Have you seen or used the MOTU Traveler? at DVinfo.net

Ryan Baker · February 10th, 2005, 11:29 AM

Have you seen or used the MOTU Traveler? What were your impressions?

I've been considering a Firewire audio interface and the MOTU Traveler looks like it meets my requirements. But, I would like to hear comments from people on this forum who have seen or used it.

The M-Audio Firewire 410 meets *most* of my requirements (350 USD street). But, the MOTU Traveler looks like it would meet *all* my requirements (850 USD street). I've read posts on this board that mention the MOTU 828mkII. But since the MOTU Traveler is so new, I would like to have more information before I make my decision. What do you know?

Requirements:
+ Suitable for serious enthusiast use
+ Portable (battery or bus powered would be a plus)
+ Minimum of 2 mic/line inputs (4 would be great)
+ XLR/TRS Balanced connectors
+ Preamps at least as good as a M-Audio Firewire 410
+ Line inputs that accomodate pro/consumer audio levels
+ Ability to record 2 channels at once (4 would be great)
+ PC Drivers stable enough to record a live event
+ Ability to output 6 channels for 5.1 mixing
+ Headphone output with volume control

M-Audio Firewire 410
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...e410-main.html

MOTU Traveler
http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/traveler

Scot Stafford · February 10th, 2005, 02:39 PM

The Traveller is not going to be an audible step up, but as far as features, it's a much better product and a better overall deal.

I think you need to get rid of the parentheses. 4-in/4-simultaneous record, or 2/2. Decide.

Matthew Cherry · February 11th, 2005, 08:47 AM

I own the 828MkII and as well as a FW410 (which is sitting in a closet somehwere)....

I will tell you this, if you are on a Mac, stay away from the 410 - the drivers, and therefore the latency, are awful.

Matt

Ryan Baker · February 11th, 2005, 09:13 AM

Scot, thanks for your comments. I've decided that I will only purchase a device that can record 4-simultaneous mic/lines in. So the Firewire 410 is no longer under consideration.

Matthew, I'll be using a PC with Vegas 5. DSE speaks highly of the Firewire 410 when used with a PC.

Anyone else have any comments on the quality/stability of the MOTU 828MkII or Traveler?

Matthew Cherry · February 11th, 2005, 09:55 AM

Yes, the 410 works very well with a PC.

Scot Stafford · February 11th, 2005, 10:15 AM

both the 828mkii and Traveler are excellent products intended for professional (as opposed to consumer) applications. You have to pay a lot more to experience an audible upgrade, and it will likely not be as feature-rich. The preamps are quiet and clean, and the a/d conversion is excellent at the price point.

Not sure why 410 users would experience abnormal latency on a Mac, doesn't add up, or gel with my experience. Buffer size?

February 10th, 2005, 11:29 AM	#1
Ryan Baker New Boot Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Independence, MO Posts: 24	Have you seen or used the MOTU Traveler? Have you seen or used the MOTU Traveler? What were your impressions? I've been considering a Firewire audio interface and the MOTU Traveler looks like it meets my requirements. But, I would like to hear comments from people on this forum who have seen or used it. The M-Audio Firewire 410 meets most of my requirements (350 USD street). But, the MOTU Traveler looks like it would meet all my requirements (850 USD street). I've read posts on this board that mention the MOTU 828mkII. But since the MOTU Traveler is so new, I would like to have more information before I make my decision. What do you know? Requirements: + Suitable for serious enthusiast use + Portable (battery or bus powered would be a plus) + Minimum of 2 mic/line inputs (4 would be great) + XLR/TRS Balanced connectors + Preamps at least as good as a M-Audio Firewire 410 + Line inputs that accomodate pro/consumer audio levels + Ability to record 2 channels at once (4 would be great) + PC Drivers stable enough to record a live event + Ability to output 6 channels for 5.1 mixing + Headphone output with volume control M-Audio Firewire 410 http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...e410-main.html MOTU Traveler http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/traveler

February 10th, 2005, 02:39 PM	#2
Scot Stafford Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: United States Posts: 39	motu vs. m-audio The Traveller is not going to be an audible step up, but as far as features, it's a much better product and a better overall deal. I think you need to get rid of the parentheses. 4-in/4-simultaneous record, or 2/2. Decide.

February 11th, 2005, 10:15 AM	#6
Scot Stafford Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: United States Posts: 39	motu products both the 828mkii and Traveler are excellent products intended for professional (as opposed to consumer) applications. You have to pay a lot more to experience an audible upgrade, and it will likely not be as feature-rich. The preamps are quiet and clean, and the a/d conversion is excellent at the price point. Not sure why 410 users would experience abnormal latency on a Mac, doesn't add up, or gel with my experience. Buffer size?

February 11th, 2005, 08:47 AM	#3
Matthew Cherry Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Stamford, CT United States Posts: 212	I own the 828MkII and as well as a FW410 (which is sitting in a closet somehwere).... I will tell you this, if you are on a Mac, stay away from the 410 - the drivers, and therefore the latency, are awful. Matt

February 11th, 2005, 09:13 AM	#4
Ryan Baker New Boot Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Independence, MO Posts: 24	Scot, thanks for your comments. I've decided that I will only purchase a device that can record 4-simultaneous mic/lines in. So the Firewire 410 is no longer under consideration. Matthew, I'll be using a PC with Vegas 5. DSE speaks highly of the Firewire 410 when used with a PC. Anyone else have any comments on the quality/stability of the MOTU 828MkII or Traveler?

February 11th, 2005, 09:55 AM	#5
Matthew Cherry Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Stamford, CT United States Posts: 212	Yes, the 410 works very well with a PC.