I am looking at the focusrite because of their preamps.  I have TI firewire on both my laptop and one of my pcs.  I had a motu 8 pre which worked great but I had to sell it a while back.  the focusrite is a little cheaper.  Am I still better off with the motu or is that focusrite solid?

I think you'll get lower latencies with the MOTU, but I've been running a Focusrite Saffire PRO26 via Firewire since 2007 with absolutely no issues. The latency is perfectly acceptable (and this is not using a native driver - any new Focusrite models will have better drivers)

I used to have a Saffire Pro 40 and liked it.  It died and the repair estimate (it was out of warranty) was about $50 less than what I initially paid for it so I replaced it.  I went to a USB connected Roland Octa-Capture.  I get lower (reliable) latency with the Octa-Capture. 

I have a pro 40 and have been using it for about a year now. I like it a lot & have used it for around 20 projects. I am not really sure how everyone else used it but when tracking I am using hardware monitoring with the included Mix Control software which is virtually no latency. I can punch in drum parts so.... I am not hearing any latency at all? I want to get the OctoCapture too so I can expand my rig via ADAT to have 16 analog ins.

Bristol_Jonesey


I think you'll get lower latencies with the MOTU, but I've been running a Focusrite Saffire PRO26 via Firewire since 2007 with absolutely no issues. The latency is perfectly acceptable (and this is not using a native driver - any new Focusrite models will have better drivers)

Thanks a lot!

ChuckC


I have a pro 40 and have been using it for about a year now. I like it a lot & have used it for around 20 projects. I am not really sure how everyone else used it but when tracking I am using hardware monitoring with the included Mix Control software which is virtually no latency. I can punch in drum parts so.... I am not hearing any latency at all? I want to get the OctoCapture too so I can expand my rig via ADAT to have 16 analog ins.

thanks  that sounds prett good. 

I have a Pro 40 in the studio and 6 USB which i use for mixing at my house. I found them both reliable and had no issues with either

I'll add that, having used the Saffire 6 USB, Focusrite has some of my favorite mic preamps.

thanks everyone!

The Focusrite will have slightly better fidelity.
The MOTU will yield slightly lower round-trip latency.

I'd also recommend you checkout the new Presonus 1818 VSL.
Good sound... and ultra low round-trip latency.