Well, these were my personal experiences with the Motu 828x.

It doesn't work (no meters in CueMixFx, no audio I/O via WMD/ASIO) when connected to the same usb2 controller as my Maschine controller. True for both of my win PCs, laptop and desktop. May be it is a relevant piece of information for the OP. RME gear DOES, though, whatever is to blame, Maschine, Motu, Microsoft, my pc builder, me myself and I...

Digital noise on ADAT B ch 5/6 when connected via USB to a win machine, upon opening/closing CueMixFx and/or altering settings in motu audio console, reproducible and confirmed by motu tech support.

It does NOT happen when connected via thunderbolt or when connected to a MacBook Pro, thunderbolt or usb, so there can't be a hardware issue, exchanging/repairing the unit on warranty won't yield nothing. The 828x basically is a 828mk3 with a thunderbolt/FireWire adapter "built" in. The 828mk3 is quite some years proven now, so the argument "being a new device that has bugs"... Well, even it was so, this digital noise might damage gear and ears and is unacceptable for a 800€ device.
It might be something the OP wants to know, as these thing usually aren't described in the manual.

The manual says "computer). Input signals to the computer can be recorded wet, dry, or dry with a wet monitor mix (for musicians during recording, for example)", right, which lead to my first motu support request and a refund assurance on request by my dealer, because it simply is misleading misinformation: you can NOT apply EQ/Dynamics to a input (Mic) signal, send the processed signal (zero latency monitor) to the output where your daw sends the headphone mix to, BUT record the dry Mic signal. You can apply EQ/Dynamics to the output (STEREO ONLY), but you'd EQ/Dynamics the headphone mix too! So, without loopbacking signals (losing channels!), it is NOT possible to record dry and monitor wet. The daw receives the input channel data AFTER EQ/Dyn, allways. The manual is surely misleading here.

The 828x features TWO headphone outs. One of it is, as you cited the manual, either a separately addressable output (for CueMixFx and the daw only when samplerate <= 96Khz) or mirrors any physical output. The other headphone out ALLWAYS mirrors the main out, so it is NOT possible to setup TWO independent cue mixes in addition to the main mix.
It's stated in the manual, but it might be of interest, nonetheless.

The CueMixFx can NOT save/recall EQ and/or Dynamics settings for individual channels. It can save the COMPLETE MIXER State as preset only, but not individual channel settings. You can NOT copy EQ/Dyn settings of one channel to another (you can do this via the front panel but not with the software) etc... However, software UI design is highly subjective. You like it, I find it quirky.

The motu audio console exe can NOT be opened when you are using the ASIO driver. It then says "there's no motu audio device connected". You only can open the console via the control panel button in the DAW. When you do, all audio is stopped, until you close the console. Compared to the rme ASIO settings panel: open it from wherever you like, audio keeps playing. Little things, but an indicator of software quality. However, after more than a decade of RME usage, it's the things you notice only, when you lost them. Again, it's subjective.

As is sample rate adaption. To me, when I set a digital device up to be clocked external explicitly, I assume the device adapts to sample rate the external clock carries. I mean, there only is ONE master clock, and when I set the sample rate of that one clock, I assume my clocked gear adjusts? When I set the sr of my clock on one computer, I have to reach the other computer where my motu is connected to and explicitly tell the motu which samplerate my clock carries, even though I set the motu to be clocked externally.... Hmmm... Every other digital gear I own automatically adapts to the sample rate the clock carries when externally clocked. The motu does not. I understand your point of view, maybe you understand mine? However, there's no option to automatically follow the external clock... Another thing of interest maybe. I mean, it's just the way the Motu works, I am not complaining, I'm just describing how the motu works and stating how irritating it is to ME after getting used to RME gear.

Have you ever worked with RME gear?
As ONLY interface, the MOTU surely delivers, even though it has some serious issues, like digital dangerous noise. To me at least it was adventurous to even get it to work within my setup.

As said, I had the chance to get a refund due to misleading manual / false advertising, but decided to keep the unit despite it quirks, for some reason.

I just wanted to inform the OP.

RME UFX if you can afford it is a great no latency monitoring system you can use for a lot of things. TotalMix is da bomb for sure. There are lots of videos on youtube about it. There is a separate TotalMix for the UFX and UFC though in the videos.

TabSel:
 
I think this 2nd post of yours reads as a fair, more plausible, and useful review of the MOTU 828x and your experience with using it, however, views are subjective in some places, as you yourself acknowledge.
 

TabSel
Well, these were my personal experiences with the Motu 828x.

It doesn't work (no meters in CueMixFx, no audio I/O via WMD/ASIO) when connected to the same usb2 controller as my Maschine controller. True for both of my win PCs, laptop and desktop. May be it is a relevant piece of information for the OP. RME gear DOES, though, whatever is to blame, Maschine, Motu, Microsoft, my pc builder, me myself and I...

Digital noise on ADAT B ch 5/6 when connected via USB to a win machine, upon opening/closing CueMixFx and/or altering settings in motu audio console, reproducible and confirmed by motu tech support.

It does NOT happen when connected via thunderbolt or when connected to a MacBook Pro, thunderbolt or usb, so there can't be a hardware issue, exchanging/repairing the unit on warranty won't yield nothing. The 828x basically is a 828mk3 with a thunderbolt/FireWire adapter "built" in. The 828mk3 is quite some years proven now, so the argument "being a new device that has bugs"... Well, even it was so, this digital noise might damage gear and ears and is unacceptable for a 800€ device.
It might be something the OP wants to know, as these thing usually aren't described in the manual.
 

 
Fair enough.  As evident by your report that the 828x works on a Mac or via thunderbolt, the issues can be narrowed down to, possibly, Windows, MOTU Windows drivers, system configuration, or a combination of the three. MOTU hybrid USB units have been selling, and I've seen no bad reports about those Hybrid USB units not performing well. MOTU has a history of writing good drivers, so the MOTU drivers can probably be ruled out. But, go figure. As I said in my first post, It's not advised to buy new gear until some of the more bothersome bugs have been worked out.
 

TabSel

The manual says "computer). Input signals to the computer can be recorded wet, dry, or dry with a wet monitor mix (for musicians during recording, for example)", right, which lead to my first motu support request and a refund assurance on request by my dealer, because it simply is misleading misinformation: you can NOT apply EQ/Dynamics to a input (Mic) signal, send the processed signal (zero latency monitor) to the output where your daw sends the headphone mix to, BUT record the dry Mic signal. You can apply EQ/Dynamics to the output (STEREO ONLY), but you'd EQ/Dynamics the headphone mix too! So, without loopbacking signals (losing channels!), it is NOT possible to record dry and monitor wet. The daw receives the input channel data AFTER EQ/Dyn, allways. The manual is surely misleading here.
 

 
In my view, the manual is not misleading. I know with my UltraLite-mk3 (using CueMix FX) I can do as the manual says. I can record input signals wet, dry, or dry with a wet monitor mix. The thing here is that you have to do it the way the 828x is designed to do it, not the way you do it with RME gear or software (Total Mix), and not the way you feel it is suppose to be done. I have to admit the manual doen't do a great job concerning how to apply these features.
 
To Record Dynamics and EQ wet:
 
Using CueMix FX, place the effect (EQ or dynamics) on the input you desire, in SONAR select that input as the audio track input for an audio track, arm that track and record. The wet signal will be recorded.
 
To record Reverb wet:
 
Using CueMix FX,  on the Inputs tab, place reverb on the Input you want reverb on, in the Channels Settings section, select the Reverb tab and turn on the reverb and select Mixes as the Split Point. On the Mixes tab, in the Mix Buss section, adjust the RTN knob as desired. With SONAR closed, open MOTU Audio console and select the Return Assign input you want to record with. In SONAR, make sure You have that Return assign enabled (check mark in the box) in the Unified Preference View under Audio>Devices>Input Drivers. Select that return assign input from the audio track input dropdown list, and arm the track. When you record, the wet reverb signal will be recorded.
 
To Record Input signals dry:
 
Simply, just don't have any effect enabled in CueMix FX (Nor in SONAR on the track you want to record.)
 
To Record dry but monitor as wet for Dynamics and EQ:
 
Using cueMix FX, on the Outputs tab, place the effect only on the output channel/s you want to hear effects for, enable the Monitor button for those channels, and adjust the monitor volume using the Monitor Level knob on the CueMix FX GUI.
 
For Reverb:
 
Do the same as pointed out above under "To record Reverb wet," but as the audio track input, select the appropriate ASIO Analog input, instead of ASIO Reverb input.
 
If you need more details, let me know?
 

TabSel

The 828x features TWO headphone outs. One of it is, as you cited the manual, either a separately addressable output (for CueMixFx and the daw only when samplerate <= 96Khz) or mirrors any physical output. The other headphone out ALLWAYS mirrors the main out, so it is NOT possible to setup TWO independent cue mixes in addition to the main mix.
It's stated in the manual, but it might be of interest, nonetheless.
 

 
Fair enough. But you have discrete volume control for one headphone output. I thought you meant discrete volume control was not possible at all.

TabSel
 
The CueMixFx can NOT save/recall EQ and/or Dynamics settings for individual channels. It can save the COMPLETE MIXER State as preset only, but not individual channel settings. You can NOT copy EQ/Dyn settings of one channel to another (you can do this via the front panel but not with the software) etc... However, software UI design is highly subjective. You like it, I find it quirky.
 

 
There are 16 hardware presets slots in which a user can save and restore any number of enabled or disabled effects, channels settings, eq and dynamics settings, or monitor setup settings, including all buttons, knob, and sliders, and tabs states. Though you may have it better with TotalMix, what the MOTU software is capable of is still good stuff.
 

TabSel

The motu audio console exe can NOT be opened when you are using the ASIO driver. It then says "there's no motu audio device connected". You only can open the console via the control panel button in the DAW. When you do, all audio is stopped, until you close the console. Compared to the rme ASIO settings panel: open it from wherever you like, audio keeps playing. Little things, but an indicator of software quality. However, after more than a decade of RME usage, it's the things you notice only, when you lost them. Again, it's subjective.
 

 
I agree the above is subjective. I have no problems with the MOTU Audio Console not being able to open when the driver is being used by an audio program. I don't mind having to stop the audio engine when I need to change the sample rate setting or the ASIO buffer size setting.

TabSel
 
As is sample rate adaption. To me, when I set a digital device up to be clocked external explicitly, I assume the device adapts to sample rate the external clock carries. I mean, there only is ONE master clock, and when I set the sample rate of that one clock, I assume my clocked gear adjusts? When I set the sr of my clock on one computer, I have to reach the other computer where my motu is connected to and explicitly tell the motu which samplerate my clock carries, even though I set the motu to be clocked externally.... Hmmm... Every other digital gear I own automatically adapts to the sample rate the clock carries when externally clocked. The motu does not. I understand your point of view, maybe you understand mine? However, there's no option to automatically follow the external clock... Another thing of interest maybe. I mean, it's just the way the Motu works, I am not complaining, I'm just describing how the motu works and stating how irritating it is to ME after getting used to RME gear.
 

 
I'm working with only one computer, so I can do things from the screen using my audio interfaces software. I sympathize with your situation. The MOTU units are not perfect and there are audio interfaces that handle clock syncing better.

TabSel
 
Have you ever worked with RME gear?
As ONLY interface, the MOTU surely delivers, even though it has some serious issues, like digital dangerous noise. To me at least it was adventurous to even get it to work within my setup.

As said, I had the chance to get a refund due to misleading manual / false advertising, but decided to keep the unit despite it quirks, for some reason.

I just wanted to inform the OP.

I never had an RME audio interface. I've read good reports about them for years. I have been planning on getting a Lynx Auora 8, but I've been looking at and researching the RME Fireface UFX and I'm impressed. I might get it, instead. But I'm still thinking about it. One thing I do not like about reports I'm hearing about the Fireface UFX is that SONAR sometimes prompts the user with a "Device has been disconnected" alert. To me, that's not good news.
 
I thought you said the "digital dangerous noise" was not present when using thunderbolt or a Mac? Am I not understanding you correctly?
 
As I said above, I don't think the manual is misleading when it says "input signals can be recorded wet, dry, or dry with a monitor mix" because I am able to do this with my UltraLite-mk3.
 
Cya around.
 
 
 

Well, i want to record my voice while listening to a headphone mix my DAWs creates AND zerolatency monitor my voice EQ/Dyn processed, reverberated, while recording dry.

Common situation, I think. You can NOT do this.

Couple of positive features I've noticed w  MOTU and CueMix. The tradeoff in paging mix screens per stereo out, is MANY more inputs per mix.
 
The 2626 gives me an 18x16 mix on one page, where the MOTU gives me 24 pages of 48x2 mixes, plus input gain, pad, mute, and solo for each.
 
The other plus w the MOTU system is more inputs total, more at a time, and more in monitor mixes. I have a pair of 2408s, which allows me to connect at least 116 ins and 116 outs, from which I can mix up to 48 in and out at a time.
 
At a price point of $1600, for the pair, or $30 per I/O channel, I further know I'm not throwing money at low end preamps to duplicate better ones I have in outboard racks, but focusing on the A/D and D/A end which fits my needs precisely.
 
There are tradeoffs in all directions, but those can work for you with advance planning, and threads like these.

TabSel
Well, i want to record my voice while listening to a headphone mix my DAWs creates AND zerolatency monitor my voice EQ/Dyn processed, reverberated, while recording dry.

Common situation, I think. You can NOT do this.

Here's a possible way to do this, but the EQ and Dynamics will affect the entire headphone Monitor Mix, but none of the effects will be recorded. Reverb will just be on the vocal, but not recorded.
 
Setup for CueMix FX:
 
On the MIXES tab, click on the dropdown arrow of the Mixes tab and select the discrete headphones mix. Mute all channels on the Mixes tab except the masterbus and the channel you will have the mic connected to. Make sure the faders are up the buss and the channel you will have the mic connected to. On the CueMix tools menu, under Phones, select Follow Active Mix. Click on the Outputs tab and make sure only the Monitor button for the discrete headphones output is enabled, adjust the volume level with the Monitor Level knob on CueMix FX. You should be able to hear your voice (with zero latency monitoring) now.
 
To get the reverb on the vocal channel:
 
Click on the Inputs tab and turn up the VRB Send knob.  Click on the Reverb tab in the Master Channel section of CueMix FX and enable the reverb and select Mixes under Split Point. Click on the Mixes tab and turn up the buss reverb return knob (RTN knob.) You should hear the reverb on your vocal now. 
 
For EQ and Dynamics:
 
Click on the Outputs tab. Enable the EQ button for the discrete headphones output. In the Master Channel section of Cuemix FX, click on the EQ tab. Enable the EQ bands you want to use and set them like you want. You should hear the EQ on your vocal now.
 
You should still be on the Outputs tab, if not click on it. Enable the Dynamics button. In the Master Channel section of Cuemix FX, click on the Dynamics tab. Enable the Compressor, Leveler, or both and make your settings in those areas. You should hear the dynamics effect on the vocal now.
 
Setup For SONAR or Your DAW:
 
You said you have a headphones mix created in your DAW. I reckon this mix is a headphones buss. If it is a buss, make the output of that buss the discrete headphones output. Or you can try my suggestion below for creating a Headphones buss. As long as you don't select any ASIO Reverb inputs for the vocal track, the vocal will be recorded dry. Now, you should be able to record the vocal dry, while monitoring reverb and effects with zero latency.
 
Create a Headphones buss and make the output of this buss the discrete headphones output. The Headphones buss will be the headphones mix. Create sends for all the tracks you want to have in the headphones mix, and using the send level of those tracks, send them to the Headphones buss.
 
 Hope this helps.

I would also consider Roland Studio-Capture UA-1610.
Great pre's and stability!

Best Regards
Ludvig

I'm really happy with my RME fireface UFX.  

thomasabarnes...
 Hope this helps.

Lol, no. But thanks for your time. It isn't necessary to invest so much time, I fully understand my gear.

Which is the reason to state: It isn't possible to mix a daw cue mix with a Motu mic input processed through Motu EQ/Dyn and record the input dry. As the OP mentioned he was looking for a device for zero latency monitoring with DSP fx, I thought I will stress that with the Motu it is NOT possible to then record the input dry, nothing more, nothing less.

I know my gear. I usually use a rme digiface as ASIO device and master mixer, which receives inputs from the motu and with which I'm able to route/loopback channels back to the motu, through EQ/Dyn/rev, back to the digiface again, and record dry AND EQ/Dyned simultaneously AND use that same motu channel as "external fx" for playing back the recorded vocals etc etc etc., route/split/sum/distribute several other digital gear, preamp-A/D, the babyfaces I/O via adat etc etc. I guess I know what I'm talking about ;)

with the motu alone: it simply isn't possible to record an input dry and monitor this input EQ/Dyned/reverberated and mixed with a stereo cue mix from the daw, is it?

As I said: I studied the manual before my purchase and got the impression it would be possible, I mean, it is something that is quite common in the studio, isn't it the usual way to zero lat track vocals to individual cue mixes? And the manual says "you can record dry, wet, or DRY WITH A WET MONITOR MIX". Which IS misleading IMHO.

I want to stress this issue to the OP, and to anyone who considers buying the motu for zero lat monitoring with DSP fx: it then Is NOT possible to record dry.

Well, guess I stressed it enough now.

@OP: The best thing to do would be "try before you buy", different devices, if possible.

TabSel

I want to stress this issue to the OP, and to anyone who considers buying the motu for zero lat monitoring with DSP fx: it then Is NOT possible to record dry.
 

 
In post #16 I explained a possible way to do that, but it must not be what you mean you want to do.
 
After pondering to understand what you are trying to tell us, it looks like what you're trying to convey to everybody is "it is not possible to apply an effect to an input signal using CueMix FX and get a dry recording when you record that input."
 
If that's what you are trying to say, you are right. If you apply EQ and compression to the input signal, you will record the processed version of the signal in your host audio software running on the computer."
 
But "input signals to the computer can be recorded wet, dry, or dry with a wet signal" using the MOTU 828x as the only audio interface. I explained how to do that in post #13. I wonder why you still can't see it. I'm thinking maybe English is not your native language, so we're misunderstanding each other, or I've done a poor job explaining. Whatever the case, the OP said he was considering getting a Fireface UCX. I would say: "get the best audio interface you can afford," and I'm sure most would agree that the Fireface UCX is the better audio interface.
 
Cya all around