MOTU 8A - Thunderbolt / USB / AVB Hybrid Audio Interface
The MOTU 8A is a high-performance professional audio interface designed for the studio, stage, and any environment that demands exceptional sound quality and ultra-low latency. Equipped with the renowned ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC conversion technology, the 8A delivers pristine audio clarity and 123 dB of dynamic range, capturing every nuance of your recordings and reproducing your mixes with stunning fidelity. Its compact half-rack form factor makes it incredibly portable without sacrificing professional connectivity.
With unprecedented hybrid connectivity, the MOTU 8A adapts to any setup. It offers high-speed Thunderbolt™ and USB 3.0 ports, ensuring universal compatibility with Mac and Windows computers and round-trip latency performance as low as 1.6 ms. Furthermore, its AVB/TSN Ethernet audio networking capability allows for massive system expansion by connecting multiple MOTU interfaces to add hundreds of audio channels via a single network cable, creating a truly scalable studio ecosystem.
Inside, the 8A houses a powerful 48-channel DSP digital mixer. This integrated mixer, accessible via a web application from any device (computer, tablet, or smartphone), allows you to create complex, latency-free monitor mixes and apply high-quality effects such as reverb, a 4-band EQ modeled after British analog consoles, and compression modeled after the legendary LA-2A—all without consuming your computer's CPU resources.
Main features
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Superior Audio Quality: Equipped with the acclaimed ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC technology, providing a dynamic range of 123 dB for maximum fidelity A/D/A conversion.
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Universal Connectivity: It has Thunderbolt™ and USB 3.0 ports (compatible with USB 2.0 and iOS) for a flexible, high-performance connection with any modern computer.
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Ultra-low Latency: MOTU's optimized drivers deliver industry-leading performance, with a round-trip latency (RTL) of as low as 1.6 ms over Thunderbolt at 96 kHz.
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AVB/TSN Audio Network: Allows system expansion by connecting additional interfaces via Ethernet to increase the number of available inputs and outputs.
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Integrated DSP Mixer: A complete 48-channel, 12-bus digital mixer with DSP effects processing, including reverb, EQ, gate, and compression, with no load on the computer.
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Remote Control via Web App: Access all mixer functions and device settings from the browser of any computer, tablet or smartphone connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
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Flexible Inputs and Outputs: Offers a total of 34 simultaneous audio channels (16 inputs and 18 outputs), including 8 balanced analog I/O, 8 optical ADAT channels and a separate headphone output.
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Detailed LCD Display: The front panel features a high-resolution color LCD display for clear and accurate measurement of all input and output signals.
Benefits for audio professionals
The MOTU 8A is designed to optimize the workflow of engineers, producers, and musicians. The quality of its converters ensures that mixing decisions translate perfectly to any playback system. Its near-imperceptible latency is crucial for recording musicians, allowing them to monitor their performances with effects in real time without any delay. The flexibility of the AVB network offers a scalable and future-proof solution, allowing your studio to grow without needing to replace the core equipment. The ability to control monitor mixes from an iPad or phone frees the engineer from being tethered to the console, improving communication and efficiency during recording sessions.
Use cases
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Recording Studio: Perfect as the core of an advanced home studio or as part of a larger professional setup, handling multi-source recording, mixing, and monitoring.
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Live Sound: It can function as a standalone digital mixer controlled from a tablet, or as a remote I/O unit in an AVB network system for concerts and events.
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Mobile Production: Its robust construction and half-rack format make it ideal for producers and musicians who need a powerful and portable solution for recording anywhere.
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Audio/Video Post-Production: Its precise conversion and versatile I/O options are perfect for post-production environments that require accurate audio synchronization and playback.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AVB/TSN audio network?
AVB (Audio Video Bridging) / TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking) is a set of Ethernet standards that enable the transmission of multiple audio and video channels with very low latency and precise synchronization over a standard network cable. It allows you to expand your system by connecting multiple MOTU interfaces.
Can I use the MOTU 8A without a computer?
Yes. The 8A can function as a standalone digital mixer. Once set up, you can disconnect it from your computer and use its internal DSP to mix live signals, controlling it from a tablet or smartphone via Wi-Fi.
Are the DSP effects recorded directly into my DAW?
It offers the flexibility to choose. You can record the completely clean (dry) audio signal, or you can record the signal already processed with the interface's DSP effects. You can also apply the effects for monitoring purposes only, without affecting the recording.
What software is included with the MOTU 8A?
The MOTU 8A includes interface control software, which runs in your web browser, and AudioDesk audio workstation (DAW) software for Mac, which offers audio recording, editing, and mixing.
Project description
Audio interface with Thunderbolt, USB 3.0, and AVB/TSN network connectivity in a half-rack form factor. It features eight balanced analog inputs and eight balanced analog outputs via 6.35 mm TRS connectors, plus a stereo headphone output. It includes eight channels of ADAT optical digital I/O, also compatible with optical S/PDIF (TOSLINK). It supports sampling rates up to 192 kHz and 24-bit resolution. Integrated ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC conversion technology, achieving a dynamic range of 123 dB. It incorporates a 48-channel DSP mixer with EQ, compression, noise gate, and reverb effects. Controllable via a web application over a network.
