MOTU 8M Thunderbolt/AVB Ethernet/USB Audio Interface with DSP

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.

MOTU 8M 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.

• 8M Thunderbolt / AVB Ethernet / USB Audio Interface with DSP1

• Sample rates44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
• Analog inputs
  • 8 x XLR/TRS combo-style mic/line/instrument inputs
  • Preamp gain: 0 to +53 dB (digitally controlled)
  • TRS max level with pad: +17 dbU (V-limit at +7)
• Analog outputs
  • 8 x 1/4" TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled)
  • Max level: +20 dBu (digitally adjustable -4 to +20)
  • 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
  • Stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF) on Bank A (optional)
• 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, 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
• Headphone1 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone (assignable)
• Phantom power8 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
• Dimensions and weight (WxDxH, enclosure only)
  • 19x7x1.75 inches (48.3x17.75x4.5 cm)
  • 4.6 lbs (2.08 kg)
  • With rack brackets removed: 17.25 inches (43.8 cm) wide, 4.5 lbs (2.04 kg)