MOTU 848

Ultra-low latency and proven, high-performance MOTU drivers — Round-trip latency (RTL) performance as low as 1.8 ms at 96kHz with high-performance DAW hosts.

Universal Thunderbolt/USB-C connectivity — Connect to any computer with the included 40 Gbps Thunderbolt-compatible USB4 cable  (compatible with USB3 and USB2) for up to 256 audio channels (128 in and 128 out), depending on the host computer connection. Class-compliant firmware and industry standard drivers work with any audio apps. Connects to an iPad™ with USB-C or a Lightning adapter kit (sold separately). Use the second Thunderbolt port to connect additional computer peripherals, a USB hub or Thunderbolt dock.

60 simultaneous audio channels — 28 inputs and 32 outputs, including 8x12 TRS analog (line-level) in/out, two banks of 8-channel optical I/O, and two front-panel headphone outputs.

Advanced mic channels — Cutting-edge components deliver ultra-transparent sound with -114 dB THD+N, 118 dB dynamic range and -129 dBu EIN. Each mic channel provides individual controls for +74 dB of preamp gain, -20 dB pad, 48V phantom power, and phase invert. All settings can be controlled remotely from a computer or iOS device. Mic inputs 3-4 include a dedicated send/return insert for outboard gear processing.

Flexible insert returns — When nothing is connected to mic inputs 3-4, the two returns function as additional line inputs with identical signal path characteristics as the other eight line inputs.

Dolby Atmos™ monitoring — Twelve line outputs support up to 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos monitoring systems.

64-channel mixing with effects — Powerful 32-bit floating point DSP delivers 64-channel mixing with 64 inputs, 32 busses, and effects processing, including reverb, 4-band double-precision EQ, high-pass filter, gate and compression at all sample rates up to 96 kHz.

Signal routing and splitting — Using intuitive, virtual patch cords, or a comprehensive routing grid, easily route any source signal to any destination. Split any source to multiple destinations.

AVB Networking — Use two Gigabit network ports to daisy-chain multiple units using standard network cabling, or add an AVB switch to build a network with multiple interfaces and computers 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. Compatible with previous-generation MOTU AVB devices.

Wi-Fi control — Control everything wirelessly over Wi-Fi from the CueMix Pro app running on mobile devices or other computers on the same network — even multiple devices at the same time.

Precision boost/trim for analog I/O — Calibrate analog input and output signals in precise 1 dB increments. Apply phase invert individually to analog inputs.

Control room features — Control your sessions with "talk" button and "A/B/C" speaker select buttons on the front panel to quickly compare your mixes on three sets of studio monitors. Mute and sum-to-mono buttons are also included.

Two flexible headphone outputs — With independent volume control, each headphone output can mirror each other, the Main Outs, any other analog output pair, any mixer bus, or any computer output channels. Or you can create a completely customized mix for each headphone that includes live 848 inputs and built-in reverb.

Two banks of optical I/O — Connect outboard digital processors, digital mixers or other gear with 16 channels of ADAT at 44.1/48 kHz or 8 channels of S/MUX at 88.2/96 kHz. Bank A can optionally provide stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF) I/O up to 96 kHz.

Word clock in/out/thru — Supports all sample rates up to 192 kHz.

DC-coupled TRS outputs — Use the 848 to manipulate and sequence voltage-controlled modular synthesizers from a host DAW.

Guitar re-amping — Connect your guitar to the front-panel input, use CueMix's near-zero latency to loop to any output (with a re-amp adapter, if needed), and record both the dry signal and your mic’d up amp simultaneously. Then re-amp the dry signal later with different amps and cabs — or amp modeling plug-ins — to experiment with different tones.

Loopback for live streaming and podcasting — Easily route computer output back to the computer, where you can mix it with live inputs from the 848 in your host software for live streaming or podcasting.

Flexible front-panel metering — Choose customized meter views for analog I/O only, digital I/O only and other combinations to best support your workflow.

CueMix Pro app — Control mixing and settings from your Mac, PC or iOS device.

Performer Lite — Workstation software with over 100 included instruments, dozens of effects and 6 GB of included loops to make music right away.

Features
Industry-leading Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 audio interface:

28 x 32 full-rack unit with DSP, mixing, effects, and networking.

Luxurious metering with a 3.9-inch 24-bit RGB LCD with precision metering for all I/O.

Superb analog audio performance driven by ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC Technology.

Ultra-low latency and proven, high-performance MOTU drivers (~2 ms RTL with a 32 sample buffer @ 96 kHz).

Universal connectivity with included 40 Gbps USB-C cable (compatible with Thunderbolt 3/4, USB4, USB3 and USB2).

60 simultaneous audio channels (28 inputs and 32 outputs).

4x high-performance mic/line/hi-Z guitar inputs on combo XLR/TRS.

Individual preamp gain, 48V phantom power, -20 dB pad, phase invert, remote control, and dedicated send/return inserts for mic inputs 3-4.

Measured -114 dB THD+N, 118 dB dynamic range and -129 dBu EIN on mic inputs.

Flexible insert returns can operate as extra line inputs (when mic inputs are unused).

12x balanced, DC-coupled 1/4-inch TRS analog outputs with measured 125 dB dynamic range.

8x balanced 1/4-inch TRS analog inputs with measured 120 dB dynamic range.

Two independent, programmable headphone outputs with volume control and source select.

Precision boost for all analog inputs and trim (cut) for all analog outputs in 1 dB increments.

2x banks of optical digital I/O (16 ADAT channels at 1x sample rates) with optional stereo TOSLink on Bank A.

DSP-driven 64-input digital mixer with 32 busses and DSP effects (reverb, 4-band EQ, gate, compressor & HPF).

Signal routing and splitting with intuitive, virtual patch cords or routing grid to easily route any source signal to any destination.

2x Gigabit Ethernet ports support AVB daisy-chaining and networking with standard CAT-5/6 cables.

16x 8-channel AVB streams in/out (128 audio channels in/out) with variable stream size (1-8 channels) per stream.

Wi-Fi control from CueMix Pro™ app on multiple mobile devices.

Network management features (discovery and control for multiple devices on the network).

Control room features include Talkback and A/B/C monitor select via CueMix Pro™ software.

Word clock in/out/thru.

DC-coupled TRS outputs can be used to control modular synthesizers from a host DAW using control voltage (CV).

Support for 44.1 to 192 kHz sample rates.

1-rack U form factor built with rugged steel construction.

USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on macOS and iOS (no driver required).

Loopback for mixing host software output with live 848 inputs for streaming and podcasting.

Flexible front-panel metering with meter views for analog I/O only, digital I/O only and all channels.

CueMix Pro™ app to control mixing and settings from your Mac, PC or iOS device.

MOTU Performer Lite workstation software included.

100+ instruments (in Performer Lite).

Over 6 GB of included free loops, samples and one-shots from industry leading libraries.

Two-year factory warranty.