MOTU 828 28 x 32 USB Audio Interface

28 x 32 USB3 audio interface for Mac, Windows and iOS with mixing and effects.

Manufacturer's description

Superb analog audio quality

Renowned ESS Sabre32™ DAC technology delivers 125 dB dynamic range and extremely low harmonic distortion. Analog performance is driven by decades of engineering expertise in audio interface technology.

Universal connectivity for Mac, PC and iOS

Connect to your Mac, PC or iOS device with 5 Gbps USB 3 (compatible with USB 2), with up to 60 audio channels (28 in and 32 out). Class-compliant firmware means you can plug-and-play with Mac or iOS hosts, no driver needed. Industry standard high-performance drivers work with any audio apps. Connect directly to your iPad™ via USB-C or a standard camera connection kit (Lightning adapter).

60 simultaneous audio channels

Connect all your studio gear, including microphones, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines, outboard processors, MIDI gear, optical expanders — even a foot pedal. All 28 inputs and 32 outputs are available simultaneously.

Ultra-low latency performance

Optimized drivers for both Mac and PC deliver renowned, ultra-low latency performance. With a high-performance DAW such as Digital Performer, the 828 delivers an astonishing round trip latency (RTL) of ~2 ms (milliseconds) over USB (2 or 3) at 96 kHz with a 32-sample host buffer.

Transparent mic channels and hi-Z guitar inputs

Capture your recorded material in its truest, most natural form with -113 dB THD+N, 115 dB dynamic range and -129 dBu EIN performance. Each mic channel has individual preamp gain, pad, 48V phantom power and remote control from your computer or iOS device. Each combo jack alternately provides a 1/4-inch high-impedance TS guitar input for DI tracking and reamping.

DIY guitar re-amping

DI 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. No need to re-plug cables between recording and re-amping.

Extra line inputs when you need them

Do you work with compressors and other outboard gear? Each 828 mic input offers a dedicated analog send/return loop, allowing for both mono or stereo mic channel outboard processing via fully balanced connections. If nothing is plugged in to a mic input, its return serves as an extra line input with identical signal characteristics to all other line inputs.

Control up to ten analog outputs

Control your 5.1 or 7.1 surround speaker system with a single fader. The Monitor Group gives you the flexibility to choose any analog outputs you wish to control.

A/B speaker select and talkback

Take control of your recording sessions with the front-panel talkback switch. Connect two sets of monitors and check your mixes instantly with front-panel A/B select buttons.

Monitor Mixing with Effects

CueMix 5 for Mac, Windows and iOS gives you simple, yet comprehensive graphic control over your mix with attractive graphic mixing, graphic editing of parametric EQ, and a convenient touch- friendly interface (on iOS) for quick access to all mixing features, digitally controlled trims and other settings.

CueMix 5 for iOS

Control all settings and mixing from your USB host or from an iPhone or iPad running the CueMix 5 app. You can even use multiple iOS devices simultaneously. Set a password for your 828 for network security.

Loopback and live streaming

With 828 loopback channels, you can easily route computer output back to the computer, where you can mix it with live mics and/or guitar inputs from the 828 in your host software for live streaming or podcasting.

Optical I/O and optical expansion

Two optical banks provide 16 channels of ADAT optical at 48 kHz, 8 channels of S/MUX optical I/O at 96 kHz, with optional stereo TOSLink at rates up to 96kHz. Expand your 828 with other gear, or use it as an optical expander.

S/PDIF digital I/O

The 828's standard RCA S/PDIF input and output make stereo digital transfers a snap, with optional external clocking and support for sample rates up to 96 kHz. Choose any source signal for the S/PDIF output.

MIDI I/O with MIDI Thru

Connect MIDI gear without the need for a separate MIDI interface. MIDI Thru mode lets you loop MIDI directly from IN to OUT, bypassing the computer (or with no computer connected).

Foot switch input

Connect a standard foot pedal switch (sold separately) for hands-free punch-in while recording. Or map the pedal to any keystroke function in your host software.

DC-coupled TRS outputs

All analog outputs are DC-coupled. This means you can use the 828 to manipulate and sequence modular synthesizers from a host DAW using control voltage (CV).

Two headphone outputs

Each headphone output can be programmed with the same or different mixes, with independent volume control from the front-panel or CueMix 5.

Balanced analog

The 828's balanced I/O connections are well-protected against RF interference, AC hum, and other noise- producing environmental factors.

Meter Views

Not using the optical I/O? Or any digital I/O? The 828 provides customized meter views for analog I/O only, digital I/O only and other combinations to best support your workflow.

Start making music right away with included workstation software, virtual instruments and loops

Connect the 828 to your Mac or PC and start laying down tracks with the included Performer Lite production software, plus hundreds of loops, one-shots and sounds from industry leaders Big Fish Audio, Lucidsamples and Loopmasters.

Performer Lite

Performer Lite provides everything you need to record, edit, mix, process and master your own music tracks quickly and easily. Plug in your mic, guitar and MIDI keyboard and start tracking with over 100 virtual instruments, dozens of effects plug-ins, guitar FX processing and much more.

100+ Instruments

Performer Lite includes over 100 virtual instruments, including acoustic and electric pianos, guitars, basses, drums, organs synths, orchestral instruments, choirs, world instruments and much more. Take your musical muse wherever it wants to go.

6 GB of free loops and sample packs

Performer Lite includes 6 GB of free loops and sample packs from leading sample content providers to help you start making music right away. From Performer Lite's Content Browser, choose from dozens of musical styles, click to audition, then drag and drop in your projects timeline to build your track quick.