MOTU 848 28 x 32 Thunderbolt/USB4 Audio Interface

MOTU 848 is a Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 audio interface with DSP, mixing, effects and networking.

Audio Performance

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

Thunderbolt and USB connectivity for Mac, PC and iOS

The 848 delivers cutting-edge Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 universal connectivity for Mac, PC and iOS. Connect your host device with the included 40 Gbps USB-C cable and the 848 negotiates the fastest possible connectivity speed, up to 40 Gbps, with backward compatibility for Thunderbolt 3, USB3 and USB2 host connections. Thunderbolt and USB4 connections deliver an astonishing 256 channels of computer I/O (128 in and 128 out) at sample rates up to 96 kHz.

Audio I/O

60 simultaneous audio channels

Connect all your studio gear, including monitors, headphones, microphones, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines, outboard processors, optical expanders, and more. All 28 inputs and 32 outputs are available simultaneously.

High Performance Driver

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 848 delivers an astonishing round trip latency (RTL) of ~1.8 ms (milliseconds) over Thunderbolt and USB at 96 kHz with a 32-sample host buffer.

Thunderbolt Technology

Plug and play ease with massive bandwidth

Daisy-chain the 848 with up to six other Thunderbolt devices, all connected to your host computer with massive 40 Gbps bandwidth to easily handle hundreds of audio channels, 8K video, terabytes of hard drive storage, and more. Thunderbolt 4-compatible USB-C cable included (length = 2 meters).

Four Mic Inputs

Transparent mic channels and hi-Z guitar inputs

Capture your recorded material in its truest, most natural form with -114 dB THD+N, 118 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.

Channel 3-4 Inserts

Extra line inputs when you need them

Do you work with compressors and other outboard gear? mic inputs 3-4 each offer 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.

Monitor Group

Control up to twelve analog outputs

Control your 5.1 or 7.1.4 Atmos surround speaker system with a single fader. The Monitor Group gives you the flexibility to choose any analog outputs you wish to control.

Control Room

A/B/C speaker select and talkback

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

Mixing and Effects

64-channel mixing with 32-bit floating point precision

The 848 is equipped with a 64-channel mixer designed just like a large format mixing console. The 64 inputs can take signal from anywhere: the physical inputs on the 848 interface itself, audio channels from host software on your computer, audio network streams, or even mixer outputs. The mixer provides 26 aux busses, plus main, reverb, monitor, and solo buses. All inputs and output buses provide 4-band double-precision parametric EQ and a compressor. Additionally, input channels include a High-Pass Filter and Gate. In essence: capable and transparent mixing.

Patchbay

Point-to-Point routing and splitting

Using intuitive, virtual patch cords, you can easily route any source signal to any destination. Sources can be analog or digital inputs on the interface, computer channels, mixer bus outputs, or audio network streams from other devices on the network. Destinations include interface outputs, host software inputs, mixer inputs, or any other device (or computer) on the network. You can even split any single source (or stereo pair) to unlimited multiple output destinations.

Routing Grid

Matrix routing, splitting and patching

For complex workflows that involve routing and splitting at scale, the Routing Grid provides a global “bird’s-eye” view of all the connections in your 848 system. Manage hundreds of audio channels quickly, at a glance. Check for signal with convenienct activity meters. Show and hide audio banks to customize your routing environment. Display destinations on either the right side or left side of the grid, as you prefer.

Audio Networking

Flexible system expansion

Audio networking has come of age, delivering a world of possibilities. The 848 features an integrated AVB Switch with two Gigabit Ethernet ports, allowing you to daisy-chain multiple 848 and 16A units using standard network cabling. Alternatively, expand your network by connecting an external AVB Switch to build a network with multiple interfaces, computers, and ultra-low network latency, even over long cable runs (hundreds of meters). Each 848 can transmit and receive 128 audio channels to and from the network. Stream hundreds of audio channels among devices and computers on the network. The 848 is compatible with previous-generation MOTU AVB devices.

CueMix Pro

Control everything from your laptop, tablet and phone

CueMix Pro is the consummate app for controlling everything in the 848, including device settings, signal routing and 64-channel mixing and effects. Available for macOS, Windows, and iOS, you can run CueMix Pro on multiple devices at the same time and access the 848 wirelessly through Wi-Fi. As a 1722.1 controller, CueMix Pro can also be used to access AVB-related settings in 3rd-party devices on the network.

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

Connect the 848 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.

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.

Technical Specifications

System Requirements