Published 2/12/05
828 MkII interface now available in Firewire and USB 2.0 versions
In a surprise move, MOTU have unveiled a new version of their 828 MkII MIDI + Audio interface which uses the high-speed USB 2.0 connection protocol.
The Mac- and PC-compatible 828 MkII USB, as it’s called, is in every other way identical to the original 828 MkII Firewire in terms of features, and it carries exactly the same price — £695.
It provides 10 24-bit/96kHz analogue inputs and outputs, eight channels of ADAT digital I/O, stereo S/PDIF I/O and MIDI In and Out, together with two mic preamps, comprehensive metering and flexible onboard DSP mixing.
Until recently, audio interface manufacturers were cautious of the new protocol — for a long time, Edirol’s UA1000 was the only interface that supported it, until it was joined by the UA101 and Behringer’s BCA2000.
But now that the majority of today’s new laptop and desktop computers — Macs and Windows PCs — are equipped with suitable ports, we may be about see more of USB 2.0 in the studio.
Musictrack +44 (0)1767 313447.
