Motu UltraLite mk5 | One Year Review + Q&A
Вставка
- Опубліковано 16 чер 2024
- In this video I answer your questions and comments from my other Motu UltraLite mk5 videos. This is after more than one year of owning and using the device.
0:00 - Intro
0:36 - About Me & Why I do this
1:05 - My UltraLite mk4-5 Backstory
02:20 - Why Risk a Firmware Update? - Answering YOUR questions #1
04:53 - My Motu Customer Service Solved - Answering YOUR comments #2
06:23 - Fair Thoughts on Motu Service - Answering YOUR Comments #3
07:37 - Am I Satisfied with audio quality of UltraLite Mk5?
08:10 - How I use mk5 & mk4 in Life
08:56 - Good points about mk5
09:54 - Using CueMix5
13:50 - Firmware updates that I'm happy about from Motu
15:54 - Mk4 vs MK5 - Answering YOUR questions #4
17:50 - UltraLite Bugs?
18:45 - Factory Reset Button on mk5? - Most Frequently Asked Question!
20:30 - Auto Update Scare from mk5
22:00 - Feelings about Motu - Conclusions
According to Page 30 of the UltraLite mk5 user guide, you Can find the factory reset option inside the menu settings
Also on Page 53 which is the first part of their Troubleshooting section it says:
How do I factory reset my device?
:: ::
Push the SELECT knob to enter the main menu.
Navigate to RESET and push the SELECT knob
twice to reset.
______________________________________________________
Visit my website here to see my new streetwear line and subscribe to my newsletter for more personalized connection: www.skydeepofficial.com
🏃🏽♂️ Social Media
↪︎ website: skydeepofficial.com/ ↪︎ Instagram: @SkyDeepLife ( / skydeeplife ) ↪︎ Twitter: @Sky_D ( / sky_d ) ↪︎ Tiktok: @skydeeplife ( / skydeeplife )
Check out my Merch... ↪︎ www.skydeepofficial.com/shop
finally a woman who shares her knowledge !!! it's very pleasant 😊🙏
this video helped me getting the aditional ouputs showing in the mixer. I really appeciate that. thank you so mutch!
Thanks for the video. Can't wait to get my MK5. It just shipped so could arrive tomorrow. It will replace my "RME HDSPe AIO" Soundcard.
Hello sky, thank's you for answering my question on stream. You've convinced me to buy one, keep up the good work. Bless you.
All good. Glad to help. Best wishes to you!
I like how you never gave up on them you gave them a second chance.
I feel you are an honest person and your both video on Motu UL-M4 and UL-M5 will serve all.
This is great. I'm seriously considering getting the MK5, although the MK4 is starting to show up more often on the used market now. So we'll see.
are there different DAC Converters in the MK5 vs the MK4?
I bought my ultralite-mk5 today it arrives tomorrow so looking forward to it as its took a year for them to come into stock again.
What is the power supply voltage 110v or 220v or both?
Hi, Sky. Great informative video. Thank you, Sis. If I may ask. The sound difference, is it much noticeable between the Mk4 and Mk5. I am contemplating getting the Mk5?
Hi! I am mostly using the two devices in very different environments, so it's hard for me to compare sound quality. Because of the reliability and ease of functionality, I choose to use the mk5 as my device for travel gigs. Therefore, i mostly use it at the home studio or in various stages, clubs or theater venues.
The mk4 is still in my main dedicated studio. I'm going to replace it soon because I often must reboot it due to crashes lately. First i will tey to upgrade/replace all my usb cables, hubs and docks though.
Greetings and thanks for your reply, sky Deep. I overstand you. best wishes.
ABOUT TIME! By the way how is the latency with virtual instruments? How do you know when it is clipping too since it doesn't have a clipping meter in its oled monochrome screen. Does it show it in the software?
I haven't noticed any latency related to the mk5 itself. When it comes to virtual instruments, i believe those are more dependent on my computer specs.
I have a M1 MacBooc Pro and a beefy gaming PC so I've never run into trouble.
As far as monitoring, i mostly monitor in CueMix5 but its pretry easey to assess everything using the Oled. It's high res.
Tunewurld If you watched Krause's video even with all the dsp enabled including reverb latency back to the computer was 0.7ms. this is pretty epic and the only other interface I know that can do that is an Apollo at ~$3000.
Clipping doesn't have an indicator on the unit OLED screen, but does have a bright red section of the meters in cue mix to indicate as such.
You're never going to be using this in any real capacity without cue mix running if you want to utilize it for anything more than splitter so you'll have it available to see. Also there is an iOS app, but you will have to be physically connected via USB to use it this not being able to be hooked up to a computer at the same time.
Cue mix does have an IP connect option, but as of now there is no way of networking the mk5 device. Maybe in the future there will be a way to do Ethernet over USB eith a firmware update, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Motu is really silo-ing their product lines now and AVB is not in the cards for the ultra lite series anymore. Maybe ip connect for cue mix... Maybe ... 🤞
@@kaislateyou maybe know why there is nowhere to be found motu 828 es? Will they make a successor soon? I rly wanted to buy 828 es for quality of sound but I'm wondering if ultralitemk5 could also do it
@@Judasz696this aged well 😎
Thanks for closing the loop on this story. I don't have any recent experience with MOTU products and have been trying to evaluate whether an Ultralite Mk5 would be reliable enough to use in my stage rig, which has been fully analog until now. I use Prism Sound interfaces in my studio, but they are WAY too expensive to be taken on stage and knocked around in a rack bag. I checked out your website and it's clear that what you do live requires some fairly involved routing and cue mix construction. Do you find the unit works as expected in the heat of battle? Is it easy to make minor adjustments to levels without a lot of scrolling or menu diving? I'm very limited in what I can do when I'm on stage with a bow in my hand and just a few bars until I need to play again.
There is no way of adjusting individual channels without a computer. There are no midi controls to adjust levels so plugging in a midi controller won't control anything with the unit or with cue mix 5. This is one of the major downfalls of Cue Mix 5 (that and not being able to customize the colors LUL).
If you are just using one stereo out you'll never have to leave that page to adjust levels. Each output has their own set of levels per input, and 3-band EQ.
Cue Mix 5 for how simple the feature set is can still be incredibly confusing. I don't know what it is about it, but it isn't designed in a way for how people think.
The best thing anyone can tell you is the following:
--The outputs on the left
--Each output can be renamed by selecting it and then all the way to the right clicking the name, and then clicking the name again in the EQ window
--Each output has individual levels for each input
--Each input has EQ, compression/gate that applies to every output where that input is being used (channel fader turned up)
--If you adjust the EQ, compression/gate on an input it will apply to every output (each input can not have separate DSP for individual outputs)
--Colors cant be changed (sad face)
--ADAT and SPDIF can be adjusted as individual inputs (just like the physical inputs)
--SPDIF is summed and does not carry individual channels
--max number of ADAT is 8 channels, can not daisy chain ADAT
--multiple mk5 units can not combine to function as one (they could have added an ethernet port in order to make this happen, but motu wants a different line of products for AVB now)
--there is no way of having multiple USB host devices like connectivity devices however you can choose either a PC/Mac via USB or an iPad via USB
--There is cue mix for iOS
--There is no way of operating the device from Android
Thanks for the rundown, @@kaislate. I think I can live with the mix buses being post- the channel EQ and dynamics. Lack of Android support for CueMix 5 is surprising, but I will be connecting the interface to Windows tablet PC hosting a VST reverb (the built-in 'verb is not good enough), so that tablet can run CueMix as well. It would be nice if MOTU published a conventional signal flow diagram for CueMix. Perhaps there's on in the device manual, but the Mk 5 manual is not available for download until you've bought the product.
@@davidrick959 I agree with all of this. That's also a great way of running it with a windows tablet. Here is the link to the manual. cdn-data.motu. com/manuals/usb-c-audio/UltraLite-mk5_User_Guide.pdf take the space out before the dot com
@David Rick To answer your question, in the heat of battle for MY setup, I actually tend to request a DJ mixer for my live performance setup and then control things from there OR I use a controller to control my DAW and just route the outputs from the DAW through the mk5. During sound check, I double check all my levels across devices -- but usually I've already done that in the studio.
Then finally, I maybe make adjustments to the settings in CueMix5. I don't own an iPad so I've never really tried controlling it via tablet style devices. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable controlling levels during a performance gig, using the mk5 hardware directly.
What love during my gigs though is the VERY easy to read visual feedback that I can see on the mk5 during gigs, it's very reassuring and feels good to see all those meters move when I'm maxing my ins and outs.
Hello again!
I did`t find mk5 in our stores for sale. This is some kind of magic.. my friend said that this is a sign. And suddenly I came across a new MK3 for sale. Now I'm trying to expand analog inputs. Maybe you know how to do it right? I broke my head already.
I connected the first MK3 via USB to the computer, and the second MK3 through the firewire to the first one. But nothing happens. Can you advise what needs to be done to make it work?
Thank you!
Can the pres be bypassed when using an external pre into a line in, or otherwise?
My MK5 just went bad yesterday, after less than a month it has a crackling noise and about a second delay.
There is a Jumper setting inside the device that keeps it on fulltime. Instructions will tell you where to place the jumper to go back to being able to turn it off. at least I hope that is what they did.
Does the Motu software have the ability to do one click monitor switching if using a 2nd pair of outs for additional monitors? Or is it just muting and un-muting the outputs in the software?
Hi. Unfortunately, I don't see this capability for one click monitor switching. The only way to speed up any type of channel switching/muting, would be to connect a tablet for faster remote control.
Hi,
Is the headphone out of UltraLite Mk5 good enough to work smoothly with high impedance (250-300ohms) headphones like Beyerdyamics DT990 pro, Sennheiser HD600 etc?
Hi! Its working out great for my Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X. Bit these are 48 Ohms. All I can say is I have a ridiculous amount of headroom. I'm pretty sure you would be fine with any pro grade headphones
Hi, what is the maximum amount of connect headphones in this audio interface.. is that possibleto connect headphones in the back side outputs
There's only one headphone jack. If you want more, I would advise to get a small headphone amp. Some are less than €50 and you can use it to extend your other outputs on the back. It won't be very useful to plug your headphones directly in the back. Won't be loud enough and would be mono channels
Hello!
I'm thinking about replacing mk3 to mk5. The main problem is that 8 input analog channels are not enough for me to record individual sounds from a drum machine, guitar, microphone and synthesizers. Man in store said that it is possible to remap the analog outputs to inputs. And recommended your channel.
Have you already dealt with this issue? If so, which video should I watch?
Thank you!
Hi there! There are many possibilities of rerouting audio outputs from your recording software but the only way to increase the amount of hardline inputs to mk5 is to expand via ADAT device. I use one in my studio and actually have a video coming out in the next week about that.
@@SkyDeep It's a pity. Apparently I'll have to sell my MK3 and buy a pair of MK5s instead. Mk3 I like the possibility of standalone. MK5 apparently cannot work separately without a computer.
I don't understand how in the 90s they wrote electronic music by recording sounds. Apparently they used a drum machine as one channel on the kick and the rest of the percussion on the other. And the mixing was on the mixer. Maybe I'm over complicating? I would like to process each sound separately. Kick, snare, hats, etc. But there is also a bass synthesizer, Roland 303, leads and so on.
Btw already subscribed)
@@ph911 mk5 works as standalone too. mk4 also works as standalone. Sure buying two of the same also works. It will be a flexible and compact rig. Best wishes with it.
@@ph911 Back in the 90's everything was outboard/rack gear and for sure mixers were super useful in the process. I was making music in the late 90's and early 2000s. We tracked each synth individually into a DAW depending on how many inputs we had at that time. Sometimes, just recorded/performed each track full length until we had the whole song. Similar to my Model Cycles workflow approach but with several synths.
Dsp doesnt work on added ADAT outputs/inputs
Which interface do you have and Why do you love or not love it? Are you considering the mk5?
I have a few different ones, but they’re mainly field recorders that double as audio interfaces. The first audio interfaces I ever bought was the roland quad capture around 2012 and then the roland octa-capture around 2015. And even though I was a newbie and didn’t know much of anything about this stuff, I knew I didn’t like how the preamps sounded on both of those products. Just sounded noisy. That lead to me getting my first field recorder/ audio interface i.e. the zoom f8. Then a bug bit me and I got the Sound Devices Mixpre-6 first version, then I got the Mixpre-6 version 2 and then the Mixpre-10 version 2. I think I’m done now. I love the preamps on the mixpres. Primarily, I got this stuff with voiceover work in mind, but eventually I’ll probably find out that they don’t have what all I need when I decide I wanna make some music. *shrugs*
@@ahfimiwonawun Wow. Cool! Thanks for sharing your jour journey . I've only used field recorders when we rented them for film sound recordings mostly, but have heard they work also as interfaces.
@@SkyDeep, my goal in the future involves some sort of video work too. But I guess I’m starting my journey from the sound side of things. I’ve never even had a dslr/ cinema type camera before in my life, but I look forward to it.
I used the 1st gen Ultralite many years ago and it was awesome. People reporting brick issues w/updates has me wary about the MKV. I’m looking at either a Focusrite 18i20 or this and I have grown to hate the Focusrite Control software and they don’t have a gen 4 of the 18i20 that would use Control 2 (which may not be any better). I like how many in’s and outs the Motu has for it’s size. I’ve used two focusrite interfaces with no issue for the last several years.
I skipped the MK4. Still using my Mk3 fw/hybrid. I have an M4 and a MK5 now too. I am a little frustrated with the new cuemix5. I use the MK3H now for the drum machines exclusively. I use ableton for the most part these days due to convenience and speed of workflow. The problem I have run into though is since I do my monitoring via ableton and not with the interface as of yet for some reason the audio is missing. The signal is there and ableton sees the audio signal and meter's it accordingly. Just no sound. This isn't an issue on the Mk3 or even the M4. Its probably something simple and i will figure it out eventually but those are my current Mk5/cuemix5 issues.
Does your M4 still work well?
@@RamtinDidab ya but I ended up getting an 8A so I could start my thunderbolt/AVB journey with the goal of being able to do simultaneous backups while recording. I am hunting down other used AVB pieces like a 16A and an 8pre ES.
Have you ever experienced any problems with any of your Motus crashing, hanging, beeing stuck? I saw some people on YT and web fórum ranting against Motu because of these frequent crashes...
This has happened with my UltraLite mk4 but so far i haven't had many issues with my mk5 - there was just one strange time when the gate processor wouldnt turn off no matter what i did. But after a few reboots, it seems okay
I had an issue where it seemed like the low freq EQ wasn't doing anything. But after toggling it for the output and the input a few times it works again. It was odd since mid and high EQ worked fine for the output, but the low (green) cutoff wasn't affecting the output at all. I think there were some bugs at release, but firmware updates seem to have alleviated them.
Anyone using the Mk3 with an iPad? Looks like people have issues with Cue Mix 5 iPadOS version. 😢
I'm sure I've done something wrong, but I get a random high pitch tone that interrupts the output signal during recording and playback from DAW, UA-cam, and Spotify...have you heard of this issue? I may not have set it up to default correctly, or something like that. 😒
If it is intermittent it is almost 100% a USB issue. Make sure you are using the cable that came with the device. You can also get a "data only" cable to see if that helps if you need a longer cable.
If it is not intermittent, then I would check that you do not have a loop that is creating feedback. For instance if you are inputting audio to the computer you want either USB or analog, but not both. You can have both hooked up and switch, but for testing purposes I would choose one or the other to test with.
This happened to me with my mk4 and it was definitely because of my USB cable.
Is this worth the cost if I do not need all those extra IOs. I will be upgrading from a Focusrite Scarlett, mainly for audio quality.
I think the audio quality is great but I personally find it most useful for expanding my i/o when needed.
My advice would be, always get a bit more i/o than you think you need so you dont reach limits later. But if you think you only need 2 to 4 outs and ins, then there are plently of other brands that make high quality audio interfaces with less i/o and fantastic VST packages.
Since i mostly use it in my home studio, i only really use the extra ins when i bring a synth home. For the outs, same thing. But where it gets super helpful is being able to do different types of routing to set up multi speaker live event sessions or my live hardware performances in advance of the show so I can rehearse.
I also, use for creating podcasts and dj sets when i require 4 outputs for main output plus headphone cue.
@@SkyDeep Yup, and thanks for the perspective. Thing is I can’t see myself needing the IO although one should never say never 😀 So the audio quality is not as good as, say, the RME Babyface?
Hi stupid question… can you use the 2 inputs on the front for synths, drum machines etc ?
Hi! Yes you can. There have been times that I've used it like that.
@@SkyDeep Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. Is there a sacrifice from using them as opposed to the rear or do they just work the same. Sorry another stupid question…. 😊
Not a stupid question. :-) Be careful to turn the gain knobs all the way down to "unity gain" or "zero" on the Motu interface. Your synth is already at line level, so you don't want to distort your audio by applying more gain than you need. Then I typically adjust my level using the master volume of my synth.
@@SkyDeep Thanks a lot for the good advice, it makes perfect sense. I will be looking to purchase, oh and I appreciate the video too :)
There are slight SNR differences between the front and rear ports. It really isn't big though if I remember correctly like maybe 3dB. The preamps on the front are incredible though. But yes, you'll prolly want to pad them for sure.
Does it make the speakers pop when computer turn on and off?
No, it only pops when you power off the interface with the build in Switch.
When you start and shutdown you computer, there is no popping.
Still waiting for my mk5 .. been over a year now
Oh wow. Thats strange. Why so long? Is it out of stock these days?
@@SkyDeep yeah, I bought it in June last year from guitar center and they've been moving the date back every 2 to 3 months. My current interface still works and honestly there's nothing that compares in this price range, so I've just been patiently waiting haha.
@@SkyDeep holy crap it just came in 🤣 what a coincidence
@@SkyDeep The delay was due to the transistor shortage so many computer products could not be made for example GPU shortages, even electric cars at the time.
Wow, I love the new CueMix. I still use the Mk3 and I HATE the software. It's a real mess.
Yes I agree the CueMix5 is definitely a huge improvement.
I bought a mk5 15 days ago but I am thinking of returning it. I am on windows10. After 5 minutes of inactivity, I can't play any mp3 without hearing that nasty crashing sound. Sometimes there is no more sound coming out. I tried everything : replace the cables. Plug in other usb ports, update my pc drivers. There is nothing I can do. I am thinking of returning it within 30 days. Has anyone had this problem before? If so how can I fix it?
Sorry that's happening to you! No i haven't experienced that myself. Have you tried uninstalling and then reinstalling the Motu software also?
From my personal experience, the tech support most of the time is pretty responsive. Also you're still under warranty so they can swap it out if needed.
are you using widows or pc
I'm using both.
i think motu products are decent. ive got a stageB16 and a 624, but the USB audio is crap. its supposed to be “class compliant” but in Linux, I cant get it to work for 5minutes before the outputs start hopping around in banks of 8 as well as nasty “bit-crusher” distortion. i convert AVB to MADI and and now everything is fine, but dang, motu needs to fix their USB audio crap
Sorry you experienced these issues. I hope things will continue to improve. So far, I'm very happy with the updates they gave us for mk5.
time waster