Anybody here check one of these out? I've been reading about them a bit. Seems like a really good deal compared to the RME FF800...
Steinberg MR816 CSX / X interface
- Thread starter Josh Burgess
- Start date
Jaymz
Stymphalian Productions
I was gonna get one but got told a few times that the Focusrites in the price range flaw it in pre-quality so I went with the LS56 instead.
JeffTD
Senhor Testiculo
It's Yamaha made so I'd trust it, pending how good the driver support is. The old 'Nuendo' hardware was all RME, so it's not like Steinberg has low standards (except for their software updates 
).
).Hello there i use the Steinberg MR816 x over here and i like it very much.
Very low latency and very good preamps i think.
Also the hz instrument input has great quality.
(sorry for my bad english)
I only used the old digi 001 so thats my only compare
Very low latency and very good preamps i think.
Also the hz instrument input has great quality.
(sorry for my bad english)
I only used the old digi 001 so thats my only compare
Matt-Steele
Member
I have one as well, and I couldn't ask for much more. I've used many input devices in the past including MAudio, Presonus and MOTU. The MR816 is the easiest to use and sounds, to my ears better than all the other units I've used. If you're recording direct, the Hi-Z input switch is perfect. If you're running Cubase, it's really a no-brainer if you have the cash to spend on it. My biggest gripe is that the drivers haven't been a bit more tedious than they need to be. Some users have reported hiccups here and there with varying firewire cards. Make sure you have a good firewire card that is compatible with the MR816 to make sure you don't experience any issues if you decide to get one.
Good luck deciding!
Good luck deciding!
The sound quality is reportedly very good and the FX are very handy for tracking. I use the ones on my MOTU more than I thought I would.
There are a few goofy things though. Like if you use the FX you loose all your digital I/O?!?! You also loose channels for the reverb. It also isn't patchbay friendly.
Reviews put the converters in high regard, but you wouldn't be able to use your A2D if you want FX.
Most people are fine running through the DAW anyway with some latency, so the integration would be nice.
Anyway I hate how companies cut corners like this. Might be fine for the small studio, but then when you expand, you have to do it in their direction.
I have been happy with my MOTU 828mk3. Again a little goofy since you can only have FX on the input or output. So for a full band I use a Mackie Headphone mixer or use the additional more-me inputs on my headphone amp. You get 8TRS I/O, then separate mains, FX sends and Reverb Return channels. Then on the front you get separate a Pre/DI Combo that don't use up 1/2 or something goofy like that. Plus you get the soft limiter too. Digital I/O is also solid and is available with FX all the time.
I like running mine on an External clock, but YMMV. It sounds good to me, but I don't think anything under $1k will beat your A2D Converter.
There are a few goofy things though. Like if you use the FX you loose all your digital I/O?!?! You also loose channels for the reverb. It also isn't patchbay friendly.
Reviews put the converters in high regard, but you wouldn't be able to use your A2D if you want FX.
Most people are fine running through the DAW anyway with some latency, so the integration would be nice.
Anyway I hate how companies cut corners like this. Might be fine for the small studio, but then when you expand, you have to do it in their direction.
I have been happy with my MOTU 828mk3. Again a little goofy since you can only have FX on the input or output. So for a full band I use a Mackie Headphone mixer or use the additional more-me inputs on my headphone amp. You get 8TRS I/O, then separate mains, FX sends and Reverb Return channels. Then on the front you get separate a Pre/DI Combo that don't use up 1/2 or something goofy like that. Plus you get the soft limiter too. Digital I/O is also solid and is available with FX all the time.
I like running mine on an External clock, but YMMV. It sounds good to me, but I don't think anything under $1k will beat your A2D Converter.
Yeah i was mainly just checking it out in comparison to the RME 800 to have more I/O.
From what I've heard the pres on the MR816 are quite a bit better than the pres on the RME 800, and the conversion is about the same, or possibly slightly better on the MR816. (They use the same chips, but the MR816 is supposed to have a better power supply?)
Of course, the RME has better drivers, more options, and great TotalMix routing software, but the MR816 seems like a good deal for the pres and conversion alone.
From what I've heard the pres on the MR816 are quite a bit better than the pres on the RME 800, and the conversion is about the same, or possibly slightly better on the MR816. (They use the same chips, but the MR816 is supposed to have a better power supply?)
Of course, the RME has better drivers, more options, and great TotalMix routing software, but the MR816 seems like a good deal for the pres and conversion alone.
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