Focusrite Sapphire Vs. MOTU Traveller

Question

Level 1

53 points

Focusrite Sapphire Vs. MOTU Traveller

Hi All, a dilemma. We are looking to replace out studio MOTU 828 with a more portable version run off bus power. We seem to of narrowed it down to either the Focusrite Sapphire or the MOTU traveller.

The quality of the A/D and mic pre's are most important to us and the input DSP on the Sapphire is of interest if the quality is good and not just a gadget.

We were very happy with our 828 but we also had a Focusrite Green 3 Voice box for years and the mic pre and compression were gorgeous. Now I'm not expecting the Sapphire to but up to that standard but if it uses liquid channel technology then it might swing the decision away from the more feature packed MOTU Traveller.

Anyone?
Thanks

PowerBook G4

Posted on Apr 22, 2006 1:47 PM

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Answer 1

acklandb

Level 1

5 points

Apr 23, 2006 11:17 PM in response to Craig Ray

Hi there. I have own MOTU Traveler for around 6 month now. I must say, the features are amazing. The software mixer is great etc. However, I have found that the sound quality is not great. I A/B'd it with a friend's Presonus firebox, and the Firebox sounded clearer, had more depth, more detailed (at top end and bottom end) and generally punchier. I've also found the MOTU's pres quite harsh in the top end. Can't speak for the Saffire, but I bet the pres are great.
Hope this helps

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Answer 2

Apr 24, 2006 5:48 AM in response to acklandb

I have a Presonus firebox.....believe it or not I had an apogee Mini-Dac conected to it ....After comparing the sound quality of the Firebox with the Apogee and without it I decided to sell the Apogee.....the Firebox sounded more punchier and clear......some might say that im crazy or deaf, but 2 other friends agreed with me

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Answer 3

Apr 24, 2006 10:18 AM in response to Cesare Civetta

Yeah, i have a MOTU 828 and a Behringer ADA800 (yes behringer) connected via ADAT optical, and i use the 8 inputs from the behringer most of the time cause i think they sound better, its not that the MOTU sounds bad but the behringer has a little more head room.. strange i know as behringer isn't known for quality!!

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Answer 4

acklandb

Level 1

5 points

Apr 24, 2006 4:47 PM in response to Cesare Civetta

Hey Cesare Civetta. Are you serious?! The Firebox sounded better without the Mini DAC. (I wrote the post about it sounding better than the Traveler). Can you believe how cheap the firebox is? I'm just about to sell my Traveler. I'll either get a Firebox, Metric Halo ULn 2 or Mackie Onyx 400F. I would get the Onyx (for the preamps) but their online Forum is full of complaints about bad drivers!

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Answer 5

Jack Q

Level 1

24 points

Apr 24, 2006 7:35 PM in response to Craig Ray

I have been seriously thinking about getting a MOTU Traveler. It is somewhat disouraging to hear that someone thinks the $300 Presonous sounds better than the $850 Traveler. I have read mostly good things about the Traveler. Does anyon have any other thoughts on this?

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Answer 6

Apr 24, 2006 8:12 PM in response to Jack Q

While I haven't used the Sapphire, my Traveler has served me well. It has a good feature set, much more than a firebox, and sounds great. Keep in mind, that much of this is subjective and what really matters is YOUR set-up.

MOTU is an excellent company to deal with as well. Remember how quickly they had their drivers ready for the new Intel Macs? MOTU is reliable and I've had nothing but good experiences with their tech support.

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Answer 7

Craig Ray Author

Level 1

53 points

Apr 25, 2006 1:21 PM in response to acklandb

Another possibility is to mod the Traveller with a solution from Black Lion Audio http://www.blacklionaudio.com/motufirewiremod.html.

This starts to become quite expensive but I am told this brings the MOTU up to Apogee standards.

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