Motu M6 Driver

[Vinnie Frevert]

Dueto the updated security architecture introduced since macOS 10.13 High Sierra, the system extensions for all newly-installed third-party software will automatically be blocked from running. If your MOTU interface is not showing up in Audio MIDI Setup, MOTU Audio Setup, MOTU Discovery, or your DAW on High Sierra or later, you might need to enable the driver in your System Preferences.

We have just posted Windows 2000 WDM drivers for all our MIDI and audio interfaces. This "across the board" release also paves the way for Windows XP compatibility when it ships later this year. MOTU's new drivers support all of the following I/O formats:

"MOTU is first to bring WDM FireWire audio to Windows 2000 with our 828 audio interface," said Jim Cooper, MOTU Marketing Director. "And MOTU is still the first and only company to ship comprehensive WDM support for USB, Parallel, FireWire and PCI. We're already testing our WDM drivers with Windows XP and we expect to post them on our web site the very day that Windows XP ships."

MOTU's USB MIDI and PCI-324 audio WDM drivers also provide "Wave" driver support for Windows 98SE and Windows Me, providing backward compatibility for users who have not yet upgraded to Windows 2000. MIDI applications can access up to 10 MIDI input/output ports under Windows 98SE and Windows 2000, the maximum number of MIDI ports allowed by these two platforms. Windows Me and Windows XP eliminate this barrier, giving parallel MIDI Timepiece-AV users 16 MIDI input/output ports (via two networked AV's) or dozens of MIDI input/output ports via as many MOTU USB interfaces (any model) as their system can handle via a standard USB hub. Each MIDI port provides 16 unique MIDI channels.

MOTU's 828 FireWire audio interface connects to any FireWire-equipped Windows 2000 or Windows Me PC and provides low-latency, plug-and-play 24-bit audio I/O for any WDM-compatible audio application, such as Cakewalk's SONAR software. "MOTU and Cakewalk have worked closely together to bring FireWire audio to Windows 2000 under WDM, and we're thrilled with the performance and convenience that the MOTU 828 provides SONAR users," commented Greg Henderschott, Cakewalk's President/CEO.

"MOTU's Version 2 GSIF driver provides excellent, extremely low-latency performance with all GigaStudio products," commented Jeff Klopmeyer, Tascam's Marketing Director, in reference to their recent acquisition of Nemesys and the entire GigaStudio line of PC-based sampling products. "We view MOTU audio interfaces like the 2408mkII as one of the highest-quality, most cost-effective audio I/O solutions for Giga users."

I'm not used to MOTU interfaces working without a driver, but the M2 and M4 do. In fact, initially I didn't know there WAS a driver, until I found it on their site. It doesn't do much other than lower the latency threshold apparently, when compared to the 'compliant' core audio driver (or whatever it's called). The MOTU driver also enables loopback, which I don't care about because I don't make YouTube videos and such.

Turns out that after installing the M4 driver (or M2, as it's the same), you have 15 minutes to go to 'System Preferences/Security & Privacy' and tell Mac OS to allow the drivers to be loaded. If you don't do this within 15 minutes, the prompt on the 'Security & Privacy' page goes away, and only comes back if you do a reinstall.

I will assume this is due to sample rate. I have always set everything to 44.1. The Motu control panel and Cakewalk all show this is not changing, even during the fast playback. All indicators show 44.1. Even in Widows sound settings it shows using 44.1 in shared mode.

And this issue has been slowly getting worse and is random. I thought it might be because I've been watching the odd You Tube or something but testing things it can actually happen from a cold boot and going directly to Cakewalk. My system gets turned off every night so everything comes on with a few switches and then I boot the computer. ( yes my volumes are all off) .

Other issue is I getting crackles in playback of some projects. Another new thing for me. I have stayed at 256 buffer same as my 6i6. I'm going to A/B the 2 interfaces when I get a chance but looks like this will have to wait it's time to put on my Christmas sweater.

It's what happens when your Cakewalk projects are recorded at 44.1Khz but somehow the Audio Interface is running at 48Khz anyway. If you use the interface for Windows Sounds, and not only for Cakewalk, this might happen by simply playing a Youtube video while Cakewalk is open.

This happens from a cold boot up and the first thing I see is the Motu GUI. It is always set at 44.1, Everything shows 44.1 . That's why I'm a bit mystified and highly suspect the drivers. An audio interface set for 44.1 should not playback at 48 and especially if all indicators all still show 44.1.

I have 3 other interfaces as well as I often use Windows sound on my office computer. I haven't had this issue since I believe my first Tascam drivers under W 7 a long time ago. I had so many issues with the Tascam drivers I bought the 6i6 and all the issues disappeared. Later they updated the Tascam drivers and now it also has no issues. The 3rd interface is an M Audio Fast track and is a million years old and not supported in W10. But even it was updated and runs just fine on W7. ( kinda) I also have a Soundcraft mixer with USB and it works fine but I rarely have used it for an interface other than live 2 track streaming.

I didn't really need another interface but I made some cash doing some recording and though it was time to update. I would have loved an RME but I didn't make THAT much money recording. I still think the Motu is a good choice and crossing my fingers this is a passing issue just like I experienced with the Tascam.

Just did a test. First just to make dang sure I re-installed both drivers for the M4 and the 6i6. Seems this has cured the playback speeding up issue with the Motu. I can't get it to do it for now. So even though the exact same driver, something must have been corrupted in the initial download and install.

The Scarlett played silky smooth and I switched to 128 and all I got was very random glitches. The project has a lot of stuff already but I added 6 instances of the Adaptive limiter which I think is a heavy hitter and it didn't change. I returned to the Motu and now 256 is glitching worse. You would have to use 512.

Interesting things between the 2 interfaces- When I turn off the Motu and turn on the scarlett with Cakewalk open I get the disconnect and the choose device pop ups. When I turn off the Scarlett and turn on the Motu I get the disconnected but no choose device pop up.. I did this a few time too. Also notice in the screenshots the Motu adjustment for mixing latency is not adjustable.

Then later due to an answer in the other thread from @rsinger I swapped the Motu to my front USB 3 ports and now I'm not really hearing crackles at 256 but 128 seems just as bad as before? I fail to see how it would make a difference but the M4 does come with a USB C connector so ?? FYI the Scarlett is still plugged into the USB 2 ports on the back. This machine only has two USB 3 ( 12 years old ) ports and I like to reserve them for external drives.

One thing I always do on any DAW is disable Windows sounds - why? Because Windows usually tries to play all it's sounds at 48 KHz. I have had situations over the years where I am working at 44 KHz in my DAW, A Windows system sound plays and in doing so, forces the sound card to 48 KHz. On-board sound cards seem to handle this situation, but some recording cards don't, and stay stuck at 48 KHz.

I have put it back in the box and waiting to hear back from Long and Mcquade to return it. I'm happily back using my 8 year old 6i6 without any issues . I will see if I can get a Scarlett 8i6 instead.

Of note is that Motu does not support Cakewalk. I think it's a good interface for Mac people etc. they obviously need to work on the windows drivers. And besides Focusrite on all the bench test sites comes in very close performance wise with DAC's etc to the M2 and M4. Motu gives you diddly squat in freebies. Focusrite gives you a bunch of good quality stuff worth well over $200. I already have it of course, but for first time buyers things like that are worth paying attention to.

Focusrite has really grown as a company and seem to be keeping on top of things. I was real surprised to find a new driver for my 6i6. They dont need to do this but they did so that brings loyalty. I see they even re vamped the Mix Control software now called just Control. Another feature lacking with the M4. Scarletts rear jacks have software controlled Pads. I couldn't plug my Korg 05/rw into the 3/4 of the M4 because the signal was way to low. No problem on the 6i6. Another deal breaker for me. So back she goes.

I have had this device for over a year and no troubles, except I have stayed on this driver - MOTU M-Series Installer v4.0.83874 (Release Date 2020-01-23).... for me, drivers newer then this one gave me problems. Totally agree with "delete" old drivers, delete "AUD.ini file and start fresh, shut off Windows sounds, turn off desktop display pics, I just have a black background....basically, turn off all the crap that you don't need, including the hdmi/monitor audio sound drivers... I believe there is a reg fix floating around here somewhere, that's what I used to turn it off. I do have a windows driver for this that came out the same time the new Mac driver came out (Nov 17 2020) I believe, but for some reason they pulled it.... I have tried this newer driver and had no problems with it, but I choose to stay on the older driver because it works. Don't know why they would pull the new driver. This is a smokin hot interface with stunning sound and features..... don't give up on it, you'll get it going. Hope this helps.

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