MOTU 828 - Next Generation USB-C Audio Interface
The legendary MOTU 828 returns completely redesigned to set a new standard in studio audio interfaces. This fifth generation combines cutting-edge connectivity with exceptional audio quality and unprecedented flexibility. It connects to your Mac, PC, or iOS device via high-speed USB 3 (with a USB-C port), ensuring ultra-low round-trip latency of just 2–3 milliseconds at 96 kHz. With a total of 60 I/O channels, the 828 is the perfect hub for any recording studio, from high-end home projects to complex commercial setups.
At the heart of the new 828 is its acclaimed conversion technology, powered by ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DACs. This translates to an impressive 125 dB of dynamic range on its analog outputs and crystal-clear, detailed, and precise sound, ensuring your mixes are faithfully reproduced on any listening system. The two front-panel microphone preamps are completely new, offering ultra-clean sound with up to 74 dB of gain, perfect for any type of microphone. They also feature 48V phantom power, a -20 dB pad, and dedicated insert points for easy integration of your external analog gear, such as compressors or EQs.
Main Features
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Superior Sound Quality: The ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ D/A conversion technology provides exceptional dynamic range and unmatched sonic clarity for professional recordings and mixes.
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High-Speed USB3 Connectivity: Equipped with a USB-C port, it offers massive bandwidth to handle its 60 simultaneous audio channels (28 inputs and 32 outputs) with extremely low latency.
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Upgraded Mic Preamps: Two combo Mic/Line/Guitar (Hi-Z) inputs with transparent preamps and 74 dB of clean gain, precise digital control, individual pad, phantom power and dedicated insert returns.
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Integrated DSP Mixer: A powerful 24-input, 8-bus stereo digital mixer with built-in DSP effects, including reverb, 4-band parametric EQ, noise gate, and modeled compression, all without consuming your CPU resources.
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High Resolution Display: A crisp 3.9-inch color LCD screen on the front panel provides detailed measurement of all I/O and quick, intuitive access to hardware settings.
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Analog and Digital I/O Flexibility: In addition to its 10 analog inputs and 10 analog outputs on balanced TRS connectors, it features two banks of ADAT optical I/O (16 channels), coaxial S/PDIF and Word Clock for seamless integration into any studio environment.
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Wi-Fi Wireless Control: Connect the 828 to your Wi-Fi network and control the CueMix 5 mixer and DSP effects from your smartphone or tablet, ideal for musicians to adjust their own monitor mix.
Benefits for the Producer and Musician
The MOTU 828 is designed to enhance your creativity and streamline your workflow. Near-imperceptible latency lets you record and monitor in real time with effects applied, creating a natural and seamless recording experience for performers. The exceptional quality of its converters ensures that every nuance of your performance is captured with the utmost fidelity. For guitarists, the dedicated Hi-Z input and re-amping capability make it easy to achieve the perfect tone. Furthermore, the loopback function is an invaluable tool for podcasters and streamers, allowing them to easily mix audio from their computer with live microphones.
Use Cases
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Professional Recording Studio: Acts as the core of a studio, managing multiple audio sources, from microphones and synthesizers to external effects processors.
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Advanced Music Production: Its conversion quality, multiple monitoring outputs (including A/B switching) and two independent headphone outputs make it ideal for mixing and mastering.
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Live Band Recording: Its large number of inputs allows you to record full drum kits, guitars, basses and vocals simultaneously.
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Streaming and Content Creation: The loopback function simplifies setup for live streams, tutorials, or podcasts, seamlessly mixing audio from multiple sources.
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External Hardware Integration: Dedicated inserts and abundant analog I/O make it easy to create a hybrid setup that combines the best of the analog and digital worlds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which operating systems is the MOTU 828 compatible with?
- It is compatible with macOS (10.13 or later) and Windows (10 or later) via high-performance drivers. It is also class-compliant, allowing direct connection to iOS devices without the need for drivers.
- Can I increase the number of microphone inputs?
- Yes. You can connect external microphone preamps via the line inputs or use expanders of up to 16 preamp channels via the two ADAT optical inputs.
- What is ESS Sabre32 DAC technology?
- It's a very high-end digital-to-analog conversion technology, renowned for its extremely low noise and distortion levels, and a very wide dynamic range. This results in exceptionally clear, accurate, and detailed audio reproduction.
- How does Wi-Fi control work?
- The interface can be connected to an existing Wi-Fi network. Once connected, you can open the CueMix 5 web application in the browser of any device (mobile, tablet, or computer) connected to the same network to remotely control the mix and effects.
- Are line outputs suitable for controlling modular synthesizers?
- Yes, all eight TRS line outputs are DC-coupled, allowing you to send control voltage (CV) signals from your DAW software to modular synthesizers and other compatible equipment.
Project Description
This 1U rackmount audio interface features USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1) connectivity and supports resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz. It offers a total of 60 audio channels (28 inputs/32 outputs). The interface includes two mic/line/Hi-Z preamps with XLR/TRS combo connectors and dedicated inserts, eight analog inputs and eight analog outputs on balanced TRS (DC-coupled outputs), and two main XLR outputs. Digital I/O includes 16 optical ADAT channels (8 to 96kHz) and two S/PDIF channels on RCA. A 24-input digital mixer with a DSP processor for effects (EQ, compression, reverb) is integrated. Synchronization is managed via Word Clock In/Out/Thru (BNC), and MIDI I/O/Thru is also included. Two independent headphone outputs are provided, and the interface is controllable via Wi-Fi using the CueMix 5 app.
