[SML] Modern audio output for Mac Mini?

Thu Aug 18 14:37:20 UTC 2022

Another hand up for Motu interfaces – we have them in both of our spaces, and they have proved to be a great balance of functionality and value.

Of interest to you might be the Motu M64 – it is a 64x64 optical/coaxial MADI interface.  I have a Studer Vista, which is similar to Soundcraft and shares a lot of the same functionality.  The M64 comes into our console directly over MADI.

As for the signal being hot, yeah I have seen that as well.  Our Studer has digital trim, so we can dial it back there.  You can also adjust the levels in MOTU’s software if you are using an interface (but generally can’t do this if you are connecting via USB). If you are using Qlab you can also dial down the master output level in there as well to make sure that the console is seeing signal at a manageable level.

Cheers, Gordon

Audio/Video Supervisor
Stage Operations Supervisor
gnsmith at shakespearetheatre.org<mailto:gnsmith at shakespearetheatre.org>
(202) 547-3230 x3543

From: Stagecraft <stagecraft-bounces at theatrical.net> on behalf of Jon Ares via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at 4:23 PM
To: Riter, Andrew <andrew.riter at ubc.ca>
Cc: Jon Ares <jonares at arescreative.com>, Stagecraft Mailing List <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
Subject: Re: [SML] Modern audio output for Mac Mini?
Thank you Andrew, Joe, Phil, Stephen.... Good to see MOTU still has
such gizmos - have used those elsewhere in the past. We always use a
minimum of 2 outputs, but have gone as high as 5 or 6 from QLab, so
definitely need to find some more couch cushions to raid to get
something with enough outputs, assuming we go with the analog outs, as
we have.

Our Soundcraft has MADI cards, for use with our stage boxes, and they
have USB i/o - I just tried patching from the Mac to the board and it
works, but the signal is WAY too hot.  Not distorted, just super hot.
Even taking the trim all the way down on the input, it's too hot to
control. So if anyone knows how to knock a digital source down to a
controllable level, let me know.  (When I say it's not controllable, I
mean there's no travel on the slider - it's clipping at like -40 on
the slider.)

On the Mac side of things, there are no controls or adjustments, or
mapping, etc of the USB output - it's either on or not....

 - Jon

On Wed, Aug 17, 2022 at 11:45 AM Riter, Andrew <andrew.riter at ubc.ca> wrote:
>
> Hi Jon
>
> Here is what Audio Engineer person says:
>
> That era of tech which his output box is from was a long time ago - there has been a lot of cost savings from chip improvements since then, so it's actually quite rare to find a box with primarily outputs and no inputs. The output exclusive boxes tend to be specialist and expensive these days.
>
> Fortunately, most products will fit his requirements. Specifically though, I would recommend; MOTU M4, 8A, or Ultralite-mk5 depending on specific needs/budget.
> There are other options, but MOTU is probably the best value for money and quality.
>
> Andrew M. Riter
> Assistant Technical Director, Head Lighting Technician
> Chan Centre
>
> Phone 604 822 2372
> andrew.riter at ubc.ca
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stagecraft <stagecraft-bounces at theatrical.net> On Behalf Of Jon Ares via Stagecraft
> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2022 8:58 AM
> To: Stagecraft Mailing List <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
> Cc: Jon Ares <jonares at arescreative.com>
> Subject: [SML] Modern audio output for Mac Mini?
>
> [CAUTION: Non-UBC Email]
>
> Hello SMLers and Soundanistas..... For ages, my space has used Mac Minis for QLab (predominantly) output, but our current Mini (circa
> 2014!) - we cannot update it anymore. So... a new Mac Mini is desired
> - but we're going to need a new audio interface - our existing one uses.... FIREWIRE.  The first Mini we had used Firewire 400, then with the "new" one we had to get an adapter, because it used Firewire 800.
> Neither here nor there - modern Macs don't use FW. So.... what's out there?
>
> Our current is (I believe) an Edirol box that has done an exceptional job - multiple analog outs, served our needs very well. We've hardly ever used the Mac to record on - and we have USB output from our board into the Mac for that, so I'm mostly interested in getting something that is USB-C or Thunderbolt out to a few analog outputs. Any recommendations? My quick looks keep finding things that are about giving a Mac analog INPUTS for musicians or podcasters, but of course I need it to go the other direction.
>
> TIA for any suggestions!
>
> - Jon
>
> --
> Jon Ares
> www.arescreative.com<http://www.arescreative.com>
>
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--
Jon Ares
www.arescreative.com<http://www.arescreative.com>

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