Page 1
8pre-es
User Guide
™
Title Page
1280 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
Business voice: (617) 576-2760
Business fax: (617) 576-3609
Web site: www.motu.com
Tech support: www.motu.com/support
Page 2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 8pre-es (“PRODUCT”)
CAUTION! READ THIS SAFETY GUIDE BEFORE YOU BEGIN INSTALLATION OR OPERATION. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
COULD RESULT IN BODILY INJURY OR EQUIPMENT DAMAGE.
HAZARDOUS VOLAGES: CONTACT MAY CAUSE ELECTRIC SHOCK OR BURN. TURN OFF UNIT BEFORE SERVICING.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR OTHER MOISTURE.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
WARNING: DO NOT PERMIT FINGERS TO TOUCH THE TERMINALS OF PLUGS WHEN INSTALLING OR REMOVING THE PLUG TO OR FROM THE OUTLET.
WARNING: IF NOT PROPERLY GROUNDED THE MOTU PRODUCT COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK.
The MOTU product 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 product is of the two prong type, DO NOT REMOVE OR ALTER THE GROUNDING PRONG IN ANY
MANNER. Use an adapter as shown below and always connect the grounding lug to a known ground. It is recommended that you have a qualified electrician replace the TWO prong outlet with a properly grounded THREE
prong outlet. An adapter as illustrated below in Figure B is available for connecting plugs to two-prong receptacles.
Figure A Figure B
Grounding lug
Screw
3-prong plug
Grounding prong
Properly grounded 3-prong outlet
3-prong plug
Make sure this is connected to
a known ground.
Adapter
Two-prong receptacle
WARNING: THE GREEN GROUNDING LUG EXTENDING FROM THE ADAPTER MUST BE CONNECTED TO A PERMANENT GROUND SUCH AS TO A PROPERLY
GROUNDED OUTLET BOX. NOT ALL OUTLET BOXES ARE PROPERLY GROUNDED.
If you are not sure that your outlet box is properly grounded, have it checked by a qualified electrician. NOTE: The adapter illustrated is for use only if you already have a properly grounded two-prong receptacle. Adapter is not
allowed in Canada by the Canadian Electrical Code. Use only three wire extension cords which have three-prong grounding type plugs and three-prong receptacles which will accept the MOTU product plug.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
1. Read these instructions. All the safety and operating instructions should be read before operating the product.
2. Keep these instructions. These safety instructions and the product owner’s manual should be retained for future reference.
3. Heed all warnings. All warnings on the product and in the owner’s manual should be adhered to.
4. Follow all Instructions. All operating and use instructions should be followed.
5. Do not use the product near water.
6. Cleaning - Unplug the product from the computer and clean only with a dry cloth. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.
7. Ventilation - Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Heat - Do not install the product near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or another apparatus (including an amplifier) that produces heat.
9. Overloading - Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords as this can result in a risk of fire or electrical shock.
10. Grounding - Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.
The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult and electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
11. Power cord - Protect the product power cord from being walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them. Pay particular attention to cords and plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit
from the unit.
12. Power switch - Install the product so that the power switch can be accessed and operated at all times.
13. Disconnect - The main plug is considered to be the disconnect device for the product and shall remain readily operable.
14. Accessories - Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
15. Placement - Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the product. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury
from tip-over.
16. Surge protection - Unplug the product during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
17. Servicing - Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Ser vicing is required when the product has been damaged in any way, such as when a power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects
have fallen into the product, the product has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
18. Power Sources - Refer to the manufacturer’s operating instructions for power requirements. Be advised that different operating voltages may require the use of a different line cord and/or attachment plug.
19. Installation - Do not install the product in an unventilated rack, or directly above heat-producing equipment such as power amplifiers. Observe the maximum ambient operating temperature listed below.
20. Power amplifiers- Never attach audio power amplifier outputs directly to any of the unit’s connectors.
21. Replacement Parts - When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized
substitutions may result in fire, electric shock or other hazards.
22. Safety Check - Upon completion of any service or repairs to this MOTU product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in safe operating conditions.
ENVIRONMENT, HEAT AND VENTILATION
Operating Temperature: 10°C to 40°C (50°F to 104°). The product should be situated away from heat sources or other equipment that produces heat. When installing the product in a rack or any other location, be sure there
is adequate space around the product to ensure proper ventilation. Improper ventilation will cause overheating and can damage the unit.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK OR FIRE
Do not handle the power cord with wet hands. Do not pull on the power cord when disconnecting it from an AC wall outlet.
Grasp it by the plug. Do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. Do not place objects containing liquids on it.
AC INPUT
100 - 240VAC ~ • 50 / 60Hz • 0.5A max
Page 3
Contents
Part 1: Getting Started
7 Quick Start Guide
9 8pre-es Front Panel
10 8pre-es Rear Panel
11 MOTU Pro Audio Control Web App
25 About the 8pre-es
29 Packing List and System Requirements
31 Software Installation
35 Hardware Installation
Part 2: Using the 8pre-es
55 Presets
61 Front Panel Operation
67 Working with Host Audio Software
75 Mixer Effects
83 MOTU Discovery
87 MOTU Audio Tools
103 Networking
Part 3: Appendices
111 Troubleshooting
115 Audio Specifications
117 Mixer Schematics
121 Updating Firmware
123 OSC Support
125 Index
iii
Page 4
About the Mark of the Unicorn License
Agreement and Limited Warranty on Software
TO PERSONS WHO PURCHASE OR USE THIS PRODUCT: carefully read all the terms and
conditions of the “click-wrap” license agreement presented to you when you install
the software. Using the software or this documentation indicates your acceptance of
the terms and conditions of that license agreement.
Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. (“MOTU”) owns both this program and its documentation.
Both the program and the documentation are protected under applicable copyright,
trademark, and trade-secret laws. Your right to use the program and the
documentation are limited to the terms and conditions described in the license
agreement.
REMINDER OF THE TERMS OF YOUR LICENSE
This summary is not your license agreement, just a reminder of its terms. The actual
license can be read and printed by running the installation program for the software.
That license agreement is a contract, and clicking “Accept” binds you and MOTU to all
its terms and conditions. In the event anything contained in this summary is
incomplete or in conflict with the actual click-wrap license agreement, the terms of
the click-wrap agreement prevail.
YOU MAY: (a) use the enclosed program on a single computer; (b) physically transfer
the program from one computer to another provided that the program is used on
only one computer at a time and that you remove any copies of the program from the
computer from which the program is being transferred; (c) make copies of the
program solely for backup purposes. You must reproduce and include the copyright
notice on a label on any backup copy.
YOU MAY NOT: (a) distribute copies of the program or the documentation to others;
(b) rent, lease or grant sublicenses or other rights to the program; (c) provide use of
the program in a computer service business, network, time-sharing, multiple CPU or
multiple user arrangement without the prior written consent of MOTU; (d) translate,
adapt, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or otherwise alter the program or
related documentation without the prior written consent of MOTU.
MOTU warrants to the original licensee that the disk(s) on which the program is
recorded be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a
period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase as evidenced by a copy of your
receipt. If failure of the disk has resulted from accident, abuse or misapplication of the
product, then MOTU shall have no responsibility to replace the disk(s) under this
Limited Warranty.
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY AND RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT IS IN LIEU OF, AND YOU
HEREBY WAIVE, ANY AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, BOTH EXPRESS AND IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE LIABILITY OF MOTU PURSUANT TO THIS LIMITED
WARRANTY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE DISK(S), AND
IN NO EVENT SHALL MOTU OR ITS SUPPLIERS, LICENSORS, OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE
FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE,
OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY THIRD PARTIES EVEN IF MOTU HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS
WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE
LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE
ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
UPDATE POLICY
In order to be eligible to obtain updates of the program, you must complete and
return the attached Mark of the Unicorn Purchaser Registration Card to MOTU.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Copyright © 2018 by Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system,
or translated into any human or computer language, in any form or by any means
whatsoever, without express written permission of Mark of the Unicorn, Inc., 1280
Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, U.S.A.
LIMITED WARRANTY ON HARDWARE
Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. and S&S Research (“MOTU/S&S”) warrant this equipment
against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of TWO (2) YEARS from the
date of original retail purchase. This warranty applies only to hardware products;
MOTU software is licensed and warranted pursuant to separate written statements.
If you discover a defect, first write or call Mark of the Unicorn at (617) 576-2760 to
obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization Number. No service will be per formed on
any product returned without prior authorization. MOTU will, at its option, repair or
replace the product at no charge to you, provided you return it during the warranty
period, with transportation charges prepaid, to Mark of the Unicorn, Inc., 1280
Massachusetts Avenue, MA 02138. You must use the product’s original packing
material for in shipment, and insure the shipment for the value of the product. Please
include your name, address, telephone number, a description of the problem, and the
original, dated bill of sale with the returned unit and print the Return Merchandise
Authorization Number on the outside of the box below the shipping address.
This warranty does not apply if the equipment has been damaged by accident, abuse,
misuse, or misapplication; has been modified without the written permission of
MOTU, or if the product serial number has been removed or defaced.
ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO TWO (2)
YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASE OF THIS PRODUCT.
THE WARRANTY AND REMEDIES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF
ALL OTHERS, ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. No MOTU/S&S dealer, agent,
or employee is authorized to make any modification, extension, or addition to this
warranty.
MOTU/S&S ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY, OR UNDER ANY LEGAL
THEORY, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, DOWNTIME, GOODWILL, DAMAGE OR
REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY AND COST OF RECOVERING REPROGRAMMING, OR REPRODUCING ANY PROGRAM OR DATA STORED IN OR USED WITH
MOTU/S&S PRODUCTS.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or liability
for incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not
apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other
rights which vary from state to state.
MOTU, Digital Performer, AudioDesk, Mark of the Unicorn and the unicorn silhouette
logo are trademarks of Mark of the Unicorn, Inc.
Thunderbolt and the Thunderbolt logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S.
and/or other countries.
This equipment has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause interference to radio or television equipment reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by any
combination of the following measures:
• Relocate or reorient the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
• Plug the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected
If necessary, you can consult a dealer or experienced radio/television technician for additional
assistance.
PLEASE NOTE: only equipment certified to comply with Class B (computer input/output devices,
terminals, printers, etc.) should be attached to this equipment, and it must have shielded interface
cables in order to comply with the Class B FCC limits on RF emissions.
WARNING: changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the
party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
Page 5
Part 1
Getting Started
Page 6
Page 7
Quick Start Guide
Thank you for purchasing an 8pre-es! Follow these
easy steps to get started quickly.
1 Download and run the MOTU Pro Audio
Installer found here:
http://www.motu.com/proaudio
2 (Optional) For quick access to the 8pre-es from
your iPad or iPhone, download the MOTU
Discovery app from the Apple App Store.
☛ Your iPhone and iPad must be on the same
Wi-Fi network as your computer.
3 Connect the interface to your computer with a
USB cable (included) or Thunderbolt cable (sold
separately). If you have a Thunderbolt-equipped
Mac running macOS El Capitan (10.11) or later,
you can alternately connect the 8pre-es to the
Mac’s Ethernet port with a standard CAT-5e or
CAT-6 Ethernet cable (sold separately).
4 Switch on the 8pre-es.
■ You should now see the MOTU Pro Audio
Control web app in your browser, as shown on
page 12. If not, visit Appendix A, “Troubleshooting” page (111).
■ For advanced network options, and device
discovery from any modern browser, see
chapter 12, “Networking” (page 103).
Mac
Windows
6 Choose a preset from the Quick Setup.
5 Open the MOTU Pro Audio Control web app by
doing one of the following:
■ Choose Open Pro Audio Control... from the
MOTU Discovery app menu (found in the Mac
menu bar or Windows taskbar as shown below).
■ Alternately, you can launch the MOTU Pro
Audio Control shortcut found on the Windows
desktop or in Start menu> All Programs> MOTU.
■ From your iPad or iPhone, launch the MOTU
Discovery app, and tap your interface.
7
Page 8
8
Page 9
8pre-es Front Panel
43 10
15 14 13
1. Choose mic inputs 1-4 or 5-8, for the bank of controls to
the right (2).
2. Individual preamp gain, switchable 48V phantom power,
and optional -20 dB pad switches for each mic input. Use
the bank buttons (1) to switch between inputs 1-4 and
5-8. The Precision Digital Trim™ knob provides 63 dB of
preamp gain. Turn the knob to see the gain adjustments in
the LCD. Push in the knob to lock the gain adjustment on
screen; press it again to unlock and dismiss.
3. This is the built-in talkback mic, so that you can use the
talkback feature (10) without using up one of the two mic
inputs. See “Talkback” on page 64.
4. Press the METERS button to cycle among several LCD
screen sets, which display meters for the analog inputs and
outputs, metering for all digital I/O, device settings and
the menu.
5. Push the MENU knob to enter the LCD menu. Turn it to
scroll through menu options. Push again to go into the
sub-menus, if applicable. To choose the current setting,
push MENU a third time. Use the BACK button to return to
the previous menu level. Push METERS to return directly to
the main screen.
6. The 8pre-es dual color LCDs display metering, device
settings and menu navigation. Press METERS (4) to cycle
among several screen sets or return home after menu
navigation. Use the MENU knob and BACK button for menu
navigation.
7. The MONITOR knob controls the volume of both the A and
B monitor output pairs, regardless of which one is currently
selected. To change the relative volume between the A and
B monitor outs, see “Monitor volume control” on page 64.
This knob also supports surround monitoring. See
“Monitor control for surround” on page 64.
8. Use the A/B monitor select buttons to switch your studio’s
primary stereo output between two pairs of studio
monitors connected to two pairs of 8pre-es line outs. You
can assign these output pairs as desired. See “Output
assignments for Monitor A and B” on page 63. To enable
both pairs simultaneously, push both buttons simultaneously.
982 5 6 7 11 121
9. Push MUTE to silence the A/B monitor outputs (or surround
outputs).
10. Push TALK to speak to musicians located in a separate
studio room or isolation booth via the 8pre-es built-in
talkback mic (3). See “Talkback” on page 64.
11. Two independent HEADPHONE OUTPUTS with volume
control. As you turn the knob, the LCD provides visual
feedback with a volume meter.
12. POWER SWITCH: Thunderbolt, AVB, and USB are “plugand-play” protocols. That means you can switch off the
8pre-es and turn it back on without restarting your
computer.
13. Push NET ID to display network settings for the device,
including its IP address.
14. Push MONO to sum each A/B monitor stereo pair to mono.
Push it again to return to stereo operation.
15. Push BACK to go back one level when navigating the LCD
menu.
Page 10
8pre-es Rear Panel
2
7 6
1. The 8pre-es is equipped with an auto-switching international power supply.
2. These are standard BNC word clock jacks. Use them for a
variety of applications, such as digital transfers with
devices that cannot resolve to the clock supplied by their
digital I/O connection with the 8pre-es.
3. These two banks of ADAT optical “lightpipe” connectors
each provide 8 channels of 24-bit ADAT optical digital I/O
at 1x sample rates (44.1 or 48 kHz) and 4 channels at 2x
sample rates (88.2 or 96 kHz). They are disabled at
higher sample rates. Bank A can alternately operate as
stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF) connectors.
Note: you can choose independent formats for Bank A IN
and OUT. For example, you could choose ADAT for the
optical A IN (for eight channels of input from your digital
mixer, for example) and stereo TOSLink for the optical A
OUT (for a set of auxiliary speakers, for example).
31 5
4. The eight analog outputs are balanced, DC-coupled
quarter-inch connectors that can also accept an unbalanced plug. They provide output for studio monitors,
surround monitoring, sub-mixes or any other desired
destination. The output trim can be adjusted from the
Device Tab in the MOTU Pro Audio Control web app
software. From the factory, outputs 1-2 serve as monitor
pair A for the front panel A/B monitor switching, but
monitor pair B is unassigned. See “Output assignments
for Monitor A and B” on page 63. For surround monitoring, connect your surround speakers to outputs 1-6 (or
1-8) and see “Monitor volume control” on page 64.
Note: the analog outputs are not cross-coupled. Therefore, when connecting them to an unbalanced input, use
a TRS plug with the ring disconnected. Not floating the
negative terminal will short it to the sleeve ground and
cause distortion.
4
5. These eight XLR/TRS combo jacks accept a mic cable or a
quarter-inch cable, balanced or unbalanced, from a
guitar or line level source. Use the front panel controls to
adjust individual preamp gain, 48V phantom power and
optional -20 dB pad for each mic input.
6. Connect the 8pre-es to the computer here via either
Thunderbolt or USB, using a standard Thunderbolt or
USB cable (one or the other, but not both). For details,
see chapter 5, “Hardware Installation” (page 35).
7. This AVB/TSN Ethernet port provides industry standard
IEEE 802.1 network connectivity to other network
devices. Examples include:
■ Another 8pre-es or any other MOTU AVB-equipped
audio interface, such as the 1248, 8M, 16A, 24Ai, 24Ao,
112D, Monitor 8, 828es, etc.
■ A standard Ethernet hub or Wi-Fi router (for internet
connection and communication with the web app
software).
■ A standard AVB Ethernet switch for high-speed, low-
latency, high-capacity audio connectivity to an AVB
audio network.
■ A recent-generation Mac (any Mac with a Thunderbolt
port) running macOS El Capitan (10.11) or later. This
allows you to operate the 8pre-es as an audio interface
over Ethernet.
Page 11
CHAPTER
1 MOTU Pro Audio Control Web App
OVERVIEW
MOTU Pro Audio Control is a web app that gives
you complete control over the 8pre-es. If you have
several MOTU interfaces networked together,
such as the 8pre-es, 1248 and 16A, you can control
them all. If you are working with a large network
of many MOTU interfaces, you can access any
device on the network.
IT’S NOT ON YOUR HARD DRIVE
The MOTU Pro Audio Control web app is served
from the 8pre-es hardware itself, therefore it is not
an application on your computer’s hard drive.
Instead, access it from the MOTU Discovery app
(in the Mac menu bar or Windows taskbar), the
MOTU Pro Audio WebUI Setup shortcut
(Windows only) or through your web browser.
USE YOUR FAVORITE WEB BROWSER
The MOTU Pro Audio Control web app runs in
any modern web browser on any device connected
to the 8pre-es, either directly or wirelessly through
a Wi-Fi network. You can use any device you wish:
a desktop computer, laptop, iPad, tablet, iPhone or
smart phone. If it can run a web browser, it can run
the web app. You can use any browser you prefer:
Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc. The latest versions are
strongly recommended.
CONTROL FROM MULTIPLE DEVICES
You can run the web app on multiple host devices
simultaneously.
RUN THE INSTALLER, GET THE APP
Visit www.motu.com/download to get the latest
MOTU Pro Audio Installer and run it on your
computer to install the MOTU Discovery app,
MOTU Pro Audio WebUI Setup shortcut
(Windows only) and other software elements.
Visit the Apple App Store to install the discovery
app on your iPad or iPhone.
MAKE HARDWARE AND NETWORK CONNECTIONS
Connect your 8pre-es to your computer or laptop
with a USB or Thunderbolt cable. Make sure your
iPad, iPhone, tablet or smartphone is connected to
the same Wi-Fi network as your computer or
device, as explained in “Setup for web app control”
on page 40.
LAUNCHING THE WEB APP
To launch the web app, do any of the following:
■ Choose the 8pre-es from the MOTU Discovery
app menu (in the Mac menu bar or Windows
taskbar, as shown on page 7) or launch the MOTU
Pro Audio WebUI Setup shortcut (Windows only).
■ From your iPad or iPhone, launch the MOTU
Discovery app.
■ In your favorite web browser, type this URL:
localhost:1280. (This URL requires a Thunderbolt
or USB connection to the 8pre-es.)
■ If the 8pre-es Ethernet port is connected to your
Ethernet or Wi-Fi network, type the unit’s IP
address (see below) into your browser.
You should now see the MOTU Pro Audio
Control web app in your browser, as shown on
page 12. If not, visit Appendix A, “Troubleshooting” page (111).
Obtaining the 8pre-es IP address
On the front panel of the interface, push the NET
ID button. The LCD now displays the unit’s IP
address, which should look something like this:
“IP: 192.168.1.209”.
11
Page 12
DEVICE TAB
9
107 8 12
11
6
5
4
3
2
1
1. If you have two or more MOTU interfaces, the Devices list lets you choose
the one you are currently controlling
with the web app.
2. See “Touch Console” on page 22.
3. The Aux Mixing tab lets you view
each aux bus, one at a time.
4. The Mixing tab gives you access to
the mixing and DSP in the interface.
5. The Routing tab displays a grid
matrix, where you can make direct
connections between inputs and
outputs, your computer, the mixer,
and network audio streams, if
networked interfaces are connected.
6. The Device tab has settings for the
hardware itself, such as analog input
and output trim.
7. Expands and collapses the sidebar.
8. Lets you create, save, recall and
manage presets for the 8pre-es.
These presets capture and recall the
complete state of the device (all
settings in all tabs).
12
9. Choose the desired sample rate.
Make sure your host audio software
is set to the same rate.
10. Click to rename the interface. To
restore the default name, delete the
current name.
11. The Quick Setup button prompts
factory presets used to configure
your interface for a specific application. See chapter 6, “Presets”
(page 55).
12. Click this device ID button to identify
the unit you are currently viewing
and controlling with the web app
software. The front panel LCD on the
hardware itself will flash the name
of the device, and its name will also
flash in the Device list (1).
13. If an update is available for your
device, and the computer you are
viewing it from is connected to the
internet, you’ll be notified here. Click
More Info to learn what’s new and
start the update process. Firmware
updating requires a USB or network
13
14
15
16
17
Windows only
connection to your computer. See
Appendix D, “Updating Firmware”
page (121).
14. Choose the clock source from the
Clock Mode menu. Your MOTU
device will resolve its digital clock to
this master source. See “Synchronization” on page 41 and other clockrelated topics on pages 42-44.
15. The Clock Status icon indicates that
the current device (1) is successfully
resolved to its chosen Clock Mode
source (14). If it cannot lock for some
reason, this icon flashes red. Check
your chosen clock source, cables, etc.
16. The Word Clock output on the your
MOTU interface can operate as an
OUT or a THRU. In addition, at higher
sample rates, it can either follow the
system clock or operate at the corresponding 1x sample rate. For details,
see “Daisy-chaining word clock” on
page 49.
17. If you have multiple MOTU interfaces, one of them may serve as a
master clock source for the network.
MOTU PRO AUDIO CONTROL WEB APP
Click the Become Clock Master button
to choose the current interface (1) as
the master clock source.
18. ( Windows only) Choose the Host
Buffer Size. Smaller values reduce
latency but increase your computer’s
CPU load. See “Host Buffer Size” on
page 32.
19. ( Windows only) Choose a Host
Safety Offset to fine tune host buffer
latency. See “Host Safety Offset” on
page 33.
20. The Input Settings section provides
gain settings for inputs and the
built-in talkback mic, plus phase
invert for the mic/guitar inputs. You
can also toggle the 48V phantom
power and -20 dB pad for the mic
inputs.
21. The Output Settings section lets you
adjust the trim for any outputs that
support it. Phones and Main outputs
provide full volume control. Analog
outputs provide calibration control
(-24 to 0 dB).
18
19
20
21
Page 13
DEVICE TAB (CONTINUED)
30
22
23
29
28
27
26
Scroll down to view these additional
Device tab settings.
22. Configure the optical Bank A ports
for either 8-channel ADAT or stereo
TOSLink. At 88.2 or 96 kHz, the ADAT
setting supports 4-channel SMUX
format. See “Optical I/O” on
page 47.
23. Your MOTU interface can resolve to
SMPTE time code, also referred to as
LTC (Longitudinal Time Code), by
choosing LTC from the Clock Mode
menu (item 14 on page 12). From
the LTC Input Source menu (23
above), choose the analog or digital
input that is receiving the time code.
If you would also like to send time
code (LTC) to the computer, where it
will be converted to MIDI Time Code
(MTC) for resolving your DAW or
other software to MTC via macOS
Core Audio (a Mac-only feature),
choose an audio channel you are not
using for other purposes from the
Computer Channel for LTC-to-MTC
Conversion menu; otherwise, leave it
set to None. Choose the desired
frame format, or use the Enable
Format Autodetect to automatically
detect the frame format of the
incoming time code. When Enable
Jam Sync is turned on, your interface
will continue to operate under its
own clock and continue LTC-to-MTC
conversion, even after it stops
receiving time code. Click Stop Jam
Sync to exit this mode. For further
details about time code sync, see
“Syncing to SMPTE time code (LTC)”
on page 49 and “LTC-to-MTC conversion” on page 74.
24. Use these buttons to manually check
for and install updates for your
MOTU interface. For complete
details, see Appendix D, “Updating
Firmware” page (121). Updating
from a file can be done off line from
your computer, using an update
you’ve obtained through MOTU’s
web site or tech support department. The Check For Updates button
requires that the computer (or
device) you are using to view your
MOTU interface is connected to the
internet through a local network or
Wi-Fi. Updating from the internet is
easy and convenient.
25. Use Set Password to passwordprotect the interface on the
network. All settings are blocked,
except for aux bus mixing, as shown
above (25). This allows musicians to
access their personal monitor (aux)
mixes from their mobile devices,
while all other device settings
remain blocked. To clear the
password, log in and then click Clear
Password. If you forget the
password, you can clear it in the
Settings menu in the front panel LCD
(see page 63) with either the Clear
Password setting or by doing a
factory reset with the Factory
Default setting.
26. The System Information section
displays information about your
MOTU device, including the
firmware version and network IP
address.
27. Use Restore Factory Presets to restore
your MOTU device’s factory presets.
28. Click Reboot to restar t the interface.
29. Choose the outputs you would like
to use for the front panel monitor
controls (Monitor A/B switches,
Mute and Mono). You can also
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control these functions here in the
web app with the controls provided.
See “Monitor controls” on page 63.
30. When the Computer Volume Controls
option is enabled (a Mac only
feature), the Audio MIDI Setup
utility in macOS provides volume
control for each output channel to
your MOTU audio interface. In
addition, the volume controls for
your Mac (on your computer
keyboard) will control the channels
you’ve designated for computer
output in Audio MIDI Setup, if any.
Be careful when toggling this
setting because sudden changes in
your computer volume can result.
MOTU PRO AUDIO CONTROL WEB APP
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Page 14
ROUTING TAB
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The Routing Tab lets you route inputs to
outputs. Outputs are listed by row on the
left; inputs are listed in columns across
the top. Simply click in the grid to make
a single connection. Click and drag to
make multiple connections in one
gesture. To route a single input to
multiple outputs, make multiple
connections vertically in the same
column below the input. To mix multiple
inputs to the same output, you’ll need to
use the mixer (page 16) and the Mix In
bank in the routing tab (18).
1. In its collapsed form, (shown here),
the sidebar displays icons for each
tab.
2. Click this icon to view the Routing
tab, shown on this page.
3. Click here to show or hide the
sidebar.
4. Create, save, recall and manage
routing presets.
5. Locks the grid to prevent accidental
changes. Unlock to make changes to
the grid.
6. Outputs are listed in rows on the left.
64 8
7. When you make a connection, the
8. Inputs are listed in columns across
9. The From Computer input bank lets
10. AVB streams are 8-channel banks
7
source (input) signal is listed by
name here in the Source column,
just to the right of the output it is
being routed to.
the top of the grid, starting with the
physical inputs on the hardware
itself. In this example, the analog
inputs are being routed to the
computer over Thunderbolt (TB).
you route audio channels from your
host audio software to any output,
including AVB network streams or
the mixer, where you can mix
computer audio with local inputs.
Use Routing setup (item 26 on
page 15) to choose how many
computer channels are available.
that let you route audio to or from
other devices on the AVB network (if
any are connected) to local
hardware inputs and outputs. Use
the Routing setup tab (item #31 on
page 15) to configure how many
AVB streams you wish to work with.
If you aren’t working with network
audio, you can set the number of
streams to zero to hide them from
this grid (and the mixer).
9 10
11. These input streams are buses that
originate from the mixer, which
supplies the Main Mix bus, monitor
mix bus, seven stereo aux buses,
three stereo group buses, a reverb
return bus and postFX channel sends
(for sending processed inputs to the
computer or elsewhere). You can
route these mixer buses to any
outputs you wish (6), including
physical outputs, host software on
your computer, other devices on the
AVB network, or even back in to the
mixer (beware of feedback loops!)
12. Use this column to route the
talkback mic to any desired outputs.
13. Use these triangles to expand or
collapse groups of inputs. For
example, it might be convenient to
collapse banks that you are not
using at the moment.
14. Click a channel label to rename it.
15. Audio activit y indicators.
16. Here, the Main Mix bus from the
mixer is being routed to both
headphone outs, plus Analog
outputs 1-2 (the Monitor A pair).
The Monitor bus from the mixer is
being routed to Analog Outs 3-4
(the Monitor B pair).
11
17. Click the grid to make a connection.
18. The Mix In group lets you route audio
19. AVB output streams let you route
20. The To Computer output bank routes
21. These are the physical outputs on
22. Use these triangles to expand or
23. These indicate the outputs desig-
12
Click a connection to remove it. Click
and drag to make or break multiple
connections in one gesture.
to the 48-channel mixer.
any audio to other devices on the
AVB network.
any input to host audio software
running on your computer. Use
Routing setup (item 30 on page 15)
to choose how many computer
channels are available.
the interface itself.
collapse groups of outputs.
nated for A/B monitor switching
(item #29 on page 13 and item #8
on page 9).
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Page 15
ROUTING SETUP
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4. Use the Routing Setup sidebar to
show and hide inputs and outputs in
the routing grid. You can also configure the number of audio channels
to/from the computer and network.
5. Use the check boxes in this section to
show/hide analog and digital inputs
on your interface (item 8 on
page 14). Hide banks you are not
using to simplify the grid to
conserve DSP resources.
6. Specify how many audio channels
you would like to be able to stream
from your computer (item 9 on
page 14). You can choose up to 64
channels each way, simultaneously,
over USB or 128 over Thunderbolt.
MOTU PRO AUDIO CONTROL WEB APP
27. This sidebar tab shows and hides the
Routing Setup sidebar (24), which
lets you configure the routing grid
for your studio.
28. Use the check boxes in this section to
show/hide analog and digital
outputs on your interface (item 6 on
page 14). Hide banks you are not
using to simplify the grid and
conserve DSP resources.
29. The digital mixer in the 8pre-es
supports up to 48 channels at 44.1
or 48 kHz. At higher sample rates,
the maximum number of supported
channels is lower, due to finite DSP
resources. If you don’t need 48
inputs (or the maximum available),
you can lower the number here to
simplify mixer and routing operation and conserve DSP bandwidth
for effects processing.
30. Specify how many audio channels
you would like to stream to your
computer (item 20 on page 14). You
can choose up to 64 channels each
way, simultaneously, over USB or
128 over Thunderbolt.
31. AV B is IEEE’s Audio Video Bridging
Ethernet standard for highbandwidth, low-latency audio
streaming over Ethernet. If your
MOTU interface is connected to a
2nd MOTU interface through its
network port, or to an AVB switch for
access to an extended AVB network,
you can stream audio channels to
and from other devices on the
network. See chapter 12, “Networking” (page 103).
32. If you’ve activated one or more AVB
network input streams (31), connect
them to the output streams of other
devices on the network here. This is
how you route audio from the other
devices to the 8pre-es.
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Page 16
MIXING TAB
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The Mixing tab gives you full access to
the 48-channel mixer in the 8pre-es,
which provides a Main Mix bus, monitor
bus, three group buses, seven aux buses,
and a dedicated reverb bus. Use the
Device tab to configure how many
inputs you wish to work with (up to 48).
Use the Routing tab (page 14) to route
channels to the mixer inputs. Channels
can come from any source, such as the
physical inputs on the interface,
channels coming from the computer, or
channels coming from the AVB network.
1. Shows and hides the Mixer Setup
sidebar (3), which lets you show and
hide channels, channel strip
settings, effects, and the Legend (6).
2. The Mixing tab displays the mixer.
3. Use the Mixer Setup sidebar to show
and hide elements in the mixer.
4. Shows and hides all elements in the
section with one click.
5. Create, save, recall and manage
mixer presets.
6. This column is the Legend. It
provides labels and controls for
16
channel strip sections. The menu at
the top (5) lets you create, save and
manage entire mixer presets.
7. Mixer input channels.
8. This input channel has an EQ shelf
filter enabled.
9. This is Group bus 1-2. You can send
inputs to this group with their Group
send fader (25). Groups are sent to
the Main Mix with its main send
fader (24) or aux buses (19).
10. Group buses, the Main Mix bus, and
the reverb return bus are equipped
with the Leveler, a vintage compressor modeled after the Teletronix
LA-2A leveling amplifier.
11. The reverb channel strip provides
the reverb processor. Use the reverb
send on inputs or groups to route
them to the reverb bus, which can
then be mixed in with the Main Mix
or aux buses. Disable the reverb
processor to use it as an extra group.
12. The Monitor Bus can mirror the
output of any other bus, or it can act
as a separate Solo bus. See page 19.
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13. The Main Mix bus is the master fader
for the entire mixer. You can add EQ
and Leveler compression.
14. You can adjust aux bus output levels
here, or in the Aux Mixing tab shown
on page 17.
15. Click a name to change it, except for
the Main Mix, Monitor, and Reverb
busses, which cannot be changed.
16. Stereo toggle to switch channels
pairs between mono or stereo. Use
the other menus to manage channel
strip presets and to choose audio
sources and destinations for mixer
inputs and bus outputs.
17. Click the thumbnail EQ graph to
open the full-size, editable EQ graph
(Figure 9-4 on page 77).
18. The Dynamics sec tion provides a
conventional compressor for inputs
and the Leveler for output busses.
19. Reverb and aux sends.
20. Solo and mute. On the Monitor bus,
the SC button clears all solos.
MOTU PRO AUDIO CONTROL WEB APP
21. Channel faders.
22. Choose the source for the Monitor
bus from this menu. It can mirror
any output bus or the Solo Bus.
23. When Follow Solo is enabled, the
Monitor bus switches to the solo bus
when any channel is soloed.
24. Main Mix sends.
25. Group sends.
26. See “Talkback setup” on page 64.
27. See “Talkback settings” on page 65.
28. ‘S’ lets you solo the group. ‘PRE’
toggles the sends between pre- and
post-fader routing, i.e. before or
after the channel fader.
29. Show/hide output buses here.
30. Show/hide all busses with one click.
31. Toggles metering to be pre- or postfader.
32. Show/hide inputs here.
33. Show/hide all inputs with one click.
Page 17
AUX MIXING TAB
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The Aux Mixing tab provides quick
access to the 8pre-es mix buses (aux
buses, groups and reverb bus), viewed
one at a time. Choose a bus in the On
Faders section (12) and then use the
faders to directly mix the send levels
from all mixer inputs, groups, and the
reverb bus.
The Aux Mixing tab provides touchscreen friendly operation. It is ideal for
mixing on mobile devices like tablets
and smartphones. It supports multitouch operation. For example, you can
move multiple faders at the same time
with two or more fingers.
1. The Aux Mixing tab (shown on this
page) gives you access to the aux
buses and groups in the mixer.
2. Shows and hides the sidebar (3).
3. Use the sidebar to choose the aux
bus (or group) you want to mix (12).
You can also show/hide faders (16),
MOTU PRO AUDIO CONTROL WEB APP
show/hide the sidebar fader (15), go
full screen (17) and toggle the
metering as pre- or post-fader (18).
4. These are mixer inputs (aux sends
from each mixer channel and
group). To include an input or group
in the aux bus mix, simply bring up
its fader.
5. This is a group fader.
6. This is the master fader for the
current aux bus being viewed (4).
You can show/hide it with the
sidebar fader setting (15).
7. Meters can be PRE or POST fader, as
determined by the PRE setting (18).
8. Pan controls for aux bus inputs.
9. Click the View Personal Mix button to
open a new web page that displays
only that specific aux mix or group.
10. Use this overview strip to scroll to
the channels you wish to see. You
can either drag the overview lens
(11) or tap anywhere on the
overview to jump immediately to
that section of channels. Output
buses are displayed on the far right.
Input channels are indicated by blue
background shading. The strip also
displays a thumbnail overview of all
channel meters.
11. The overview lens indicates the
channels currently in view. Drag it to
view other channels, or tap
anywhere on the overview to jump
directly to that location. You can also
swipe left or right anywhere on the
channels above.
12. Choose the aux bus or group you
wish to view in the window. In this
example, Aux 1-2 is being displayed
(13).
13. Shows the aux bus or group that is
currently being mixed with the
faders, e.g. “on faders”.
14. Tap the section title to show/hide it.
15. Shows/hides the Sidebar Fader (6).
16. Shows/hides channel strips (4) for
inputs and outputs. Use the menu to
check and uncheck the channels you
wish to view and hide.
17. Full Screen mode is available on all
platform s except iOS (where the
Discovery app is already full screen).
18. Toggles channel meters (7) to be
PRE or POST fader.
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Page 18
MIXER INPUT CHANNEL STRIPS
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To access a mixer input channel strip, go to the
Mixing tab (page 16), reveal the side bar (item
#3 on page 16), and show the input channel in
the Mixer Inputs section (item #32 on
page 16). To show and hide sections of the
channel strip, such as EQ or the compressor,
use the Controls section of the side bar (item
#3 on page 16).
1. Click the input channel name to change it.
Delete the current name to restore the
default name.
2. Provides hardware settings for inputs, if
any, such as preamp gain. If there are no
hardware settings for the assigned input,
this icon is grayed out. If the channel has
been assigned to an input on another AVB
device on the audio network, you can use
these settings to control it remotely.
3. Choose the source for the input channel.
You can also make this setting directly on
the Routing grid (page 14).
4. Create and recall channel strip presets.
5. Toggles the input between mono and a
stereo pair.
6. High Pass Filter with cutoff frequency.
7. Each effect in the channel strip (High Pass
Filter, Gate, EQ, etc.) has an on/off button
on the left and a preset menu on the right,
for managing presets that apply only to
that processing module. For example, you
can create your own EQ presets for the EQ
modules.
8. The Gate processor provides standard
attack, threshold and release controls.
9. The Gate indicator turns red when the
gate is engaged.
10. The EQ section provides four bands of
parametric EQ, each with standard Gain,
Frequency, and Bandwidth settings.
11. The High and Low EQ bands provide a
Shelf filter button for standard high and
low shelf filtering.
12. The thumbnail EQ Graph displays the
currently enabled EQ filters, if any. Click it
to open the full-size, editable EQ Graph
(Figure 9-4 on page 77).
13. The Compressor provides standard
controls for Threshold, Ratio, Attack,
Release and Gain. Normally, the compressor operates in Peak mode, where signal
peaks determine the input level. Engage
the RMS button to use RMS values (overall
loudness) for the input level. Engage Auto
makeup gain to compensate for any gain
reduction.
14. Input level and gain reduction meters for
the compressor.
MOTU PRO AUDIO CONTROL WEB APP
15. The thumbnail Compressor Graph
provides a graphic representation of the
compressor, when enabled. Click it to
open the full-size, editable Compressor
Graph (Figure 9-6 on page 78).
16. Aux 1-2 send.
17. Pan for the Aux 1-2 send.
18. Solo/Mute. Mute affects all sends as well
as the main channel. Pre-fader sends are
not affected by Mute.
19. Move the fader to adjust level. Doubleclick to return to zero (unity gain) or -×.
20. Click the dB scale numbers to make the
fader jump exactly to that level. Click an
drag horizontally to jump consecutive
faders to the same level.
21. Click to type in an exac t dB level.
22. Channel pan. For mono inputs, doubleclick to center.
23. Main Mix Slider feeds signal to the Main
Mix. Slider is set to 0 dB by default, so all
channel strips are pre-routed to the Main
Mix bus. If a channel is being sent to a
Group (which will eventually be fed to th
Main Mix), drag the slider to -× so it is no
sent to Main Mix directly.
24. Group sends.
25. Makes the input the source for talkback.
26. See “Talkback settings” on page 65.
27. ‘S’ lets you solo the group. ‘PRE’ toggles
28. The input level meter (behind the fader
29. Clears all solos.
30. ‘S’ lets you solo the aux bus. ‘PRE’ toggles
31. This side bar, with the section labels in it,
32. Shows how much DSP power is being use
the sends between pre- and post-fader
routing, i.e. before or after the channel
fader. PAN enables pan for group sends.
handle, 19) can display either pre- or pos
fader levels. Toggle here.
the sends between pre- and post-fader
routing, i.e. before or after the channel
fader. The dots let you toggle the aux bus
between mono and stereo.
can be shown or hidden using the Legen
switch in the Controls section of the side
bar (item #3 in the Mixing tab on
page 16).
by the mixer hardware. To free up DSP
bandwidth, try reducing the number of
mixer ins, disabling channel effects,
reverb, etc. See “DSP Usage” on page 81
for more info.
Page 19
MAIN MIX AND MONITOR CHANNEL STRIPS
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To access the Main Mix and Monitor bus channel
strips, go to the Mixing tab (page 16) and scroll
the display to the right, beyond the inputs and
groups.
To show and hide sections of the channel strip,
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such as EQ or the Leveler, use the Controls
section of the side bar (item #3 in the Mixing tab
on page 16).
1. By default, the Monitor bus serves as a solo
bus. However, it can be set to mirror the
Main Mix bus, or any other aux bus, group,
or the reverb bus, in addition to monitoring
solo. Make this choice in the source menu
(14). Use the Routing grid (page 14) to
specify the output for the Monitor bus.
2. The Main Mix bus is the primary stereo mix.
3. Provides hardware settings for any assigned
outputs that have them. For example, if the
Main Mix bus is assigned to Analog Out 1-2
on the 8pre-es, you’ll see trim settings for
the outputs. This item is grayed out if there
are no hardware settings for output.
4. Use this output assignment widget to
choose the destination — or multiple destinations — for the bus. You can also make
this setting directly on the Routing grid
(page 14).
5. Use the preset menus to create save, recall,
and otherwise manage channel strip
presets for the Monitor bus and Main Mix
bus.
6. Indicates that the bus is stereo.
12
7. The four-band parametric EQ for the Main
Mix bus operates the same as described for
input channels (items 10 and 11 on
page 18), including High and Low Shelf
filter options.
8. The thumbnail EQ Graph displays the
currently enabled EQ filters, if any. Click it to
open the full-size, editable EQ Graph
(Figure 9-4 on page 77).
9. The Leveler provides specialized gain reduction modeled after the legendary Teletronix
LA-2A Leveling Amplifier. For complete
details, see “Leveler” on page 79.
10. Mutes for the Main Mix bus and Monitor
bus.
11. Master faders for the Main Mix bus and
Monitor bus. Use the same techniques
described for input channel faders (items
19, 20 and 21 on page 18).
12. Click to route the talkback mic to the Main
Mix output.
13. When Follow Solo is enabled, the Monitor
bus switches to the solo bus when any
channel is soloed. NOTE: if an aux bus is
soloed, then the Monitor bus carries only
the soloed aux bus (any current channel
solos are excluded).
14. Choose the source for the Monitor bus from
this menu. It can mirror the Main Mix, any
aux bus, group, the reverb bus, or it can
serve only as a Solo bus.
15. The SC button clears all solos.
16. This mid-band EQ is currently disabled (and
therefore grayed out).
MOTU PRO AUDIO CONTROL WEB APP
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Page 20
AUX BUS CHANNEL STRIPS
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Aux buses can be used to create sub-mixes. An
aux bus can be assigned to any output in the
Routing grid (page 14).
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To access an aux bus channel strip, go to the
Mixing tab (page 16), reveal the side bar (item #3
on page 16), and then show the aux buses you
want in the Mixer Outputs section (29).
To show and hide the four-band EQ section of the
channel strip, use the Controls section of the side
bar (item #3 in the Mixing tab on page 16).
1. A stereo aux bus.
2. A mono aux bus.
3. Click this dot to toggle an aux bus between
mono and stereo.
4. The four-band parametric EQ module for aux
buses operates the same as described for
input channels (items 10 and 11 on page 18),
including High and Low Shelf filter options.
5. The thumbnail EQ Graph displays the
currently enabled EQ filters, if any. Click it to
open the full-size, editable EQ Graph
(Figure 9-4 on page 77).
6. Aux bus solo and mute.
7. Aux bus master fader.
8. Click to type specific value manually.
9. Click to route the talkback mic to the aux bus
output.
10. Click the dB scale numbers to make the fader
jump exactly to that level. Click and drag
horizontally to jump consecutive faders to the
same level.
11. A disabled EQ band.
12. Use these menus (hardware settings, output
assignment, and presets) in a similar fashion
as described for the Main Out bus (items 3-5
on page 19).
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MOTU PRO AUDIO CONTROL WEB APP
Page 21
GROUP AND REVERB CHANNEL STRIPS
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Group buses can be used to create a mix sub-group, which
is a set of inputs you wish to control together as a group.
Groups differ from aux buses in that they have aux sends,
a reverb send, as well as a Main Mix send. In addition,
group buses are equipped with the Leveler.
The Reverb bus is a special group bus that provides a
reverb processor. If you disable the reverb, the reverb bus
functions as a (fourth) regular group bus.
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To access the Group and Reverb bus channel strips, go to
the Mixing tab (page 16), reveal the side bar (item #3 on
page 16), and then show the desired Group buses or
Reverb bus in the Mixer Outputs section (29).
To show and hide the four-band EQ section of the channel
strip, use the Controls section of the side bar (item #3 in
the Mixing tab on page 16).
1. A Group bus channel strip. Click the name to rename
it. Delete the current name to return to its default.
2. The Reverb bus. If you disable the Reverb processor, it
can be used as a fourth Group bus. The Reverb
channel strip is twice as wide as other mixer channel
strips to accommodate the Reverb processor controls.
3. Group busses and the Reverb bus are always stereo.
4. The four-band parametric EQ module for Group buses
and the Reverb bus operates the same as described
for input channels (items 10 and 11 on page 18),
including High and Low Shelf filter options.
5. The thumbnail EQ Graph displays the currently
enabled EQ filters, if any. Click it to open the full-size,
editable EQ Graph (Figure 9-4 on page 77).
6. The Leveler provides specialized gain reduction
modeled after the legendary Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier. For complete details, see “Leveler” on
page 79.
7. Sends to aux buses and, for groups, the reverb processor.
8. The Reverb processor. For complete information, see
“Reverb” on page 80.
9. Main Mix sends.
10. Click to route the talkback mic to the group output.
11. Master faders for the Group and Reverb busses.
12. Mute and Solo.
13. Use these menus (hardware settings, output assignment, and presets) in a similar fashion as described
for the Main Out bus (items 3-5 on page 19).
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The Touch Console provides touchscreen friendly access to the mixer. It is
ideal for mixing on mobile devices like
tablets and smartphones. It supports
multi-touch operation. For example, you
can move multiple faders at the same
time with two or more fingers.
1. The Touch Console tab opens the
Touch Console shown on this page.
2. Shows and hides the sidebar (3).
3. The sidebar shows the full names of
the other tabs and the Touch
Console controls at the bottom of
the column. Push (2) to collapse it.
4. If you accessed your MOTU interface
through the MOTU Discovery app on
your mobile device, you’ll see this
link, which returns to the Discovery
app, where you can access other
available MOTU devices.
5. A mixer channel. All channels (input,
aux, group, reverb, monitor and
main) function as described earlier
in this guide. The Touch Console tab
simply shows a different, more
touch-friendly view of the same
channels and controls.
6. Swipe left or right on any channel to
scroll the channel display.
7. The Sidebar Fader remains pinned to
the right edge of the window, as you
scroll the rest of the faders, so that it
always remains visible. For example,
you might want the Main fader here
at all times, although you can
choose any channel you wish from
the Sidebar Fader menu (24).
8. Touch here to access channel
settings such as hardware input/
output assignment, 48V phantom
power, etc. (item #14 on page 23).
9. Touch this channel EQ thumbnail to
access a large, resizable parametric
EQ graph and touch-friendly EQ
controls (item #3 on page 23).
10. Touch here to access the dynamics
processing for the channel in a large,
resizable graphic panel above the
faders (item #15 on page 23).
11. Touch here to mute/unmute the
channel. Glide horizontally to toggle
multiple channels in one gesture.
12. Touch Console supports multi-touch
operation, so you can grab two or
more faders simultaneously.
Double-tap the fader to jump to
unity gain or -∞.
13. Meters can be PRE or POST fader, as
determined by the PRE setting (26).
14. Tap the fader value to type the level
numerically.
15. Touch here to solo or unsolo the
channel. Glide horizontally to toggle
multiple channels in one gesture.
16. Channel pan controls.
17. Channel name. This is the same
name as shown in the Routing Grid
and Mixer tab.
18. Use this overview strip to scroll to
the channels you wish to see. You
can either drag the overview lens
(19) or tap anywhere on the
overview to jump immediately to
that section of channels. Output
buses are displayed on the far right.
Channels are shaded as follows:
inputs: blue, groups: yellow, reverb:
red, main/monitor: gray, and aux:
aqua. The strip also displays an
overview of all channel meters.
19. The overview lens indicates the
channels currently in view. Drag it to
view other channels, or tap
anywhere on the overview to jump
directly to that location. Or swipe
left/right on the channels above.
20. The On Faders section determines
what the faders are controlling: the
input faders or sends (aux, reverb,
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
group or main). This is similar to the
conventional “Sends on Faders”
feature found on hardware mixing
consoles. For aux and group sends,
choose the desired aux bus or group
from the menu.
21. Shows what is currently “on faders”.
22. Tap the section title to show/hide it.
23. See “Talkback settings in Touch
Console” on page 66.
24. Shows/hides the Sidebar Fader (7).
Choose the bus or channel fader you
wish to display from the menu, or
choose Hide. Choose Follow ‘On
Faders’ to make the sidebar always
display the bus fader for the
currently chosen On Faders bus.
25. Shows/hides channel strips (5) for
inputs and outputs. Use the menu to
check and uncheck the channels you
wish to view and hide.
26. Toggles channel meters (13) to be
PRE or POST fader.
27. The collapsed form of the sidebar,
including Full Screen mode (below
PRE), which is available on all
platforms except iOS (which is
already full screen).
22
MOTU PRO AUDIO CONTROL WEB APP
Page 23
TOUCH CONSOLE CHANNEL SETTINGS
2 3 4 6
1
12
11
5
13
7
8
9
10
Touch any channel setting (items 8, 9
or 10 on page 22) to access the
channel tab shown above.
1. The channel tab provides touchfriendly control over every
parameter on every channel.
2. The Settings tab (14) provides
basic channel settings for inputs
(items 2 through 5 on page 18)
and buses (items 3 through 6 on
page 19).
3. The Equalizer tab (shown)
displays a touch-friendly, resizable EQ graph with controls,
similar to those shown in
Figure 9-4 on page 77. Tap the
desired band across the bottom
(12) and adjust its controls to the
right (9) or simply drag its
control point (13). Use two
fingers to graphically adjust
bandwidth for parametric bands.
4. The Gate tab (15) displays touchfriendly controls for the channel’s
gate processing, as explained in
“Gate” on page 76,
5. The Compressor tab (15) displays
touch-friendly controls for the
channel’s dynamics processing,
MOTU PRO AUDIO CONTROL WEB APP
as explained in “Compressor” on
page 77 and “Leveler” on
page 79.
6. The Sends tab (16) displays longthrow faders for all of the
channel’s available sends, including aux sends, group sends, the
reverb send and the send to the
Main Mix bus.
7. The channel name. Tap or click to
edit or rename the channel.
8. Tap the X to close the tab.
9. Settings for the currently
selected EQ band (12).
10. Drag this handle to resize the tab.
11. While the channel settings tab is
open, tap any channel to jump to
it.
12. EQ bands.
13. A dragable EQ band control
point. Use two fingers to adjust
its bandwidth.
14. Channel settings tab.
15. Gate and Dynamics tabs.
16. Sends tab.
14
15
16
23
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TOUCH CONSOLE CHANNEL STRIP
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1. Tap to access the channel settings (item 14 on
page 23).
2. Tap to access the multiband EQ settings (items 9 and
13 on page 23).
3. Tap to access the dynamics processing for the
channel (item 15 on page 23).
4. This panel appears on the reverb channel only. Tap it
to access the reverb settings (item 13 below).
5. Tap to access the sends tab for the channel (item 16
on page 23).
6. Channel mute. Swipe horizontally to toggle multiple
channels in a single gesture.
7. Level meter can display audio levels before (pre) or
after (post) the fader (item 26 on page 22).
8. The channel fader. Double-tap to return to unity
gain.
9. Input faders have a blue trough. When using On
Faders (item 20 on page 22), which maps sends to
the channel faders, aux sends are green, group sends
are yellow, reverb sends are red and main bus sends
are purple. This gives your eye a quick reminder of
what the faders are currently controlling. These
colors are also reflected in the sends thumbnail (6).
10. Tap the fader value to type in a value numerically.
11. Channel solo. Swipe horizontally to toggle multiple
channels in a single gesture.
12. Click the channel name to change it. On a mobile
device, this name is for display purposes only. To
change it, tap the name in the channel settings (item
#7 on page 23).
13. The reverb processor (4). For details see “Reverb” on
page 80.
24
8
13
9
10
11
12
MOTU PRO AUDIO CONTROL WEB APP
Page 25
CHAPTER
2 About the 8pre-es
The 8pre-es is a 24 x 28Thunderbolt/USB/AVB
audio interface with console-style 48-channel
mixing, DSP effects, wireless control, AVB audio
networking and very high quality A/D/A
conversion at sample rates up to 192 kHz for onthe-go mobile audio recording.
Powerful DSP delivers large console-style mixing
with 48 channels, 12 stereo buses, and 32-bit
floating point effects processing, including
modeled analog EQ, vintage compression and
classic reverb. Matrix routing lets you quickly
patch ins to outs, or split inputs to multiple
destinations.
The 8pre-es can operate as an audio interface for a
studio workstation (DAW), as a standalone mixer,
or as an auxiliary monitor mixing system in the
studio or on stage. The following sections provide
a brief overview of its main features and characteristics.
Comprehensive I/O
The 8pre-es provides a variety of analog and
digital interconnects, all active simultaneously,
designed to provide everything you need for a
well-equipped recording studio.
† The 8pre-es optical connectors support several
standard optical I/O formats, which provide
varying channel counts. See “Optical I/O” on
page 47 for details about optical bank operation.
All inputs and outputs are discrete. For example,
using a mic input does not “steal” an input from
the TRS analog I/O bank.
Network I/O
8pre-es is capable of handling four 8-channel
banks of network audio input and output for an
additional 32 channels of network I/O.
Other MOTU interfaces
The 8pre-es is part of a larger family of audio
interfaces that offer complementary I/O configurations. For details, visit motu.com.
Universal connectivity
The 8pre-es can connect to a computer with
Thunderbolt or hi-speed USB 2.0, which is
compatible with USB 3.0. It is USB audio classcompliant, which means that it is iOS compatible
(with a camera connection kit) and does not
require driver installation for USB connection to a
computer.
Connection Input Output
Quarter-inch analog on bal/unbal TRS - 8
Mic/guitar on XLR/TRS combo 8 -
Headphone output - 2 x stereo
ADAT optical digital† 16 16
Total 24 28
Alternately, the 8pre-es can be connected to the
Ethernet port on a recent-generation Mac (any
Mac with Thunderbolt on it) running Mac macOS
El Capitan (10.11) or later for audio interface
operation through AVB Ethernet.
Mic/guitar inputs with preamps
The eight rear-panel mic/line/instrument inputs
are equipped with preamps and “combo” XLR/
TRS jacks, which accept XLR microphone inputs
or quarter-inch line/instruments inputs.
Individual 48 volt phantom power and a -20 dB
25
Page 26
pad can be supplied independently to each mic
input. The Precision Digital Trim™ knobs on the
front panel for each mic/instrument input provide
up to 63 dB of boost in precise 1 dB increments.
Flexible analog I/O with Precision Digital Trim™
All quarter-inch analog outputs can accept either a
balanced or unbalanced plug. The quarter-inch
outputs are DC-coupled, so they can be used for
CV control output.
Equipped with renowned ESS Sabre32™ DAC
technology, all analog outputs offer 32-bit trim in
the DAC, also adjustable in 1 dB increments. You
can save your trim configurations as a preset for
instant recall.
On-board DSP with mixing and effects
8pre-es is equipped with a powerful DSP engine
that drives both an extensive routing matrix and a
48-input digital mixer with 12 stereo buses and
effects. The mixer offers familiar operation
modeled after large format mixing consoles.
32-bit floating point processing
All of the mixing and effects processing in the DSP
engine is handled with 32-bit floating point
calculations, to maintain and deliver virtually
unlimited headroom and the utmost in sound
quality.
Modeled vintage effects processing
Effects include “classic” reverb, compression
modeled after the legendary Teletronix LA-2A
compressor, and 4-band EQ modeled after British
analog console EQs.
AVB/TSN system expansion and audio
networking
AV B stands for the IEEE 802.1 Audio Video
Bridging Ethernet standard for high-bandwidth,
low-latency audio streaming over Ethernet. You
may also hear AVB referred to as AVB/TSN or
simply TSN because the IEEE is in the process of
renaming the standard to Time Sensitive
Networking to accommodate the expanding scope
of the specification to applications beyond audio
and video.
The AVB Ethernet network port on the 8pre-es
lets you add a second AVB-equipped MOTU
interface using any standard CAT-5e Ethernet
cable. You can network up to five MOTU
interfaces together using a MOTU AVB Switch™
(sold separately), and then run them as a standalone network or as an extended bank of I/Os for
your computer-based production system (or
both). You can even connect multiple computers,
each with full access to all devices on the network
(including the other computers).
With additional standard AVB switches (from
MOTU or other brands) and standard Ethernet
cabling, you can build an extensive AVB audio
network. The entire network operates with nearzero network latency, even over very long cable
runs. MOTU’s AVB implementation allows you to
stream hundreds of audio channels among devices
and computers on the network with guaranteed
Quality of Service (QoS), prioritizing audio
streams over less important traffic.
Matrix routing and multing
The 8pre-es provides completely flexible matrixstyle audio routing and multing. You can route any
analog or digital input, computer channel, or
network stream to any other output, computer, or
network device. You can also mult any single input
to unlimited multiple output destinations.
Web app control
You can control the 8pre-es on-board DSP,
mixing, device settings, clock/sync settings and
network audio routing from the MOTU Pro
Audio Control web app software running in your
favorite browser on a laptop, tablet or smart
phone. Multiple devices can be used simultaneously on a shared Wi-Fi network to access any
26
ABOUT THE 8PRE-ES
Page 27
audio interface settings. Optional password
protection prevents unauthorized access from the
network.
Stand-alone mixing with wireless control
If you connect the 8pre-es to an Apple Airport or
other Wi-Fi router with a standard Ethernet cable,
you can control its powerful mixing and DSP
effects from your smart phone or tablet, without a
computer — great for live sound mixing from your
iPad, tablet, or other wireless device.
ADAT digital I/O
The 8pre-es provides two 8-channel banks of
optical digital I/O. Connect outboard digital
processors, digital mixers or other gear: 16
channels at 44.1/48 kHz or 8 channels at 88.2/96
kHz. Alternately, the Bank A optical ports can be
independently configured to support stereo
TOSLink (optical S/PDIF). The banks operate
independently, including input and output,
allowing you to mix and match any optical
formats. For example, you could receive four
channels of 96 kHz S/MUX input on Bank A
while at the same time sending 96 kHz stereo
optical S/PDIF (“TOSLink”) from the Bank A
output.
On-board SMPTE synchronization
The 8pre-es can resolve directly to SMPTE time
code from any input, without a separate
synchronizer. The 8pre-es provides a DSP-driven
phase-lock engine with sophisticated filtering that
provides fast lockup times and sub-frame
accuracy.
Word clock
The 8pre-es supports standard word clock
synchronization at any supported sample rate.
When the 8pre-es is operating at 96 kHz, it can
generate word clock output at either 96 or 48 kHz.
Half-rate output is supported for all high sample
rates (from 88.2 to 192 kHz).
Full-color dual-LCDs
The full-color dual-LCDs display all signal activity
at a glance with vivid, detailed metering for all I/O.
You can access many hardware settings directly
from the front panel.
Two independent headphone outputs
The 8pre-es front panel provides two independent
headphone jacks with separate volume control.
You can program each phone output to mirror
another set of outputs or act as its own
independent output.
Control room features
Control room features include a built-in talkback
mic with front panel “talk” button and “A/B”
monitor select, mute and sum-to-mono buttons
for the main outs. Surround monitoring is also
supported for both 5.1 and 7.1 surround.
Rack mount or desktop operation
The 8pre-es is housed in a sturdy, metal-alloy fullrack enclosure. Rack mounting brackets can be
removed for desktop or mobile operation.
AudioDesk
AudioDesk is a full-featured audio workstation
software package for Mac and Windows that is
available as a free download for you as an 8pre-es
owner. Visit motu.com/download to obtain your
copy. AudioDesk provides multi-channel
waveform editing, automated virtual mixing,
graphic editing of ramp automation, real-time
effects plug-ins with crossfades, support for many
third-party audio plug-ins, sample-accurate
editing and placement of audio, and more.
ABOUT THE 8PRE-ES
27
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28
ABOUT THE 8PRE-ES
Page 29
CHAPTER
3 Packing List and
System Requirements
PACKING LIST
The 8pre-es ships with the items listed below. If
any of these items are not present in the box when
you first open it, please immediately contact your
dealer or MOTU.
■ One audio interface
■ USB cable
■ Power cord
■ User guide
■ Product registration card
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
■ A 1 GHz Intel-based Mac or Pentium-based PC
(or compatible). Faster CPUs are recommended
for best performance.
■ 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended.
■ macOS 10.8 or later; Windows 7 or later; for
operation as an AVB Ethernet audio interface,
macOS10.11 or later is required, running on a
recent-generation Mac (any Mac with a
Thunderbolt port on it).
PLEASE REGISTER TODAY!
Please register the 8pre-es today. There are two
ways to register.
■ Visit www.motu.com/register
OR
■ Fill out and mail the included product
registration card
As a registered user, you will be eligible to receive
technical support and announcements about
product enhancements as soon as they become
available. Only registered users receive these
special update notices, so please register today.
Thank you for taking the time to register your new
MOTU products!
■ Available Thunderbolt or high-speed USB 2.0
(or 3.0) port.
■ A large hard drive (preferably at least 512 GB).
29
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30
PACKING LIST AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Page 31
CHAPTER
4 Software Installation
OVERVIEW
USB audio class-compliant operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Software installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Audio drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
MOTU Discovery app . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
MOTU Pro Audio WebUI Setup for Windows. . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
AudioDesk workstation software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Working with host audio software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
USB AUDIO CLASS-COMPLIANT OPERATION
The 8pre-es is a USB audio class-compliant device.
This means that you can connect it to your Mac
(running Mac OS 10.8 or higher) with a USB cable
and use it without installing any software drivers.
The computer recognizes the 8pre-es as a USB
audio device and makes its inputs and outputs
available to your host audio software. Basic
settings, such as the hardware’s sample rate, are
made in either your host software.
☛ In this scenario, the 8pre-es provides basic
audio input and output, and no software driver
installation is necessary. Use the Mac’s Audio
MIDI Setup utility to manage the 8pre-es audio
inputs and outputs for your Mac.
Connection to iOS devices (iPad and iPhone)
Audio-class compliant operation allows you to
connect the 8pre-es to any iOS device with a
standard camera connection kit adapter. The
8pre-es then provides multi-channel audio I/O to
your audio apps. Use your audio app to configure
the number of available audio channels.
Web app control
As explained earlier in this guide, the MOTU Pro
Audio Control web app provides full access to all
settings in the device, including the extensive onboard routing, mixing, and effects processing
features. Since the web app is served from the
audio interface hardware itself, it does not require
any software installation on your computer; all it
requires is a network connection between your
computer and the 8pre-es with a standard
Ethernet cable, Ethernet hub, or shared Wi-Fi
network. For details about accessing the web app
through the network port, see “MOTU Pro Audio
Control Web App” on page 11.
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
Software installation is required for any of the
following scenarios:
■ You are using a PC running Windows 7 or later.
■ You will use the 8pre-es as a Thunderbolt audio
interface with your Mac or PC.
■ You will use 8pre-es as a USB audio interface,
and you want to access the web app without a
network connection between the computer and
the 8pre-es.
■ You will be using multiple MOTU interfaces.
If none of the above scenarios apply to you, then
you can skip software installation if you wish, and
proceed to details about accessing the web app
through the network port, see “MOTU Pro Audio
Control Web App” on page 11.
Download and run the MOTU Pro Audio Installer
To download the latest MOTU Pro Audio installer
for Mac or Windows, visit www.motu.com/
download. Follow the directions that the installer
gives you.
☛ We recommend that you run the software
installer before you connect the 8pre-es to your
computer and power it on. This ensures that all
driver components are properly installed in your
system.
31
Page 32
AUDIO DRIVERS
The installer provides Thunderbolt and USB
audio drivers for Mac (CoreAudio) and Windows
(ASIO and Wave).
Thunderbolt support for Mac and Windows
You can connect your MOTU interface to a
Thunderbolt-equipped PC and access up to 128
channels of simultaneous audio input and output
using the MOTU Pro Audio ASIO driver. On Mac
OS, the MOTU Pro Audio Core Audio driver
provides similar high-bandwidth Thunderbolt
I/O for Mac audio applications. On both Mac and
Windows, you will enjoy access to very low buffer
settings and extremely low I/O latency
performance from your host audio software.
☛ Check motu.com/support for the latest
information regarding PC Thunderbolt compatibility, as some PC products are not yet qualified
for use with MOTU Thunderbolt-equipped audio
interfaces.
Industry-leading I/O latency performance
On Mac OS and Windows, the MOTU Pro Audio
driver provides exceptionally low I/O latency
performance for both Thunderbolt and USB
operation. For example, with a 32-sample buffer
size, an 8pre-es interface operating at 96 kHz
produces round trip latency (RTL) performance of
1.9 milliseconds (ms) over Thunderbolt on
Windows and 1.6 ms on Mac OS. RTL is the
measurement of the time it takes audio to pass
from an analog input, through a highperformance DAW host such as Digital Performer,
to an analog output.
MOTU Pro Audio ASIO Driver
On Windows, to enable the 8pre-es in your ASIO
host software, choose the MOTU Pro Audio ASIO
driver.
Figure 4-1: Choosing the MOTU Pro Audio ASIO driver in Cubase.
WDM / Wave driver support
On Windows, the MOTU Pro Audio driver
includes stereo and multi-channel support (up to
24 channels) for WDM (Wave) compatible audio
software.
Host Buffer Size
When connected to a Windows host, the Host
Buffer Size menu (Figure 4-2 on page 33) is
available in the Device tab (page 12). This setting
determines the amount of latency (delay) you may
hear when live audio is patched through your
Windows audio software. Smaller buffer sizes
produce lower latency, with sizes of 256 samples or
less producing virtually imperceptible delay. Many
host applications report audio hardware I/O
latency, so you can see what happens to the
reported latency when making adjustments to this
setting.
32
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
Page 33
Figure 4-2: Under Windows, access the ‘Host Buffer Size’ and ‘Host
Safety Offset’ settings in the web app Device tab for your MOTU
interface.
Choose an interface to access its settings through
the web app (“MOTU Pro Audio Control Web
App” on page 11).
MOTU PRO AUDIO WEBUI SETUP FOR WINDOWS
On Windows, the installer provides a MOTU Pro
Audio WebUI Setup shortcut found on the
Windows desktop or in Start menu> All
Programs> MOTU. Use this shortcut to access the
MOTU Pro Audio Control web app directly in
your favorite web browser.
Be careful with very small buffer sizes, as they can
cause performance issues from your host software
or PC.
☛ At sea level, audio travels approximately one
foot (30 cm) per millisecond. A latency of ten
milliseconds is about the same as being ten feet
(three meters) from an audio source.
Host Safety Offset
When connected to a Windows host, the Host
Safety Offset menu (Figure 4-2) also becomes
available. This setting allows you to fine tune host
latency. Larger offsets allow the driver more time
to process audio as it transfers to and from the
hardware. Lower settings produce lower latency,
but if you go too low, your host software may
experience performance issues. Generally
speaking, 48 samples should serve as a good
baseline setting. You can then experiment with
lower settings from there. Be mindful, however,
when reducing the safety offset, as this parameter
can have a significant impact on your computer
system’s performance.
MOTU DISCOVERY APP
The MOTU Discovery app (found in the Mac
menu bar or Windows taskbar) locates all MOTU
interfaces connected to the computer, either
directly through USB or Thunderbolt or indirectly
through your network, and displays them in a list.
AUDIODESK WORKSTATION SOFT WARE
AudioDesk is an advanced workstation software
package for Mac and Windows that lets you
record, edit, mix, process, bounce and master
multi-track digital audio recording projects.
Advanced features include real-time effects
processing, recording, and much more.
See the AudioDesk User Guide, available on your
computer hard drive as a PDF document.
Figure 4-3: AudioDesk.
WORKING WITH HOST AUDIO SOFTWARE
For further information about using the 8pre-es
with host audio software, see chapter 8, “Working
with Host Audio Software” (page 67).
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
33
Page 34
34
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
Page 35
CHAPTER
5 Hardware Installation
OVERVIEW
Thunderbolt audio interface setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
USB or iOS audio interface setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Audio channel counts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
AVB Ethernet audio interface setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Setup for two interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Setup for three to five interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Setup for a multi-switch network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Setup for multiple interfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Setup for web app control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Setup for AVB Ethernet audio interface operation . . . . . . .42
A typical 8pre-es setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Audio connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Syncing optical devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Syncing word clock devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Syncing to SMPTE time code (LTC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Syncing an AVB network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Syncing multiple AVB audio interfaces connected to a Mac . . .51
THUNDERBOLT AUDIO INTERFACE SETUP
■ Place it at the end of the Thunderbolt chain (up
to six devices in the chain, not including the
computer).
■ See chapter 4, “Software Installation” (page 31).
■ Use the “Audio interface” preset (page 56).
USB OR iOS AUDIO INTERFACE SETUP
Computer or iOS device
Camera connection kit (adapter)
required for iOS operation
Use this setup if you want to use the 8pre-es as a
USB audio interface for a computer or iOS device.
■ Use a standard USB cable.
Use this setup if you want to use your MOTU
device as an audio interface, and your computer
has Thunderbolt™.
■ Use a standard Thunderbolt cable (sold
separately).
■ Connect to any USB port (USB 2.0 or 3.0) on
your computer, or use a standard camera
connection kit (adapter) for your iOS device.
■ See “USB audio class-compliant operation” on
page 31.
■ For Mac or iOS operation, no driver installation
is necessary.
■ Use the “Audio interface” preset (page 56).
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AUDIO CHANNEL COUNTS
The number of audio channels provided by the
Thunderbolt or USB connection to your computer
depends on the operating sample rate. See
“Maximum available computer channels” on
page 72.
SETUP FOR TWO INTERFACES
AVB ETHERNET AUDIO INTERFACE SETUP
Use this setup if you want to use the 8pre-es as an
AVB Ethernet audio interface for a recentgeneration Mac (i.e. any Mac with a Thunderbolt
port on it). macOS El Capitan (10.11) or later is
required for AVB audio I/O.
■ Use a standard CAT-5e or CAT-6 cable.
■ Connect to the computer’s Ethernet port.
See “Setup for AVB Ethernet audio interface
operation” on page 42.
About CAT-5e cables
Use shielded CAT-5e or
CAT-6 cables, which are a
higher grade version of a
standard Ethernet cable.
They are available wherever
network cables are sold.
OR
Use this setup if you want to connect two MOTU
interfaces to your computer.
■ The connection to the computer can be either
USB or Thunderbolt, if you have a Thunderboltequipped MOTU interface such as the 8pre-es,
828es, 8M, 16A, 1248, 112D, 624or 8A.
■ If connecting to the computer with
Thunderbolt, use a standard Thunderbolt cable,
and place your MOTU interface at the end of the
Thunderbolt chain.
■ Use any standard CAT-5e Ethernet network
cable to connect the two interfaces together using
their NETWORK ports.
■ As an alternative, see “Setup for multiple
interfaces” on page 39.
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HARDWARE INSTALLATION
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SETUP FOR THREE TO FIVE INTERFACES
Use this setup if you want to connect three to five
MOTU interfaces to your computer using a
MOTU AVB Switch™ (sold separately).
■ The connection to the computer can be USB or
Thunderbolt. Use Thunderbolt or USB 3.0, if
possible, to support a large number of audio
streams to and from the networked interfaces. A
single Thunderbolt or USB 3.0 connection
supports 128 channels in and out, simultaneously.
■ Use standard CAT-5e Ethernet network cables
to connect the interfaces to the MOTU AVB
Switch using their NETWORK ports.
■ Use the five AVB NETWORK ports on the
switch (not the Ethernet port).
Additional computers are optional.
All computers and interfaces have full
access to each other on the network.
■ Network cable lengths can be long: 100 meters
with standard copper wire cables; much longer
with fiber-optic network cables.
■ See “About CAT-5e cables” on page 36.
■ As an alternative, see “Setup for multiple
interfaces” on page 39.
■ To add more computers to the network, connect
them to any interface, as shown. All computers
and interfaces have full access to each other.
■ See chapter 12, “Networking” (page 103).
OR
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
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SETUP FOR A MULTI-SWITCH NETWORK
Use this setup if you want to connect more than
five MOTU interfaces to an extended network that
employs multiple AVB switches. AVB Ethernet is
an industry standard, so you can use MOTU AVB
Switches or 3rd-party AVB switches.
OR
OR
Switch A
■ You can daisy-chain switches in serial fashion,
but don’t create loops. For example, switches A, B,
and C below are chained properly, but don’t
connect C back to A. Alternately, you could
connect both Switches B and C to Switch A.
■ For further information, see chapter 12,
“Networking” (page 103).
38
Additional switches,
interfaces, and
computers.
Switch C
OR
Switch B
OR
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
OR
Page 39
SETUP FOR MULTIPLE INTERFACES
It is possible to connect multiple MOTU interfaces
directly to your host computer through multiple
USB (and Thunderbolt) ports. However, there are
several disadvantages to using any of these direct
connection schemes:
■ The audio interfaces will not be clocked to one
another and may be susceptible to drift, unless you
use external word clock connections (if available).
You are better off using the AVB network
connections shown on pages 36-38. In this setup,
the interfaces are very tightly synchronized with
each other (measured in pico seconds) through
their network connections.
■ You will not be able to route audio directly from
one audio interface to another. You are better off
using the AVB network connections shown on
pages 36-38, which allows you to route audio
streams (hundreds at a time) directly among
interfaces with near-zero latency.
Connecting multiple interfaces using
Thunderbolt
If you have other MOTU interfaces with
Thunderbolt connectivity (828es, 1248, 8M, 16A,
112D, 624 or 8A) and your host computer has two
or more Thunderbolt ports, you can connect one
interface to each port, either directly or at the end
of a Thunderbolt daisy chain (on either port or
both ports).
Connecting multiple interfaces using
Thunderbolt and USB
Another way to operate multiple interfaces on the
same host computer is to connect the first
interface to a Thunderbolt port and the second to
a USB 2.0 (or 3.0) port.
due to the high-performance requirements of the
8pre-es for real-time operation and low latency
timing, we recommend the following:
■ Do not connect more than two units to your
computer’s USB 2.0 (or 3.0) ports.
■ When two units are connected with USB 2.0,
don’t connect other USB 2.0 or 3. 0 devices, such
as external hard drives.
■ For best results, establish clock synchronization
with other interfaces connected to the same
computer. You can use word clock, optical or AVB
to achieve clock synchronization.
Multiple AVB Ethernet audio interfaces
When operating 8pre-es as an AVB Ethernet audio
interface (see “AVB Ethernet audio interface
setup” on page 36), multiple AVB audio interfaces
can be connected using a MOTU AVB Switch (or
any 3rd-party AVB switch), and the Mac can see
all of them through their AVB connection. For
example, you could connect an Avid S3 console to
the Mac, and then connect a MOTU 8pre-es to the
S3’s extra network port (which is a built-in
switch). The Mac can see both 8pre-es and S3 for
audio I/O. For best results in this scenario, be sure
to use macOS 10.11 (El Capitan) or later. See
“Syncing multiple AVB audio interfaces connected
to a Mac” on page 51.
Mixing and matching audio interfaces
You can mix and match MOTU audio interfaces.
For example, you could connect an 8pre-es
through Thunderbolt and another MOTU audio
interface, such as the Stage-B16, through USB 2.0.
Multiple interfaces and USB
When connected through USB, the 8pre-es
operates as a USB 2.0 device, even when
connected to a USB 3.0 port. USB 2.0 provides
enough bus speed for several USB 2.0 devices, but
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
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SETUP FOR WEB APP CONTROL
The MOTU Pro Audio Control web app gives you
access to all settings, routing, mixing, and effects
processing in the 8pre-es, and each interface on
the AVB network, if applicable. For more info, see
“MOTU Pro Audio Control Web App” on page 11.
Mixing and matching web app control scenarios
The web app connection scenarios shown in the
following sections are not exclusive from one
another. You can set up as many web app
connections as you wish and control your MOTU
device from many web app hosts simultaneously.
The web app is a web application served by the
hardware. All you need to run it is a web browser
running on a device that has a connection to your
audio interface through Thunderbolt, USB or a
shared network.
Web app in
your browser
Web app
Figure 5-1: The web app is served from the hardware, and accessed
through any web browser on any device connected to the interface.
Web app control can be set up independently of
audio connections
The connections in this section, especially the
network scenarios, can be set up independently of
Thunderbolt, USB or AVB networking
connections you make for audio routing (as
shown in the setup diagrams earlier in this
chapter). In addition, connections for web app
control can be made over standard Ethernet and
do not require AVB Ethernet connections. Think
of web app control as being separate from audio.
Doing so opens up a lot of possibilities for control
of the 8pre-es, independent of the connections
you make for audio.
Launching the web app
Once you’ve made any of the connections shown
in the following sections, launch the web app as
explained in “Make hardware and network
connections” on page 11.
Web app control over Thunderbolt or USB
If the 8pre-es is connected through Thunderbolt
or USB to a computer with internet access (as
shown on page 35), you can access the web app
from the computer, or any other device on the
network. In this case, make sure you’ve run the
software installer (page 31), which installs drivers
that allow your computer to properly
communicate with the device.
Web app control through standard Ethernet
The 8pre-es can also be controlled by the web app
running on any device that has a standard
Ethernet connection to the interface, either
directly with a network cable, through an Ethernet
hub, or through Wi-Fi on your local network. The
sections on the opposite page show you how to set
up each of these connection scenarios.
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HARDWARE INSTALLATION
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Ethernet cable
A simple Ethernet cable connection can be used
for web app control, even without a USB or
Thunderbolt connection to your computer. For
example, if you are using your MOTU device as a
mixer or audio router, you could control the
on-board routing, mixing and effects from the
web app through a standard Ethernet connection.
Network port
Wi-Fi
When using standard Wi-Fi as shown, you can
control the 8pre-es from multiple Wi-Fi devices
simultaneously.
Laptop (optional) Tablet Smart
Wi-Fi devices
phone
Standard Ethernet cable
Network port
Figure 5-2: Web app control through a simple Ethernet cable.
Ethernet hub or network (LAN)
In this scenario, both your laptop and your MOTU
device are connected to a standard Ethernet hub
or home/office network (LAN). You can run the
web app on multiple computers simultaneously.
Standard Ethernet
hub or network (LAN)
Network port
Ethernet cables
Network port
Airport
Ethernet cable
Network port
Figure 5-4: Web app control through Wi-Fi.
or any other Wi-Fi router
Ethernet network + Wi-Fi
You can, of course, combine the setups shown in
Figure 5-3 and Figure 5-4, with Wi-Fi connected
to the Ethernet hub or network.
MOTU AVB Switch
The MOTU AVB Switch provides five AVB
Ethernet ports, plus one standard Ethernet port.
Use the AVB ports for MOTU audio interfaces,
and use the Ethernet port for Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc.
MOTU interfaces
Wi-Fi router or
Ethernet hub/network
Figure 5-3: Web app control through a standard Ethernet hub or
network (LAN).
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
(Sold separately)
Figure 5-5: Using the Ethernet port on the MOTU AVB Switch.
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SETUP FOR AVB ETHERNET AUDIO INTERFACE OPERATION
Your MOTU hardware can serve as an Ethernet
audio interface when connected to a recent
generation AVB-equipped Mac. You can then use
your MOTU interface as a standard multi-channel
audio interface with any Core Audio compatible
host software running on the Mac.
Web app setup
To set up your MOTU device as an AVB Ethernet
audio interface:
1 Before you begin, launch Audio MIDI Setup
and make sure your MOTU interface is unchecked
(disabled) in the Network Device browser window
(Window menu).
For Ethernet audio interface operation, you need:
■ A recent Mac (any Mac that has a Thunderbolt
port on it)
■ macOS El Capitan (10.11)
■ Firmware version 1.2.5 or later in your MOTU
interface
☛ This procedure requires macOS 10.11. Under
macOS 10.10, 10.12 or 10.13, performance is
unreliable, and we do not recommend direct AVB
connection. For information about future macOS
updates, please contact MOTU tech support.
Ethernet connection to the Mac
As shown on page 36, connect the network port
on your MOTU interface to the Ethernet port on
the Mac using a standard, high-grade (CAT-5e or
CAT-6) network cable up to 100 meters in length.
☛ If your Mac doesn’t have an Ethernet port,
you can connect your MOTU interface via
Ethernet using a Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet
adapter. Ethernet might be preferable over
Thunderbolt because the Ethernet cable can be up
to 100 meters long, using standard Ethernet
cabling (which is very affordable).
☛ USB-to-Ethernet adapters cannot be used
because the Mac’s USB chip set does not support
AVB Ethernet.
Alternately, you can connect both the Mac and the
interface to an AVB-compatible Ethernet switch.
2 Launch the MOTU Discovery app. From the
Advanced tab (page 86), check the provided box
for the Ethernet port. This enables Virtual Entity
mode on the Mac.
☛ If no check box is present, try connecting a
Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet adapter to your Mac.
3 After completing step #2 above, the Mac will
appear in the AVB device list in the MOTU Pro
Audio Control web app, as shown below in
Figure 5-6).
☛ PLEASE NOTE: it may take several minutes
for the Mac to appear in the list, the first time you
set this up. After the first time, though, you won’t
experience any delays. Once it appears, click to
select it.
Mac virtual entity
Figure 5-6: Accessing the AVB settings for the Mac in the MOTU web
app.
4 From the Configuration menu (Figure 5-6),
choose the channel mode for the Mac that best fits
your workflow.
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HARDWARE INSTALLATION
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☛ MOTU interfaces currently only support
8-channel streams (or less) so be sure to avoid
configurations with streams that have more than
eight channels.
Figure 5-7: Choosing an AVB configuration for the Mac.
5 From the Sample Rate menu (Figure 5-6),
choose the desired sample rate. Currently, the Mac
only supports 48, 96 and 192 kHz sample rates.
6 For Playback from the Mac, go to the Routing
tab for your MOTU interface (the 1248 in the
example below), and connect the input streams to
the Mac’s output streams in the Input Connections
list.
Figure 5-8: Routing computer streams to the interface for playback
from the Mac.
7 In the Routing tab, route the individual audio
channels from the Mac’s incoming AVB streams to
the desired physical outputs on your MOTU
interface.
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Figure 5-9: Routing Mac channels to physical outputs.
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Page 44
8 For recording to the Mac, route desired
physical inputs on your MOTU interface to output
streams.
Figure 5-10: Routing physical inputs to the Mac.
9 On the Mac’s Device tab, connect the Mac’s
input streams to the MOTU interface’s output
streams.
Clocking
In the example in Figure 5-11, the 1248 is the
clock master and the Mac is clocking to the 1248’s
Output Stream 1. You can also reverse this
scenario, where the Mac becomes the master and
the 1248 clocks to Mac’s Output Stream 1. The
Mac does not follow the web app’s Become Clock
Master button, so you must set the Mac’s Clock
Mode manually.
AVB stream and channel counts
Each AVB stream is a group of eight audio
channels. While testing is on-going, macOS AVB
performance varies with different Mac models.
Models such as the Mac Pro (late 2013) are able to
handle eight streams (64 channels) in and out
simultaneously, for MOTU interface models that
support eight streams. (Check
motu.com/proaudio for a summary of supported
stream counts for each MOTU interface model.)
For older Macs, we recommend one or two
streams in each direction. Generally speaking, it is
best to enable only as many streams as you need.
Figure 5-11: Routing streams from your MOTU interface to the Mac.
☛ Leave Media Clock Input Stream set to None.
(This setting can be used to sync the Mac to
certain 3rd-party AVB devices that support Media
Clock. This setting is not needed for MOTU
devices.)
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HARDWARE INSTALLATION
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A TYPICAL 8PRE-ES SETUP
Here is a typical 8pre-es setup. This rig can be
operated with or without a separate mixer. All
mixing and effects processing can be done in the
8pre-es
front panel
MOTU 8pre and/or
other optical devices
8pre-es itself, controlled from your laptop, tablet,
and smart phone — or several devices simultaneously.
Headphones
8pre-es
back panel
Ethernet cable to
another MOTU AVB
device, a MOTU AVB
Switch, or WiFi
router, etc.
Word clock device
Thunderbolt or USB
Mac
Guitar
cables
Microphones
Mic
cables
Guitar
or bass
Guitar
or bass
8-channel
ADAT optical
Keyboard
Analog outs
Other
outputs
Secondary
studio monitors
Main
or
PC
Figure 5-12: A typical 8pre-es studio setup.
studio monitors
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
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AUDIO CONNECTIONS
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you are
making audio connections to your 8pre-es
interface.
Mic/line/instrument inputs with preamps
Connect a microphone, guitar or line-level analog
input to the rear panel XLR/quarter-inch combo
jacks with either a standard mic cable or a
balanced cable with a quarter-inch plug.
☛ Do not connect a +4 (line level) XLR cable to
the inputs (because of the preamps). Use a
quarter-inch input instead.
Phantom power
If you are connecting a condenser microphone or
another device that requires phantom power,
engage the corresponding front-panel phantom
power switch.
Preamp gain
The 8pre-es preamps provides 63 dB of gain. Use
the front panel detented trim knobs to adjust gain
as needed for each input. Push the 1-4 and 5-8
buttons to toggle between the two banks of input
controls. The LCD provides visual feedback as you
turn the trim knob. Preamp gain is digitally
controlled, so you can make fine-tuned
adjustments in 1dB increments. You can also
adjust preamp gain in the web app. See “Device
tab” on page 12.
-20 dB pad
Each mic input (XLR jack) is equipped with a
-20 dB pad switch, to accommodate input signals
that could overdrive the input.
Combo jack summary
Use these guidelines for 48V phantom power, pad
and trim settings on the two combo input jacks:
Input
Condenser mic On As needed As needed
Dynamic mic Off As needed As needed
Guitar Off n/a As needed
-10 dB Line level via TRS Off n/a As needed
-10 dB Line level via XLR Off -20 dB +12dB
+4 dB line level (TRS only) Off -20 dB Zero
48V Pad Trim
TRS quarter-inch analog inputs and outputs
Quarter-inch analog inputs and outputs are
balanced (TRS) connectors that can also accept an
unbalanced plug. The outputs are DC-coupled, so
they can be used for CV control output.
☛ Quarter-inch analog outputs are not
cross-coupled. Therefore, when connecting them
to an unbalanced input, use a TRS plug with the
ring disconnected. Not floating the negative
terminal will short it to the sleeve ground and
cause distortion.
Main outs (Analog Out 1-2)
From the factory, Analog Out 1-2 operate as the
main outputs for the unit. In a standard studio
configuration, the main outs are intended for a
pair of primary studio monitors, but they can be
used as regular outputs for any purpose. With
adjustable converter trim, they support a wide
range of industry-standard reference levels. Main
out volume is controlled by pressing the A button
on the front panel (Figure 5-13) and then
adjusting volume with the MONITOR knob.
Figure 5-13: 8pre-es front panel
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HARDWARE INSTALLATION
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Analog trims
All analog inputs and outputs can be trimmed.
This allows them to support a variety of standards,
including EBU-R68, SMPTE RP-155, +4dBu, 10dBV, 2vRMS, 1vRMS.
The 8pre-es quarter-inch analog inputs are
equipped with high-quality, digitally controlled
analog trim that provides a range from -96 to +22
dB in 1dB steps.
Quarter-inch outputs can be trimmed in the DAC
itself. Range is 24 dB.
The Phones provide full trim range from 0 dB to
-∞ (-127).
Trim controls are most easily accessed in the web
app. See “Device tab” on page 12. Trim settings
can also be accessed in the LCD menu.
Monitor A-B outputs
From the factory, Analog Out 1-2 are assigned as
monitor pair A (Figure 5-14). If you have a
secondary pair of studio monitors, connect them
to Analog Out 3-4 (or any other desired output
pair). Then, visit the A-B Monitor Setup section in
the web app Device tab (item #29 on page 13) to
assign your chosen outputs to monitor pair B. For
more information, see “Monitor controls” on
page 63.
Optical I/O
Your MOTU audio interface provides two banks
of ADAT optical (“lightpipe”) connectors. Each
bank provides an input and output connector.
Together, they provide 16 channels of ADAT
optical digital I/O at 44.1 or 48 kHz, or 8 channels
at 88.2 or 96 kHz. The optical ports are disabled
when the interface is operating at a 176.4 or 192
kHz. At the high sample rates (88.2 or 96 kHz),
4-channel SMUX operation supports two modes
(item #22 on page 13):
■ Standard — for 2x optical connection to
3rd-party SMUX-compatible hardware products.
■ Type II (Legacy) — for 2x optical connection to
legacy MOTU products that are equipped with
optical ports and support 2x operation.
The optical ports are disabled when the interface
is operating at a 176.4 or 192 kHz.
TOSLink (optical S/PDIF)
Alternately, the Bank A optical ports can be
configured for stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF) in
the web app (item #22 on page 13). The optical IN
and OUT banks can be configured independently.
Choosing a clock source for optical connections
When connecting an optical device, make sure
that its digital audio clock is phase-locked (in sync
with) your MOTU interface, as explained in
“Synchronization” on page 48 and “Syncing
optical devices” on page 48.
Figure 5-14: 8pre-es back panel
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Monitor
pair B
Monitor
pair A
47
Page 48
SYNCHRONIZATION
If you connect devices digitally to your MOTU
device, or if you need to synchronize your MOTU
device with an outside time reference such as word
clock, you must pay careful attention to the
synchronization connections and clock source
issues discussed in the next few sections.
Do you need to sync?
If you will be using only your MOTU device’s
analog inputs and outputs (and none of its digital
I/O), and you don’t need to resolve your system to
external word clock, you don’t need to make any
sync connections. You can skip this section.
Situations that require synchronization
There are two general cases in which you will need
to resolve your MOTU device with other devices:
■ Synchronizing with other digital audio devices
so that their digital audio clocks are phase-locked
(as shown in Figure 5-15)
■ Resolving your MOTU device to an external
clock source
■ Networking multiple MOTU interfaces
together
Synchronization is critical for clean digital I/O
Synchronization is critical in any audio system,
but it is especially important when you are
transferring audio between digital audio devices.
Your success in using the digital I/O features on
your MOTU device depends almost entirely on
proper synchronization. The following sections
guide you through several recommended
scenarios.
Be sure to choose a digital audio clock master
When you transfer digital audio between two
devices, their audio clocks must be in phase with
one another — or phase-locked. Otherwise, you’ll
hear clicks, pops, and distortion in the audio — or
perhaps no audio at all.
Not phase-locked Phase-locked
Device A
Device B
Figure 5-15: When transferring audio, two devices must have phaselocked audio clocks to prevent clicks, pops or other artifacts.
There are two ways to achieve phase lock: slave
one device to the other, or slave both devices to a
third master clock. If you have three or more
digital audio devices, you need to slave them all to
a single master audio clock.
Master
Slave
Figure 5-16: To keep the your MOTU interface phased-locked with
other digital audio devices connected to it, choose a clock master.
Master
Slave Slave
Also remember that audio phase lock can be
achieved independently of timecode (location).
For example, one device can be the timecode
master while another is the audio clock master, but
only one device can be the audio clock master. If
you set things up with this rule in mind, you’ll
have trouble-free audio transfers with your
MOTU hardware.
SYNCING OPTICAL DEVICES
There are several ways to sync an optical device
with your MOTU interface:
A. Resolve the other device to your MOTU
interface
B. Resolve your MOTU interface to the other
device
C. Resolve both devices to a word clock source
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HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Page 49
For A, choose Internal as the clock mode in the
Device tab (item #14 on page 12). Then configure
the other device to resolve to its optical input.
Alternately, the MOTU interface could be resolved
to any other external clock source besides Optical.
For B, choose Optical as the clock mode (item #14
on page 12), and configure the other device to
resolve to its own internal clock.
Audio
clock
Master
Slave
Figure 5-18: Slaving your MOTU device (an 8pre-es in this example) to
word clock. For the 8pre-es clock source, choose ‘Word Clock In’.
Word clock master device
Word clock OUT
Word clock IN
8pre-es
For C, choose Word Clock as the clock mode for
the 8pre-es (item #14 on page 12), and resolve the
other device to its word clock input.
Using word clock to resolve optical devices
If the optical device has word clock connectors on
it, you can use them to synchronize the device
with your MOTU interface. See “Syncing word
clock devices” on page 49.
SYNCING WORD CLOCK DEVICES
The word clock connectors on your MOTU device
allow you to synchronize it with a wide variety of
other word clock-equipped devices.
For standard word clock sync, you need to choose
an audio clock master (as explained in “Be sure to
choose a digital audio clock master” on page 48).
In the simplest case, you have two devices and one
is the word clock master and the other is the slave
as shown below in Figure 5-17 and Figure 5-18.
Master
Word clock OUT
Word clock IN
Slave
Figure 5-17: Slaving another digital audio device to your MOTU device
(an 8pre-es in this example) via word clock. For the 8pre-es clock
source, choose Internal. Alternately, the MOTU interface could be
resolved to any other external clock source besides Optical, except for
Word Clock, as it is not advisable to chain word clock.
8pre-es
Other device
Daisy-chaining word clock
If necessary, you can daisy-chain several word
clock devices together. When doing so, connect
WORD CLOCK OUT from the first (master)
device to the WORD CLOCK IN on the second
device. Then connect its WORD CLOCK THRU
port to the next device’s WORD CLOCK IN port,
and so on. On your MOTU interface, use its
WORD CLOCK OUT port and change its
operation from OUT to THRU in the Device tab
of the MOTU Pro Audio Control web app (item
#16 on page 12).
If you have more than four word clock devices that
you need to synchronize, avoid chaining their
word clock connections. Instead, use a word clock
distribution device of some kind.
Word clock is not needed for AVB networking
When working with multiple MOTU interfaces on
an AVB network, synchronization is handled by
AVB, so no word clock connections are necessary.
See the next section for details.
SYNCING TO SMPTE TIME CODE (LTC)
The Clock Mode menu (item #14 on page 12)
provides the ability to resolve to SMPTE time code
(Longitudinal Time Code, referred to as LTC ) from
any specified analog or digital input.
When you choose the LTC clock mode setting, the
audio phase lock engine in your MOTU interface
resolves to the incoming time code. (See below for
how to specify the time code input.) This ensures
that audio passing through the interface remains
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
49
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resolved to time code and won’t drift over time, as
long as the audio is coming from other sources
that are also resolved to the same time code. This
also ensures that audio recorded by DAW host
software on a connected computer, or audio
playing back from the DAW, will remain resolved
to time code and won’t drift over time, even when
restarting or cuing the source time code.
☛ Depending on the stability of the incoming
time code, it may take a few seconds for your
interface to lock to the time code. The more stable
the incoming time code, the faster the lock-up
time.
SMPTE time code (LTC) settings
There are several settings for the time code
features in your MOTU interface. In the web app,
go to the Device tab (page 13) and scroll to the
LTC Setup section, shown below.
Computer Channel for LTC-to-MTC Conversion
Choose a computer channel that you aren’t using
for anything else here. It will be used to transmit
LTC from the interface to the computer. If all of
your computer channels are being used, you can
add extra channels using the To computer setting
in the Routing tab (item #30 on page 15). See
“LTC-to-MTC conversion” on page 74 for further
info about LTC-to-MTC conversion.
LTC Format
Choose the frame format that matches the
incoming time code.
Enable Format Autodetect
If you would like your MOTU interface to
automatically detect the frame format of the
incoming time code, check this box.
Enable Jam Sync
When this option is checked, your MOTU
interface will continue to convert LTC to MTC
even after incoming time code stops being
received. Once Jam Sync kicks in, it will continue
generating until you click Stop Jam Sync.
Figure 5-19: Settings for SMPTE time code sync.
LTC Input Source
Choose the input on your interface that is
receiving the time code (LTC). Any input can be
used, including an analog input, digital input or
even an AVB network channel.
50
SYNCING AN AVB NETWORK
The AVB protocol provides sophisticated and
accurate timing, synchronization, and clocking
features for AVB device networks of any size as
shown on pages 37-38, including:
■ Low latency
■ Network-wide time base
■ Better-than-sample-accurate phase lock across
all connected devices
■ Timing accuracy down to the nanosecond
Choosing a master clock
The web app provides an easy way to choose one
device as the master clock for your whole MOTU
AVB network.
1 Go to the Devices tab (page 12).
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Page 51
2 In the device list (item #1 on page 12), choose
the MOTU interface you wish to use as the clock
master.
from its Clock Mode menu (in the Device tab).
Doing so effectively resolves the entire AVB
network to the external clock source.
3 Click the Become Clock Master button below
the Clock Mode menu.
Now, all other MOTU devices on the network are
resolved to this device.
Figure 5-20: Choosing a clock master.
SYNCING MULTIPLE AVB AUDIO INTERFACES CONNECTED TO A MAC
There are several options for clocking multiple
AVB audio devices connected to the Mac:
■ You can resolve them to an external clock
source (like word clock, if available).
■ You can create an aggregate device, as usual.
The aggregate device setup panel has a check box
called Drift Correction, which sample-rate
converts devices that are not synchronized.
Alternately, you can go to the clock mode menu
for each individual device separately and choose
the master clock device by hand. For example, you
may be in a situation where at least one MOTU
device on the network must remain resolved to its
own clock (or another clock source). Just know
that in this case, audio cannot be streamed
between MOTU devices that don’t share the same
master clock.
Resolving the master clock device to an external
clock source
The MOTU device you’ve specified as the AVB
network clock master can itself be resolved to an
external time base such as word clock (if available)
or optical. Just choose the desired clock source
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
51
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52
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Page 53
Part 2
Using the 8pre-es
Page 54
Page 55
CHAPTER
6 Presets
OVERVIEW
Because of its advanced, extensive feature set, the
8pre-es can be used for many different purposes.
This chapter discusses common use cases and
their corresponding device presets, to help you use
the hardware for your needs.
Types of presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Create and manage presets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Device presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Audio interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Stand-alone mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Interface + mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Live recording with monitor mixing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
AVB Expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Optical converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
TYPES OF PRESETS
The device presets discussed in this chapter save
the entire state of the 8pre-es hardware, including
all settings. However, there are other types of
presets that you can create and save for specific
components of its operation:
Preset type For more info
Device Item #8 on page 12
Routing Item #4 on page 14
Mixer Item #5 on page 16
CREATE AND MANAGE PRESETS
You can create presets to suit your specific needs.
The 8pre-es is highly capable and configurable,
allowing it to perform many tasks simultaneously.
The procedure for creating, saving, recalling and
managing presets is basically the same for each
type of preset. In each case, start by referring to the
table above to locate the preset button for the type
of preset you wish to save, and then click the preset
button. This opens the preset manager:
Preset menu
Preset list
Figure 6-1: The preset manager.
Use the preset manager as follows:
Main/Monitor bus channel strip Item #5 on page 19
Input channel strip Item 4 on page 18
Aux bus channel strip Item #12 on page 20
Group/reverb channel strip Item #13 on page 21
Effect (EQ, compressor, Leveler,
HPF, etc.)
Item #7 on page 18
55
Page 56
To do this: Do this:
To apply a preset Choose it from the preset menu or
To Create a new preset Type in a name next to the Create
To rename a preset Click it in the preset list, click
To modify an existing preset Select it in the preset list. Make any
To import/export a preset Click Import or Export. Exported
preset list and click Apply.
button and click Create.
Rename and edit its name in the list.
changes in the Device tab, Routing
tab, Mixing tab, etc. Click Save and
click OK when asked to save over the
existing preset.
presets are saved to your web
browser’s default download
destination.
AUDIO INTERFACE
Choose the Audio Interface preset to use your
MOTU device as a standard Thunderbolt, USB or
iOS audio interface. Hardware inputs and outputs
are accessible from your computer or iOS device,
and the mixer and audio networking features are
disabled.
Computer or
iOS device
To copy a preset Click copy. Click the copy in the
To delete a preset Choose it from the preset menu or
preset list to rename it.
preset list and click Delete.
DEVICE PRESETS
The device preset manager (item #8 on page 12)
contains a number of device presets specifically
designed for common use cases. By loading the
corresponding preset, the 8pre-es Routing tab and
mixer will be reconfigured accordingly. You can
visit the Routing and Mixing tabs to inspect
settings and adjust them as needed.
You can also access the device presets in Quick
Setup (item #11 on page 12).
Video tutorials
To view several excellent video tutorials for the
device presets described in this chapter, visit:
www.motu.com/proaudio
Restoring factory device presets
You can restore factory device presets in the
Device tab (item 27 on page 13) to restore the unit
to its factory settings.
OR
Camera connection kit (adapter)
required for iOS operation
Audio connections to audio gear
Figure 6-2: Using the 8pre-es as an audio interface.
56
PRESETS
Page 57
STAND-ALONE MIXER
Choose the Stand-alone mixer preset to use
8pre-es as a mixer. Doing so routes all physical
inputs to the mixer, with the mixer’s main mix bus
goes to analog outs 1-2 and the monitor bus goes
to the headphone outputs.
To control the mixer (with the web app), you have
several options. You can connect a computer to
the 8pre-es using Thunderbolt, USB, Ethernet, or
Wi-Fi, as explained in “Setup for web app control”
on page 40. Figure 6-3 below shows the Wi-Fi
scenario. Note that you can control the mix from
multiple Wi-Fi devices.
Laptop (optional) Tablet Smart
Wi-Fi devices
Main
Aux
Group
Mix
Mix
Mix 1
Group
Mix 2
phone
Airport
or any other Wi-Fi router
INTERFACE + MIXER
Choose the Interface + Mixer preset to use the
8pre-es as both an audio interface and mixer,
simultaneously. This preset is identical to the
Audio Interface preset, except that all From
Computer channels are also routed to the on-
board mixer, which mixes them to the Main Mix
bus (to analog outs 1-2) and the Monitor bus (to
the headphone outs). The on-board mixer mixes
all of the following sources:
■ The 8pre-es analog inputs
■ The 8pre-es optical inputs
■ All From Computer channels (Thunderbolt or
USB channels from the host computer)
The Monitor bus is set up as a solo bus.
In this scenario, you can control the mixer from
the MOTU Pro Audio Control web app running
on the computer. You can also run the web app
from wireless devices on the same Wi-Fi network
as the laptop.
Laptop
Ethernet
cable
Local inputs plus network inputs
Figure 6-3: Using the 8pre-es as a stand-alone mixer. This example
demonstrates how you can control the mixer from several Wi-Fi
devices.
PRESETS
Main
Aux
Mix 1
Aux
Mix 2
OR
Figure 6-4: Using the 8pre-es as an audio interface and mixer, simultaneously.
Mix
Audio inputs from stage, studio, etc.
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LIVE RECORDING WITH MONITOR MIXING
Choose the Live recording with monitor mixing
preset when you are tracking in the studio. The
setup is pretty much the same as for the “Interface
+ mixer” preset shown in Figure 6-4 on page 57,
except that aux buses are routed to the 8pre-es
analog outs (3-4, 5-6 and 7-8) for independent
monitor mixes. All physical inputs on the interface
are routed to both the computer (for recording)
and the Main Mix and Monitor buses in the mixer
(for near-zero latency monitoring). Thunderbolt
or USB channels from the computer are included
in the 8pre-es mix.
AVB EXPANSION
Use the AVB Expansion preset when you want to
connect the inputs and outputs on the 8pre-es to
other devices over Ethernet cabling. This preset
routes all inputs and outputs on the 8pre-es
interface to 8-channel AVB network streams in the
routing grid, which are then broadcast to any/all
other devices on the same AVB Ethernet network.
Analog inputs from FOH mixing console
Ethernet cable
FOH mix position
Laptop (optional)
24Ai
8pre-es
58
Stage area
Monitor mixes to musicians on stage
Each musician controls their own monitor mix over Wi-Fi
Figure 6-5: An example of using the AVB Expansion preset: 24 channels
from the FOH console are being distributed to musicians on stage as 4
separate monitor mixes.
PRESETS
Page 59
OPTICAL CONVERTER
Choose the Optical converter preset if you would
like the 8pre-es to serve as a multi-channel digitalto-analog or analog-to-digital converter
connected to another device equipped with an
optical port. This preset sends optical inputs to the
8pre-es analog outputs; conversely, analog inputs
are routed to the optical outputs.
For example, if you have another MOTU interface
equipped with optical, you could connect its
optical output banks to the 8pre-es optical input
banks. The 8pre-es then serves as an expander that
adds the 8pre-es analog outputs to your setup.
Other interface
Optical cable
8pre-es
Analog outputs
Figure 6-6: Use the Optical converter preset to use the 8pre-es as an
optical-to-analog output expander. You can also use this preset to use
the 8pre-es as an analog-to-optical input expander.
PRESETS
59
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60
PRESETS
Page 61
CHAPTER
7 Front Panel Operation
OVERVIEW
This chapter explains how to use the features on
the 8pre-es front panel, including the two LCD
displays, menu navigation, A/B monitor controls
and talkback.
Dual LCD displays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Three LCD screen sets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Menu Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Push-button Knobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Channel focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Monitor controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Talkback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Net ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Headphone volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Stand-alone operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
DUAL LCD DISPLAYS
The two full-color LCD displays on the 8pre-es
front panel provide comprehensive metering for
all of the analog and digital inputs and outputs.
They also display activity indicators for network
activity, system settings and menu access to many
settings.
METERS
button
THREE LCD SCREEN SETS
Push the METERS button (Figure 7-1) repeatedly
to cycle among the three different LCD screen sets
shown below.
Screen set A — All Meters
Screen set A (Figure 7-2) shows metering and
system settings for the sample rate and clock
source.
Sample rate and
Input meters
Figure 7-2: Screen set A.
clock source
Output meters
Screen set B — Analog Meters
Screen set B (Figure 7-3) shows analog metering
only, without settings.
Analog input meters Analog output meters
AVB
Activity
Figure 7-1: Push the METERS button to cycle among three LCD screen
sets that provide extensive metering, activity indicators and status
information.
Figure 7-3: Screen set B.
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Screen set C — Digital Meters + Settings
Screen set C (Figure 7-4) shows metering for all
optical digital I/O, system settings and time code
settings.
Turn the MENU knob to scroll through the menu.
Push MENU to enter the selected sub-menu or to
select the currently highlighted setting.
Metering for optical
and S/DIF digital I/O
Figure 7-4: Screen set C.
Sample rate, clock source and
network activity
Time code settings
Sample rate and clock source
The sample rate and clock source section of the
LCD (Figure 7-2 on page 61) displays the sample
rate at which the unit is currently operating (item
#9 in the Devices tab on page 12), and the current
Clock Mode setting (item #14 on page 12). The
Clock Mode setting can also be found (and
changed) in the Settings Menu.
Time code settings
For more information about the time code settings
shown in Figure 7-4 on page 62, see “Syncing to
SMPTE time code (LTC)” on page 49.
MENU NAVIGATION
Push the MENU knob to access the menu, which
provides settings and status information
(Figure 7-5).
A currently selected setting flashes. Turn the
MENU knob to change the setting, and push it to
confirm the change, or push BACK to cancel the
change and exit.
Push BACK to return to the previous menu item.
To exit the menu, push METERS.
Device
The Device menu item provides information
about the device, such as its name and connection
mode (Thunderbolt, USB or AVB).
Network
The Network menu item displays the following
network-related information:
Setting
Serial/UID Unique AVB network identifier and serial
IP address The unique network address for the unit.
AVB Indicates whether AVB networking is
Explanation
number that can be used for troubleshooting
and registering your device at motu.com/
register.
Type this address into your web browser to
access the unit’s settings in the MOTU Pro
Audio Control web app.
currently enabled or disabled. For example,
AVB could be disabled because a non-AVB
switch is being used. When AVB is disabled,
audio streaming over the network is disabled.
Figure 7-5: Menu navigation.
62
Menu Meter overview
FRONT PANEL OPERATION
Page 63
Settings menu
The Settings menu provides access to basic
hardware settings.
the LCD to indicate that the focused metering will
remain on screen until you push the knob again to
dismiss it.
Setting
Clock Mode Sets the audio clock source for the device.
Sample Rate Sets the sample rate for the device.
Optical Specifies ADAT or TOSLink, or the SMUX
Configure IP Chooses between DHCP and a manually
Brightness Adjusts the brightness of the LCDs.
Clear Password Removes password protection in the web app.
Factory Defaults Restores factory default settings.
What it does
format when operating at 88.2 or 96 kHz. See
“Optical I/O” on page 47.
assigned IP Address.
Presets menu
The Presets menu lets you recall settings that have
been saved as a device preset. Use the web app to
create and save presets (item #8 in the “Device tab”
on page 12).
Version menu
The Version menu item displays firmware version
info.
Meter overview
The meter overview (Figure 7-5) provides
metering for all analog and digital I/O.
PUSH-BUTTON KNOBS
All front-panel knobs are push-button digital
rotary encoders. Push the knob view its current
setting without changing it (turning the knob).
CHANNEL FOCUS
When turning a knob to adjust volume or preamp
gain, the LCD focuses on the channel with a longthrow, horizontal meter that shows the current
setting. A few seconds after you stop turning the
knob, the LCD returns to the previous display. To
temporarily suspend the focus timeout, push the
knob again while focused. A “pin” icon appears in
While the display is “pinned” you can adjust any
front panel knob and the display will change to the
knob you are adjusting. Push any knob to exit
channel focus.
MONITOR CONTROLS
The 8pre-es front panel provides several controls
for the primary and secondary monitors in your
studio, labeled A and B, respectively (Figure 7-6
on page 63).
Figure 7-6: The front-panel monitor controls.
These controls are also available in the A-B
Monitor Setup section in the web app Device tab
(item #29 on page 13), so you can control them
from your laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Output assignments for Monitor A and B
From the factory, monitor pair A is assigned to the
Analog Out 1-2 and monitor pair B is unassigned.
You can make the output assignment for monitor
pair B (and/or change monitor pair A) as desired
in the A-B Monitor Setup section in the web app
Device tab (item #29 on page 13). See “Monitor
A-B outputs” on page 47.
Monitor A/B select
To select a monitor pair and mute the other pair,
press A or B (Figure 7-6). Press both buttons at the
same time to hear both sets of monitors simultaneously.
FRONT PANEL OPERATION
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Monitor volume control
Control the volume of both Monitor A and B pairs
with the MONITOR knob (Figure 7-6). This knob
controls both pairs. To adjust their volume relative
to one another, use their trim controls in the
Device tab (item #21 on page 12).
Mute and Mono
Push MUTE (Figure 7-6) to temporarily silence
both Monitor output pairs (A and B). Push
MONO (Figure 7-6) to temporarily sum each pair
to mono. When summing to mono, the left and
right channels are mixed together and the
resulting mono audio stream is sent to both
outputs of the stereo pair. The resulting mono
signal is also attenuated by 3 dB to maintain the
same overall loudness of the original stereo image.
Monitor control for surround
The 8pre-es monitor controls support 5.1 and 7.1
surround output from Analog Outputs 1-6 or 1-8,
respectively. Choose the desired format from the
Monitor A menu in the A-B Monitor Setup section
in the web app Device tab (item #29 on page 13),
as shown below in Figure 7-7. After doing so, the
MONITOR knob and MUTE button (on both the
front panel and in the web app) affect all six (or
eight) analog outputs. The MONO button does
nothing when surround monitoring is enabled. In
addition, Monitor B cannot be assigned to Analog
outputs 1-6 (or 1-8). Choose any other output pair.
TALKBACK
Talkback allows an engineer in the control room
to temporarily dim all audio and talk to musicians
during a recording session. Talkback requires a
microphone located in the control room, near the
engineer. The 8pre-es provides a built-in talkback
mic on its front panel (item 3 on page 9).
Alternately, you could use an external microphone
connected to a mic input (or a line input when
combined with a separate preamp), but the builtin mic frees up inputs for other high-priority
sources such as vocal mics, guitars, keyboards, etc.
Talkback setup
To set up talkback:
1 Route the talkback mic to a mixer input, as
demonstrated in Figure 7-9. If you are using one of
the two front-panel mic inputs for an external
talkback mic, route that input to a mixer channel.
2 Choose an Aux bus or group for talkback, as
demonstrated in Figure 7-9 with Aux 1-2, and
route it to the outputs feeding speakers (or a
headphone mixer) for the musicians.
☛ You can route talkback to as many buses and/
or groups as you wish. Route them to whatever
physical outputs are needed for your particular
setup.
3 In the Controls panel of the mixer, show the
Legend and the Talkback section (Figure 7-8).
Figure 7-7: Monitor control for surround.
64
4 For the channel assigned to the talkback mic,
enabled its Tal kback s o u r c e switch (Figure 7-8).
5 For the aux bus you chose for talkback in step 2,
enable its Talkback output switch (Figure 7-8). As
mentioned before, you can do so for two or more
output buses.
FRONT PANEL OPERATION
Page 65
Legend
Talkback
Talkback
Talkback
mic input
section
Figure 7-8: Mixer setup for the talkback mic.
settings
Talkback
source
Talkback
output
Talkback settings
The talkback settings can be accessed by enabling
the Legend in the Controls panel of the mixer
(Figure 7-8). In Touch Console, tap the Talkback
tab in the sidebar (Figure 7-10).
Ta l k
Press and hold the Tal k button (Figure 7-8) to
engage the talkback mic. This is the same as
pressing the TALK button on the front panel of the
8pre-es (item #10 on page 9).
Sticky
When Sticky is engaged (Figure 7-8), the Talk
button remains engaged when you click it, until
you click it again to disengage, so you don’t have to
hold it down while speaking. This setting also
affects the TALK button on the front panel of the
8pre-es (item #10 on page 9).
Figure 7-9: Basic routing for the built-in talkback mic. In this example, the built-in talkback mic is routed to input 1 of the mixer. Aux bus
1-2 is assigned to analog outs 7-8, which are being used to route the signal to speakers in the room where the musicians are located.
FRONT PANEL OPERATION
Step 2
Step 1
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Dim
If you are feeding a monitor mix to the musicians
on the same Aux bus as your talkback mic, use the
Dim knob (Figure 7-8) to control how much the
monitor mix will be attenuated when talkback is
engaged. This gives you control over the relative
volume between the talkback mic signal and all
other audio on the mix bus. To control overall
volume of everything, use the bus fader.
Talkback settings in Touch Console
Talkback settings can be accessed in the Touch
Console sidebar. Choose the source and destination(s) from each menu, respectively. Note that
you can choose multiple destinations, if desired.
Set the Dim level with the Dim slider. To engage
Talk, hold your finger down on the Talk tab.
HEADPHONE VOLUME
Each headphone jack has independent volume
control. The LCD provides visual feedback.
STAND-ALONE OPERATION
All settings, including mix settings and device
settings, are saved in the 8pre-es memory. They
remain in effect even when the interface is not
connected to a computer. This allows you to use
the 8pre-es as a stand-alone mixer. You can make
adjustments to any setting at any time from the
web app running on a device that has a network
connection to the 8pre-es, as explained in “Setup
for web app control” on page 40.
Collapsed
sidebar
Figure 7-10: The Talkback settings can be accessed in the Touch
Console sidebar.
Expanded
sidebar
NET ID
Push NET ID (item #13 on page 9) to immediately
view the 8pre-es network information, including
its IP Address. Push BACK or METERS to return
to the meters.
66
FRONT PANEL OPERATION
Page 67
CHAPTER
8 Working with Host Audio Software
OVERVIEW
The 8pre-es provides multi-channel audio input
and output for Core Audio compatible audio
applications on the Mac and ASIO or Wave
compatible applications on Windows, including
MOTU’s Digital Performer and AudioDesk,
Apple’s Logic Pro and GarageBand, and other
third-party software applications such as Ableton
Live, Avid Pro Tools, Cockos Reaper,
Propellerhead Reason, Steinberg Cubase and
Nuendo, Cakewalk SONAR, PreSonus Studio
One, Bitwig, and others.
AudioDesk is available as a free download for
8pre-es owners at motu.com/download. For
complete information about all of AudioDesk’s
powerful workstation features, refer to the
AudioDesk User Guide.pdf found in the Help menu
of the AudioDesk application.
Digital Performer, MOTU’s state-of-the-art digital
audio workstation software, is available separately;
for details about upgrading from AudioDesk to
Digital Performer, talk to your authorized MOTU
dealer or visit motu.com.
Preparation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Run the web app . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Choose the MOTU Pro Audio driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Reducing monitoring latency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Working with the Routing grid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Working with on-board mixing and effects . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
LTC-to-MTC conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
PREPARATION
Install your host audio software first if you haven’t
already done so, and complete these chapters
before proceeding:
■ chapter 5, “Hardware Installation” (page 35)
RUN THE WEB APP
Before you run your host audio software, launch
the web app to configure your MOTU hardware.
The web app lets you configure important settings
in your audio interface, enable the desired inputs
and outputs, and set up audio streams to and from
the computer.
Sample Rate
Choose the desired sample rate for the 8pre-es
(item #9 in the Device tab on page 12) and your
host audio software. Make sure the sample rates
for the hardware and software match. Newly
recorded audio will have this sample rate.
Clock Mode
The Clock Mode setting (item #14 in the Device
tab on page 12) is important because it determines
the master digital audio clock for your system.
If you do not have any digital audio connections to
your MOTU device (you are using the analog
inputs and outputs only), and you will not be
resolving your host software to optical or another
external clock source, choose Internal.
If you have devices connected to the optical ports,
see “Syncing optical devices” on page 48.
If you are slaving your MOTU device and your
host software to word clock, follow the directions
in “Syncing word clock devices” on page 49.
If you have devices connected to the network port,
see “Syncing an AVB network” on page 50.
■ chapter 4, “Software Installation” (page 31)
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Audio Interface preset
Click Launch Quick Setup (item #11 in the Device
tab on page 12) and choose the Audio Interface
preset. Your MOTU interface is now set up for
operation as an audio interface with any host
audio software. For details about customizing the
audio routing to and from the computer, see
“Working with the Routing grid” on page 71.
Where to go in popular audio hosts
Here is the location for this setting in various
popular audio software host applications:
Host software
Digital Performer
and AudioDesk
Pro Tools 9 or later Setup menu > Playback Engine or Current
Location for choosing the 8pre-es
Setup menu > Configure Audio System >
Configure Hardware Driver
Engine
CHOOSE THE MOTU PRO AUDIO DRIVER
Once you’ve made the preparations described so
far in this chapter, you’re ready to run your audio
software and enable the MOTU Pro Audio driver,
which allows your host software to use the 8pre-es
as an audio interface.
For macOS audio software
For audio software running under macOS, go to
the menu item or preference where you choose the
audio device (Core Audio driver) you wish to use,
and then select the 8pre-es by name.
For Windows audio software
For audio software running under Windows, go to
the menu item or preference where you choose the
ASIO driver you wish to use, and then choose
MOTU Pro Audio. If your host audio software
doesn’t support ASIO, choose the MOTU Pro
Audio Wave driver instead.
Logic Pro Preferences > Audio tab > Devices tab > Core
Garage Band Garage Band menu > Preferences > Audio/
Cubase and Nuendo Device Setup > Devices list > VST Audio
Live Preferences > Audio tab
Reason Preferences > Audio preferences
Reaper Preferences > Audio prefs > Devices
Audio tab
MIDI > Audio Output/Input menus
System menu
Other audio software
Consult your software’s manual for further
information.
REDUCING MONITORING LATENCY
Monitoring latency is a slight delay caused by
running an input signal through your host audio
software and back out. For example, you might
hear it when you drive a live guitar input signal
through an amp modeling plug-in running in
your audio sequencer.
This delay is caused by the amount of time it takes
for audio to make the entire round trip through
your computer, from when it first enters an input
on the 8pre-es, passes through the interface
hardware into the computer, through your host
audio software, and then back out to an output.
Figure 8-1: Choosing the MOTU Pro Audio ASIO driver in Cubase.
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Monitoring through the 8pre-es
If you don’t need to process a live input with
plug-ins, the easiest way to avoid monitoring
latency is to disable your DAW’s live monitoring
feature and instead use the digital mixer in the
8pre-es to route the input directly to your outputs.
For details, see “Mixing tab” on page 16. The
mixer in the 8pre-es even provides zero latency
effects processing (EQ, compression and reverb),
which can be applied to the signal.
Direct hardware playthrough / Direct ASIO
monitoring
When managing your live monitor mix through
the 8pre-es mixer, remember to disable your
DAW’s live monitoring features, so that you won’t
hear record-enabled tracks in your DAW. Also
note that the 8pre-es does not support Direct
Hardware Playthrough in Digital Performer, or the
Direct ASIO Monitoring feature (or similar)
offered and other DAWs, which lets you control
no-latency hardware monitoring from within the
host application. Instead, you can use the MOTU
Pro Audio Control web app mixer (“Mixing tab”
on page 16) to make these live monitoring
connections manually.
If you don’t require any effects processing on the
input signal (no reverb or compression, for
example), all this takes is one click in the routing
grid to route the input being recorded to the
output you are using for monitoring.
mix, and then assign the monitor bus output in the
routing grid to the output you are using for
monitoring.
In either case (routing directly in the grid or
routing through the mixer), be sure to maintain
the input’s connection to the computer as well, so
the input signal can be recorded in your host
software. In other words, you’ll want to make sure
there are two tiles enabled in the input’s column in
the grid: one tile for the connection to the
computer and another tile for your monitoring
output (or a mixer input, if you are using the mixer
to apply effects). If you need to route the input
signal to other destinations, too, you can certainly
do so (you can route the input to multiple destinations).
Monitoring through your host audio software
If you do need to process a live input with host
software plug-ins, or if you are playing virtual
instruments live through your MOTU audio
hardware, you can significantly reduce latency by
adjusting the audio buffer setting in your host
audio software, as explained in the next section.
☛ It is important to note that monitoring delay
has no effect on the recording, or playback, of
audio data from disk. The actual recording and
playback is extremely precise, it is only the
monitoring of your live input signal which may be
delayed.
If you are recording a mono input that you’d like to
monitor in stereo, or if you need to apply effects to
the monitored signal, you can simply route the
input to the mixer in the 8pre-es. This is done by
opening the Mix In group in the Outputs column
along the left side of the grid, and clicking the tile
at the intersection of the input’s column and the
desired mixer input’s row. Once routed to the
mixer, use the input channel, reverb bus, and
monitor bus in the mixer to apply effects as
desired, and perhaps include other channels to the
WORKING WITH HOST AUDIO SOFTWARE
Adjusting your host software audio buffer
Buffers are small bundles of audio data. The 8prees “speaks” to your computer in buffers, rather
than one sample at a time. The size of these buffers
determine how much delay you hear when
monitoring live inputs through your audio
software: larger buffers produce more delay;
smaller buffers produce less.
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Adjusting buffer size on macOS
Under macOS, audio I/O buffer size is handled by
the host audio application (not by the 8pre-es
Core Audio driver). Most audio software
applications provide an adjustable audio buffer
setting that lets you control the amount of delay
you’ll hear when monitoring live inputs or
processing them with software plug-ins. Here are a
few examples.
Figure 8-4: In Logic Pro, go to the Audio Driver preferences to access the
Buffer Size option shown above.
Adjusting buffer size on Windows
On Windows, the buffer size is adjusted in the web
app Device tab (page 12). See “Host Buffer
Size”and “Host Safety Offset” on page 33.
Lower latency versus higher CPU overhead
Buffer size has a large impact on the following:
Figure 8-2: In Digital Performer and AudioDesk, choose Setup menu>
Configure Audio System> Configure Hardware Driver to open the
dialog shown above and access the Buffer Size setting.
Figure 8-3: In Cubase or Nuendo, choose Devices menu > Device Setup.
Select your interface (8pre-es), then click the Control Panel button to
access the window above and the Buffer Size setting.
70
■ Monitoring latency
■ The load on your computer’s CPU
■ Responsiveness of transport controls and effect
knobs in AudioDesk, Digital Performer or other
audio software.
■ Real-time virtual instrument latency.
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. If you reduce the size, you
reduce monitoring latency, but significantly
increase the overall processing load on your
computer, leaving less CPU bandwidth for things
like real-time effects processing. On the other
hand, if you increase the buffer size, you reduce
the load on your computer, freeing up bandwidth
for effects, mixing and other real-time operations.
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Figure 8-5: When adjusting the buffer size to reduce monitoring
latency, watch the ‘processor’ meter in Digital Performer or
AudioDesk’s Performance Monitor. If you hear distortion, or if the
Performance meter is peaking, try raising the buffer size.
Transport responsiveness
Buffer size also impacts how quickly your audio
software will respond when you begin playback,
although not by amounts that are very noticeable.
Lowering the buffer size will make your software
respond faster; raising the buffer size will make it a
little bit slower.
If you are at a point in your recording project
where you are not currently working with live,
patched-thru material (e.g. you’re not recording
vocals), or if you have a way of externally
processing inputs, choose a higher buffer size.
Depending on your computer’s CPU speed, you
might find that settings in the middle work best
(256 to 1024).
Effects processing and automated mixing
Reducing latency with the buffer size setting has
another benefit: it lets you route live inputs
through the real-time effects processing and mix
automation of your audio software.
WORKING WITH THE ROUTING GRID
The Routing grid (Figure 8-6) gives you a lot of
control over the audio routing to and from your
computer, as explained in the following sections.
Figure 8-6: An example of routing computer channels (from host audio software) to the analog outputs on an 8pre-es. Computer
channels 1-2 are being split to three pairs of outputs: Phones 1-2, Phones 3-4 and Analog Out 1-2.
WORKING WITH HOST AUDIO SOFTWARE
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Enabling and disabling input/output banks
In the web app Routing tab (page 15), you can
enable all input and output banks on your MOTU
device that you wish to make available to your host
audio software. You can disable banks you are not
using to simplify operation. Be sure to keep at least
one input and output bank enabled, though.
■ Any audio streams going to and from the
on-board mixer in your MOTU device.
■ Audio streams going to/from the AVB network,
if you have multiple networked MOTU devices.
If you aren’t sure how many channels you’ll need,
visit the Routing tab, as explained below.
Specifying the number of computer channels
In the web app Routing tab (item #26 on page 15),
in the Computer Setup section, you can specify the
number of computer channels for streaming audio
to and from your host audio software. You might
want enough channels to cover the following:
■ Physical inputs you want to record on your
computer.
■ The physical outputs you want to send audio
playback to.
Maximum available computer channels
The maximum number of available computer
channels is as follows (in and out):
Sample rate
1x (44.1 or 48 kHz) 64 128
2x (88.2 or 96 kHz) 32 128
4x (176.4 or 192 kHz) 24 64
USB Thunderbolt
☛ When operating as a USB audio class
compliant device (page 31), the 828es supports 24
channels in and out at all sample rates.
Figure 8-7: An example of routing physical inputs on the 8pre-es to computer channels (for host audio software).
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Making inputs and outputs available to your
host software
In the web app, use the Routing tab (page 14) to
map inputs and outputs to computer channels, as
demonstrated in Figure 8-6 and Figure 8-7.
Configuration presets
The presets menu (item #8 in the Devices tab on
page 12) provides many useful presets for various
host routing scenarios. These presets are a
convenient shortcut for the routing grid setups
discussed in the next few sections.
Naming computer input and output channels
Click on any computer input or output name in
the routing grid (Figure 8-6) to change its name.
These names appear in your host audio software.
Streaming computer audio to and from the
on-board mixer
In the Routing grid, you’ll see mixer inputs across
the top of the grid, including Main, Monitor, Aux,
etc. (item 11 on page 14). These are output buses
from the 8pre-es on-board mixer. To route one of
these mix buses to your host computer software,
click the grid at the intersection of the mix column
and desired computer channel row. Now, the mix
bus output will be routed to the computer via the
channel you selected.
directly to the computer. For information about
how to set this up, see “Mapping computer
channels to network streams” on page 107.
Mirroring computer channels to multiple
outputs
Figure 8-6 shows an example of mirroring one
stereo audio stream from host audio software to
several outputs. In the example, computer
channels 1-2 are being sent to Phones 1-2, Phones
3-4 and Analog Out 1-2. To route a source to
multiple destinations, click multiple boxes in its
column, (see computer channels 1-2 in
Figure 8-6).
Combining multiple sources to one output
To send multiple channels to a single output (or
output pair), computer streams or otherwise,
route them to mixer inputs and then use the onboard mixer (“Mixing tab” on page 16).
Routing grid tutorials
For further information about using the routing
grid, including many useful tips and techniques,
visit:
www.motu.com/techsupport/technotes/avbrouting
and
Conversely, you can stream audio from the
computer into the mixer. Channels coming from
the computer are represented across the top of the
routing grid as inputs. To route a computer
channel to the mixer, click the grid at the
intersection of the computer channel column and
the desired mix input row. Now, that computer
channel will be routed to the mixer input.
Working with AVB network streams
Audio channels going to networked AVB
interfaces can be streamed to and from your host
audio software through the 8pre-es connected
WORKING WITH HOST AUDIO SOFTWARE
www.motu.com/proaudio
WORKING WITH ON-BOARD MIXING AND EFFECTS
The 8pre-es provides powerful mixing, EQ,
compression and reverb, which can operate handin-hand with your host’s mixing environment. For
example, the 8pre-es can serve as a monitor mixer,
routing channels to musicians, or it can serve as an
integrated extension of your host’s mixing
environment. You can even save a particular
mixing configuration as a preset for future recall.
For details, see “Mixing tab” on page 16.
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LTC-TO-MTC CONVERSION
When connected to a Mac, your MOTU interface
can convert SMPTE time code (LTC) to MIDI
Time Code (MTC), allowing any MTCcompatible host audio software to resolve to MTC.
LTC-to-MTC conversion can be done even when
the Clock Mode setting for the MOTU interface is
set to Internal (or any other setting). Note that the
Clock Mode setting does NOT have to be set to
LTC. In other words, the interface can convert
LTC to MTC even when it is not resolving its
audio engine to the incoming time code. This
allows your DAW host software to resolve to time
code with fast lockup response.
To set up LTC-to-MTC conversion:
1 Set the interface Clock Mode to Internal (or any
other desired setting).
2 Set the other LTC settings as needed, as
discussed in “Syncing to SMPTE time code (LTC)”
on page 49, including the Computer Channel for
LTC-to-MTC Conversion setting.
settings (Setup menu), which is set to Any by
default (so it should just work). Here’s a summary
for a few popular DAW hosts:
Host software Sync settings
Digital Performer and
AudioDesk
Pro Tools Setup > Peripherals > Synchronization
Logic File > Project Settings > Synchronization >
Live Preferences > MIDI Sync
Cubase Transport > Project Synchronization Setup
Settings menu > Receive Sync > Sync to port
menu
General
3 If you would like MIDI Time Code to continue
to be generated, even after LTC stops being
received, check Enable Jam Sync (Figure 5-19 on
page 50). Otherwise, leave it unchecked.
4 Follow the directions for MTC (SMPTE) sync
in your DAW software.
Your MOTU interface driver automatically
communicates with macOS, creating a device in
the computer’s Audio MIDI Setup configuration
that reports its time code port to any MTCcompatible host software. If your host software
requires that you specify the port, you should see
your MOTU interface SMPTE Sync port as an
available option in the list. In Digital Performer,
this is the Sync to port menu in the Receive Sync
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CHAPTER
9 Mixer Effects
OVERVIEW
This chapter provides further information about
the effects processors available in the DSP mixer
in the 8pre-es. For basic mixer operation, see:
Mixing tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Aux Mixing tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Mixer input channel strips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Main Mix and Monitor channel strips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Aux bus channel strips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Group and Reverb channel strips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Powerful DSP-driven mixing and effects
The mixer is driven by a powerful DSP that
delivers 32-bit floating point precision and plenty
of processing bandwidth for no-latency effects,
including parametric EQ, dynamics, and reverb.
Effects can be applied when operating as an audio
interface or as a stand-alone mixer without a
computer. Input signals to the computer can be
recorded wet and/or dry, or recorded dry while a
real-time wet monitor mix is sent to musicians.
Effects include:
High Pass Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
A conventional high pass filter
Gate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
A standard gate with threshold/attack/release
controls
Four-band parametric EQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Multi-band parametric EQ modeled after British
analog consoles
Leveler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
The Leveler™, an accurate model of the legendary
LA-2A optical compressor, which provides
vintage, musical automatic gain control
Reverb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Classic reverb with tail lengths up to 60 seconds
Advantages over host-based mixing and
processing
The hardware mixer in the 8pre-es provides
several major advantages over mixing and
processing in your host audio software:
■ No buffer latency. The DSP-mixer provides the
same near-zero latency throughput performance
as a conventional digital mixer. Effects processing
doesn’t impact your computer’s CPU.
■ DSP mixing and routing can be maintained
independently of individual software applications
or projects.
■ DSP-driven mixing can function without the
computer, allowing the 8pre-es to operate as a
portable, stand-alone mixer with effects.
☛ Effects are disabled when operating at 4x
sample rates (176.4 or 192 kHz).
HIGH PASS FILTER
All input channel strips provide a 12 dB per octave
high pass filter. High Pass filters are often used to
remove unwanted mic rumble, for example.
Compressor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
A standard compressor with threshold/ratio/
attack/release/gain controls
Figure 9-1: The High Pass Filter.
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GATE
All input channel strips provide a Gate module.
Enabling EQ
Each band has an enable/disable button
(Figure 9-3), allowing you to enable as few or as
many bands as needed for the channel strip.
Figure 9-2: The Gate module.
The gate silences the signal when the input signal’s
level drops below the Threshold.
The rate at which the gate responds, (opens to let
signal through) is determined by the Attack
parameter. With a short Attack time, the gate will
open as soon as the signal crosses the Threshold;
with longer Attack times, the gate will gradually
open, much like a fade-in.
When the input level falls back below the
Threshold, the time it takes for the gate to close
(how quickly the signal is attenuated), is
determined by the Release parameter. Short
Release times will close the gate quickly, abruptly
attenuating your signal, versus longer release
times, which will gradually attenuate your signal,
like a natural fade-out.
FOUR-BAND PARAMETRIC EQ
All mixer channel strips, (except for the Monitor
bus), provide modeled, four-band parametric EQ.
Vintage EQ
Inspired by legendary British large console EQs,
the EQ section (Figure 9-3) models the sound of
the most sought-after classic equalizers. Four
bands of center frequency parametric EQ filtering
are provided, each with a bandwidth control. The
High and Low bands include a shelf filtering
option. With 32-bit floating point precision, the
vintage EQ has been carefully crafted and
meticulously engineered to produce musical
results in a wide variety of applications.
Enable/disable
Figure 9-3: The Four-band parametric EQ module.
EQ filter controls
The EQ filters have three controls:
Control
Gain dB -20.00 to +20.00
Frequency Hertz 20 to 20,000
Bandwidth Octaves 0.01 to 3.00
unit range
Double-click a knob to return to its default position.
EQ filter characteristics
EQ is one of the most widely used processing tools
and can be applied to many different situations,
from minor corrective tasks to creative tone
sculpting. The four-band EQ has been designed to
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be flexible enough to cover a broad range of
applications. By adjusting Gain and Bandwidth
together, you can emulate the smooth and musical
character of classic analog EQ circuits, in which
the Gain/Bandwidth dependency was dictated by
the actual circuit design and electrical
components used.
Low and high shelf filters
The Low and High bands offer a shelf option that
is similar to those found in most conventional
parametric EQs.
EQ graph
The EQ graph below the EQ section (Figure 9-3)
provides a thumbnail visual indication of the
current EQ settings for the input channel. It is for
visual reference only and cannot be edited directly.
However, you can click it to open the full-size EQ
graph in a separate window (Figure 9-4), which is
fully editable.
COMPRESSOR
All mixer input channel strips provide a
compressor module.
Figure 9-5: The Compressor module.
The Compressor (Figure 9-5) lowers the level of
the input when amplitude of the signal is above the
Threshold. The amount of attenuation is
determined by the Ratio and the input level. For
example, if the input is 6 dB above the Threshold
and the Ratio is 3:1, the compressor will attenuate
Figure 9-4: The full-size EQ graph.
MIXER EFFECTS
Frequency/Gain
handle
Q (bandwidth)
handle
Peak/shelf
switch
EQ filter
Enable/disable
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the signal to 2 dB above the Threshold. When the
input level goes above the threshold, the
attenuation is added gradually to reduce
distortion. The rate at which the attenuation is
added is determined by the Attack parameter.
Likewise, when the input level falls below the
Threshold, the attenuation is removed gradually.
The rate at which the attenuation is removed is
determined by the Release parameter. Long
Release times may cause the audio to drop out
briefly when a soft passage follows a loud passage.
Short Release times may cause the attenuation to
“pump”, a term used to describe the sound of the
compressor when the average input level quickly
fluctuates above and below the Threshold. These
types of issues can be addressed by adjusting the
compressor’s parameters, or applying the Leveler
instead. Gain adjusts the overall output level of the
compressor, post processing. The Level meter
(Figure 9-5) shows the level of the input signal
entering the compressor. It shows either the Peak
envelope or the RMS level, if enabled.
Gain reduction meter
The Gain reduction meter (Figure 9-5) displays
the current amount of attenuation applied by the
compressor, before the makeup gain stage.
RMS mode
By default, the compressor operates in Peak mode,
which uses signal peaks to determine the input
level. In RMS mode, the compressor measures the
input signal’s loudness, using the root-meansquare computational method. When RMS is
disabled, RMS mode will let brief peaks through
because the detector sidechain is only looking at
the average signal level. By contrast, peak mode
will catch those brief peaks. Peak mode is
generally used for drums, percussion and other
source material with strong transients, while RMS
mode is mostly used for everything else.
The level meter shows either the peak level or the
RMS level, depending on the mode.
Auto Makeup
When Auto Makeup Gain is engaged (Figure 9-5
and Figure 9-6), the compressor dynamically
compensates for any gain reduction, to preserve
the original loudness of the signal.
78
Ratio handle
Threshold
handle
Figure 9-6: The full-size Compressor graph.
MIXER EFFECTS
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Compressor graph
The Compressor graph below the Compressor
section (Figure 9-5) provides a thumbnail visual
indication of the current compressor settings for
the input channel. It is for visual reference only
and cannot be edited directly. However, you can
click it to open the full-size Compressor graph in a
separate window (Figure 9-6), which provides
graphic editing of the Ratio and Threshold
controls.
LEVELER
The Leveler™ (Figure 9-7) provides an accurate
model of the legendary Teletronix™ LA-2A® optical
compressor, known for its unique and highly
sought-after Automatic Gain Control (AGC)
characteristics.
Figure 9-7: The Leveler module.
The Leveler is available on the Main Mix bus and
all Group busses, including the Reverb bus.
A model of an optical compressor
An optical leveling amplifier works by shining a
light on a photoresistor. The intensity of the light
source is proportional to the audio signal, and the
resistance of the photoresistor is in turn inversely
proportional to the intensity of the light. Photoresistors respond quite quickly to increases in light
intensity, yet return to their dark resistance very
slowly. Thus, incorporation of the photoresistor
into an attenuator followed by an amplifier which
provides make-up gain produces a signal which
maintains a constant overall loudness.
Automatic gain control using light
The AGC circuit of the LA-2A uses a vintage optocoupler known by its model number T4. The T4
contains an electroluminescent-panel (ELP) and
photoresistor mounted so that the emission of the
panel modulates the resistance. An ELP consists of
a thin layer of phosphorescent material
sandwiched between two insulated electrodes to
form a capacitor. Making one of the electrodes
transparent allows the light to escape. These
devices are essentially glow-in-the-dark paint on a
piece of foil covered by metalized glass or plastic,
and are the same devices used in low-power night
lights. Unfortunately, these devices need high
voltages to operate, and are best driven by tube
circuits which can supply voltage swings of several
hundred volts.
Response characteristics
Once the light has faded away, the photoresistor
then decays back to its dark state. The shape of the
decay curve varies depending on how bright the
light was, and how long the light lasted. A general
rule of thumb is that the louder the program, the
slower the release. Typically, the release can take
up to and over one minute. One thing to keep in
mind when using these types of devices is that the
typical concepts of compression ratio, attack,
release, and threshold do not apply. The light
intensity is determined by the highly non-linear
interactions of the input signal, AGC circuit, and
ELP, and thus exhibit a strong program
dependence that is impossible to describe without
the mind-numbing mathematics of statistical
mechanics. The actual results, however, can be
almost mystical: even when you feed the same
material (a loop perhaps) through the Leveler
twice, you’ll often see a new response the second
time through a loop, complete with unique attack
times, release times and compression ratios.
Furthermore, two different input signals with the
same RMS levels may be leveled in a drastically
different manner.
MIXER EFFECTS
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It is precisely this self-adjusting behavior that
makes optical compressors the tool of choice for
smoothing out vocals, bass guitar and fullprogram mixes without destroying perceived
dynamics.
Enabling or disabling the Leveler
The Leveler models the LA-2A so closely, it also
models the time it takes for an actual LA-2A to
“warm up” after it is turned on. Therefore, when
you enable the Leveler, give it a moment to “settle”
before you begin processing signals with it.
Gain Reduction
Gain Reduction (Figure 9-7) sets the strength of
the signal sent to the AGC model.
Makeup Gain
Makeup gain (Figure 9-7) amplifies the output
signal to make up for gain reduction.
Limit button
The Limit button (Figure 9-7) models the original
LA-2A Limit/Compress mode switch. The effect is
very subtle, with the Limit option behaving only
slightly more like a limiter than a compressor. The
switch increases the level of the input to the AGC
model and runs the attenuator at a slightly lower
level. The Leveler then responds more strongly to
transients, but otherwise still behaves like a
leveling amplifier.
REVERB
Use the enable/disable button (Figure 9-8) to turn
the reverb processor on or off. Since reverb uses
considerable DSP resources, it is best to leave it off
when you are not using it.
Figure 9-8: The Reverb processor.
Routing inputs and groups to the reverb
processor
The reverb processor is a single, independent unit
that provides stereo reverb. You can route any
input channel or Group bus to the Reverb
processor with the Reverb send on its channel
strip. All incoming signals to the reverb processor
are merged and processed together. The resulting
stereo output from the reverb can then be merged
into the Main Mix bus with the Main send on the
Reverb channel strip (item #9 on page 21).
80
Reverb Time
Reverb time (Figure 9-8) determines the length of
decay, or tail, of the reverb. The knob’s range is
from 100 milliseconds to 60 seconds.
Predelay
Predelay is the amount of time before the acoustic
energy from the source returns to the listener,
after reflecting off the surfaces of the listening
space. The very first reflections helps you perceive
information about the listening space, (size,
distance, surface type, etc.). In large rooms, it takes
a while (on the order of milliseconds) before the
MIXER EFFECTS
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first reflections return to the listener. Predelay is
useful for adding clarity, as it delays these
reflections, before the onset of full reverberation.
For example, with pre-delay added to vocals, the
reflections won’t start until after the initial sound
of a word has been sung.
Spread
Spread controls stereo imaging. A position of 12
o’clock produces essentially a mono image.
Turning the control all the way to the left
completely swaps the stereo image.
High and Mid frequency bands
The High and Mid frequency bands let you
independently control the reverb time for separate
frequency bands, relative to the low frequency
reverb time. The High setting represents the
bottom frequency of the High band; the Mid
setting represents the bottom frequency of the
Mid band. The Ratio determines the length for
each band specified in a percentage of the low
frequency reverb time.
DSP USAGE
The DSP Usage meter (item #32 on page 18)
shows how much of the available DSP processing
power is currently being used by the mixer for the
mix and for effects processing. If there aren’t
enough DSP resources for all effects to be enabled
on a channel, effects are disabled for that channel
and all subsequent channels.
☛ Unlike other effects, HPF and EQ on a stereo
channel requires approximately twice the DSP
resources as on a mono channel.
MIXER EFFECTS
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MIXER EFFECTS
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10 MOTU Discovery
MOTU Discovery is an app installed on your Mac
or Windows computer when you run the software
installer for your MOTU interface. The Discovery
app provides quick and convenient access to any
MOTU devices connected to your computer
through USB, Thunderbolt and/or AVB Ethernet.
It can also assist with firmware updating and other
tasks.
To open the MOTU Pro Audio Control web app, do
one of the following:
Mac
Windows
■ Choose Open Discovery... from the MOTU
Discovery app menu (found in the Mac menu bar
or Windows taskbar as shown to the right).
■ Launch the MOTU Discovery shortcut found on
the Windows desktop or in Start menu> All
Programs> MOTU.
2
1
You should now see the Discovery app as shown
below. If not, visit Appendix A, “Troubleshooting”
page (111).
3
4
5
1. Click a tab to view its contents in the
window.
2. The version of the firmware
currently installed in your MOTU
device.
3. The Thunderbolt/USB tab displays
MOTU devices connected directly to
your computer via Thunderbolt or
USB.
4. Launches the Pro Audio Control web
app in your web browser for access
to all of the settings and features in
your MOTU device. See chapter 1,
“MOTU Pro Audio Control Web App”
(page 11).
5. This is the version of the driver
installed on your computer for your
MOTU device.
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ALL DEVICES TAB
2
3
4
1
9
1. The All Devices tab displays all MOTU
devices detected by the Discovery
app. This includes devices connected
directly to the computer via USB or
Thunderbolt, plus any devices that
are on line and connected to a
shared Ethernet network, even if the
network is standard (non-AVB)
Ethernet. This tab also displays
MOTU devices connected to other
computers on the network, via
either USB or Thunderbolt. It also
displays any MOTU AVB switches on
the network.
2. In large networks with many devices
and multiple switches, it can
sometimes be helpful to temporarily
hide switches from the list using this
check box.
3. In large networks with many
devices, use the search box to find
specific devices quickly by name.
4. A MOTU 1248 interface connected to
another computer on the network
via USB.
5. In this example, this is the 8pre-es
interface connected to the local
computer via USB (as shown on the
previous page). When you hover the
cursor over any device in the list,
you’ll see the Open Pro Audio Control
button, which launches the web app
for that device in your web browser.
The web app gives you access to the
many features in the device, including settings, mixing, routing, etc.
6. A MOTU 828es interface connected
to another computer on the network
via Thunderbolt.
5
6
7
8
7. A MOTU AVB Switch on the network.
8. A MOTU UltraLite AVB connected
directly to the network through its
AVB Ethernet port.
9. This green arrow indicates that a
firmware update is available for the
device. Use the Firmware Updater
tab to conduct firmware updates.
84
MOTU DISCOVERY
Page 85
FIRMWARE UPDATER TAB
3
4
2
1
1. Use the Firmware Updater tab to
update the firmware of any device in
the list. You can update the firmware
of interfaces and switches.
2. Each device shows its current
firmware version below its name.
3. If you wish to update the firmware
of all devices shown in the list in one
easy operation, simply click Update
All interfaces. All devices in the list
will be updated with the latest
firmware, downloaded from MOTU’s
servers. (See, however, item #4 for
updating from a file instead.) The
Update All Interfaces operation may
take a while, depending on the
speed of your Internet access and
the number of devices involved.
4. When using the Update All Interfaces
feature (3), the Update From File
option allows you to do so from a
firmware file that you manually
download from motu.com/proaudio
beforehand. This gives you the
ability to do the firmware update
while the computer is off line (not
connected to the Internet). It also
lets you choose a specific firmware
version (other than the latest
version). When you click Update
From File, you’ll see the list above
(4), which lets you choose a specific
firmware file on your computer hard
drive (that you’ve manually
downloaded from motu.com/proaudio) for each model of MOTU device.
(Some models, such as the 8A and
624 for example, share the same
firmware.) Once you’ve specified the
file, click Update All Interfaces to
initiate the update. If you don’t
specify a file for certain devices, they
simply won’t be updated.
For further information about
firmware updating, see Appendix D,
“Updating Firmware” page (121).
5. If your computer has Internet access,
Discovery checks to see if there is a
firmware update available for each
device in the list. If so, it appears
here. Click the blue arrow to update
the device.
6. This device has up-to-date
firmware.
7. Firmware updating requires an
Ethernet or USB connection. See “A
USB or network cable connection is
required” on page 121.
5
6
7
4
MOTU DISCOVERY
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ADVANCED TAB
1
2
3
1. The Advanced tab displays various
special settings, with room for
future enhancements.
2. The Virtual Audio Entity option (for
macOS only) allows you to stream
audio over an AVB Ethernet connection between your Mac and your
MOTU device. For complete information, see “Setup for AVB Ethernet
audio interface operation” on
page 42.
NOTE: If no check box is present, try
connecting a Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet adapter to your Mac.
3. Check Show MOTU Discovery in the
menu bar if you would like to see the
Discovery app icon in your menu bar
or task bar (as shown on page 83).
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MOTU DISCOVERY
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CHAPTER
11 MOTU Audio Tools
The MOTU Audio Tools application provides
advanced audio analysis tools, which can be
applied to a left channel input, right channel input,
or both.
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Device menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Analysis menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Left/right input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
FFT and Spectrogram display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Oscilloscope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
X-Y Plot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Phase Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
INSTALLATION
MOTU Audio Tools is a standard software
application installed on your Mac or PC when you
run the MOTU Pro Audio installer or setup app. It
can be found in the Applications folder (Mac) or
Start menu under MOTU (Windows).
DEVICE MENU
If you are working with more than one MOTU
audio interface, the Device menu (Figure 11-1)
displays all interfaces that are currently connected
to your host computer. Choose the device you
wish to work with.
Figure 11-1: The MOTU Audio Tools window with the FFT and Spectrogram Analysis .
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ANALYSIS MENU
Choose the desired form of audio analysis from
the Analysis menu (Figure 11-1). For details on
each analysis pane, see the following sections of
this guide.
LEFT/RIGHT INPUT
Choose the desired channel(s) you wish to scope
from the Left Input and Right Input menus
(Figure 11-1). These menus display the To
Computer channels configured in the MOTU Pro
Audio Control web app. The number of channels
shown is controlled by the To Computer setting in
the Routing tab (item 30 on page 15). For example,
if 18 channels are specified, you’ll see 18 channels
in the Left/Right Input menus. Use the Routing tab
to map desired audio sources (listed across the top
of the grid) to the To Computer audio channels, as
demonstrated in Figure 8-7 on page 72.
Y-axis labels
for FFT display
Figure 11-2: The ‘To computer’ setting (item 30 on page 15) determines
how many channels you see in the Left Input and Right Input menus.
FFT AND SPECTROGRAM DISPLAY
The FFT analysis pane displays a real-time Fast
Fourier Transform (FFT) frequency measurement
and spectrogram “waterfall”, as shown in
Figure 11-3.
Spectrogram
The spectrogram scrolls from top to bottom,
where the top edge of the display represents what
you are hearing “now”. Color represents amplitude
along the left/right frequency spectrum. The
amplitude color scale runs from black (silence) to
red (full scale) as follows:
Silence Full scale
Black Blue Green Yellow Orange Red
Figure 11-4: Spectrogram color-to-amplitude spectrum.
FFT curve
Figure 11-3: FFT and Spectrogram display.
88
View
controls
Horizontal
controls
Vertical
controls
Spectrogram
controls
Grow handle
MOTU AUDIO TOOLS
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View controls
You can show and hide the FFT display and
spectrogram as desired using the View controls
(Figure 11-5).
Axes display
The Axes control (Figure 11-5) sets the opacity of
the grid displayed in the graph, from 100% (fully
visible) down to 0% (fully hidden).
Pause button
View menu
Display options
Figure 11-5: FFT view controls.
View menu
This menu provides various options for displaying
the two input channels.
View menu setting
Left Displays the left channel only.
Right Displays the right channel only.
Split Screen H Shows both channels side by side, with the
Split Screen V Shows both channels side by side, with the
Shared Displays both FFTs (left is green and right is
Max The FFT and spectrogram shows the
Subtract L - R Subtracts the right channel from the left
What it does
screen split horizontally.
screen split vertically.
red), and the spectrogram waterfall shows the
maximum level of either the left or right
channel (whichever is greater).
maximum level of either the left or right
channel.
channel and displays the results.
Logarithmic or Linear X-Axis Scale
The x-axis defaults to a logarithmic scale, but it
can be changed to a linear scale if desired. In the
View controls (Figure 11-5), click Logarithmic to
access the x-axis scale options menu. With a linear
scale selected, frequency is constant, but the width
of each octave along the x-axis is different. With a
logarithmic scale selected, octaves are displayed
with a constant width, but frequency is displayed
logarithmically within each octave.
Pausing the display
The Pause button in the upper right corner of the
View section (Figure 11-5) allows you to freeze the
display at any time. To resume, click the button
again.
Horizontal controls (frequency axis)
The Horizontal controls (Figure 11-6) configure
the value range of the x-axis (frequency). Click
and drag the values up or down to set them, or
double-click to return to the default value.
Horizontal controls menu
Figure 11-6: The Horizontal controls.
There are two modes for the controls: Zoom/Offset
and Min/Max. To change the mode, use the
Horizontal control menu (Figure 11-6).
In Zoom/Offset mode, Zoom sets the display zoom
from 1x to 100x, where the number represents the
zoom factor relative to the entire frequency range.
For example, when the horizontal zoom value is
1x, the entire frequency range from 10 to 24000
Hertz is displayed; when the horizontal zoom
value is 2x, one half of the entire frequency range
is displayed. Pos determines which frequency is
displayed at the center of the graph.
In Min/Max mode, Min and Max set the lowest
and highest displayed frequencies (in Hertz).
Vertical controls (amplitude axis)
The Ve rt i ca l controls (Figure 11-7) operate
similarly to the Horizontal controls, except that
they configure the y-axis (amplitude).
MOTU AUDIO TOOLS
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Vertical controls menu
OSCILLOSCOPE
The Oscilloscope (Figure 11-9) graphs the
amplitude of an audio signal over time.
Figure 11-7: The Vertical controls.
In Zoom/Offset mode, Zoom sets the display zoom
from 1x to 100x, and Pos sets the center amplitude
of the graph. In Min/Max mode, Min and Max set
the smallest and largest displayed amplitude.
Spectrogram controls
The Floor control (Figure 11-8) sets the amplitude
threshold for the spectrogram display, from -144
dB up to 0 dB.
Figure 11-8: The Spectrogram controls.
The Alpha control (Figure 11-8) sets the opacity of
the spectrogram information displayed in the
graph, from 100% (fully visible) to 0% (hidden).
Measurement
info
Amplitude is displayed on the y-axis and time is
displayed on the x-axis. A thick white vertical line
marks where time equals zero; a thick white
horizontal line marks where amplitude equals zero
(Figure 11-9, below).
Level meters are displayed to the right of the
graph. One or two meters are shown, depending
on the current view mode (see “View controls”).
View controls
The View controls (Figure 11-10) provide several
options for the oscilloscope display.
Pause button
View menu
Figure 11-10: View controls.
Measurement
range boundary
Figure 11-9: Oscilloscope.
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View menu
The View menu (Figure 11-10) lets you choose
how to display the audio channel(s) being
displayed.
View menu
setting
Left Left channel only
Right Right channel only
Split screen Left channel on top; right channel on the bottom
Shared Left and right on top of each other; left is green,
Add Left and right channels’ amplitudes are added
Subtract L-R The right channel’s amplitude is subtracted from
What it displays
right is red
together
the left channel’s amplitude
Display options
The Axes control (Figure 11-10) sets the opacity of
the grid displayed in the graph, from 100% (fully
visible) down to 0% (fully hidden). The Show
Ruler option toggles the measurement items (see
“Measurement information” on page 93).
Pausing the display
The Pause button in the upper right corner of the
View section (Figure 11-10) allows you to freeze
the display at any time. To resume, click the button
again. The level meters will remain active while
the display is paused.
Horizontal controls (time axis)
The Horizontal controls (Figure 11-11) configure
the value range of the x-axis (time). Click and drag
the values up or down to set them, or double-click
to return to the default value.
There are two modes for the controls: Zoom/Offset
and Min/Max. To change the mode, use the
Horizontal control menu (Figure 11-11).
Horizontal controls menu
Figure 11-11: Horizontal controls.
In Zoom/Offset mode, Zoom sets the display zoom
from 1/1000x to 10x, where the number represents
the number of pixels per sample. For example,
when the horizontal zoom value is 10x, 10 samples
are displayed in 100 pixels; when the horizontal
zoom value is 1/10x, 100 samples are displayed in
10 pixels. Pos moves the line marking time equals
zero left or right.
In Min/Max mode, Min and Max set the earliest
and most recent displayed time.
Time Units
The Time Units sub-menu (Figure 11-11) provides
the option to view the X axis in Seconds or
Samples.
Vertical controls (amplitude axis)
The Ve rt i ca l controls (Figure 11-9) operate
similarly to the Horizontal controls, except that
they configure the y-axis (amplitude).
In Zoom/Offset mode, Zoom sets the display zoom
from 1/2 to 100x, and Pos moves the line marking
amplitude equals zero line up or down.
In Min/Max mode, Min and Max set the smallest
and largest displayed amplitude.
Waveform Recognition
The Waveform Recognition option (Figure 11-9)
searches through new audio data looking for a
waveform which most resembles that which was
previously displayed. The region where this takes
place is a small window around the line marking
time equals zero, denoted by the extra vertical
graph lines surrounding it. There are two kinds of
waveform recognition available: Type I and
Type II.
MOTU AUDIO TOOLS
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Type I recognition provides the most stable
display of the waveform. It is the most resistant to
change. Louder transients, such as those produced
by a snare drum, are not displayed inside of the
waveform window. Type I is best for observing the
shape of a signal produced by a synthesizer or
observing the tone of a guitar through a chain of
pedals.
Type II recognition is less resistant to change. It
will include loud transients within the waveform
recognition window. Type II is better for
observing percussive music where the beat itself is
to be centered within the waveform window.
Trigger
When the Trigger (Figure 11-12) is not enabled
(the Trigger menu is set to None), the graph
updates based on time: after every n samples of the
monitored audio signal, the most recent samples
are displayed. When the Trigger is enabled (set to
any mode other than None), the graph updates in
response to specific conditions in the signal. The
Trigger section defines that criteria and how the
graph will display the events that match.
Trigger indicator
Trigger menu
Criteria check boxes
these can be enabled simultaneously. If neither is
enabled, the criteria will not be found because the
trigger is not looking at any audio signal.
The Pos and Neg checkboxes determine the slope
of the event. When the Pos checkbox is enabled,
the trigger will look for an event where amplitude
is increasing; likewise, enabling the Neg checkbox
tells the trigger to look for an event where
amplitude is decreasing. One or both of these can
be enabled simultaneously. If neither is enabled,
the criteria will not be found because the trigger is
not looking for any particular kind of event.
The Level setting defines the amplitude threshold
that the trigger is looking for. The Level is
indicated on the graph by a blue horizontal line (or
two blue horizontal lines, if Magnitude is enabled).
Events which cross this threshold using the
enabled slope(s) in the enabled channel(s) will
activate the trigger. The response of the trigger is
set by the Trigger mode (see “Trigger modes”,
below).
Enabling the Magnitude checkbox tells the trigger
to look for both positive and negative Level values,
regardless of whether the Level value is positive or
negative. For example, if Level is set to +0.500 and
Magnitude is enabled, the trigger will look for both
+0.500 and -0.500. You will see a second blue line
appear in the display when Magnitude is enabled
to denote the second value.
Figure 11-12: Trigger settings.
Criteria
The criteria checkboxes (Figure 11-12) determine
the conditions that the trigger is looking for and
where it will look for them.
The Left checkbox causes the condition to be
looked for in the left channel of the signal;
likewise, the Right checkbox looks for the
condition in the right channel. One or both of
92
Holdoff
Holdoff defines a time interval during which the
oscilloscope does not trigger. The most recent
trace will be displayed during that period. When
the period is over, the trigger is “re-armed’, i.e. it
will begin looking for the criteria again.
Click and drag this value up or down to set it, or
double-click to return to the default value.
MOTU AUDIO TOOLS
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Trigger modes
The Trigger menu (Figure 11-12) provides four
modes:
Trigger mode What it does
None The Trigger is not active; this is the default mode.
The incoming audio signal will be displayed
continuously as audio is received.
Auto The display is always updating, but when the
condition is met, the trigger event will be displayed
centered around the line marking time equals zero.
Normal The display updates only when the condition is met;
the last trace will be displayed until the next
matching event is found.
Single Sweep Similar to Normal mode, but the last trace will be
displayed until you manually arm the trigger by
clicking the Trigger indicator (Figure 11-12 on
page 92) or by pressing the space bar.
Trigger indicator
The Trigger indicator (Figure 11-12) displays the
state of the trigger, and also provides a way to
manually interact with it. The Trigger indicator
always displays one of three colors:
Color Status
Green When the current Trigger criteria has been met (including
when the Trigger mode is None).
Yellow When the Trigger is armed, but has not yet found an event
which matches its criteria. Yellow can also indicate that the
graph has been manually paused using the Pause button in
the View section (see “Pausing the display” on page 91).
Measurement information
You can view detailed information about a
particular time range by using the measurement
bars (Figure 11-9).
To adjust the left and right edges of the
measurement area, click and drag the blue bars in
the graph (Figure 11-9), or click and drag the blue
numbers in the upper left or right corners. To reset
them to the default value, double-click the
numbers.
Information about the measured area is displayed
at the center of the top ruler: the duration (in
seconds and samples), the approximate frequency,
and the scientific note name. If the measured area
is long enough, the approximate beats per minute
(bpm) is displayed.
Ideas for using the Oscilloscope
The Oscilloscope can be used in many useful ways
during the routine operation of your recording
studio. Here are just a few examples.
Analyzing and comparing harmonic content
The oscilloscope lets you “see” the nature of the
harmonic profile in any audio material. You can
also view two signals side by side (in stereo mode)
to compare their profiles and, if necessary, make
adjustments to the source of each signal and view
your changes in real time.
Red When the Trigger is being held off, either because the
Trigger mode is set to Single Sweep or the Holdoff time is
not set to zero.
You can also click on the Trigger indicator to force
certain actions, depending on the Trigger mode.
In Auto and Normal modes, clicking on the
Trigger indicator causes the display to run freely;
you may click & hold to force this to occur for as
long as you’d like. In Single Sweep mode, clicking
on the Trigger indicator re-arms the trigger. When
the Trigger mode is None, clicking on the Trigger
indicator has no effect.
MOTU AUDIO TOOLS
Viewing transients such as drum hits
If you loop a snare hit or other similar transient
audio clip and feed it through the oscilloscope,
you can more or less “freeze” the transient
waveform in the oscilloscope frame. This can be
useful, for example, for viewing the results of realtime compression that you are applying with an
effects plug-in. For example, when you are
compressing a snare hit, as you make adjustment
the compressor, you can see the transient
waveform change the next time the Oscilloscope
triggers. For compression, this can be particularly
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useful for balancing the effect of the attack on the
transient, relative to the decay portion of the
waveform. Conversely, you can see the effect of the
threshold setting directly on the decay portion,
relative to the attack. In effect, you can see as well
as hear the results of your compression
adjustments.
To view a transient waveform in the Oscilloscope
display, turn off Waveform Recognition and use
the Normal Trigger mode. Adjust the level high
enough to encompass the vertical amplitude of
most of the transient. If the transient pulse sweeps
across the screen, try raising the Holdoff level.
Once the transient is settled in the display and
fairly stable, you may need to adjust the horizontal
position to center it in the display. You can also
pause the display at any time and adjust the
horizontal bounds to locate a transient.
Clip detection
You can use the Oscilloscope to detect clipping in
a digital audio signal. To do so, enable all criteria
(Figure 11-12), choose Single Sweep from the
trigger menu (Figure 11-12), set the level to 0.999
and click the trigger indicator (Figure 11-12) to
arm it (yellow). As soon as the signal clips, the
trigger indicator will turn red, and the display will
show the offending clip at the line marking time
equals zero.
Viewing timing pulses
If you have two audio signals with recognizable,
timed pulses in them, and you wish to compare
their timing with respect to each other, you can
use Split Screen or Shared view to visually
compare the timing of the two signals. You can
zoom in to the sample level for sample accurate
viewing.
the Oscilloscope as you adjust its sound to check
in real time for undesirable (and possibly
inaudible) characteristics, which are easily seen in
the Oscilloscope display. A good example is DC
offset. If a signal develops DC offset, the apparent
vertical center of its overall waveform will drift
above or below the line marking amplitude equals
zero. Try setting Waveform Recognition to Type I
and setting Trigger to None.
Another example is waveform polarity. If you are
combining several raw waveforms, polarity is a
critical, yet not always obvious, factor in
determining the resulting sound. You can use the
Oscilloscope to easily view and compare polarities
to see if they are inverted from one another or not.
The Add and Subtract L - R View menu settings are
particularly useful here.
You can also use the Oscilloscope to help you
apply waveform modulation and keep it “in
bounds”. For example, you could easily see if pulse
width modulation is collapsing in on itself to
choke the sound, an effect that is readily seen in
the Oscilloscope display but not necessarily easy
to determine by ear when using multiple
modulation sources.
Guitarists can also visually observe the effects of
their pedals and processing, while playing. With
the Trigger mode set to None and Waveform
Recognition set to Type I , the waveform will be
tracked automatically.
When applying filters and filter resonance, the
visual effect on the waveform can be invaluable in
reinforcing what you are hearing as you make
adjustments.
Building synthesizer patches
If you are building a synth patch on a synthesizer
(or forming similar highly periodic audio
material), you can run the audio signal through
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X-Y PLOT
The X-Y Plot window (Figure 11-13) graphs the
amplitude of a stereo audio signal on a twodimensional grid.
For each unit of time (i.e., each sample), the
amplitude of the left channel is displayed on the
x-axis and the amplitude of the right channel is
displayed on the y-axis. A thick white vertical line
marks where left channel amplitude equals zero; a
thick white horizontal line marks where right
channel amplitude equals zero (Figure 11-13).
There are also thick white diagonal lines for y = x
and
y = -x.
Metering
Level meters are displayed above and to the right
of the graph for the left (green) and right (red)
channels, respectively. An additional Correlation
meter (blue) is displayed on the right. This meter
displays the correlation between the two channels.
The higher the meter, the higher the correlation
between the two channels. Below are a few
examples:
Situation Meter level X-Y Plot graph
Perfect correlation +1 Diagonal line
going from lower
left to upper right:
Zero correlation 0 No discernible
pattern
Perfectly out of phase-1 Diagonal line
going from upper
left to lower right:
Mathematical
relationship
y = x
None
y = -x
View controls
The View controls (Figure 11-14) provide several
options for the X-Y Plot display.
Figure 11-13: X-Y Plot.
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Pause button
Figure 11-14: View controls.
Pausing the display
The Pause button in the upper right corner of the
View section (Figure 11-14) allows you to freeze
the display at any time. To resume, click the button
again. The level meters will remain active while
the display is paused.
Line/Scatter
Choose either Line or Scatter from the menu in the
View section (Figure 11-14) to plot each point
(sample) as either a single pixel or as a continuous
line that connects each plot point to the next, as
shown below in Figure 11-15.
shown in white and then fades to gray. To adjust
the scale of this color/brightness change, see
“Decay” on page 97.
Axes
The Axes control (Figure 11-14) sets the opacity of
the grid displayed in the graph, from 100% (fully
visible) down to 0% (fully hidden).
Horizontal and vertical controls
The Horizontal and Ve r ti c al controls
(Figure 11-16) configure the value range of the xaxis (left channel amplitude), and y-axis (right
channel amplitude), respectively. Click and drag
the values up or down to set them, or double-click
to return to the default value.
There are two modes for the controls: Zoom/Offset
and Min/Max. To change the mode, use the menu
shown in Figure 11-16.
Figure 11-15: The same X-Y Plot displayed in Line versus Scatter mode.
☛ Line mode is significantly more CPU
intensive than Scatter. You can reduce Line mode
CPU overhead on the X-Y Plot by reducing the
Length parameter (described below).
Color/Grayscale
In Color mode (Figure 11-14) the most recently
displayed audio data is shown in red, which fades
to yellow, green and then finally blue, before
disappearing. In Grayscale mode, data is first
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Figure 11-16: Setting the Horizontal or Vertical control modes.
In Zoom/Offset mode, Zoom scales the axis. Pos
moves the lines marking x = 0 left and right, or
y = 0 up and down.
In Min/Max mode, Min and Max let you scale the
grid by moving the -1.0 and +1.0 points along the
axis. Min/Max mode lets you control the graph
boundaries directly.
Persistence
The Persistence controls (Figure 11-17) affect the
appearance of data from when it is first displayed
until it disappears from the grid.
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origin (center of the grid). When warp is negative,
they expand away from the origin. The further the
warp value is from zero, the greater the effect.
Figure 11-17: The Persistence controls.
Length
Length (Figure 11-17) sets the number of recent
samples to show on the plot. For example, when
Length is set to 10,000, the 10,000 most recent
samples are shown.
Decay
The brightness (in Grayscale mode) or hue (in
Color mode) of each sample on the plot is
determined by a linear scale, with the most recent
sample displayed at the maximum value and the
oldest sample displayed at the minimum value.
Decay (Figure 11-17 on page 97) determines the
brightness or hue of the minimum value. When
Decay is zero, the oldest sample is black. When
Decay is +1.000, the oldest sample is fully opaque
(in Grayscale mode) or red (in Color mode).
Wa r p
Wa rp (Figure 11-17) determines the position of
data points after they are first drawn. When warp
is zero, data points remain in the same position.
When warp is positive, they contract towards the
Using the X-Y Plot
The X-Y Plot helps you “see” the width of the
stereo field of a mix (Figure 11-18). It also helps
you determine if a mix has issues with polarity, as
follows:
Activity on the X-Y Plot What it indicates
Signal activity occurs mostly
along the x = y axis (lower left to
upper right) and the Correlation
meter reading is high
Signal activity occurs mostly
along the y = -x axis (upper left to
lower right) and the Correlation
meter reading is low (near -1)
Signal activity occurs in a
seemingly random fashion
throughout the grid
Left and right channels are
predominantly in polarity (the
stereo field is relatively narrow)
Left and right channels are
predominantly out of polarity
(not in phase)
No phase relationship exists (i.e. it
is probably a wide stereo field)
If a stereo signal is out of phase, it is not mono
compatible because it can cancel itself out, either
partially or nearly completely, when collapsed to
mono.
In polarity Out of polarity No polarity
Figure 11-18: Checking polarity in a stereo signal with the X-Y Plot.
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PHASE ANALYSIS
The Phase Analysis window (Figure 11-19) graphs
frequency versus phase difference versus
amplitude of a stereo signal on either rectangular
or polar coordinates.
In rectangular coordinates, the vertical axis
represents frequency, and the horizontal axis
represents the phase of the left channel minus the
phase of the right channel (measured in radians).
In polar coordinates, the radius represents
frequency and the angle (theta) from the +y
vertical axis represents the phase difference of left
channel minus the right channel.
Correlation Meter
The blue Correlation Meter to the right of the
display shows the correlation between the two
channels. The higher the meter, the higher the
correlation between the two channels.
View controls
The View controls (Figure 11-20) provide several
options for the Phase Analysis display.
Pause button
Figure 11-20: View controls.
Pausing the display
The Pause button in the upper right corner of the
View section (Figure 11-20) allows you to freeze
the display at any time. To resume, click the button
again. The correlation meter will remain active
while the display is paused.
Figure 11-19: Phase Analysis.
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Line/Scatter
Choose either Line or Scatter from the menu in the
View section (Figure 11-20) to plot each data
point as either a single pixel or as a continuous line
that connects each frequency data point to the
next, as shown below in Figure 11-15.
Figure 11-21: The same Phase Analysis displayed in Line versus Scatter
mode.
☛ Line mode is significantly more CPU
intensive than Scatter. You can reduce Line mode
CPU overhead for the Phase Analysis display by
increasing the Floor filter and reducing the Max
Delta Theta filters (see “Filters” on page 100).
Color/Grayscale
In Color mode (Figure 11-20) signal amplitude is
indicated by color as follows: red is loud and blue
is soft. In grayscale mode, white is loud and gray is
soft.
Rectangular/Polar
Choose either Rectangular or Polar from the menu
in the View section (Figure 11-20) to control how
audio is plotted on the Phase Analysis grid.
Rectangular plots the audio on an X-Y grid, with
frequency along the vertical axis and phase
difference on the horizontal axis. Polar plots the
data on a polar grid with zero Hertz at its center.
The length of the radius (distance from the center)
represents frequency, and the angle (theta)
measured from the +y (vertical) axis represents
the phase difference in degrees.
Figure 11-22: Rectangular versus Polar display (with a linear plot).
Above, Figure 11-22 shows Rectangular versus
Polar display with a Linear plot. Below,
Figure 11-23 shows the same displays (and the
same data) with a Logarithmic plot:
Linear/Logarithmic
Choose either Linear or Logarithmic from the
menu in the View section (Figure 11-20) to
change the scale of the frequency axis. In
rectangular coordinates, the vertical axis
represents frequency, and in polar coordinates, the
radius from the center is frequency. With a linear
scale, frequencies are spaced evenly; in a
logarithmic scale, each octave is spaced evenly
(frequencies are scaled logarithmically within
each octave).
Linear is better for viewing high frequencies;
logarithmic is better for viewing low frequencies.
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Figure 11-23: Rectangular versus Polar display with a logarithmic plot.
Axes
The Axes control (Figure 11-20) sets the opacity of
the grid displayed in the graph, from 100% (fully
visible) down to 0% (fully hidden).
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Horizontal and vertical controls
The Horizontal and Ve r ti c al controls
(Figure 11-24) let you scale each axis of the grid
and offset its zero point. Click and drag the values
up or down to set them, or double-click to return
to the default value.
There are two modes for the controls: Zoom/Offset
and Min/Max. To change the mode, use the menu
shown in Figure 11-24.
Figure 11-24: Setting the Horizontal or Vertical control modes.
In Zoom/Offset mode, Zoom scales the axis. Pos
moves the zero line.
In Min/Max mode, Min and Max let you scale the
grid by moving the end points along the axis. Min/
Max mode lets you set the boundaries of the graph
directly.
Filters
The Filters section (Figure 11-25) lets you control
the density of the Phase Analysis display.
Figure 11-25: Filters.
Floor
Floor (Figure 11-25) determines the amplitude
threshold for the display. When the amplitude of
both channels drops below this threshold, the
signal is not shown.
Max delta theta
Max delta theta (Figure 11-25) only affects Line
view (see “Line/Scatter” on page 99) and sets the
maximum difference in frequency between plot
points in the line plot. For two adjacent
frequencies, if the distance (phase difference)
between the two frequencies is greater than the
Max delta theta, then the line is not drawn.
Using the Phase Analysis
In the polar display (top row of Figure 11-26 on
page 101), stereo material that is predominantly
phase-aligned (correlated) appears along the
vertical axis, as demonstrated in the first column
(Perfectly in phase) in Figure 11-26. If the vertical
line tilts left or right, this indicates general
differences in phase; the more the tilt (delta theta),
the more the phase difference. If the vertical line
points downwards in the polar display, this
indicates that the stereo image is predominantly
out of polarity, as demonstrated by the fourth
column (Inver ted) in Figure 11-26. Delays appear
as spirals in the polar display.
The rectangular display (bottom row of
Figure 11-26) also shows a predominantly phasealigned stereo image along the vertical axis, and
tilt (or left-right offset) from the center vertical
axis represents differences in phase. If a signal is
predominantly out of polarity, it appears along the
theta = -1.0 or theta = +1.0 lines in the rectangular
display, as demonstrated in the fourth column
(Inverted) in Figure 11-26 on page 101.
Using Phase Analysis for multiple mic placement
The polar display can be very useful when
recording drums or another instrument with
multiple microphones. The slight delays caused by
the differences in distance to the source can often
create a comb filtering (delay) effect between two
mic signals, due to phase cancellation. These
comb filter effects appear as spirals in the polar
display. If you arrange the mics so that the null
points (where the spiral pattern meets the negative
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