Topic: MOTU Traveler

[Steve J]

This unit (MOTU Traveler) was brought to my attention today; and it looks like something that my fill my quest for portable 4-to-6 track recording without totally breaking the bank. Anyone got any info on it...as in I've seen this up close & personal?

[jpschust]

do you need the pres in it or will line level do?

[Steve J]

Basically, what I'd be looking at is something that can tie one set of mics in and a SBD. Optimally, I'd have a second set of mics feeding in as well. I would need phantom power for the first mic pair. I definitely want to take everything to a hard drive recorder (currently using a lappy); and synch'ing on the front end would save headaches in post work. And adding to the mix is that whatever I use has to be airline portable, i.e., fit in the overhead storage or under the seat in front of me.

I'm playing around with a FW 1814 right now; but (as posted elsewhere) I'm having ASIO driver issues. I've had the opportunity to 'fondle' the more expensive MOTU gear and I really like the equipment. So seeing that they may be trying to cater to this (less expensive) niche is nice. Plus, according to the literature, it can be battery powered.

[nic]

if the Traveler is similar to the 828mkii, then it is a very nice box.
havent tried the preamps on the mkii though...

bear in mind, this is rack mountable. minus the brackets, this thing is probably 16-17" wide

[Steve J]

Actually, the literature sez 14.75 x 9 inches...which makes it not much longer than my laptop.

[eric.B]

I have been looking at it myself..  firewire powered and yes, it will work at "line" levels..  gonna have to keep looking at this ... 

[heath]

i haven't had any experience with this particular unit, but as others have said, MOTU products are reliable and well built.  I have had great results with the gear of theirs that I have used.  I can only expect that this unit would match,

[1st set only]

WAY COOL any idea on the cost?

http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/traveler/tour.html

[Steve J]

So far, I've seen it at Musician's Friend for $849...which means you can most likely find it for under $800 elsewhere (when it's finally on the shelves). Guess I should do a Froogle search.

[nic]

as correlation, the 828mkii sells for $750 retail...not sure what msrp is.

[Jason B]

I believe retailers are only taking preorders on this unit. I'm not sure when it ships, but I don't think it is available yet.

[wbrisette]

if the Traveler is similar to the 828mkii, then it is a very nice box.
havent tried the preamps on the mkii though...

The preamps on the 2408mkII, which is the older 828, are sweet. MOTU put a lot of effort into those boxes, which is why they don't sell for $200. Are they worth the 700-800 for the MK units? I don't know, but I wouldn't give mine up.

Wayne

[wbrisette]

just heard rave ups on this unit last night in a phone conversation with a guy who is a musical composer and recordist. he was strongly suggesting this and a laptop, as opposed to waiting out the SD unit or spending the big bucks on the nagra or deva units.

I'll tell you though, there are two things spending the money on the DEVA have done. One is prove to me that somebody can make an all-in-one box that sounds clean, no extra "warmth", no extra this, or that. What you put into it, is what it lays down. The other thing is service. The other night I screwed up and during venue changes (two different bars), I didn't switch the battery, so it ran for around 3.5 hours before it ran out of juice. I didn't have the internal battery in the unit, so it couldn't fall back to that, so it just died. This isn't such a bad thing, but as the file gets placed on the hard drive, it does have to close it. When it powered itself down, that file wasn't closed. At 9:30 AM I posted my question about how to get the data off the unit in the DEVA owner's list, and by 4 PM I had a new version of the firmware that allowed me to rebuild the directory and get the file off the drive. I didn't loose a single bit (well, yes I did everything after the unit turned itself off). On the other hand, I'm still working with MOTU on getting their broadcast wave stuff working properly in Digital Performer. Now, granted there is a huge difference in the price I paid for one product or the next, but my point is there are times you need that extra help and it's nice to see a company make the effort to help out.

Wayne

[nic]

Wayne, what problems have you had with the MOTU and DP?

havent used the 2408/mkii, but I use the 828 and 828mkii with both DP3 and DP4.
I've been running that rig(for multitracks and matrixs) for the past 3+ years and never had a problem

for $100 more(new/retail), the mkii series is a BIG step up in terms of versatility. the mkii units can even operate standalone and mix from their front panel!

[wbrisette]

support of poly-broadcast wav files (or lack of it). I've been working with them since I got the DEVA to fix these issues and to date they keep requesting samples, but I haven't seen any progress. I got an unusual email from them yesterday telling me they don't support poly files and to use mono files for now. I thought, WTF? They know I know this, and they have been the one's asking me for the files ?. It really made me wonder what was going on up there in MA. ;-)

Wayne