Main

Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU) 828MKII 24/96 Audio Interface (Macintosh and Windows)

The 828mkII contains everything you need to turn your Mac or PC computer into a powerful 24-bit, 96kHz digital audio workstation. With simple plug-and-play operation via FireWire or "high-speed" USB 2.0, the 828mkII provides 20 inputs and 22 outputs, including 10 channels of pristine 96kHz analog recording and playback, combined with 8 channels of ADAT digital I/O and stereo S/PDIF. Expand your system by connecting additional interfaces. Learn More...

    • New $749.95
  • Installment Plan:4 payments of $187.48
    • free ground shipping
Write a Review:

Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Individual User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
To run it on may notebook I had to buy an extra firewire card for the cardslot. The ASIO is somewhat oldfashioned, and I have constant problems recording in cubase 4 with ASIO overload. A great problem is the input gain, which can only be set at -16dB, -10dB or +4dB, so that it is not easy to avoid clipping or have enough signal. In the product description given by MOTU it says that it can be used without a mixer. I deny this fervently - wanted to record a live set, and was dependent on the settings of the live mixer - it was not at all easy to have enough signal on some ports and not too much signal on others. The CueMix Console is only a different way to handle the interface, I could handle the interface with the knobs on the frontside just as well.

Quality:
I think quality is high, it looks not fragile at all, and as my particular interface was bougt used, it has done some good work in its time.

Value:
I think, if this is just what you need, prices are ok. Quality is better than average I shuold say, and pirces are affordable.

Desirability:
Design is pretty good, looks and feel are "sexy" to my taste, it looks dependable and compact and not at all slipshod.

Sound:
I think it sounds good, but as I work with motu only I have no real chance to compare the sound to sound of other products

Ease of Use:
After reading the 100 pages of the manual, it becomes rather clear how to use the interface. I do not think I can modify the sound at all, just set gain an assign ports.

Support:
I have written to support in Germany many times (I live in Austria) answers were always fast and to the point, very friendly people there, and the information was always correct

Overall:
I think, I will sell it again, as it is not the right thing for the use I bought it for, i.e. live recording without using an extra mixer. And as I am already contemplating the purchase of a mixer, I will buy a digital mixing console with firewire, so that I can record without using an interface at all, which gives me 24 or 32 channels for recording without having to buy 3 interfaces or AD convertres.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
The metering is a nice feature that until recently MOTU were pretty much the onlys ones that had it. Now the Presonus Firestudio project also has metering. There is alot of room for expansion with 10 channels + 8 channels of ADAT + SPDIF. This interface should be all I need for the next few years.

Quality:
All the jacks and knobs seem solid, and I have no problems with the case.

Value:
Its definatly worth the money, I was considering a firepod for a while but came to the conclusion that it wasent very expandable. The 828mkII even though dosent have 8 preamps has more channels + ADAT so I can hook up an 8pre later.

Desirability:
I couldn't sleep properly until it got to my house

Sound:
Sounds Fantastic. The only problem I found is that the front two mic inputs dont have much gain which can a probelm for certain mic's.

Ease of Use:
I'm using Windows XP SP2, and with the exception of one little firewire patch from Microsoft was flawless. Just goes to show that MOTU are not just a macintosh company. Some of the knobs on the front are a little small, but what do you expect when you pack this much into a 1 rack unit case.

Support:
I haven't had to deal with them which is a 10 in my books.

Overall:
Fantastic product that is worth every cent. Even though the preamps dont really have enough gain, and the knobs are a bit small I dont care because I have a stable and very reliable system that I can just turn on and start recording whenever I have inperations or an idea. That to me is the most important aspect

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Sound:
Previously I said: The main outs L & R seems fuzzy and is not the same quality as the 1 to 8 outs. It still sounds great, but not the same quality and clarity as the outputs from 1 to 8 outs. OOPS... Never mind. I didn't set the input as PAIRs, so both outputs 1 and 2 were panned center on the Main L & R output, so I lost the "stereo image". Setting them to input pairs fixed the problem. So yes, the 828 sounds great! Buy it!

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10

Feature:
Lots of features. ADAT, mix bus, etc... nice LED metering on front, separate headphone volume, etc...

Quality:
Plastic case seems flimsy compared to metal steel case.

Value:
You get what you pay for, but you get lots of features and quality.

Desirability:
If this one breaks, I'd probably buy another MOTU interface... maybe even upgrade to 896HD.

Sound:
The main outs L & R seems fuzzy and is not the same quality as the 1 to 8 outs. It still sounds great, but not the same quality and clarity as the outputs from 1 to 8 outs.

Support:
MOTU always respond to my emails... maybe within 24 hours or less.

Overall:
I've tried a Yamaha i88x and it's nothing but problems. Then I bought an 828mk2 and it's smooth sailing all the way.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
Knobs are small. LCD screen is kind of a joke really, but you can use the computer on most everything. Only the two preamp inputs are loud enough if you use it as a stand alone mixer.

Quality:
The LCD screen seems to cut out occasionaly, but the thing is usually quite reliably, and it has a nice, sleek look to it. I contribute any problems I've had more to my computer than to the motu.

Value:
I think you really do pay for what you get. I think it's better than the less expensive models.

Desirability:
Looks pretty good and is practical. I wish it had more preamps and more combo inputs.

Sound:
I have been amazed by the clarity of the sound we can produce with this device.

Support:
I've heard they aren't very good, but I've never tried to contact them.

Overall:
I think that the only thing I'll do is get an eight channel preamp that has adat out so that I can hook it into this baby. I may get something more portable far into the future, not to replace the motu, but to use on the road.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10

Feature:
Definitely at 10 for the price point. My whole studio revolves around this piece, works great with my two main DAWs, Cubase SX3 and Ableton Live 4.

Quality:
I've heard rumors of some problems with LCDs burning out, but otherwise it's a solid, well made piece.

Value:
Nothing else on the market with these features and quality at this price point.

Desirability:
It's a damn good looking box with just the right amount of sexy flashing lights.

Sound:
Just had to respond to the review below claiming the 828mkII doesn't work with Windows. Yes, there can be problems with XP SP2 because Microsoft changed the Firewire drivers and killed the bandwidth on the Firewire bus. ALL firewire interfaces will be affected by this problem to one extent or the other. Two choices: Either stay on SP1 (the vast majority of SP2 enhancements are Internet-related, and your audio PC shouldn't be on the Internet anyway.) or downgrade the firewire drivers to SP1 state (instructions are on the forum at www.unicornnation.com, do a search). To say that the 828 "hardly ever works with Windows is total BS, I know plenty of people using this with PCs, and it works flawlessly on my HP ZT3000 laptop running XP SP1. The 828 has the best audio quality in its class, and with the integrated standalone digital mixer is still the best value in its price range.

Support:
MOTU is great about support. I used to have the original 828 which developed a problem, MOTU swapped it out and did fedex both ways so I had a working unit back in my hands within five days.

Overall:
A really great product. I was happy with my original 828 and now I'm thrilled with the 828II. For budget oriented project studios and home recording, it's very very hard to beat this for quality and value.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * . . . . . . 4 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10

Feature:
very useful feature set. The knobs are way too small, too many knobs.

Quality:
display broke and Motu wont fix it.

Value:
good price. bad support

Desirability:
not

Sound:
very clean recording and playing back.

Support:
They are not good at returning calls or emails.

Overall:
I am looking for a replacement from another manufacturer. Maybe Digi 002, or RME? too bad Aardvark died.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10

Feature:
Has great features, plenty of inputs, and provides for plenty of configuration options.

Quality:
Seems to be made very well, every once in awhile i get a wierd crackling noise in my speakers, but if i just restart it, it is fine. Also that crackling is just in the speakers and not the recording.

Value:
Can't get better than this.

Desirability:
Looks sleek, has lots of features.

Sound:
The sound quality is pretty good from the preamps. Of course its nothing like a quality stand alone preamp, but it provides a clean passive sound. Other wise the sound is great, and with the propper training this device can sound like $10,000 studios.

Support:
Had a small problem, and i emailed tech support. Took them a day or so, and everything was fine.

Overall:
Extremely happy with this purchase, and would definatly replace it if something happened to it.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
I really like the guitar/instrument/mic preamped inputs with trip pots in the front. Very convenient. MIDI I/O & another 8 line-level inputs in back, S/PDIF, ADAT, etc. And it's Firewire, which means latency is not an issue on my Dual 1.8GHz G5, even with many tracks recording at once. Comes with MOTU AudioDesk (Mac only); which, from my experience, is kind of a piece of sh*t. It has no MIDI; no VST, AU, or any other plugin capabilities; poor included effects; and a very ugly and counterintuitive interface. Oh well, it's free. I didn't let this detract from the features score, as I was buying an interface, not a sequencer. However, M-Audio's interfaces come with stripped-down versions of Live and Reason--both great programs. But so it goes, I wanted the 828mkii, and Logic Pro 7 is on its way.

Quality:
Everything seems top quality. I haven't had any problems yet.

Value:
More expensive than Firewire interfaces from M-Audio, but more generous in features as well. Of course, I would have liked to pay less, but I picked it over cheaper interfaces anyway.

Desirability:
Well, I bought it.

Sound:
Preamps are great. Otherwise, standard sound capabilites--24-bit 96kHz.

Support:
Haven't had to use it yet, which is worth a 10 to me.

Overall:
I'm very satisfied. Firewire leaves room to grow, and if need be, it can be used in conjunction with other 828mkiis or MOTU's other interfaces.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
Now with 20 odd inputs what more could you want. I've recently added a cheap beringher Pro8 ADAT unit (

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10

Feature:
This thing has more connectivity than I could have hoped for - it makes the M-box look like a toy by comparison. Firewire alone would have been enough, as it works for daisy-chaining other FW audio devices, but with ADAT, Optical, S/PDIF, and a veritable S**tload of analog I/O, who could complain?

Quality:
This sucker is very well made - the knobs and switches are all crisp and tight, and the case could take quite a beating.

Value:
Great value - you're getting enough connectivity to build a huge studio, and the sound quality, esp. with the digital I/O, is top notch.

Desirability:
I don't know about "sex appeal," but this is obviously a serious unit - if you want to impress people, I suppose that the best way to do it is to get a great product. And this is indeed a great product.

Sound:
I guess some people have had problems with the power supply on previous MOTU products, but the 828, and now the MK2 totally eliminate this problem. The sound quality is great, esp. with the S/PDIF and optical input and output options.

Support:
MOTU's website did manage to solve my problem (Getting OSX 10.3 Drivers), but I sort of get the feeling that their tech support leaves a bit to be desired... No biggie, though, since the 828MK2 seems really reliable.

Overall:
It is what it is - basically all you need to turn your mac into a recording studio. Throw in an ADAT mixing board with some more XLR inputs and you're totally good to go. I highly recommend this product to anyone, beginner to advanced, who would like to take their home studio to the next level.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10

Feature:
Extremely flexible! So many I/O and the ability to make 4 different zero-latency monitir mixes is fantastic. And the combo Neutrik Ins on the front makes it ready for most cables.

Quality:
It

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no