MOTU M4 On Linux

[@linuxgamecast]

I like the M4. It’s well built, sounds the business, and packs a solid punch for the price. There are no drivers to install but you will need kernel 5.14 or higher. Round-trip latency is fantastic (for USB) if jack_io is being honest. More on that in the writeup linuxgamecast.com/2022/01/interfacing-linux-motu-m4/ Support future videos Patreon: patreon.com/linuxgamecast MOTU M4 on Amazon: amzn.to/32adWSh MOTU M4 on eBay: ebay.us/NO4H6U Timestamps 00:00 Overview 02:56 Jack setup 03:41 Pulseaudio 04:01 Checking for xruns 04:36 Studio test 06:01 Round-trip latency 07:51 Microphone check 08:49 Do you need a Cloudlifter? 12:29 Deboxing and thoughts

[@Error_4x5]

The Motu M2 and M4's other gimmick is it use of a audiophile grade ESS Saber DAC. Making them the audio interface for those into hi-res audio and bit perfect digital playback. The M2 and M4 got great reviews over at Audio Science Review, home of the more zeros are the dot the better your audio will sound.

[@iliketoast-q9b]

That's not a fair description of ASR though. Sure some users are golden ears, but the reviews by Amir are thorough and comprehensive. I've not seen him claim that more zero after the dot will sound better.

[@mer1red]

The Linux setup is not as nice as suggested in the video. Just purchased an M4 one day ago, because it has some good specs, which you also mention in the overview. I'm an Ubuntu and Unix user since a long time, and based on my others experiences with similar devices I was confident that it could work on Linux, although Motu says it's Mac and Windows only. I use Audacity. Unfortunately, there appears to be a problem with the audio transfer via USB. Using the standard approach, the only audio exchange via USB that works more or less is when you connect to the extra line input at the back of the M4. The signal is weak, there is no gain on that input. The workaround is to edit the sound afterwards in Audacity to normal levels. Input via the front connectors or playback from the PC to Motu is either distorted or not possible, depending on what you configure. The device is recognised in Ubuntu (20.04) as Analogue Surround. The output sound you get contains cyclic peaks of distortion, the input to the PC is always distorted. Based on your video I had a look at KXStudio that you use. Yet another problem: there is no simple install (eg with apt) that works with all popular current Linux releases. I tried some things suggested at the KXStudio site but it turns out that this will require days of experimenting, possibly building something from scratch from their source code repository. The Motu M4 is a very nice device on it's own, but I must warn that to make everything work on a recent Ubuntu may take a long, very long time. So if you are planning to make other (instructional) video's, possible topics could be: how to configure the M4 in a normal actual Linux desktop setup. How to make it work with Audacity, a very popular tool. And how to install KXStudio, Cadence or some other equivalent software in a simple way, without a pile of errors and incompatible things.

[@jeromebos]

The M4 has been on top of my list, but I'm hesitant to buying this interface due to the bright LCD. Does the M4 still work if you disconnect the internal LCD-connector? Some more info on the circuitry surrounding the LCD would be very helpful.

[@tobiasjone]

Sorry, just a thought - but couldn't you just apply a physical filter over the panel? It could be unobtrusive, and wouldn't void any warranties - but obviously,..won't benefit the battery life.

[@polarisproject1568]

Coming from the Traveler, I'm a big fan of the M4.

[@lindseyjohn4789]

Why isn't your 48 phantum votage turn on for your mic?

[@andrewwotton3014]

What is the easiest way to separate channels 1/2 from 3/4? When I plug it without jack and play a youtube video, all 4 outputs light up. With Jack via LMMS, I see only outputs 1/2 light up but I can't simultaneously play audio from the browser. Is there an easy way to release outputs 3/4 so another application can use them?

[@drownthepoor]

I have a 2nd-gen Scarlet 2i4, and it does not have the AIR gimmick which was upsetting because I didn't realize they had added it with the 3rd gen. I'd be interested to hear how well it works to boost the mid-EQ levels. But I think Motu's gimmick is way smarter with active visualization monitoring meteres.

[@tyler361t2]

are there any gui frontends for pipewire that can do that stuff?

[@linuxgamecast]

You'll need to narrow "stuff" down a bit.

[@tyler361t2]

@@linuxgamecast change the buffer rate and sample size of my interface

[@DB-vh2ew]

14:11 At left side is that ESS9016?or ESS9026? Maybe ESS9026 if made in China.

[@jayway1116]

Great video man. Sound quality-wise how does the M4 compare to the Motu Ultra like Mk5. On the fence about which one I want to go with. I’m currently using an Apogee Duet 2 and it’s been a great sound card, but with the addition of a new stereo synth, (Behringer Poly D) and my mic I no longer have enough IO to accommodate my set up. I’d also like something that is comparable or better sound quality wise than my Duet 2.

[@madmalkav6540]

Sorry for the very basic question, I'm not very familiar with this stuff. I see in Pulse Audio it detects the Motu M4 as 4.0 surround output? This means this won't work to use it to output the same 2.0 signal into the balanced outputs, in example to a set of active speakers and to a headphone amplifier?

[@linuxgamecast]

I believe (by default) whatever is sent to the main outs is replicated in the headphones.

[@treptunes]

Buy the display some sunglasses - Nice review!

[@nehanichikahuak]

hi, what is the DAW in the video...? and the red XLR cable...?

[@linuxgamecast]

Ardour. Red braided XLR cable from Amazon.

[@shaunreich]

Thank you for this, I have this audio interface and am seriously considering switching back to Linux again (ex Linux developer), before I fully enter this foray into my beginner musician journey. You don't happen to have a similar one that you'd prefer to recommend more? I've got the M2, so my needs aren't massive.

[@linuxgamecast]

Audio interfaces in the this price range have similar performance.

[@zemi2750]

Would it be a bad idea to use a FOSI P2 tube amp for Motu M4?.. I have DT90'S Pro 250ohms and I have to gain up to 95-99 just like you did to have decent volume. Sweetwater and Motu says it's goes up to 80ohms, then everybody else says they even drive 300ohms or more. Why Fosi P2?... first dips into tube amps, and why not get volume at the same time.. for cheap.

[@OpenGL4ever]

Is this a OLED display with burn-in effect on the MOTU M4? And does everything on the MOTU M4 work the same under Linux as it does under Windows? Or are there some features, that miss driver support for Linux?

[@linuxgamecast]

LCD. I don't know how it functions under Windows.

[@OpenGL4ever]

@@linuxgamecast I did a little research today. It's definitely an OLED display and thus will have burn-in effects.

[@linuxgamecast]

I read the page from the manufacturer. "The M2 is the only audio interface in its class with a full color LCD " motu.com/en-us/products/m-series/m2/

[@OpenGL4ever]

​@@linuxgamecast The teardown of the thread Motu M4 - Tear down, bit of internals analysis and few in-house measurements in the forum audiosciencereview is much more clear. No links, because of YT spamfilter. And if you watch videos of MOTU M4 devices that have been in use for a years months and compare them with the reviews back then where the devices where new, you can clearly see this on the display. Because the completely new displays are still completely black at the top of the level meter, while the older ones, which have already had many hours of operation, have a burn-in effect. Your device also shows clear signs of a burn in effect at 8:00.

[@linuxgamecast]

Again, I'm going by what MOTU states in the manual and on their website. Feel free to contact MOTU for additional information. What you see at 8 minutes in the video is what they looked like out of the box in 2019 when powered on. LCD + backlight. Please refer to 01:41 of the Sweetwater review from 2019 for a visual. kzbin.info/www/bejne/haStmqNnf8eph8U The meter is a slow unnumbered blinky gimmick on a budget interface. Not something you should rely on for tracking inputs.

[@PendelSteven]

0:42 First of all, it's Presonus! Big Studio One fan, so had to correct you! Secondly, MOTU has had the Microbook for since 2010 for this price. Which basicly is an M4, but Mic & guitar instead of multi-ins, no MIDI, worse meters, USB-B instead of USB-C, line out 3-4 only in minijack.... Let's just say it was their first... Second and third try (IIc). I've got the II.

[@linuxgamecast]

I'm glad you are a fan of Studio One. Unfortunately I'm unfamiliar with it since it does not support Linux. Unlike Reaper, Bitwig, Ardour, and Harrison Mixbus. I put the Mikrobook II in a different class since it supports internal routing and onboard DSP like my MOTU 828 and Traveler. The M2/4 functions as a basic I/O device. But hey, blinky meters.

[@kaislate]

I have an ultralite mk5. On windows, cuemix 5 is annoying. Motu pro is so much better, but you can't use it with the mk5. There's also no web management or touch control software compatibility. The better option is the MOTU AVB or the MOTU 624. Everyone forgets those units even exist for some reason.

[@alalgomam]

+1 for the Motu Ultralite AVB on Linux. It's a fantastic interface with a lot of I/O and the web-based mixer means you can control all the internal mixing/busses/effects/etc.. using an ethernet cable. Right now the Ultralite AVB is hugely backed up due to supply chain disruptions... but it should be head-and-shoulders above the MK5 for use on Linux. Cuemix is not an option for Linux users - and even if it was, I would much rather use the far superior web-based AVB mixer.

[@mscgr-i7c]

​@@alalgomamI saw information on forums that Cuemix is just an Electron web app, that connects to mk5 via network connection, and you could wrap Cuemix in wine or even run its internal index.html directly in web browser.

[@KavinTeenakul]

What is the software at 4:40?

[@linuxgamecast]

Mixbus 32C.

[@Sicolirics]

@@linuxgamecast 👍Is there a good manual that explains all its operation?