Sonar X1 Win7 64bit Users - opinions on Motu 828mk3 and the Roland/Edirol FA-66

1. I have great experience with Edirol interfaces - drivers are well-written, no problems, good headroom, very good quality...

2. I have MOTU 828mk3 FW (not Hybrid) already. It's a masterpiece...
- GREAT CueMIX console which uses MOTU internal DSP to realise EQ, dynamics and reverb - for recording or monitoring purposes.
- you can do up to 8 stereo mixes at a time with very flexible routing
- CueMIX software allows you to control MOTU internal mixer using any "Mackie mode" controllers - original MCU or even Behringer BCF2000. So - even using only interface and controller - you have pretty nice MIXER. Off course it's good to connect it to computer to see what's happening.
(I didn't try to run standalone WavesRack as a EFX processor yet, but... I had no reason)
- I've added Edirol UA-1000 as a ADAT IN and Behringer ADA8000 as ADAT IN-OUT, so for now I have 30IN-18out - works great.
- I can use external processors and add them to mix (sending instruments to process via one bus, returning with bus to channels of main mix)
- in DAW aplication, in ASIO mode, with 64samples buffer, you get total only 5,6ms latency - from input to output. I suggest to don't use DirectX/MME or other drivers with DAWs.

Just be sure that you've installed latest drivers and latest firmware.

- one thing - I think phones preamps should be louder - but when I connect my Beyerdynamic DT-770pro/80ohms - it's loud, but it ould be louder
- second thing - front input set to "insrument" seems to be to sensitive. Even if GAIN is set to minimal value, guitar with humbuckers can run on "yellows"

I bought my MOTU for +/- 600$ and it was one of my best transactions.

Happy FA-66 user here for just about a year now. Smooth, trouble-free operation and very good quality.

FA 66 I've had little quirks that I've had to work around and happily sold it--thought it would work great since it is the same company. I have 2 MOTU 828MKII's that have been workhorses for years. I would not suggest using a USB audio interface or to state differently, I think firewire is a better choice.

@ Adrian - Thanks for the overview.

So interesting facts: Motu audio gear can be daisy chained via fire wire, up to 3 units. While they don't share the same mixer, but cascade inputs, they do all share sync with host. The V4HD can be run as an audio device as above, but requires its own direwire port when running video. You can actually set the 8 outs to 1 single stereo mix (2channel) and a 5.1 mix (6 channel).

Still interested in a few more peoples input on the 828mk3 - not that I don't truest you guys, its just that I have seen forums of people ****ing about both the FA-66 and the 828mk3 - and I am trying to establish a base line of Sonar X1 64bit users.
Thanks again...

@ GRAYZER - this "humming" in most cases is caused by CAPACITORS and power supply. If you don't affraid, open your MOTU and look at capacitors - if tops look like bubbles - you can start to think about replacing them with new one. I've read many times that every single problem with 828mk2 is because of power supply. Most drastic (my friend had it) is that MOTU doesn't want to run, has serious problems with working and connecting to computer etc. With MOTU 828mk3 - there is no "humming" issues.