MBPro M2 and MOTU Ultralite mk5

[joefuture]

Finally upgrading my 2014-era Macbook Pro to a new M2 Pro model and realized my old audio interface isn't supported. So, I decided maybe it's time to look for a new interface with more inputs, and I found the MOTU Ultralite mk5. I have 3 hardware synths, a eurorack case, Octatrack, and Digitakt I'd like to have all connected, and the 8 1/4" inputs on the mk5 look like they'll fit my needs. Ideally I'd like to have them all connected in stereo, but I'm ok with swapping things out here and there as needed.

Until I read reviews on a couple sites saying the mk5 has bad audio pops/clicks on M1 and M2 Apple silicon. Those reviews are a few months old at this point and I see there are recent driver updates. Anyone out there using an M1 or M2 with the mk5 and have current experience to share? Any similar interfaces you'd recommend instead?

[revvy]

Using a Mk 5 with an M1 MBP.

Great!

My Mk1 lasted me about 13 years and I had to give it up due to M1 incompatibility, MOTU on Mac are great, it’s their home platform. If issues arise id think it pretty likely they’d get on top of them quickly.

(No idea about any neg reviews, just sharing my own experience).

[joefuture]

Great to hear you aren’t having problems on your M1. I found one detailed negative review on Sweetwater and there is another similar one on Amazon. This still has me a bit spooked but I would expect Sweetwater to let me return it if I have problems. Out of curiosity, are you running the latest firmware from this year?

[VitaminD]

There is a long (29+ page) thread on the topic of the Ultralite Mk5 over on gearspace if you're interested. Just be prepared for nitpickery and personal squabbles. Plus much of it was posted before current drivers and firmware, something to keep in mind.

I can't speak for M1 or any Apple devices since I use Windows (AMD system).

But I have owned an Ultralite Mk5 for at least a year and a half now. I have it in a rack with the optional OEM rack ears. It has mostly worked fine. I came from owning a Microbook II that I used daily for 9 years before that. I leave my PC on 24/7 too btw.

Okay so first few drivers/firmware on the Ultralite Mk5 (you update both through the cuemix 5 GUI, it will tell you when a new update is available) were rock solid. Then at some point last year I briefly ended up with a scenario of updated firmware on old driver (like a mismatch in a way) and I was getting very random / periodic dropouts in sound. I contacted support they directed me to try a new driver and my drop outs disappeared entirely.

Since then it hasn't given me any trouble whatsoever. I stopped updating firmware and drivers for the time being (don't fix what isn't broken). But they are fairly quick with updates and very prompt when submitting tickets on their site.

FYI. Currently using firmware 1.1.8+2402:22 and driver 4.0.9.2185 again on Windows. It would be interesting to see what firmware and driver revvy is using (since he is on a Mac which is obviously more related to your inquiry).

I hope this helps some.

[revvy]

I haven’t updated anything about my UL in a few months as it ain’t broke so I don’t wanna fix it.

Seems Vit D is having good Win experiences and as for Mac, there are few companies I imagine know the platform better than MOTU.