh. Neve clone? Hell yes - the preamps come across as dark. However, considering they're budget preamps, their response is quite extended, allowing you to better use EQ later. Beware of preamps that have hyped but unextended highs; they give only the illusion of clarity.

Still, calling MOTU's preamps "extended" is practically as unfair as calling them "dark and muddy." They're not high end preamps, but they're still perfectly usable. I prefer them to the sound of other interface's onboard preamps. But if you get and UltraLite, and aren't too happy with your sound, I guarantee you buying a competing interface is not going to solve your problem.

I will concede that there are major differences among the preamps on interfaces in this price range. However, differences do not necessarily denote inferiority (or superiority). I would venture to say that when the rubber meets the road, all onboard preamps of any interface aren't "good."

If I had to quantify the UltraLite's preamp quality, I would place them somewhere around Mackie's XDR preamps (the ones on their VLZ line of mixers). I had a $600 True Systems P-Solo, a single-channel preamp. I traded it for a 2nd UltraLite because a nice preamp wasn't what I needed (not that I wouldn't mind having one), and the preamps on the UltraLite were good enough for what I did need (is anyone else getting tired of that story?).

[nanashiwanderer]

No you took a break from repeating that story while you were posting pictures around the forum the last three months or so.

I will say this. The other day I made a post on another board along the same lines, of what _Controlfreak told you, and a guy with a neve console wandered in. Heres his comment...

EMU1820M, Firestudio, Saffire Pro, it doesn't matter, because at the end of the day they all sound the same, chinese.

[_controlfreak]

[nanashiwanderer]

Not true, while the Ulralite has 3 stages for the Pad switch (Up, flat, down) the 8pre only has two, on or off.

The gain range is the same as the ultralite though.

Then the 8pre is the exception. I know for fact the Traceller,828, HD896,Ultralight even the PCI Range is using the same design. The 8 ore did come out after all those though.

[Dimey]

if you don't mind me asking...whats the significants of Pad?

[nanashiwanderer]

It lowers the volume of the incoming signal, so if you recording something really loud like lets say electric guitar, it makes the signal quieter so you can record it with out the mic over loading.

[Dimey]

It lowers the volume of the incoming signal, so if you recording something really loud like lets say electric guitar, it makes the signal quieter so you can record it with out the mic over loading.

So it kinda sets the gain lower for you. Does having only 2 Pad switches have its downsides compared to the Ultralite's 3?

[nanashiwanderer]

uh your mis understanding what stages. are the ultralight only has one pad, v.s the 8pre has no pad.

[_controlfreak]

Don't worry about pads; it basically boils down to a matter of convenience as to whether a preamp has them or not. The number of pads should not be a deciding factor when comparing preamps (unless all other variables are fixed). Basically neither preamp on the UltraLite or 8Pre is going to be more or less useful than the other.

[mcramer]

the 8pre has no pad.

Uhhh...that's not entirely true

[motugeek]

Hi Everyone,

I have a very odd issue with my new UltraLite. Is this the correct place to post for help?

Thanks.

[_controlfreak]

Not really, but plenty of people have already.

Technically, you should make a new topic and post your question here: http://www.studio-central.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=19

[darnbni99a]

thanks 4 the review..i will be getting one for my MacBook Pro setup..once i save up enuf money

[i3eezenotch]

Anyone know how to set up the MOTU in 5.1? I'm running 5 KRK RP5 monitors and a 10s sub--Also, is Audacity decent software for recording through the ultralite? I don't plan on doign too much editing yet so until I can afford the software I was hopign to use that (I have a PC)

[sasquatch451]

hey everyone, great thread
i'm just getting into this stuff and setting up a studio and i just cant tell how important digital i/o is. for me it comes down to the 828 or the ultralite, as i'm running a macbook pro with logic pro and love what i've heard about motu/apple compatibility and quality. i don't foresee myself ever doing live band recording, though i'll probably need a bunch of ins to eventually mic a drum kit, but not necessarily. what exactly does adat allow for, just extra mic preamps? this seems to be the main difference between the two interfaces, so if i realize i dont need the adat, nor or down the road as my studio may grow, i'd rather save the $$$ and just go with the ultralite. (also, the guy I collaborate with is also in the market for one of these, so hypothetically we could both get ultralites and then daisy chain them as necessary, so it really does just come down to adat....)