MOTU 4Pre
Motu

MOTU 4Pre

Product Highlights
  • 6 Input / 8 Output
  • 4 Microphone Preamps
  • 8-Bus Digital Mixer
  • Digital I/O
  • Phantom Power
  • Time Code Support
  • 24-bit/96kHz
  • Standalone Operation
  • Mac OS X
  • Windows Vista/7

  • Overview
  • Tech Specs

Equiped with four mic inputs and hands-on mixing, the 4pre is the ideal live-recording interface for both studio and stage

Four mic preamps
When two mic inputs just aren't enough
If you've been searching for an affordable, compact audio interface with four mic inputs, your search is over. The 4pre packs four mic inputs into an impressively small half-rack form factor, along with a healthy complement of additional professional-grade audio connections. Just think of the possibilities. You can record and mix vocals plus guitar for two musicians simultaneously. Or mic a drum kit with overheads and close-ups. Or record lead and background vocals in one take. With an interface this flexible, capable, and great-sounding, you'll be ready for any situation your music throws at you.

Compact size

Designed to go with you anywhere
The 4pre is an impressively small 8.5 by 7 by 1.75 inches, which means that it slides easily into your backpack. It also sits nicely next to your laptop or desktop computer.

Flexible combo-style inputs
Connect guitars, a keyboard, or other inputs
The four inputs are not just for mics: they are combo jacks that also accept a quarter-inch plug. Inputs 1-2 take line-level signals, such as the output from a synth or keyboard. Inputs 3-4 are "hi-Z" DI inputs with proper impedance for plugging in your electric guitar directly, without an amp or cabinet, to process your guitar sound through amp and cab simulation plug-ins in your host software.

Universal connectivity
Hybrid technology connects to any computer
Thanks to MOTU’s Hybrid interface technology, the 4pre connects to any Mac or PC via FireWire or high-speed USB 2.0. Connect your mic, guitar, keyboard, and digital input, and you are ready to make pro-quality recordings.

Bus-powered FireWire
No power supply needed
The 4pre can draw power from its FireWire connection to the computer, so you can operate remotely on laptop battery power.

High-speed USB 2.0
High bandwidth and low latency
The 4pre can record and play all channels simultaneously, and high-speed USB 2.0 provides plenty of bandwidth, even at 96 kHz.

Mixing made simple
Hands-on mixing for studio and stage
Quickly balance the levels of mics, guitars, a keyboard, or other inputs right from the front panel. Each input has its own volume control. Route inputs directly to any output pair, each with its own unique mix: main outs, line outs, S/PDIF out, and phones.

Studio grade sound
Your mix will be ready for prime time
The 4pre has been engineered with MOTU’s renowned, award-winning audio interface technology, which delivers the pristine audio quality and rock-solid performance that MOTU interfaces are known for worldwide. You can always record and mix with confidence, knowing that decades of engineering experience are behind you, every step of the way.

Solid metal chassis
MOTU interfaces are built to last
The 4pre aluminum alloy chassis is lightweight, yet incredibly sturdy and durable, and designed to withstand the rigors of the studio, stage, and tour bus. In a world awash with cheap plastic, the cool touch of the 4pre's metal exterior in your hands is a reassuring reminder that you are holding quality engineering and construction built to last.

Rack mounting brackets
Mount the 4pre in a rack with your other gear
The 4pre can be joined with another MOTU half-rack interface (MIDI or audio) and together they can be mounted in a standard 19-inch equipment rack, or you can mount them on rack rails with other MOTU gear for convenient desktop operation, as shown here.
Use the included brackets and hex bolts to join the 4pre with another MOTU interface, such as the micro lite MIDI interface shown here (or a second 4pre), to mount them in a standard 19-inch equipment rack.

Converters 24-bit
Sample Rates 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz
Analog In 4 x XLR/TRS combo
2 x 1/4" TRS (balanced/unbalanced)
2 x 1/4" hi-Z guitar
Analog Outputs 2 x 1/4" balanced TRS main out
2 x 1/4" balanced TRS line out
2 x 1/4" TRS headphone
Digital Input 1 x RCA coaxial S/PDIF
Digital Output 1 x RCA coaxial S/PDIF
Computer I/O 1 x FireWire 400 (Type B)
1 x USB 2.0
Sync In/Out S/PDIF
SMPTE time code (LTC)
Headphone Output 2 x 1/4" TRS phone with independent volume control
Phantom Power Individual +48V
Front panel 2 x 10-segment ladder LEDs - main outs
4 x 5-segment LEDs - inputs
2 x signal present LEDs - S/PDIF I/O
2 x signal present LEDs - stereo line out
4 x LEDs - 48V phantom power
4 x LEDs - -20 dB pad
5 x LEDs - mix/trim (main, line, S/PDIF, phone, trim)
1 x LED - Vol/Pan
Power Requirements 9-18V DC, 5W, tip + or -
FireWire bus power
DC power adapter included, required for stand-alone and USB 2.0 operation

Mac System Requirements
  • PowerPC G4 CPU 1 GHz or faster (including any Mac with a PowerPC G5 or any Intel processor)
  • 1 GB RAM; 2 GB or more recommended
  • Mac OS X version 10.8, 10.7, 10.6, or 10.5; v10.5.8 or later required
  • Available FireWire or high-speed USB 2.0 port
  • A large hard drive (preferably at least 250 GB)

Windows System Requirements
  • 1 GHz Pentium-based PC compatible or faster equipped with at least one USB2 or FireWire port
  • 1 GB RAM; 2 GB or more recommended
  • Windows 10, 8, 7 or Vista, 32- or 64-bit; Vista SP 2 or later required
  • Available FireWire or high-speed USB 2.0 port
  • A large hard drive (preferably at least 250 GB)

Operating Systems
  • Mac OS X version 10.8, 10.7, 10.6, or 10.5 (v10.5.8 or later is required)
  • Windows 10, 8, 7, or Vista (SP2 or later is required)

64-bit operation
  • Available for Mac OS X version 10.8, 10.7, or 10.6
  • Available for 64-bit versions of Windows 10, 8, 7, or Vista
  • Requires a 64-bit CPU (and host application for plug-in versions)