MOTU 8M Thunderbolt / USB-2 / AVB Ethernet Audio Interface with 8-Preamps and DSP
MOTU 8M Thunderbolt / USB-2 / AVB Ethernet Audio Interface with 8-Preamps and DSP
The MOTU 8M is a Thunderbolt audio interface that features 48-channel mixing, AVB audio networking and 8 pristine mic preamps. The eight inputs are combo-style jacks that accept XLR or 1/4″ plugs from a synth, keyboard or other line-level input. You can also plug in your guitar without an amp or cabinet, to run your guitar through amp/cab simulation plug-ins in your host software.
Features:
- Superb audio quality – For example, the balanced TRS analog outputs produce 123 dB dynamic range and -110 dB THD+N (0.0003%) at -1 dBFS, Unweighted, 1 kHz.
- 50 simultaneous audio channels – Eight XLR/TRS combo inputs with individual preamps/pad/48V power, 8 balanced/unbalanced TRS analog outs, and 2 x 8-channel ADAT optical ports for 24 inputs and 26 outputs.
- Universal connectivity – Thunderbolt or high-speed USB 2.0 (compatible with USB 3.0). USB audio class-compliant firmware and Industry standard drivers work with any audio software.
- On-board 32-bit floating point DSP with large console style mixing and effects – Flexible 48-input digital mixer with 12 stereo busses and DSP effects, including reverb with sends, plus modeled analog EQ and compression, gate, and reverb.
- System expansion and audio networking – Add a 2nd MOTU AVB interface (1248, 8M or 16A) with a simple Cat-5e ethernet cable. Connect up to five MOTU interfaces using a MOTU AVB Switch (sold separately). Build a network with multiple interfaces and computers using standard AVB switches and network cabling, with ultra-low network latency, even over long cable runs (hundreds of meters). Stream hundreds of audio channels among devices and computers on the network.
- Matrix routing and splitting – Flexible, matrix-style audio routing and splitting for any analog or digital input, computer channel or network stream to any other output, computer, or network device. Split any single input to unlimited multiple output destinations.
- Web app control – Control on-board DSP, mixing, device settings, and network audio routing from web app software running in your favorite browser on a laptop, tablet or smart phone connected by wire or Wi-Fi to your local area network.
- Stand-alone mixing with wireless control – Connect an Apple Airport or other Wi-Fi router directly to the 8M with a standard Ethernet cable and control the 8M’s powerful mixing and DSP effects from your smart phone or tablet, without a computer. Great for live sound mixing.
Specifications:
- Sample rates 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
- Analog Inputs:
- 8 x XLR/TRS combo-style mic/line/instrument inputs
- Mic Input Dynamic Range: 112 dBA
- Mic Input THD+N (unweighted): -104 dB
- Mic Input Max Level: +24 dBu (with pad)
- Mic Input Trim Range (in 1dB steps): 63 dB
- Line Input Dynamic Rnage: 112 dBA
- Line Input THD+N (unweighted): -102 dB
- Line Input Max Level: +17 dBu (with pad)
- Line Input Trim Range (in 1dB steps): 53 dB
- Analog Outputs:
- 8 x 1/4″ TRS line out (balanced)
- Dynamic Range: 123 dBA
- THD+N (unweighted): -110 dB
- Max Level: +20 dBu
- Trim Range (in 1dB steps): 24 dB (-4 to +20 dBu)
- 1 x 1/4″ TRS stereo headphone
- Digital I/O:
- 2 banks (16 ch) of ADAT optical at 1x sample rates
- 1 bank (8 ch) of SMUX optical at 2x sample rates
- Stereo RCA S/PDIF up to 96 kHz (with SRC on input)
- Total I/O:
- 24 inputs and 26 outputs (50 total) at 1x sample rates
- 16 inputs and 18 outputs (34 total) at 2x sample rates
- 8 inputs and 10 outputs (18 total) at 4x sample rates
- Computer I/O:
- 1 x Thunderbolt (compatible with 1 and 2)
- 1 x USB 2.0 audio class compliant (3.0 compatible)
- Sync I/O:
- 1 x word clock in
- 1 x word clock out
- Headphone: 1 x 1/4″ TRS stereo phone(assignable)
- Phantom Power: 8 x individual +48V
- Front Panel:
- 1 x 1/4″ TRS headphone output
- 1 x Digital Rotary Encoder: Phone volume
- 8 x Digital Rotary Encoders: Mic preamp gain
- 16 x Switches: (8) Pad and (8) 48V Phantom switch
- 324 x 24 pixel LCD for level meters / menu nav
- 1 x AC power switch
- Power: International 100-240V auto-switching supply, 50-60 Hz, 0.5A max
- Included Software:
- Thunderbolt and USB 2.0 drivers
- MOTU AVB Discovery App for Mac (finds connected MOTU interfaces)
- MOTU AVB Discovery App for iOS (available from Apple App Store)
- MOTU AVB Control web app (served from the hardware itself)
- AudioDesk 4.0 (available as a separate download)
- System Requirements:
- Mac:
- 1 GHz Intel-based Mac or faster
- 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended
- Mac OS X version 10.8 or later
- Available Thunderbolt or high-speed USB 2.0 port
- A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
- Windows:
- 1 GHz Pentium-based PC compatible or faster
- 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended
- Windows 8 or later
- Available Thunderbolt or high-speed USB 2.0 port
- A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
- NOTE: Windows support is coming soon
- Web App Support:
- Any web client platform: Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
- Any web browser: Safari, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Explorer, etc.
- Web client must be connected to the same network as the MOTU AVB interface by wire or Wi-Fi
- Mac:
