I've been using a MOTO M2 as my audio interface for years and it's been great. I really like it.
I got the M2, which only has stereo inputs, because back then I was doing everything "in the box" (using softsynth VSTs, etc) and wasn't even recording. When I started getting into modular a few years ago, I only needed to record the stereo output of my rack, and the M2 worked great for that. Eventually I got into multi-track recording using Expert Sleepers modules as the audio interface, but I still do stereo output of my rack to my M2 for general monitoring purposes, or for recording a quick jam where I don't want to deal with multi-track. All of that has been great.
Now I am starting to branch out and acquire additional hardware synths. I need more than two inputs on my audio interface. I think it's time to upgrade...
My gut is telling me I should go with the MOTO UltraLite mk5 because I really trust the brand. I think that will reasonably future proof things for me, so if I continue to collect more hardware synths, I can keep plugging them into all those line level inputs.
Additionally, I believe I can use the first 8 channels of my Expert Sleepers interface via the UltraLite's optical inputs, but there are some complications here. With my ES expanders, I currently have 12 multi-track inputs, but it seems most audio interfaces only have an 8-channel optical input. So I guess I could record 8 tracks from the Expert Sleepers, also still have the main stereo output from my rack, and any other hardware synths all recording at the same time. That's probably fine. Or I could setup an aggregate input on macOS with Expert Sleepers + the UltraLite to still make use of all 12 inputs from the ES modules. Alas, I often record onto a Windows PC and there apparently isn't a good solution to use two audio interfaces simultaneously, but I'll deal with it and record onto my MacBook if I really need all the simultaneous input channels for a complex song (which I probably won't, most of the time).
Anyway, I'm looking for some recommendations about whether the UltraLite sounds like a good next step for me, or if I should be considering any other products. And if there's any good way to continue making the most of my 12 channels from my ES modules while also having a bunch of line level inputs from other hardware, ideally all through a single computer audio interface.
I got the M2, which only has stereo inputs, because back then I was doing everything "in the box" (using softsynth VSTs, etc) and wasn't even recording. When I started getting into modular a few years ago, I only needed to record the stereo output of my rack, and the M2 worked great for that. Eventually I got into multi-track recording using Expert Sleepers modules as the audio interface, but I still do stereo output of my rack to my M2 for general monitoring purposes, or for recording a quick jam where I don't want to deal with multi-track. All of that has been great.
Now I am starting to branch out and acquire additional hardware synths. I need more than two inputs on my audio interface. I think it's time to upgrade...
My gut is telling me I should go with the MOTO UltraLite mk5 because I really trust the brand. I think that will reasonably future proof things for me, so if I continue to collect more hardware synths, I can keep plugging them into all those line level inputs.
Additionally, I believe I can use the first 8 channels of my Expert Sleepers interface via the UltraLite's optical inputs, but there are some complications here. With my ES expanders, I currently have 12 multi-track inputs, but it seems most audio interfaces only have an 8-channel optical input. So I guess I could record 8 tracks from the Expert Sleepers, also still have the main stereo output from my rack, and any other hardware synths all recording at the same time. That's probably fine. Or I could setup an aggregate input on macOS with Expert Sleepers + the UltraLite to still make use of all 12 inputs from the ES modules. Alas, I often record onto a Windows PC and there apparently isn't a good solution to use two audio interfaces simultaneously, but I'll deal with it and record onto my MacBook if I really need all the simultaneous input channels for a complex song (which I probably won't, most of the time).
Anyway, I'm looking for some recommendations about whether the UltraLite sounds like a good next step for me, or if I should be considering any other products. And if there's any good way to continue making the most of my 12 channels from my ES modules while also having a bunch of line level inputs from other hardware, ideally all through a single computer audio interface.
Statistics: Posted by adamj — Sat Jan 11, 2025 1:13 pm — Replies 0 — Views 25