MOTU M4 4x4 USB-C Audio Interface - anyone have hands-on experience?

Discussion in 'Soundgear' started by realitybytez, Dec 8, 2021.

  1. spncart

    spncart Producer

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  2. spncart

    spncart Producer

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    Can't blame them, Mac is much more stable and easier to run/update in general.
     
  3. nyaa13

    nyaa13 Producer

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    Aye, still no change logs in the horizon. :mad:
     
  4. anonymouse

    anonymouse Platinum Record

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    Ok, just recieved my Motu M4. Had it up and running on Win10 within a minute. Just install the drivers and restart.

    This thing blows my Scarlett out of the water. Sounds way better and works flawlessly! Awesome purchase.
     
  5. spncart

    spncart Producer

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    Has anyone managed to make the 3/4 outputs work outside of DAW?

    I got the Motu connected with an amp to 3/4 now, and Motu doesn't seem to have a standalone dedicated mixer app like Focusrite, UAD, RME... for Mac.

    How do you guys manage to listen to 3/4 outputs, is there any app you found? I went to Audio MIDI Setup but not sure what to do there.

    Also an app in the bar would be better to manage quickly.

    Has anyone tried Loopback? Could it do the job? I have installed it but I'm not sure how to set it up though.
     
  6. clone

    clone Audiosexual

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    I was using the Logic mixer with the little one. m2. I couldn't find dedicated software (other than general driver package/midi) when I looked either. The Discovery/Pro Audio Control software is for bigger devices with AVB and etc. I had the m2 hooked up at the same time as my Motu 828es, and I really liked that it did not demand additional software.
     
  7. spncart

    spncart Producer

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    Thanks.

    You believe Loopback would work out? I tried to play around but haven't managed to link the right things together it seems lol

    [​IMG]
     
  8. clone

    clone Audiosexual

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    If it is from Rogue Amoeba, you could bet money it will do exactly what it says. They make good utilities.
     
  9. spncart

    spncart Producer

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    Yes I thought so, and actually the latest update timely showed up in my feed on sister site as we speak ^^

    I'm gonna post on Gearspace/Reddit etc. to try find out how to use this stuff in the context of a Motu M4 and Line Outs.
     
  10. spncart

    spncart Producer

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    Ok I'm dumb.

    Audio MIDI Setup > Configure Speakers > Choose Out 3 and Out 4.

    I just wished there was a system in Mac able to have 1/2/3/4 at the same time.

    Because when I choose 3 and 4 (headphones), I lose 1 and 2 (speakers).

    Whereas in Ableton I can keep all 4 together.

    So dumb Apple damn, there must be a way!
     
  11. clone

    clone Audiosexual

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    That I/o will work exactly the same on a windows machine. This is mine, so it's not easy to be more helpful. I got rid of the m2, but for a different issue with it.


    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2022
  12. spncart

    spncart Producer

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    Okay never mind I managed to route it all through Loopback, all good and smooth. Including with Sonarworks! Impressive stuff.

    But damn Motu please make a routing app next time cheers lol
     
  13. clone

    clone Audiosexual

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    With the m2 it makes more sense to not need an application. Most consumer level users do not need multi-channel output from their OS and i/o for the same purposes. It's often just surround 5.1 etc.

    But there are always workarounds anyway. Mackie Big Knob style Monitor Controllers could be a solution, but I think you might need an Active/powered one to do that; before it will support 2 separate output pairs from line level in, or the output would be cut in half.

    Using something like Loopback may result in additional latency, which may not concern you. But remember that it is unreported latency so something like Logic's Latency compensation could be inaccurate in certain instances. It's always been wrong in Ableton so that shouldn't matter.
     
  14. winterwarfare

    winterwarfare Noisemaker

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    check
    check
    check, potentially even a double check.
    not sure about this to be 110% with you. I run mac and gnu+linux (less often than macOS, exclusively when feeling autistic). I can tell you that on macOS, this thing spanks everything else in this price range I've got hands on experience with. Frankly, spanks a few things above this price range, too. RTL is less than 4ms on a base model 2020 m1 pro in live 11.

    I've been doing this audio/music technology bs for most of my life, my previous interface was a KA6mk1. Frankly, I miss the shit out of it, liked the extensibility but tbqh I never took advantage of it, and I'm realizing that analysis paralysis is debilitating and just cus you can, doesn't mean you should.

    Definitely recommend the m4.
     
  15. spncart

    spncart Producer

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    Actually it's the M4 and the Loopback thingie is only for outside of DAW, in Ableton I just use direct I/O > 3/4 instead of 1/2 and no latency.

    But yeah other than that I agree with you, a physical mixer at a certain level really adds value in a studio.
     
  16. clone

    clone Audiosexual

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    [​IMG]
    Why does it have a Kensington Lock anyway? Does this imply you might take it somewhere, not in a rack... If I mention the m2; it is because I had no problems using it in the Logic mixer. I'm still looking at it. The issue I had with the M2 is that little usb-c port, and every cable I used with it was picking up interference from other gear. So it went home.
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2022
  17. Crinklebumps

    Crinklebumps Audiosexual

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    I've also recently purchased a MOTU M4, hardly used it yet but I will, I'm wondering if it's possible to send/return to my BlueSky pedal. It looks like it should be possible but before I jump down a rabbit hole I thought I would ask the experts here first.
     
  18. Tob

    Tob Platinum Record

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    Like most quality Reverb pedals (amp effect loops) it can handle instrument and line level. So yes you can connect your pedal like line level outboard gear.

    Blue sky ...
    General Product Information
    ...they feature high-impedance inputs and accept up to +8dBu, instrument or line level.
     
  19. Moonlight

    Moonlight Audiosexual

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    Regarding Loopbak, Moto has it build in, at least on macOS, noo need for any other software:
    [​IMG]
     
  20. spncart

    spncart Producer

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    Interesting, I didn't notice that since it's confusing between the Motu's 'Loopback' and the external 'Looback' installed software lol

    What does it do exactly? What happens if you raise the volume of these 'Looback' faders? What's the difference between Loopback and Loopback Mix?

    [​IMG]
     
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