ProTools 002 vs. MOTU 828

[Ultraslide]

I have used both the 001 which I own and the 828 that was in a friends arsenal.
I think they are very similar in alot of ways but different in others.

First the 001 has a better software package for both Win and MAC. But doesnt support alot of "standards" (asio, directx, etc)
The only advantage to the 828 is that its firewire and you can choose (and pay for) any app you like to use with it. This is a plus and minus because at 795 retail you've got 200 bucks left over to choose that app and 200 bucks isnt enough to buy an application comparable to PT LE. (the Digital Performer upgrade is $495 ... OUCH!!!) So at $1290 the 828+DP3 isnt a very good deal.

I think the 896 looks good but has the same application problem.
Honestly, I was hoping the Digi002 would be more like the 896 and less than what it is, but thats water under the bridge.

the 'slide

[img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[WheelSpoke]

This is a plus and minus because at 795 retail you've got 200 bucks left
over to choose that app and 200 bucks isnt enough to buy an application comparable to PT LE. (the Digital Performer upgrade is $495 ... OUCH!!!) So at $1290 the 828+DP3 isnt a very
good deal.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">hmm, well, I own PTLE. The thing I wanted was a more portable system...(ie hoping for an upgrade to 001 with the hype of 002.) This didn't happen so the MOTU looks like a good addition (way way cheaper than 002). Will PTLE work through the 828? How is the sound? comparable to 001?

Thanks,
Donovan

[Notanotherone]

Cant you ue Dp with the 001?..I recall someone doing this and if so then why bother with the 828 if you aint got a laptop.....I personally favor the digi soley on the basis of good product and support...motu's support is a joke..

[WheelSpoke]

Cant you use Dp with the 001?..I recall someone doing this and if so then why bother with the 828 if you aint got a laptop.....I personally favor the digi soley on the basis of good product
and support...motu's support is a joke..

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Thanks,
I should specify that I do have a laptop (ti800Mhz) and I just want a more portable system. 828 comes with "AudioDesk" which I am guessing is not as complete as PTLE.?? You see, I could buy a Magma Chassis but that is approx $1000 anyway. It would be nice to just buy a front end for my PTLE portable needs.

thanks,
D

[daryl bowden]

Pro Tools will not run using an 828. Pro Tools is only compatible with digi hardware. It is NOT POSSIBLE to use the 828 with PTLE or HD or any other pro tools version.

[DaWhole9]

Do you use MOTU or have you just "heard" they are a joke. I use MOTU's DP, and it beats PTLE all day long for just about everything it does. MIDI? No question. Audio editing, yes, easy and just as powerful. Time stretching, chopping, looping and that type of stuff, DP beats PTLE all day long. The plugs are just as plentiful and available for MAS (MOTU Audio System) and you get more performance. I have a question, what if you need more than 24 (or 32) tracks for mixing? You bounce, submix, etc...In DP you are only limited by your CPU and hard drive. I just finished a 48 track mix with 16 aux busses, 24 plugs in 24 bit on a TiBook 800. You will NEVER get that type of performance out of a PTLE system. By the way, I mixed through an Mbox. Tracked through my buddies 896. Avalon 737 SP as the front end. Great sound. Then I did some other mixes in PTLE and the in DP, DP sounds wider, brighter, and more open. It is also optimized for the G4, and the performance proves it. I have only had to call MOTU once in 8 years. They're line stays busy, but keep calling and you will get through. But email them, and they will get back to you very quickly. Also upgrades are pretty good and free for a while after you buy the program, then you pay for major upgrades. It all depends on what you need. A MOTU system, in my opinion compares more to a TDM system in specs. The only thing in common they have with the LE systems is they are host based. SO the MOTU system may be more cash, but you get more. A MUCH better MIDI engine, great Audio engine, OMF support to export to Pro Tools, and you are not limited to 24 or 32 tracks. So the extra $200 buys a lot. If you need more tracks, go MOTU, or Logic. If 24 or 32 will get you by then PTLE is pretty amazing for the price and the compatibility and ease of transfrerring to a TDM system for mixing is great.

[DaWhole9]

Originally posted by daryl bowden:
Pro Tools will not run using an 828. Pro Tools is only compatible with digi hardware. It is NOT POSSIBLE to use the 828 with PTLE or HD or any other pro tools version.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Absolutely correct. You cannot run Pro Tools (any version) on anything other than Digi hardware. With the MOTU software, you can use pretty much any I/O including Digi. You should also be comparing Apples to Apples...The 002 is 24 bit/96K, the 828 is 24 bit/48K. The 896 is 24 bit/96K. What I dis was this...Get the Mbox. It gave me easy, and cheap quality i/o for DP, and compatibility with Pro Tools...Best of both worlds.

[dchband]

DAWHOLE: Get the Mbox. It gave me easy, and cheap quality i/o for DP, and compatibility with Pro Tools...Best of both worlds.

Now if only the MBox was firewire based. That would be the perfect world.

dave

[Carl Z]

Well the 828 does come with audio software so you could move files between applications. I'm thinking about that and the 896 as well.

(yeah, cause someone didn't quite hit my firewire/portable needs)

Oops did I say that out loud.

Carl

[WheelSpoke]

Hey thanks for all the info. It was disappointing to hear that PTLE does not run through the 828. However, it was encouraging to hear that Digital Performer is getting good reviews. I am leary about leaving Digi001. However, there seems to be many positives about doing so. My laptop doesn't make any noise. If I were to get an expansion chassis, I heard that they *do* make at least some noise. The Motu is said to be quiet and if I ran FireWire drives instead of my SCSI drive stack I would effectively be eliminating some noise from my studio.
A question I have is: will I be able to open/manipulate all my Digi001 files if I switch to Motu.
(I feel like maybe I shouldn't be asking these types of questions on Digi's gracious forum, but I have been a long time Digi supporter also. It just so happens that at this time, I am having a dificult time fitting the niche that I want to with digi products.)

I do love my digi001 but since I am switching to my laptop I might have to make the move to Motu and there Digital Performer (competitive pricing of $395).

Dawhole9... can you explain what the Mbox is used for in your setup? Why do you have this in your mix if you have DP and a 828 rig? (or maybe you don't have a 828 rig?)

thanks again,
This might add another possibility to my studio woes!
Donovan