I’m needing an interface for a 2019 Macpro (probably to be updated in the next year or 2) that will provide me with 16 analogue In/Out and ideally Midi In/Out (though a dedicated Midi interface in an option).

A few days ago MOTU announced that they have re-released an updated version of their popular 16A interface which appears to be a nice simple solution that offers all the inputs and outputs that I need with everything integrated into a single audio interface and with the option of adding additional inputs and outputs down the line should I need to.

Alternatively, the Ferrofish Pulse16 AD/DA Converter seems to be highly recommend here on GS when paired up with an appropriate interface, and the ‘RME Digital USB’ seems like a popular pairing or alternatively a PCIe card option such as the ‘RME Raydat’. However, despite the RME’s quality and reputation I have always found for me personally that the Total Mix software and routing to be non-intuitive despite really making an effort to connect with it. Is the software for MOTU generally considered to be more intuitive and user friendly?

I would really appreciate some opinions and any other recommendations that you may have.

I have a MOTU 828es and an RME DigiFace and I much prefer the TotalMix. Once I got it, it stuck, and is super powerful. The 828ES and their new web-based CueMix alternative: every time I have to do any routing, I have to dig up the manual and trial and error for 30 minutes trying to figure it out; I really don't like it and left it on one of the templates because of that.

For me, I'll stick with my Digiface USB and ADAT converters, which you can do with the new MOTU 16A as it supports 2 x ADAT in/out.

I'm happy with my MOTU 16A, 828es, and 2408. I've said so in this forum more than once.

But Cuemix? If you crank your gain, you might hear my groan.

Most of my gear is power-sequenced to one switch. My Motu's are not on that circuit anymore. They just stay on.
On the rare occasions that I need to reset Cuemix/matrixing, it's like I have to relearn it all over again.

So are you using the MOTU 828es in conjunction with the RME Digiface with the RME connected directly connected to your Mac/PC via its USB and then connecting the MOTU to the RME via ADAT, and using the MOTU for its 8 analog Ins and 8 analog out?

So in addition to Cuemix/matrixing for the Motu being a nightmare for you, are you saying that you have experienced the MOTU being noisy when increasing the gain?

No. MOTU is at home. DigiFace is at the studio with Apogee converters. Just commenting/comparing TotalMix and CueMix.

Thanks for confirming that for me.
I probably should have mentioned in my opening post that I am running Logic as my DAW. With either the MOTU or RME route, once configured will I need to really use their dedicated software on a day to day basis unless reconfiguring the routing in order to achieve individual headphone mixes etc?

Really depends. At home, on the MOTU, I just chose the basic interface template during setup and that's enough for what I'm doing there (basic 1 mic tracking, mixing in the box, with a pair of monitors and headphones).

At the studio, I use TotalMix extensively to route ADAT inputs to ADAT outputs, as I use a digital mixer as my cue mixer.

I was using an 828x with a Pulse 16 up until last November, replaced the MOTU with a Digiface USB and a second Pulse and couldn't be happier. The MOTU was pretty damn rock solid, but the 828x is a bit old so I hurried to get my replacement from Thomann before all these dumbass tariffs kicked in and ruined the economy. I really didnt need to upgrade it, the MOTU even with its 4 year old kernel extension driver was still awesome.

The MOTU seemed to take a bit longer to show up on the Mac after it turned on, the Digiface is almost instantly available. But go figure, now I'm having weird issues after the latest RME update, so nobody is perfect.

I'm reading positive things about the recently released gen 2 16A and apparently the new control app is a vast improvement on the earlier software.

In your original post you asked for other alternatives. Have you considered Metric Halo? For 16x16 you’d need 2 devices; if you don’t need preamps it would be the LIO-8 and the ULN-8 has preamps. Pricing now is the best it’s ever been. I’ve had Motu in the past ( an AVB system) and it was fine but I much prefer the performance of Metric Halo and also its mixer/router/DSP. It’s made for Mac. I don’t have experience with Ferrofish.