MOTU 16A Thunderbolt/AVB Ethernet/USB Audio Interface with DSP

The 16A Thunderbolt™ audio interface provides industry-leading dynamic range and large console style mixing. With 64 channels of audio I/O (32 ins and 32 outs), the 16A also supports USB 2.0 audio class compliant connectivity that is USB 3.0 compatible. As an interface, standalone mixer or patchbay, the 16A provides 32 separate inputs and 32 separate outputs, including sixteen balanced TRS analog inputs, sixteen balanced TRS analog outputs, and two 8-channel banks of ADAT optical digital I/O. 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 16A as a stand-alone mixer and control everything from the 16A'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 16A delivers superb sound quality, state-of-the-art operation, and reliable performance.

MOTU 16A 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.
• 64 simultaneous audio channels — Sixteen balanced/unbalanced TRS analog inputs and outputs, plus 2 x 8-channel ADAT optical ports for 32 inputs and 32 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 16A with a standard Ethernet cable and control the 16A's powerful mixing and DSP effects from your smart phone or tablet, without a computer. Great for live sound mixing.

• 16A Thunderbolt/AVB Ethernet/USB Audio Interface with DSP1

• Sample rates44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
• Analog inputs16 x 1/4" TRS line inputs (balanced/unbalanced)
• Analog outputs16 x 1/4" TRS line outputs (balanced)
• 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 TOSLink (optical S/PDIF) on Bank A (optional)
• Total I/O 32 inputs and 32 outputs (64 total) at 1x sample rates
  • 24 inputs and 24 outputs (48 total) at 2x sample rates
  • 16 inputs and 16 outputs (32 total) at 4x sample rates
• Computer I/O 1 x Thunderbolt (compatible with 1 and 2)
  • 1 x USB 2.0 audio class compliant
  • USB 3.0 and iOS compatible
  • 1 x AVB Ethernet (requires OS X Yosemite)
• Computer I/O channels
  • Thunderbolt (44.1 to 96 kHz): 128 in/out
  • Thunderbolt (176.4 to 192 kHz): 64 in/out
  • USB 2.0 (44.1 to 48 kHz): 64 in/out
  • USB 2.0 (88.2 to 96 kHz): 32 in/out
  • USB 2.0 (176.4 to 192 kHz): 24 in/out
  • AVB Ethernet: 16 to 128 in/out, depending on host computer speed
• Sync I/O
  • 1 x word clock in
  • 1 x word clock out
• Network I/O1 x RJ45 AVB/TSN Ethernet (1 Gbps)
• AVB streams (8 channels per stream)
  • 16 in / 16 out @ 44.1 or 48 kHz
  • 16 in / 16 out @ 88.2 or 96 kHz
  • 8 in / 8 out @ 176.4 or 192 kHz
• Front panel
  • 5 x switches • menu navigation
  • 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
• Dimensions and weight (W x D x H, enclosure only)
  • Enclosure only: 19 x 7 x 1.75 inches (48.3 x 17.75 x 4.5 cm)
  • Weight: 5 lbs (2.27 kg)
  • With rack brackets removed: 17.25 inches (43.8 cm) wide, 4.9 lbs 2.22 kg)
• Mac System Requirements
  • 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, USB 2.0 or AVB Ethernet port*
  • A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
  • *AVB Ethernet audio interface operation requires OS X Yosemite
• Windows System Requirements
  • 1 GHz Pentium-based PC compatible or faster
  • 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended
  • Windows 7*, 8 or 10
  • Available USB 2.0 or 3.0 port
  • Available Ethernet port for firmware updates
  • A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
• 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.
• Included Software
  • Thunderbolt and USB 2.0 drivers
  • MOTU Discovery App for Mac & PC (finds connected MOTU interfaces)
  • MOTU Discovery App for iOS (available from Apple App Store)
  • MOTU Pro Audio Control web app (served from the hardware itself)
  • MOTU Audio Tools (FFT, oscilloscope, X-Y plot, phase analyzer) AudioDesk 4.0 for Mac & PC (separate download)
• Operating Systems
  • For computer audio I/O: Mac OS X 10.8 or later; Windows 7* or later
  • For web app control: Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
• Analog I/O Specifications
  • Connector Type
    • Line output: 1/4" TRS balanced, tip hot
    • Line input: 1/4" TRS, bal/unbal, tip hot
  • Dynamic range (A-weighted)
    • Line output: 123 dB
    • Line input: 117 dB
  • THD+N (unweighted)
    • Line output: -110 dB
    • Line input: -110 dB
  • Max level
    • Line output: +20 dBu
    • Line input: +24 dBu
  • Trim range (in 1 dB steps)
    • Line output: 24 dB (-4 to +20 dBu)
    • Line input: 22 dB (+2 to +24 dBu)