MOTU 8A

MOTU 8A

Motu
Product Highlights
  • 8x Analog Inputs and 8x Analog Outputs
  • AVB Up to 256 Thunderbolt Channels
  • 48-Channel Software Mixer with DSP
  • Remote Control Using Web Application
  • 8-Channel ADAT Optical
  • USB 3.0 Audio Compatibility
  • DSP-Modeled EQ and Compression
  • Digital Routing Through CAT-5e or CAT-6
  • Standalone Mixer Operation

  • Overview
  • Tech Specs

Thunderbolt / USB3 Audio Interface with renowned ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC Technology

Equipped with renowned ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC technology, the 8A has the same award-winning analog audio quality and proven performance as MOTU's flagship 16A interface — packed into a mobile half-rack enclosure.

34 simultaneous audio channels

You get 8 x 8 balanced analog, 8-channel ADAT optical and independent headphone out for 16 inputs and 18 outputs. The optical ports also support stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF).

Superb analog audio quality and high-end converters
Renowned ESS Sabre32 Ultra 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
The 8A delivers round-trip latency (RTL) performance as low as 1.6 ms at 96kHz over Thunderbolt™ — and an astonishing 1.9 ms over USB — 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 — with support for up to 256 audio channels (128 in and 128 out). USB audio class-compliant firmware and high-performance, industry-standard drivers work with any audio apps. Connects to your iPad™ with a standard camera connection kit (adapter).

DSP mixing and effects processing
The 8A's full-fledged 48-input digital mixer delivers 7 stereo aux busses, 3 groups, access to 64 network inputs, and DSP effects, including reverb, 4-band EQ, gate and compression. If you know your way around a large-format mixing console, you'll feel right at home. If you've ever wished to mix on a large console, the driver's seat is now yours.

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 audio network.

Web app control from any device
The software that you use to control the 8A doesn't reside on your hard drive. It's a web app served from the hardware itself. This means you can control the 8A on-board DSP, mixing, device settings, and network audio routing from your favorite web browser on a laptop, tablet or smartphone connected by wire or Wi-Fi to your local area network. Use any web client on any platform - Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android - as long as it shares the same network.

Touch Console
Designed specifically for touchscreen operation, Touch Console™ delivers a whole new mixing experience. Access Touch Console from your tablet or smartphone to effortlessly control the powerful 48-channel mixer and effects in the 8A. With large targets for your fingers, multi-touch operation and intuitive design, you can tap, swipe and pinch your way to a perfect mix, every time.

Stand-alone operation with wireless control
Connect an Apple® Airport or other Wi-Fi router with a standard Ethernet cable for wireless control of device settings, powerful 48-channel mixing and DSP effects.

Comprehensive metering
The full-color LCD lets you view all signal activity at a glance with detailed metering for all analog and digital I/O. Access hardware settings from a simple and convenient menu.

Sample Rates 44.1, 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 Channels 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
Headphone 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone (assignable)
Network I/O 1 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 (width x depth x height, enclosure only)
8.6 x 7 x 1.75 inches
22 x 17.75 x 4.5 cm
2.2 lbs / 1.0 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 or AVB/TSN Ethernet port*
  • A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
  • *AVB/TSN Ethernet audio interface operation requires OS X 10.11 or later

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 Thunderbolt or USB 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 interface by wire or Wi-Fi.

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