MOTU 8M 8 Mic Preamp Thunderbolt AVB Ethernet USB Audio Interface

The 8M Thunderbolt audio interface provides industry-leading dynamic range and large console style mixing. With 50 channels of audio I/O (24 ins and 26 outs), the 8M also supports USB 2.0 audio class compliant connectivity that is USB 3.0 compatible. Eight mic preamps are equipped with individual gain, pad and 48V phantom power, plus optional hardware-based V-Limit overload protection, which adds 9 dB of headroom above digital zero to prevent overs. Powerful DSP delivers large console style mixing with 48 channels, 12 stereo busses, and 32-bit floating point effects processing, including modeled analog EQ, vintage compression and classic reverb. The unit's extensive routing grid patches ins to outs, or splits inputs to multiple destinations. Use the 8M as a stand-alone mixer and control everything from the 8M's innovative web app running on your iPad, iPhone, tablet, smart phone, and laptop. Connect a second MOTU AVB interface (1248, 8M or 16A) with a simple Ethernet cable. Add more I/O with the MOTU AVB Switch (sold separately). Build an AVB audio network with multiple switches and sub-millisecond latency, even over long cable runs. Stream hundreds of channels among devices and computers on the network. From initial tracking to final mastering, the 8M delivers superb sound quality, state-of-the-art operation, and reliable performance.

Key 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.

Technical 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
Analog outputs 8 x 1/4" TRS line out (balanced)
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
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 autoswitching supply
50-60 Hz 0.5A max