MOTU Ultralite Mk 4 or RME UCX

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thepianist65
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2018/04/12 13:25:59 (permalink)

MOTU Ultralite Mk 4 or RME UCX

Thinking of finally upgrading my MOTU Ultralite Firewire interface, which has been great over the years, with a newer, USB-capable interface. I am wondering if I should get the Ultralite Mk4 or step up (in price, at least) to the RME UCX, which I know has been around a long time, but has always had a great reputation, too. Can anyone give me some information that might help me clarify if it's worth moving to RME, which I have seen for a bit over $1200, or sticking with MOTU and saving about $600 in the process? I will mention this is for my personal studio, which is undergoing some expansion. I'd like this to be more or less the last interface I buy for a long, long while, maybe for good (given my age). I would appreciate any feedback from those out there with some experience with either or both of these interfaces. Thanks.

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#1

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    batsbrew
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    Re: MOTU Ultralite Mk 4 or RME UCX 2018/04/12 14:46:21 (permalink)
    i've owned the RME babyface pro for about 6 months now..
     
    i've used the MOTU at another studio, the AVB model...
     
    both sound excellent.
     
    i can only attest that the RME drivers are rock solid, like gibraltar solid.

    Bats Brew music Streaming
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    #2
    AT
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    Re: MOTU Ultralite Mk 4 or RME UCX 2018/04/12 14:58:39 (permalink)
    If the old MOTU worked well for you and you don't have any driver problems, I'd go for the new one.  RME is renown for their drivers and latency, but if you don't have a problem in that area ....  Soundwise, I can't imagine there is $600 difference.
    #3
    thepianist65
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    Re: MOTU Ultralite Mk 4 or RME UCX 2018/04/13 12:45:53 (permalink)
    I am leaning toward upgrading the MOTU with MOTU for the reasons of price differential. However, in my research I did look at the MOTU 1248, their flagship interface--for about the same money as the RME UCX, it gives you a whole lot more connectivity, with 4 mic pres instead of two--right now that is overkill, but as I expand my studio I may well have a need for the extra inputs. It may well be worth the investment, since it's part of an overall studio remodel/upgrade.

     www.davemaffris.com
     BLUES:
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    https://www.facebook.com/Midiexpert/?ref=hl
    Please feel free to check out my music, all made with Cakewalk, available on itunes, Amazon, Google, Rdio, etc., etc.
    For mostly jazzy stuff on Soundcloud at these locations:
    https://soundcloud.com/dave-maffris
    or for some different styles of music(pop/rock/covers):
    https://soundcloud.com/dmpianoman
    Tidewater Jazz page:
    https://soundcloud.com/user-84355115
     
     
     
    #4
    batsbrew
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    Re: MOTU Ultralite Mk 4 or RME UCX 2018/04/13 16:00:33 (permalink)
    i can say that i think the preamps on the babyface sound 'cleaner' than the ones i heard on the MOTU,
    but i'd still go with either.

    Bats Brew music Streaming
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    "Stay"
    "The Time is Magic"
    --
    Sonar 6 PE>Bandlab Cakewalk>Studio One 3.5>RME BFP>i7-7700 3.6GHz>MSI B250M>G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB>Samsung 960 EVO m.2ssd>W 10 Pro
     
    #5
    highlandermak
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    Re: MOTU Ultralite Mk 4 or RME UCX 2018/04/13 17:27:31 (permalink)
    When did the RME UCX launch?

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    #6
    thepianist65
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    Re: MOTU Ultralite Mk 4 or RME UCX 2018/04/13 19:14:29 (permalink)
    UCX has been out for several years...

     www.davemaffris.com
     BLUES:
    https://www.facebook.com/coastalblueband1/
     
    https://www.facebook.com/Midiexpert/?ref=hl
    Please feel free to check out my music, all made with Cakewalk, available on itunes, Amazon, Google, Rdio, etc., etc.
    For mostly jazzy stuff on Soundcloud at these locations:
    https://soundcloud.com/dave-maffris
    or for some different styles of music(pop/rock/covers):
    https://soundcloud.com/dmpianoman
    Tidewater Jazz page:
    https://soundcloud.com/user-84355115
     
     
     
    #7
    batsbrew
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    Re: MOTU Ultralite Mk 4 or RME UCX 2018/04/24 14:59:23 (permalink)
    highlandermak
    When did the RME UCX launch?


    February 20, 2012

    Bats Brew music Streaming
    Bats Brew albums:
    "Trouble"
    "Stay"
    "The Time is Magic"
    --
    Sonar 6 PE>Bandlab Cakewalk>Studio One 3.5>RME BFP>i7-7700 3.6GHz>MSI B250M>G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB>Samsung 960 EVO m.2ssd>W 10 Pro
     
    #8
    Jim Roseberry
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    Re: MOTU Ultralite Mk 4 or RME UCX 2018/04/24 15:27:14 (permalink)
    The MOTU 1248 AVB is an excellent performer (audio and low-latency).
    Runs great connected via USB... and can also be connected via Thunderbolt.
     
    RME units are also rock-solid
     
    In short, pick the one that best fits your circumstances.
    There's not a bad choice between the two.

    Best Regards,

    Jim Roseberry
    jim@studiocat.com
    www.studiocat.com
    #9
    thepianist65
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    Re: MOTU Ultralite Mk 4 or RME UCX 2018/04/24 20:25:27 (permalink)
    Nice to have two superior choices, for sure. Like the extra inputs on the MOTU, plus I have owned a MOTU unit for so  many years and it's still a decent performer for it's age. Thanks.

     www.davemaffris.com
     BLUES:
    https://www.facebook.com/coastalblueband1/
     
    https://www.facebook.com/Midiexpert/?ref=hl
    Please feel free to check out my music, all made with Cakewalk, available on itunes, Amazon, Google, Rdio, etc., etc.
    For mostly jazzy stuff on Soundcloud at these locations:
    https://soundcloud.com/dave-maffris
    or for some different styles of music(pop/rock/covers):
    https://soundcloud.com/dmpianoman
    Tidewater Jazz page:
    https://soundcloud.com/user-84355115
     
     
     
    #10
    sock monkey
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    Re: MOTU Ultralite Mk 4 or RME UCX 2018/04/25 23:09:02 (permalink)
    I was looking at the Motu as well and certainly extra inputs are well worth having. Reason being even if there's only one of you using the studio, you can leave things all hooked up and ready to roll without unplugging and plugging stuff in. 

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    #11
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