The following is a message I sent to MOTU preceded by their response. I forwarded this to Digidesign to get their side of the story, but have not yet heard back.
Perhaps somebody from Digi would like to respond to this letter from MOTU. I would like to hear why I would want Digi 001 over the MOTU 1224.
Ethan,
Thank you for your interest.
I can only do part of Digi's job for them ;-) My info on the Digi 001
comes from their web site.
The 001 is a combination of software and hardware. Digi wants you to use
all-Digi products, so there is no support for any third-party software
with the 001 hardware. We have tested Digital Performer with a beta
version of the 001. The audio inputs and outputs worked with our direct
I/O drivers. This functionality could be changed by Digidesign at any
time.
The MIDI sequencer in ProTools 5 looks a lot like Performer version 3
(circa 1990). One difference between ProTools 5LE and Digital Performer
is that PT 5LE does not send or receive sync.
According to the Digi site, the resolution of the 001 converters is 24
bit. They claim a dynamic range of 98 db. We get 98 db of dynamic range
from the 20 bit converters on our 2408. In other words, we get the same
spec at 20 bits that Digi gets at 24 bit. The 24 bit converters on our
1224 interface are rated at 116 db dynamic range.
Our hardware system includes a range of four different audio interfaces
which cover ADAT Lightpipe, Tascam TDIF, S/PDIF, Toslink, AES/EBU, 20 bit
and 24 bit A/D-D/A converters. All our audio interfaces have word clock
input and output. Sample accurate ADAT sync is built into our PCI card.
The maximum number of 24 bit I/O on the MOTU system is 72 channels. In
order to upgrade the MOTU system, you buy additional rack interfaces.
The most expensive interface we make is the 24i which has 24 channels of
balanced, +4 db, 24 inputs. The cost for the 24i rack unit is $1149.00.
The Digi 001 can not be expanded unless you upgrade to ProTools TDM
systems. I expect you'll be checking out the cost on that!
If I can be of further service, please let me know.
David Roberts - MOTU
[email protected]
>Digidesign told me I should ask you rather than them how compatible the
>new Digi 001 dig audio i/o is with Dig Performer 2.5.
>
>Please also tell me how you feel the Digi 001 compares to your
>comparable system, the 1224. Please compare with as many specific stats
>as possible.
>
>Much obliged!
>
>-Ethan