MOTU 8A Thunderbolt/USB3/AVB Ethernet Audio Interface with DSP

From studio to stage, the 8A delivers exceptional sound quality, state-of-the-art operation and rock-solid performance.

Equipped with renowned ESS Sabre32™ DAC technology, the 8A packs the same superb analog audio quality and proven, award-winning performance as MOTU's flagship 16A audio interface into a sturdy, mobile half-rack enclosure. With 34 channels of audio I/O (16 ins and 18 outs), the 8A connects to any computer or iPad™ with Thunderbolt™, super-speed USB 3.0 or AVB/TSN Ethernet. Class-compliant firmware and new optimized MOTU drivers work with any audio apps, delivering industry-leading, ultra-low round-trip latency (RTL) performance as low as 1.6ms at 96kHz over Thunderbolt with high-performance DAW hosts. 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. Extensive routing patches ins to outs, or splits inputs to multiple destinations. Use the 8A as a stand-alone mixer and control everything over Wi-Fi with an innovative web app running on your iPad™, iPhone™, tablet, smartphone and laptop. Connect a second AVB-equipped MOTU interface with a simple Ethernet cable. Add more I/O with the MOTU AVB Switch (sold separately).

MOTU 8A Features

• Superb analog audio quality and high-end converters — Renowned ESS Sabre32™ DAC technology delivers 123 dB dynamic range and the same proven, award-winning audio quality as MOTU's flagship 16A.
• Ultra-low latency and proven, high-performance MOTU drivers — round-trip latency (RTL) performance as low as 1.6ms at 96kHz over Thunderbolt™ with high-performance DAW hosts.
• Mobile operation and universal connectivity — Connects to your computer with Thunderbolt™, super-speed USB 3.0 or AVB/TSN Ethernet. Class-compliant firmware and Industry standard drivers work with any audio apps. Connects to iPad™ with a standard camera connection kit (adapter).
• 34 simultaneous audio channels — 8 x 8 balanced analog with dedicated main outs, 8-channel ADAT optical and independent phone out for 16 inputs and 18 outputs.
• DSP mixing and effects processing — Flexible 48-input digital mixer with 7 stereo aux busses, 3 group sends, access to 64 network inputs, and DSP effects, including reverb, 4-band EQ, gate and compression.
• Universal control from any device — Control everything from your favorite web browser on a laptop, tablet and smartphone connected to your local Wi-Fi network.

• 8A Thunderbolt / USB3 / AVB Ethernet Audio Interface with DSP1

• Sample rates44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
• Analog inputs
  • 8 x 1/4" TRS line inputs (balanced/unbalanced)
  • Max level: +24 dBu (range -96 to +22)
• Analog outputs
  • 8 x 1/4" TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled 5v)
  • Max level: +20 dBu (range -4 to +20)
  • 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo headphone
• Digital I/O
  • 1 bank (8 ch) of ADAT optical at 1x sample rates
  • 1 bank (4 ch) of SMUX optical at 2x sample rates
  • Switchable to stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF)
• Total I/O
  • 16 inputs / 18 outputs (34 total) at 1x sample rates
  • 12 inputs / 14 outputs (26 total) at 2x sample rates
  • 8 inputs / 10 outputs (18 total) at 4x sample rates
• Computer I/O
  • 1 x Thunderbolt 1 (Mac and Win), Thunderbolt 2 & 3 compatible
  • 1 x USB 3.0 (Mac and Win), USB 2.0 and iOS compatible (class compliant)
  • 1 x AVB/TSN Ethernet (Mac only), Requires OS X 10.11 or later
• Computer I/O channels
  • Thunderbolt (44.1 to 96 kHz): 128 in/out
  • Thunderbolt (176.4 to 192 kHz): 64 in/out
  • USB 3.0 (44.1 to 96 kHz): 128 in/out
  • USB 3.0 (176.4 to 192 kHz): 64 in/out
  • AVB/TSN Ethernet: 16 to 128 in/out depends on host computer speed
• Headphone1 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone (assignable)
• Network I/O1 x RJ45 AVB/TSN Ethernet (1 Gbps)
• AVB streams
  • (8 channels per stream) 8 in / 8 out @ 44.1 or 48 kHz
  • 8 in / 8out @ 88.2 or 96 kHz
  • 8 in / 8 out @ 176.4 or 192 kHz
• Front panel
  • 1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output
  • 1 x digital rotary encoder • phone volume
  • 5 x switches • menu navigation
  • 160 x 128 pixel RGB LCD for level meters / menu nav
  • Power switch
• Power
  • External 12-18V DC power supply
  • 1.0A max • tip pos or neg
• Dimensions and weight (WxDxH, enclosure only)
  • 8.6x7x1.75" (22x17.75x4.5 cm)
  • 2.2 lbs (1kg)