MOTU 8pre User Manual
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MOTU 8pre User Manual

Mac os x
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MOTU 8pre
™
User's Guide for Mac OS X
1280 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
Business voice: (617) 576-2760
Business fax: (617) 576-3609
Technical support: (617) 576-3066
Tech support fax: (617) 354-3068
Tech support email: techsupport@motu.com
Web site: www.motu.com

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  • Page 1 MOTU 8pre ™ User’s Guide for Mac OS X 1280 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138 Business voice: (617) 576-2760 Business fax: (617) 576-3609 Technical support: (617) 576-3066 Tech support fax: (617) 354-3068 Tech support email: techsupport@motu.com Web site: www.motu.com...

  • Page 2: Important Safeguards

    The MOTU 8pre is equipped with a three-conductor cord and grounding type plug which has a grounding prong, approved by Underwriters' Laboratories and the Canadian Standards Association. This plug requires a mating three-conductor grounded type outlet as shown in Figure A below. If the outlet you are planning to use for the MOTU 8pre is of the two prong type, DO NOT REMOVE OR ALTER THE GROUNDING PRONG IN ANY MANNER.
  • Page 3 Return Merchandise That license agreement is a contract, and clicking “Accept” binds you and MOTU to Authorization Number on the outside of the box below the shipping address.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Contents Quick Reference: 8pre Front Panel Quick Reference: 8pre Rear Panel Quick Reference: MOTU Audio Setup About the 8pre Packing List and Macintosh System Requirements Installing the 8pre Hardware Installing the 8pre Mac OS X Software MOTU Audio Setup Front Panel Settings...

  • Page 7: Quick Reference: Motu Audio Setup

    This setting does not apply to the 8pre, which does not have a foot Check this option if you would like the MOTU switch input. Audio Setup icon to appear in the applica- tion dock as soon as a MOTU interface is This button opens another detected (switched on, plugged in, etc.)

  • Page 9: About The 8Pre

    About the 8pre CHAPTER OVERVIEW Eight-channel ADAT optical digital I/O at ■ The 8pre is and audio interface that can operate in sample rates up to 96 kHz two general modes: as a FireWire audio interface or MIDI I/O ■ as an analog-to-digital converter.
  • Page 10 “Type II” protocol for connecting the 8pre 8pre output pair, such as the main outs. optically to any MOTU audio interface. For details, Mic inputs with 48V phantom power see “Setting the 2x optical mode” on page 29.
  • Page 11 THE 8PRE FRONT PANEL DIGITAL PERFORMER Preamp trims, 48V phantom power and pad The 8pre system is fully integrated with MOTU’s The 8pre front panel provides convenient, award-winning Digital Performer audio sequencer individual trim control, 48-volt phantom power software package.
  • Page 12 Standard third-party high-performance hard drive solutions can also help you achieve higher track counts. A B O U T T H E 8 P R E...

  • Page 13: Packing List And Macintosh System Requirements

    Please register your 8pre today. There are two ways these items are not present in your 8pre box when to register. you first open it, please immediately contact your Visit www.motu.com to register online ■ dealer or MOTU. One 8pre I/O rack unit ■...
  • Page 14 P A C K I N G L I S T A N D M A C I N T O S H S Y S T E M R E Q U I R E M E N T S...

  • Page 15: Connect The 8Pre To Your Computer

    Installing the 8pre Hardware CHAPTER OVERVIEW CONNECT THE 8PRE TO YOUR COMPUTER Here’s an overview for installing the 8pre: 1 Plug one end of the 8pre FireWire cable (included) into the FireWire socket on the Connect the 8pre to your computer ....15 computer as shown below in Figure 3-1.

  • Page 16: Installing The 8Pre Hardware

    CONNECT AUDIO INPUTS AND OUTPUTS Reminder: optical goes OUT to IN and IN to OUT. The 8pre audio interface has the following audio Input and output are independent. For example, input and output connectors: you could connect ADAT optical input from your digital mixer and connect the output to an audio 8 combo XLR/quarter-inch analog mic/guitar/ ■...

  • Page 17: Connect Midi Gear

    combo jack analog inputs. By connecting the 8pre Connecting additional gear with MIDI THRUs If you need to connect several pieces of MIDI gear, optical output to another device, such as another run a MIDI cable from the MIDI THRU of a device ADAT-optical equipped interface or a digital already connected to the 8pre to the MIDI IN on mixer, you add an additional eight mic inputs to...

  • Page 18: Operating The 8Pre As An Interface

    All mixing and processing can or any other output pair. You can control be done in the computer with audio software. monitoring from the included MOTU CueMix During recording, you can use the 8pre’s CueMix™ Console software.

  • Page 19: Operating The 8Pre As A Converter

    8pre optical output supports 2x optical sample rates (88.2 or 96 kHz), to the optical input on a MOTU audio interface, you’ll need to use both banks of connectors as such as the 828, 828mkII, Traveler, 896, 896HD or discussed in “Optical operation at 88.2 or 96 kHz”...

  • Page 20: Syncing Optical Devices

    8-channel optical output in the top row. Figure 3-7: Two optical banks. 8pre Clock Source setting = With this setup, in MOTU Audio Internal, or any clock source Setup, choose the Optical clock setting except Optical. The optical source setting.
  • Page 21 Mac OS X that provides all of MOTU CueMix Console ......23 its standardized audio features.

  • Page 22: Installing The 8Pre Mac Os X Software

    CoreMIDI and Audio MIDI Setup CoreMIDI is the “under-the-hood” portion of Mac OS X that handles MIDI services for MIDI hardware and software. CoreMIDI provides many universal MIDI system management features, including MIDI communication between your 8pre interface and all CoreMIDI compatible software.
  • Page 23 MOTU CUEMIX CONSOLE This program provides a mixing console that gives you control over the 8pre’s no-latency CueMix DSP features. For details, see chapter 11, “MOTU CueMix Console” (page 51). AUDIODESK WORKSTATION SOFTWARE The MOTU audio installer places AudioDesk in the Applications folder.
  • Page 24 I N S T A L L I N G T H E 8 P R E M A C O S X S O F T W A R E...

  • Page 25: Motu Audio Setup

    Enable Pedal......... 28 click the MOTU Audio item in the list and click the Launch MOTU Audio Setup when hardware becomes Control Panel button.

  • Page 26: 8Pre' Tab Settings

    (for channels 5-8 at 88.2 or Figure 5-1: MOTU Audio Setup gives you access to all of the settings in the 8pre hardware. M O T U A U D I O S E T U P...

  • Page 27: Default Stereo Input/Output

    SMPTE Choose this setting to resolve the 8pre directly to SMPTE time code (LTC) being received via any analog input. For details, see chapter 12, “MOTU SMPTE Setup” (page 59). Macintosh built-in Choose this setting to resolve the 8pre to your Mac’s built-in audio.

  • Page 28: Phones

    Launch MOTU Audio Setup when hardware Figure 5-3: The Edit Channel Names window. becomes available Check this option if you would like the MOTU Audio Setup icon to appear in the application dock as soon as a MOTU interface is detected (switched on, plugged in, etc.)

  • Page 29: Front Panel Settings

    (88.2 or 96kHz) to Type I (for 2x optical connection to SMUX-compatible products) or ADJUSTING HEADPHONE VOLUME Type II (for 2x optical connection to MOTU Turn the VOLUME knob to adjust headphone products). The bottom LED in the “1” or “2”...
  • Page 30 flashes, turn the knob to change the clock mode. Push it again to confirm the current clock setting exit clock mode. F R O N T P A N E L S E T T I N G S...

  • Page 31: Digital Performer

    For complete details about the 8pre settings, see 8pre settings, open MOTU Audio Setup, as shown chapter 5, “MOTU Audio Setup” (page 25). The in Figure 5-1 on page 26.

  • Page 32: Be Sure You Have Enough Voices

    Imported audio or soundbites in existing files the optical connectors, turn them off. Note: this that do not match this sample rate will be displayed settings can only be accessed in the MOTU Audio in the Soundbites window with a red ‘X’ on its Setup application.

  • Page 33: Working With 8Pre Inputs And Outputs

    Digital Performer project. menus. If you don’t see the optical inputs and/or outputs, check MOTU Audio Setup to make sure MIDI I/O VIA THE 8PRE MIDI PORTS they are turned on. If you don’t plan to use the Once you’ve followed the procedure for enabling...
  • Page 34 DP project. To export a project to AudioDesk, use DP’s Save As command and choose the AudioDesk 2.0 file format. D I G I T A L P E R F O R M E R...

  • Page 35: Audiodesk

    For complete details about the 8pre settings, see window shows some of the 8pre settings, such as chapter 5, “MOTU Audio Setup” (page 25). The sample rate and clock source, but to access all of the following sections provide a brief explanation of 8pre settings, open MOTU Audio Setup, as shown each 8pre setting for use with AudioDesk.
  • Page 36 files that do not optical connectors, turn them off. Note: this match this sample rate will be displayed in the settings can only be accessed in the MOTU Audio Soundbites window with a red ‘X’ on its move Setup application.
  • Page 37 MIDI I/O VIA THE 8PRE MIDI PORTS check MOTU Audio Setup to make sure they are Once you’ve followed the procedure for enabling turned on. If you don’t plan to use the optical input the 8pre’s MIDI features as explained in “Software...
  • Page 38 Digital Performer, which offers pretty much all of the same features as AudioDesk, along with powerful, state-of-the-art MIDI sequencing. Talk to your authorized MOTU dealer for details about upgrading from AudioDesk to Digital Performer. A U D I O D E S K...

  • Page 39: Installing The 8Pre Mac Os X Drivers

    Preparing MIDI input and output ....39 Run MOTU Audio Setup ......39 and outputs will be available to your software, so this is an important step.

  • Page 40: Other Mac Os X Audio Software

    8pre will follow. Drivers tab and click the Core Audio tab as shown in Figure 9-2. Choose the MOTU 8pre from the If you do not have any digital audio connections to Driver menu. For information about the I/O Buffer your 8pre (you are using the analog inputs and Size setting, see “Adjusting the audio I/O buffer”...
  • Page 41 Figure 9-3: Enabling the 8pre in Soundtrack Pro. Garage Band In Garage Band, go to the Audio/MIDI preferences and choose MOTU 8pre from the Audio Output and Audio Input menus as shown below in Figure 9-4. For information about the Optimize for setting, see “Adjusting the audio I/O buffer”...
  • Page 42 Audio preferences from the menu Click the VST Audiobay item in the Devices list and and choose MOTU 8pre from the Audio Card menu choose MOTU 8pre from the Master ASIO Driver as shown below in Figure 9-6. For information menu as shown below in Figure 9-7.

  • Page 43: Audio Input And Output Names

    AUDIO INPUT AND OUTPUT NAMES Outputs are similarly listed in the same order as The 8pre CoreAudio driver supplies text string follows: labels for its inputs and outputs to clearly identify List each one, but some applications do not display Output Channels position Comment...

  • Page 44: Number Of Channels

    NUMBER OF CHANNELS PROCESSING LIVE INPUTS WITH PLUG-INS If your host audio software requires that you If you patch a live input (such as MIDI synthesizer) specify the number of audio voices or channels you through a plug-in effect in your host software, you will be using, be sure to choose enough channels to might hear a slight delay.
  • Page 45 Two methods for controlling CueMix DSP... . 49 Using MOTU CueMix Console ......49 This delay is caused by the amount of time it takes Controlling CueMix DSP from your audio software .

  • Page 46: Reducing Monitoring Latency

    8pre: 1) through the computer or 2) via details on how to use CueMix DSP with your audio CueMix™ DSP hardware monitoring. Figure 10-1 software, or with the included MOTU CueMix below shows method 1, which allows you to add Console software.
  • Page 47 Digital Performer or AudioDesk manual for information about the Host Buffer Multiplier setting. 1. Live input (from mic, guitar, etc.) enters the MOTU interface. 3. Mic signal is mixed with the 2. CueMix™ DSP immediately main outs, and you can control...
  • Page 48 How responsive the transport controls are in ■ AudioDesk, Digital Performer or other audio software The buffer setting presents you with a trade-off between the processing power of your computer and the delay of live audio as it is being patched through your software.
  • Page 49 These routings are hardware patch-thru in the 8pre itself. CueMix independent of your host audio software. For DSP has two important benefits: complete details, see chapter 11, “MOTU CueMix First, it completely eliminates the patch thru Console” (page 51). ■...
  • Page 50 Follow the directions below in the section that Once enabled, CueMix DSP monitoring is tied applies to you. with Digital Performer or AudioDesk’s Audio Patch Thru feature: when you record-enable a track, the Controlling CueMix DSP from within AudioDesk track’s input is routed directly to its output (via or Digital Performer CueMix DSP in the 8pre hardware).

  • Page 51: Motu Cuemix Console

    Master mute (enable/disable) Input pan Mix output Talkback/listen back channels Master fader Input volume Output level Mix tabs Grow box Input section Figure 11-1: MOTU CueMix Console is a virtual mixer that gives you control over the 8pre’s on-board mixing features.

  • Page 52: Advantages Of Cuemix Monitoring

    ADVANTAGES OF CUEMIX MONITORING Viewing one mix at a time CueMix Console displays one mix at a time. To CueMix Console provides several major select which mix you are viewing, click its tab at the advantages over monitoring live inputs through bottom of the window, as shown in Figure 11-1.

  • Page 53: Shortcuts

    Master fader SHORTCUTS The master fader (Figure 11-1) controls the overall Hold down the following modifier keys as level of the mix (its volume on its stereo output). shortcuts: Use the individual input faders to the left to control Shortcut Result individual input levels.

  • Page 54: Edit Channel Names

    Talkback and Listenback. For Talkback, set up a dedicated mic in your control room and connect it to a mic input on your MOTU audio interface. For Listenback, set up a dedicated listenback mic in the live room for the musicians and connect it to another mic input.

  • Page 55: Mix1 Return Includes Computer

    Talkback / Listenback Mic Input Engaging/disengaging Talkback and Listenback Choose the audio input to which your Talkback To engage Talk back or Listenback, press on the and/or Listenback mic is connected. These inputs Talk or Listen buttons and then release to are labeled with a purple and blue swatch, disengage.

  • Page 56: Show Meter In Dock Icon

    When this menu item is unchecked, your control Phones setting MOTU Audio Setup. However, this surface will affect CueMix Console all the time, menu provides one extra option that is exclusive to even when CueMix Console is not the front-most CueMix Console: Follow Active Mix.

  • Page 57: Cuemix In Optical Expander Mode

    Enabled Other control surface hardware products Check this menu item to turn on control surface If you install other control surface drivers written operation of CueMix Console. Uncheck it to turn for CueMix Console, they will appear as separate off control surface support. menu items at the bottom of the Control Surfaces menu, with the same sub-menu items described Configure…...
  • Page 58 M O T U C U E M I X C O N S O L E...

  • Page 59: Motu Smpte Setup

    8pre to SMPTE time code, choose the SMPTE / MOTU SMPTE Setup ....... . . 59 SMPTE setting in the Clock/Address menu.

  • Page 60: Motu Smpte Setup

    and switch to the incoming frame rate, except that Freewheel Address Freewheeling occurs when there is a glitch or it cannot distinguish between 30 fps and 29.97 fps drop-out in the incoming time code for some time code. So if you are working with either of reason.

  • Page 61: Generator Section

    The 8pre cannot freewheel address without clock. Therefore, the Freewheel Address setting will always Click here to edit be lower than or equal to the Freewheel Clock the start time, or setting, and both menus will update as needed, drag vertically on the numbers.

  • Page 62: Setting Up For Smpte Time Code Sync

    8pre interface FireWire cable Macintosh computer running Launch the MOTU SMPTE Setup software to specify the time code input, frame rate and AudioDesk, Digital Performer or other amount of freewheel. Also, confirm that the Clock Source/Address is SMPTE/SMPTE. sample-accurate software.

  • Page 63: Resolving Dp Or Audiodesk To Smpte Time Code

    Then make sure that the Slave to External Sync command in the Studio menu is checked. Make sure the Clock Source setting in the MOTU Audio Setup window is set to SMPTE. Also, make sure that you’ve connected an LTC input signal to an 8pre analog input, and that you’ve specified that...
  • Page 64 M O T U S M P T E S E T U P...

  • Page 65: Troubleshooting

    Monitoring - How to monitor inputs? Please refer to the documentation for the audio Cubase - MOTU 8pre inputs and outputs are not visible in Cubase application that you are using. If your application You probably need to enable them in Cubase.
  • Page 66 Please printed on a sticker placed on the bottom of the write to the 8pre Development Team, MOTU Inc., 8pre rack unit. You must be able to supply this 1280 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA number to receive technical support.

  • Page 67: Index

    Digital converter (see Optical converter) 10, 20 11, 31 ADAT optical Digital Performer Latency 45, 48 clock source setting accessing 8pre settings Launch MOTU Audio Setup when hard- 32, 40 connecting clock source ware becomes available Analog activity lights Optical input/output 32, 40 LEDs...
  • Page 68 Synths connecting Nuendo Reason System preferences Mac OS X Regenerate 7, 27 sound input/output Registration System requirements minimum Optical 11, 13 recommended computer 2x mode S/MUX 7, 26 connectors Sample rate enabling/disabling AudioDesk TACH LEDs Samplers light (SMPTE Console) overview connecting Talkback sync...

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