Motu M2 Review (Audio Interface)

[Jimster480]

UPDATE IN WHICH I EAT SOME TASTY CROW — well, I was basically full of sh*t. My second-to-last paragraph in my initial piece contains this: "The source audio was unbalanced consumer line-level stereo. I fed the M2 via TRS inputs (tip and sleeve only connected, ring floating)." The tip-off is "ring floating". I went round and round with MOTU tech support on whether TRS ring should float or not, with no guidance in any of their documentation on preferred connection of unbalanced source.

When I retested using Sound On Sound test files (https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/sos-audio-test-files) and the input male TRS ring grounded, the frequency response and overall performance is completely different and entirely wonderful. Altogether a great piece of equipment! I apologize to anyone I confused or scared away from the MOTU M2.

What a journey! I am glad that you figured out what was going on and are man enough to admit it. Takes a big person, honestly.

Hats off to you

 

[Steve Dallas]

Could anyone confirm the issue that is mentioned here (microphone input distorts when using headphones to monitor at the same time - I think he's got an older AKM-equipped version):

That would s-u-h-c-k. I entirely get how such a problem could be missed during development as every function is being tested in isolation (only), but it would definitely constitute a major flaw for a standard use case of such an interface.

I too would love to have an answer to this question. I use an M4 and wonder if it has the same problem as it is also bus powered?

If so, it would not affect me much, because I only use the headphone out for tracking vocals and mixing. Everything else is electronic or direct and monitored through speakers with the headphone volume all the way down. But it would still be nice to know.

What about the M6? I believe it is externally powered.