PlanetZ forums - scopeusers.com

Greetings; Just picked up a MOTU 2408 MkII that I hoped to use as a front-end; outboard gear hooked up to the 2408MkII's analog inputs, then run into a Sonic Core card via Adat (lightpipe).

There was no manual with the MkII so I'm trying to wing this; can anyone tell me the proper settings for such a use?

The 2408MkII is slaved to the S-C card (48 Khz clock). Using the Adat A source module in my S-C project, I am able to successfully get the outboard gear output showing up as desired in Cubase (SX3). But I can't figure out how to go the other way, and have audio tracks in Cubase show up at the analog outputs of the 2408mkii. Any suggestions as to what settings need to be used on the mkii (in standalone mode; ie. i don't have a motu card installed on my pc).

Also, I'm assuming this is totally daft, but can someone can confirm that the firewire port on the 2408mkii cannot be used with the Z-Link input on the Luna?

Regards
Glenn

System: Intel DG965WH/Core 2 Duo; Win XP Sp2; S-C Pulsar II and Luna; 2 x UAD-1 plus 1 x UAD-1e; Cubase SX3

For sure, the "firewire" port on the MOTU has nothing to do with the one in the Luna box: none of them are really firewire, but proprietary systems for each brand that use the same type of connectors. On the MOTU, it connects the box to the PCI card, and on the Luna, it connects to a Z-link port, and is meant to be used only with the Z-link connections on a Scope card (according to other threads in Z, the Luna doesn't work with the XITE, though the A16U does). So there's no point in connecting them, and it's even possible that you damage your hardware.

I have no experience with the MOTU But you can search the web for a manual, or even ask on the MOTU forum if it's possible to monitor the ADAT inputs directly, while in standalone mode. It could also be that those inputs are being muted or routed to a different output. You may have to configure the MOTU's internal routing so that the digital inputs (but not the analog ones, which go to Cubase) are mixed down to a single stereo output you can monitor. This may be configurable on the unit itself, or may require a software application, which means you'll have to connect it to a computer at some point. Same thing if you want a channel by channel conversion (eg. ADAT in 01 to analog out 01..., for external summing or connection to outboard), you'll have to configure the routing.

For example, I have an RME box that can be used in standalone mode, but you need the Totalmix application (and internal card) to make changes to the routings (and even to enter standalone mode). I don't know how the MOTU works.

But of course, if you'll be needing a single stereo out, you might as well just use the analog outputs in Scope.

Hope this helped, and good luck!

T

Greetings; Thanks for the the tips...

I have a hunch that you're right, that i need to connect my 2408mkii to the Motu PCI card, and use the related software to reset the routings to get what i want (i used to have one of those lovely RME A/D/A's which worked perfectly as a front-end for SC cards by default).

I have had zero luck looking for a manual for the 2408mkii, but they may have one at the store where i bought it...i recall seeing a couple used MOTU PCI cards in the delete bin, so chances are i can buy or rent (or borrow -- it's a great store) one of these cards to redo the routing as needed.

Regards
Glenn

the motu "firewire" is what creamware/soniccore "firewire" or rme "firewire" is: a proprietary extension on top of basic ieee1394 specifications, sharing the official "firewire" connector.
that's why they invented different names for it (motu audiowire, creamware z-link and rme hdsp link).

neither they are compatible to firewire nor compatible to each other, so don't ever plug them together!

the motu interfaces can operate standalone, afair, giving you the possibility to convert adat to tdif or analog or vice versa, but to make use of its full routing capabilities you need the pci or pcie card with the cuemix application, imho. the card also allows you to stack up to 4 audiowire equipped interfaces. you activate the in and outs in banks, afaik, so you can't use 24 adat ports and 24 tdif ports on a single 2496 at the same time. the limitation is always 24 ports. nevertheless, there must be a possibility to set up the internal routing from the front panel, at least a basic one.

Some MOTU interfaces are just firewire (828mk3 & traveller for instance), which is probably the cause of the confusion.

valis wrote:Some MOTU interfaces are just firewire (828mk3 & traveller for instance), which is probably the cause of the confusion.

that's why the non-firewire units have their ports labelled AudioWire (well, at least I've seen that on a 2408mk3).
but you are right, the fact that they have "real firewire" interfaces ,too, might indeed cause some confusion, especially in mixed environments...

I just meant in the marketplace, assuming every user/buyer knows the difference between 'Firewire' and their proprietary 'Audiowire' would be a mistake imo.

I never unpacked a brand new audiowire enable motu interface, but I have a slight hope it would have a sticker next to the port which reads: "don't plug into ordinary firewire!" or the like...
but maybe this is way too optimistic

I would hope so too.

My RME Multiface actually uses the same firewire cable with their own proprietary connector and I see people who go the forums asking why it doesn't work (they didn't purchase the PCI/PCIe/Expresscard/PCMCIA card when purchasing the Multiface, as they can be purchased separately.) I have also seen a few inquiries here about the A16u...

In any case...

valis wrote:I have also seen a few inquiries here about the A16u...

thing is: you can hook it to firewire, because it physically fits...