MOTU 24Ao USB/AVB 24-Channel Analog Output Ethernet Audio Interface

From initial tracking to final mastering, the 24Ao delivers superb sound quality, state-of-the-art operation, and reliable performance.

Serving as an audio interface, digital-to-analog converter, or standalone mixer, the 24Ao combines 24 channels of very high-quality, balanced analog output with three banks of ADAT optical digital I/O for a total of 72 channels (24 inputs plus 48 outputs) in a single rack space. With industry-leading dynamic range and on-board, large console style mixing, the 24Ao delivers audio class compliant connectivity through USB 2.0 that is USB 3.0 and iOS compatible. Analog outputs are supplied on convenient multi-channel D-sub and Phoenix connectors for studio and industrial installations. 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 24Ao as a stand-alone mixer and control everything from the 24Ao's innovative web app running on your iPad™, iPhone™, tablet, smart phone, and laptop. Connect a second MOTU AVB interface (24Ai, 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.

MOTU 24Ao Features

• Superb audio quality — Analog outputs produce 123 dB dynamic range and -110 dB THD+N (0.0003%) at -1 dBFS, Unweighted, 1 kHz.
• 72 simultaneous audio channels — 24 high-quality, balanced analog outputs on three banks of multi-channel connectors (DB-25 D-sub and Phoenix), plus three banks of 8-channel ADAT optical for 24 inputs and 48 outputs.
• Universal connectivity — Connects to a computer with audio class compliant high-speed USB 2.0 (compatible with USB 3.0 and iOS). Discovery app and web app software works with any host 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 — Add a 2nd MOTU AVB interface (24Ao, 1248, 8M or 16A) with a simple Cat-5e ethernet cable. Connect up to five MOTU interfaces using a MOTU AVB Switch (sold separately).
• AVB audio networking — 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 (100 meters point to point). Stream hundreds of audio channels among devices and computers on the network.
• Flexible matrix routing and splitting — Send any input to any output, or multiple outputs. Includes routing to and from the computer, plus any devices on the AVB network.
• 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 24Ao with a standard Ethernet cable and control the 24Ao's powerful mixing and DSP effects from your smart phone or tablet, without a computer. Great for live sound mixing.

• MOTU 24Ao USB/AVB 24-Channel Analog Output Ethernet Audio Interface1

• Sample rates 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
• 24Ao analog outputs
  • 24 channels (balanced, DC coupled)
  • 3x DB-25 D-sub and 6x 12-pin Phoenix
  • Max level: +20 dBu (digitally adjustable -24 to 0 dB)
• Digital I/O
  • 3 banks (24 ch) of ADAT optical at 1x sample rates
  • 3 banks (12 ch) of SMUX optical at 2x sample rates
  • Stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF) on Bank A (optional)
• Total I/O
  • 24 analog + 48 digital (72 total) at 1x rates
  • 24 analog + 24 digital (48 total) at 2x rates
  • 24 analog + 0 digital (24 total) at 4x rates
• Computer I/O
  • 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
  • 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 Ethernet16 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)
  • 8 in / 4 out @ 44.1 or 48 kHz
  • 8 in / 4 out @ 88.2 or 96 kHz
  • 4 in / 2 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: 4.4 lbs (1.99 kg)
  • With rack brackets removed: 17.25 inches (43.8 cm) wide, 4.3 lbs / 1.95 kg (24ao)
• 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 high-speed 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
  • 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
    • 24Ao analog output: DB-25 D-sub or 12-pin phoenix
    • Dynamic range (A-weighted): 24Ao analog output: 123 dB
    • THD+N (unweighted): -110 dB
    • Max level: +20 dBu
    • Trim range (in 1 dB steps): 24Ao analog output: 24 dB (-24 to 0 dB)