MOTU 24Ao
The 24Ao from MOTU is a single rack space USB 2.0 interface with industry-standard AVB networking for sub-millisecond network latency, and offers twenty-four channels of analog audio output combined with three banks of ADAT optical, for a total of seventy-two channels of I/O.
Technical Specifications
| Sample rates | 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz |
| 24Ai analog inputs |
24 channels (balanced/unbalanced) 3x DB-25 D-sub and 6x 12-pin Phoenix Max level: +24 dBu (digitally adjustable -96 to +22) |
| 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 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/O | 1 x RJ45 AVB/TSN Ethernet (1 Gbps) |
| AVB streams (8 channels per stream) |
24Ai 4 in / 8 out @ 44.1 or 48 kHz 4 in / 8 out @ 88.2 or 96 kHz 2 in / 4 out @ 176.4 or 192 kHz 24Ao 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 |
(width x depth x height, enclosure only) 19 x 7 x 1.75 inches 48.3 x 17.75 x 4.5 cm 4.6 lbs / 2.08 kg (24ai) 4.4 lbs / 1.99 kg (24ao) with rack brackets removed: 17.25 inches (43.8 cm) wide 4.5 lbs / 2.04 kg (24ai) 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 |
Dynamic range (A-weighted) |
THD+N (unweighted) |
Max level |
Trim range (in 1 dB steps) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24Ao analog output | DB-25 D-sub or 12-pin phoenix | 123 dB | -110 dB | +20 dBu | 24 dB (-24 to 0 dB) |
| 24Ai analog input | DB-25 D-sub or 12-pin phoenix | 110 dB | -102 dB | +24 dBu | 118 dB (-96 to +22 dB) |
Compatible Mac Software
The 24Ai and 24Ao ship with standard Core Audio drivers for Mac OS X for compatibility with virtually all Core Audio-compatible apps, including:
- MOTU Digital Performer
- Avid Pro Tools (version 9 or later)
- Apple Logic Pro
- Apple Logic Express
- Apple Garage Band
- Apple SoundTrack Pro
- Ableton Live
- Propellerhead Record & Reason
- Steinberg Cubase
- Cockos Reaper
- Native Instruments Kontakt
- Waves stand-alone apps (and plug-ins, via compatible host)
Compatible Windows Software
The 24Ai and 24Ao ship with standard ASIO and Wave drivers for Windows 7, 8 and 10 for compatibility with virtually all ASIO- and Wave-compatible audio apps, including:
- MOTU Digital Performer
- Avid Pro Tools (version 9 or later)
- Ableton Live
- Cakewalk Sonar
- Steinberg Cubase
- Propellerhead Record & Reason
- Image Line FL Studio
- Sony Vegas Pro
- Sony Sound Forge
- Sony Acid
- Cockos Reaper
- Native Instruments Kontakt
- Waves stand-alone apps (and plug-ins, via compatible host)
24Ai and 24Ao Feature Summary
Superb audio quality
Employs the same industry-recognized analog design as MOTU's groundbreaking 1248, 8M and 16A audio interfaces.
72 simultaneous audio channels
24 high-quality, balanced analog inputs (24Ai) or outputs (24Ao) on three banks of multi-channel connectors (D-sub and Phoenix), plus three banks of 8-channel ADAT optical for 24 analog channels and 48 digital channels.
Universal connectivity
Connects to a computer with standard AVB Ethernet or audio class compliant high-speed USB 2.0 (compatible with USB 3.0 and iOS). Discovery app and web app software works alongside any host audio software.
On-board DSP with mixing and effects
Flexible 48-input digital mixer modeled after large format mixing consoles, with 12 stereo busses and DSP effects, including reverb, 4-band EQ, gate, and compression.
32-bit floating point processing
DSP-driven mixing and effects engine delivers virtually unlimited headroom and the utmost in sound quality.
Modeled vintage effects processing
Classic reverb. Compression modeled after the legendary LA-2A compressor. EQ modeled after British analog console EQs.
System expansion
Add a 2nd MOTU AVB interface (24Ai, 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.
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 24Ai or 24Ao with a standard Ethernet cable and control powerful mixing and DSP effects from your smart phone or tablet, without a computer. Great for live sound mixing.
ADAT digital I/O
Use the 24Ai or 24Ao as a 24-channel optical expander for other gear. 24 channels at 44.1/48 kHz or 12 channels at 88.2/96 kHz.
Comprehensive metering
The large backlit 324 x 24 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.
AudioDesk
Includes AudioDesk workstation software for Mac and Windows with 24-bit recording, sample-accurate editing and 32-bit mixing and mastering.
