Using MOTU M2 audio interface with Audacity

Audacity 3 Help Forum Windows
1

hi

I’m getting a MOTU M2 audio interface.

Will it work with Audacity just like a mic pluged in directly to the PC via USB port?

If I use both channels on MOTU, will they record as two stereo channels in Audacity?

I didn’t find anything about connecting an audio interface in the Audacity Manual so would appreciate your advice.

thanks

2

Generally, anything with Windows drivers that has no more than 2 inputs will work. It looks like it’s “class compliant” which means it uses the standard Microsoft-supplied drivers.

If I use both channels on MOTU, will they record as two stereo channels in Audacity?

Yes. Channel 1 should be on the left and channel 2 should be on the right. Things can get a little “strange” if you only use one channel. You can record in stereo and delete the silent channel later, or if you record in mono the channels will be mixed and with the silent channel mixed-in the “combined mix” will probably max-out at -6dB (50%). But, you can boost after recording.

I didn’t find anything about connecting an audio interface in the Audacity Manual so would appreciate your advice.

Plug it in before starting Audacity and then select it as your [u]Recording Device[/u]. If you don’t see “MOTU”, look for something that says “USB”.

3

that’s great, many thanks @DVDdoug

I will be recording mainly on one channel but will try in stereo.

Will run extensive testing of course, once I’ve got my MOTU (still out of stock on back order) but wanted to check in with you first.

thanks

4

Is there really no better solution? I am facing the same issue. In Windows I was also not able to switch the device to single channel in the control panel → sound options.
For live streams the post editing is not option.

5

Audacity 2.4.2

In the initial tests I had a number of issues with Yeti Blue Pro and MOTU M2. There was so much white noise that it was unusable.
The MOTU tech support blamed it on the Yeti as a primarily USB mic.

So I bought a broadcast quality XLR Rode Procaster mic. Tested it today - same issues:

  1. White noise - which is not background noise as Procaster is a dynamic mic with a close range
  2. Headphones within 2 ft from the mic create a high pitch feedback loop that will kill your eardrums. Luckily, I didn’t have the headphones on during the test. Since I need to speak within less than one foot from the mic - that’s a total no go.
  3. The output display shows stereo recording in both channels, yet the audio is coming to the headphones via ONE channel (left ear) only. With one input (mic) my voice is also recorded in only one left channel in Audacity.
  4. With the gain at max on both the input and monitoring headphones I could barely hear my voice in the headphones (which have only 32 ohms impedance)
  5. The settings in Audacity changed automatically to MOTU - I’m not aware of any additional settings to make it work

I suspect that I got a faulty unit - there was a 4 month wait for their rushed manufacturing and shipment from China during the pandemic. I"m awaiting a reply to my ticket from MOTU support and am getting ready to return the MOTU under warranty, but decided to post my comments here as there are many audio experts on this forum, many possibly using MOTU - with just one question:

Are these issues a normal behaviour of the MOTU or is this unit faulty? Do all preamps create a feedback loop with the proximity of headphones to the mic?

ok, two questions :slight_smile:

I’d be curious to read your comments.

6

I would still appreciate your advice on how to use MOTU M2 with Audacity.

I’ve been told to record only in mono, and to select windows host as WSAPI not MME.

There are as many views as people.

What is your expert advice?

7

So you have a lot of questions, I will try to take them one at a time…

It is possible that no one replied earlier because you said you were posting only as a comment.

Since you said you only have one input mic, that sounds fine.

Yes. This is generally true… :smiley:

Unlike MOTU tech support, no one gets paid here. That’s why Audacity is free! :smiley:

Perhaps there is some other issue at play here since both mics give you white noise…
Does the white noise with the Yeti appear only with the MOTU ?

So you have a gain control on the headphones. Turn it down. And don’t use the headphones unless you are wearing them - they will cause feedback - just like you observed. If you have good headphones and they fit well, you should not be getting this amount of feedback.

Which output display? For direct monitoring on the MOTU M2, you have to press the MON button. Be sure not to hold it in. See the video labelled “Basic Connections and Monitoring” here: Getting Started | MOTU.com

Does this fix the problem where “my voice is also recorded in only one left channel in Audacity.” ?

If you are using direct monitoring (see above), this should not happen. Do you still have this problem with the USB port completely unplugged? This would be a good question for your expert at MOTU.

Sometimes, when you plug in a USB audio device, windows will change its default input and output devices to the newly recognized USB device. Just make sure before you record in Audacity, that the microphone icon shows your USB MOTU.

I do not have personal experience with MOTU.

See the answer to (2), above.

I hope this helps. :smiley:

8

@jademan

thanks for your reply.

Most of my questions are out of date by now as they have been sorted out by my troubleshooting.

The key issue for me was to establish whether the mic or the MOTU are faulty, or both. The mic turned out to be faulty as some of the issues went away with a replacement mic, but some still remain plus some new issues have now come up.

I was hoping to hear from someone who works with Audacity, Procaster mic and MOTU M2 as that is a first hand knowledge based on experience.

Unlike MOTU tech support, no one gets paid here. That’s why Audacity is free!

I don’t understand the relevance of your comment - this is a place to get expert advice on Audacity issues, and yes it is free!

9

:smiley: Thanks for your reply. Good luck! :smiley: