Setting Up Your Inputs

Starting Off in the Studio

Setting Up the Control Room Computer

To use your own laptop, see the Using Your Laptop page.

Power On the MOTU Interface: Ensure the MOTU interface is turned on and the MOTU Audio Setup software is running. The MOTU Interface is on the bottom of the left rack and manages all audio inputs and outputs in Steinert.
- For optimal performance, close all other applications except the MOTU Audio Setup before launching your audio program.

2. Configure your DAW: Select "828" as the input/output device in your DAW's audio preferences

The main stereo audio is the "Main Out" of the MOTU, which are Outputs 1 and 2 in your DAW. Make sure you have this selected in your DAW to be able to hear your tracks.

4. Adjust Your Volumes: Ensure that the large MOTU volume knob is at or near "0" and use the large knob on the PreSonus Monitor Station to adjust the volume of your outputs.

See the PreSonus Monitor Station page if you are having trouble with outputs.

Recording Audio Across the Glass

Using the Tracking Room Input Panel

Connect Microphones in the Tracking Room:
- Use the XLR inputs located on the panel under the studio glass to connect microphones or instruments. These channels connect directly to the preamps in the control room.
- An 8-channel snake is available to extend connections in the tracking room - it should be set up by default.
Configure Inputs in your DAW
- Select the corresponding inputs on your desired track.
- For example, if your microphone is plugged into "3 (GRACE)" in the input panel, select "Input 3" in your DAW.
- Note: The input labels on the 8-channel snake are offset from the input panel.
  - Example: To route a microphone into "3 (GRACE)" in the input panel, you would plug it into input "1" on the snake.

Signal Routing Summary

Input 3+4: Grace Design M101 preamps.

Input 5-8 Solid State Logic XLogic Alpha preamps

Inputs 9+10 Joe Meek TwinQcs preamp (line inputs are also available on the patchbay - make sure the line input switch is on)

Recording Audio in the Control Room

Inputs on the Right-Side Rack

Connect Microphones to XLR Inputs:
- There are 6 XLR inputs above the patch bay on the right of the computer. These are labeled and connect directly to the preamps.
- Be sure not to record simultaneously from the same input in both the tracking and control rooms.

2. Configure Inputs in Your DAW

Select the corresponding inputs on your desired track.
The 6 XLR inputs in the control room correspond to inputs 3-8 in your DAW.

Inputs on the Left-Side Rack

Connect to a MOTU 828 Front Panel Input:
- The MOTU 828 has 2 mic/line inputs on its front panel.
- These correspond to inputs 1 and 2 in your DAW.
Connect Directly to a Preamp
- There are also 8 line inputs available in the various preamps on the left rack.
- These correspond to inputs 3-10 in your DAW.

Recording Audio in the Tracking Room

Using the Soundcraft Mixer:
- The tracking room is equipped with a 22-channel Soundcraft mixer that can be connected to users’ laptops for multitrack recording. See the Soundcraft Mixer page for details.
Portable Interface:
- An M-Audio 8-channel interface is also available for portable use in the tracking room.

Next Steps...

To learn more about using the PreSonus Monitor Station to control what you hear, click here.

To set up headphone mixes for your performers, click here.

MOTU Troubleshooting

There are some controls to be aware of for monitoring from the MOTU.

Our typical stereo monitor out is the “Main Out” of the MOTU - which is the first 2 outputs in software.
In the MOTU audio setup app, make sure “default stereo output” and “Main Out Assign” are assigned to Main Out.
The main volume knob on the MOTU (next to the 1st headphone jack) controls the volume of the main output - and so the speaker volume. We recommend leaving this all the way up at or near “0” and using the PreSonus monitor station to control volume (see details on the monitor controller here).
We recommend switching “Enable Core Audio Volume Controls” off. It may seem convenient to use the keyboard control but it becomes one more hidden level control and gain stage.
Be aware of 'CueMix' settings that are controlled with the MOTU’s panel controls or with CueMix FX software on the computer. Common studio operations do not need to use CueMix, though It’s useful software that controls a variety of mixing, effects, analysis and metering tools. And it can also cause confusion if its settings have been edited. In CueMixFX you can go to the file menu to "load hardware preset" #1 - 'MEME Stereo'. Preset 1 is the default MOTU 828 configuration. If needed you can do a hardware reset on the interface.
MOTU Hardware reset option:

Press the Param/Setup knob until the LCD screen reads "828X SETUP" (or equivalent). The LCD screen will quickly flash to "LCD CONTRAST". Turn the Param/Setup knob all the way to the right. The LCD screen will read: "Factory Defaults Press [Value]". Push the Value knob. The LCD screen will display "Are you sure? Push [VALUE]". Push the Value knob again to confirm. The LCD screen will read:"Initializing...". The clock LED will flash when reset is complete.

Page updated

Report abuse