MOTU 8M
The 8M is one of the several new high-performance audio interfaces from MOTU that combine superb audio quality, large console style mixing, and state-off-the-art features.
Technical Specifications
| Sample rates | 44.1, 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/O | 1 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 |
| Headphone | 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone (assignable) |
| Phantom power | 8 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 |
(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 with rack brackets removed: 17.25 inches (43.8 cm) wide 4.5 lbs / 2.04 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 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
- Thunderbolt and USB 2.0 drivers
- 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) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Line output | 1/4" TRS, balanced, tip hot | 123 dB | -110 dB | +20 dBu | 24 dB (-4 to +20 dBu) |
| Line input | 1/4" TRS, bal/unbal, tip hot | 112 dB | -102 dB | +17 dBu (with pad) |
53 dB |
| Mic input | XLR, balanced, pin 2 hot | 112 dB | -104 dB | +24 dBu (with pad) |
53 dB |
| Phones | 1/4", TRS stereo | 102 dB | -92 dB | Max. 80 mw | 128 dB |
Compatible Mac software
The 8M ships 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 8M ships 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)
8M Feature Summary
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.
Flexible mic/guitar inputs
Eight combo jacks provide balanced analog input, hi-Z 1/4” guitar input or XLR mic input with individual phantom power and pad.
Precision Digital Trim™
Digitally controlled analog preamp gain provides accurate adjustments in 1 dB increments from either the front panel controls or web app software, with the ability to save gain settings.
V-Limit™ overload protection
Hardware-based input limiter on the mic/guitar inputs prevents digital clipping and distortion from overloaded signal levels up to +9 dB over zero.
Universal connectivity
Connects to a computer with Thunderbolt, 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
The 8M's mixing and effects DSP 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 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.
256 channels of network audio I/O for your host computer
Record and monitor up to 128 networked audio channels in and out, simultaneously, through the Thunderbolt connection to a host computer.
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.
ADAT digital I/O
Connect outboard digital processors, digital mixers or other gear. 16 channels at 44.1/48 kHz or 8 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.
