MOTU 8M AVB - Hybrid Audio Interface with DSP and AVB Network
The MOTU 8M AVB redefines versatility and quality in the world of professional audio. Designed as a hybrid audio interface, it offers universal connectivity via Thunderbolt and USB 2.0 (backward compatible with USB 3.0), ensuring seamless integration with any Mac or PC, now and in the future. With a total of 50 simultaneous audio channels (24 inputs and 26 outputs), the 8M is a robust solution for both recording studios and live sound applications.
At its core, the 8M is equipped with eight exceptionally clear and transparent microphone preamps, housed in XLR/TRS combo jacks that accept microphones, guitars, keyboards, or any line-level signal. Each preamp features high-precision digital gain control (Precision Trim™), individual +48V phantom power, a -20dB pad, and the exclusive V-Limit™ overload protection, which adds a 9dB safety margin to prevent unwanted digital clipping and distortion in your recordings. The conversion quality is top-notch, with the acclaimed ESS Sabre32™ converters delivering an impressive 123dB of dynamic range on its analog outputs.
One of its biggest draws is the powerful internal DSP processor, which powers a 48-channel, 12-bus stereo digital mixer designed with the flexibility of a large mixing console. This DSP allows you to apply high-quality 32-bit floating-point effects, such as EQ modeled after British analog consoles, vintage compression emulating the legendary LA-2A, and classic reverb—all with zero latency and without consuming your computer's CPU resources. Furthermore, the MOTU 8M can function as a standalone mixer, wirelessly controllable from an iPad, iPhone, or any device with a web browser via its innovative web application, without the need to install any additional software.
The expandability is virtually limitless thanks to AVB audio networking technology. With a simple Ethernet cable, you can connect a second MOTU interface to add more I/O, or build a large-scale system with multiple interfaces and computers interconnected via AVB switches. This network allows you to route hundreds of audio channels between different rooms and devices with extremely low latency, opening up a world of possibilities for complex studios, installations, and live sound reinforcement.
Main Features
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Hybrid Connectivity: Works with any computer via Thunderbolt or high-speed USB 2.0, ensuring ultra-low latency and long-term compatibility.
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Eight High-Quality Preamps: XLR/TRS combo inputs with transparent preamps, digital gain control, +48V phantom power, attenuator, and V-Limit™ hardware overload protection.
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Exceptional Audio Quality: ESS Sabre32™ converters that offer a dynamic range of 123 dB on the analog outputs, with recording and playback up to 192 kHz.
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Integrated Digital Mixer and DSP: A powerful 48-input, 12-bus stereo mixer with modeled DSP effects, including analog EQ, vintage compression, gate, and classic reverb.
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Scalable AVB Audio Network: Allows you to expand the system by connecting more MOTU AVB interfaces with a single network cable, creating a low-latency audio network throughout the studio.
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Universal Control via Web App: Access all mixer functions, effects and routing from your laptop, tablet or smartphone connected to the same network, without needing a computer to operate in standalone mode.
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Flexible Routing Matrix: Allows routing any input to any output, or splitting a signal to send it to multiple destinations simultaneously.
Product Benefits
The MOTU 8M is designed for the audio professional who demands uncompromising performance. Its hybrid connectivity gives you the freedom to work in any environment, whether in a studio with Thunderbolt or with a laptop via USB. V-Limit™ protected microphone preamps ensure every take is perfect, even with unpredictable sound sources, eliminating the risk of digital clipping. The integrated DSP frees your computer from processing, allowing you to monitor your artists with studio-quality effects and zero latency, fostering better performances. Finally, the AVB networking is a future-proof investment, allowing your studio to grow modularly and efficiently without costly and complex cabling installations.
Use Cases
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Professional recording studio: Ideal as a main interface for recording full bands, thanks to its 8 preamps and its ability to expand via ADAT and AVB.
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High-end home studio: Offers sound quality and features that elevate any home production to a professional level.
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Live sound: It can be used as a robust digital mixer for bands, controlled from a tablet, while simultaneously recording the multitrack show on a laptop.
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Installations and broadcast: Its AVB networking capability makes it perfect for distributed audio systems in theaters, conference rooms or post-production studios.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need a computer to use the MOTU 8M?
- Not necessarily. The 8M can function as a standalone digital mixer. You simply need to connect a Wi-Fi router to its Ethernet port to control all its mixing and effects functions from the web app on a tablet, smartphone, or any browser-enabled device.
- What exactly is the AVB network?
- AVB (Audio Video Bridging) is an industry standard for transporting low-latency audio and video over an Ethernet network. On the 8M, it allows you to connect multiple MOTU interfaces with a single network cable to dramatically increase the number of inputs and outputs in your system simply and reliably.
- Is the Thunderbolt connection compatible with the newer USB-C (Thunderbolt 3/4) ports?
- Yes, it's fully compatible. You can connect the MOTU 8M to a Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 port using an official Apple adapter (Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2) or an equivalent adapter from another certified brand.
- Can I record the signal already processed with the DSP effects?
- Yes, the routing matrix is very flexible. You can choose to send the clean (dry) preamp signal to your recording software, or the signal already processed with the 8M's EQ, compression, and other DSP effects.
Project description
This audio interface features Thunderbolt, USB 2.0, and AVB Ethernet connectivity, supporting up to 24-bit/192 kHz audio. It offers a total of 50 simultaneous I/O channels, comprised of 24 inputs and 26 outputs. Physical inputs include eight XLR/TRS combo jacks with digitally controlled microphone preamps, individual +48V phantom power, a -20 dB pad, and V-Limit™ overload protection. These are complemented by 16 ADAT optical inputs. Outputs consist of eight balanced TRS jacks, a stereo headphone output, and 16 ADAT optical outputs. An internal 48-channel digital mixer with 12 stereo buses and 32-bit DSP effects processing, including reverb, a 4-band parametric EQ, a gate, and a modeled compressor, is integrated. It can be controlled via computer software or a universal web application. It features Word Clock I/O and a 1U rack-mount aluminum alloy chassis.
