Can I use a MOTU 2408 MKII as an A/D converter for the Apollo 8?

I want to take advantage of the additional ADAT inputs on the Apollo but I don't want to use a box with preamps. Id like to just get a decent A/D converter that works. I think the MOTU 2408 MKII will do it but my research hasn't given me a clear answer.

I don't know, so hopefully someone who has used an old 2408 can jump in. I do use an 828X, but that is new and has pres - which I don't use. It works well to feed ADAT.

In trying to find out more about that 2408 I found that MOTU has a list of user manuals here:

MOTU.com - Product manuals

But the MKII is too old to be listed. The MKIII is there. It may be close enough.

And I found an article about the 2408 in SOS Magazine, from 17 years ago, which means the 2408 came on the market some time prior to that.

MOTU 2408

It says:

"The converters are full 20-bit devices and the internal signal path is 24-bit with support for both 44.1 and 48kHz sample rates. Word clock in and out allows integration into systems driven from a master clock"

It also says:

"To complete the package, the necessary support software comes on CD-ROM along with a Mac-only application called AudioDesk. This is very similar to the audio side of Digital Performer v2.4 and offers recording at up to 24-bit resolution with 32-bit processing"
I wonder if that is too old.

Do you have access to one to try? Grab a TOSlink cable and give it a go. I have no idea about the quality of the ADC from back then, but suspect something newer will sound better.

I had an AKAI, DPS24 from about 14 years ago. I never could get it to sync well with the Apollo. It would give me pops and crackles.

:- Don

I have a 2408 in my old AD/DA rig here. It was shuttling 24 channels of RME ADI-8 Pro conversion to and from a mac pro via MOTU's PCI-424 card. The RME units were ADAT light piped to the 2408. It worked fantastic for that... for years. I was amazed how long it did its job. To be clear though... we stopped using it for and AD/DA when we got the RME converters. The 2408's AD/DA is nowhere near what the RME's are. Now moving up the foodchain; the Apollos (16 and 8 blackfaces) are walking all over the RMEs. I would only use the MOTUs conversion if i absolutely had to. They are not what i'd call "decent conversion" for whatever that's worth.

-pete

You can put the 2408 MKII's into stand-alone conversion mode, but there is a caveat: It will only convert A>D OR D>A. They will not do both directions at the same time in stand-alone mode. But if you only need A>D, and can deal with the quality of ~15year old converter technology, it should work fine with Apollo.

Even a $400 8 channel preamp box with ADAT from Behringer will wipe the floor sonically with the MOTU 2408 II. Avoid.

I didn't realize the MOTU's were so old! Can anyone suggest an A/D converter that wouldn't break the bank? I don't want something with preamps unless they can also have line ins. I have great pres that I want to use.

This is the best/least expensive A/D/A you'll find

Behringer ADA8200 | Sweetwater.com

Hoenerbr said:

This is the best/least expensive A/D/A you'll find

Behringer ADA8200 | Sweetwater.com

Click to expand...

I just loooooove the sample rate switches at the back of the unit :roll:

That was the Behringer unit I had in mind

DanButsu said:

I just loooooove the sample rate switches at the back of the unit :roll:

Click to expand...

At least it's not a DIP switch. Those are a lot of fun. I had a piece of ham radio gear that had DIPs on the back. One needs a magnifying glass to adjust those.

http://www.amazon.com/Pcs-Positions...4347662&sr=8-2&keywords=7+position+dip+switch

:- Don

So the forum is coming back with "the budget Behringer pre strip" is worth the money?

Line-in is still an analog path. How nice are the preamps you're going to plug into it?

...Oh I don't know. None of this is as important as the quality of the mic, or the instrument, or the room, or the player, or the song...

Wow, all those jacks on the front of the Behringer. How on earth do you set that up in a studio environment without cables coming out of everywhere. This does seem like a good simple solution. Just the front jacks are a deal breaker.

Here's a much better solution, and sound quality. Worth waiting till you have a couple of extra bucks

PreSonus DigiMax DP88 | Sweetwater.com

Here is a selection of 8 channel pre's with ADAT on Sweetwater. I recommend that you identify one with a combination of line inputs and mic pre's.

8-channel Preamps | Sweetwater.com

Apart from the already mentioned cheapies from Behringer and PreSonus, Focusrite also make a cheap unit.

RME make an AD/DA only called the adi 8 QS

RME: ADI-8 QS

But it is around $3500.....

jnTracks said:

So the forum is coming back with "the budget Behringer pre strip" is worth the money?

Line-in is still an analog path. How nice are the preamps you're going to plug into it?

...Oh I don't know. None of this is as important as the quality of the mic, or the instrument, or the room, or the player, or the song...

Click to expand...

It's my fault that the Behringer was mentioned. I was using it to highlight that pretty much any low cost 8 channel box will sound better than the MOTU 2408. If I was in this market I would save up for an Audient ASP 880.

And it will die within six months guaranteed. Happened to me twice won't happen again. I was using them for headphone feeds where quality doesn't matter as much.

DanButsu said:

Here's a much better solution, and sound quality. Worth waiting till you have a couple of extra bucks

PreSonus DigiMax DP88 | Sweetwater.com

Click to expand...

Dan, I noticed the line-ins on that unit can go in either through a DB25 which goes directly to the ADC, or through the XLR jacks. Oooo I would be afraid of hitting the phantom switch with any lines-in at the XLRs.

DrewMazurek said:

And it will die within six months guaranteed. Happened to me twice won't happen again. I was using them for headphone feeds where quality doesn't matter as much.

Click to expand...

Drew are you talking about the Behringer, or about the Audient Ashford mentioned?

:- Don