MOTU MicroBook IIc - Compact and Professional USB Audio Interface
The MOTU MicroBook IIc is a USB audio interface that encapsulates MOTU's legendary sound quality and rugged engineering in an incredibly compact and portable form factor. Designed for musicians, producers, and content creators who refuse to compromise on quality, this powerful tool transforms your Mac, PC, or iPad into a professional 4-in/6-out recording studio. Its durable metal chassis ensures the longevity needed to withstand both the rigors of the studio and the demands of the road.
The "c" in MicroBook IIc stands for "Class Compliant," ensuring instant, driverless connectivity with any Mac or iPad (via the Apple Camera Connection Kit, not included), delivering a seamless and intuitive user experience. Simultaneously record a microphone, guitar, and a stereo source such as a keyboard or synthesizer, all with pristine clarity thanks to its high-quality converters that operate at up to 24-bit/96kHz. The MicroBook IIc is more than just an interface; it's a complete digital mixer with integrated DSP processing that lets you monitor your audio with zero latency and studio-quality effects, freeing up your computer's CPU for other tasks.
Main Features
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Professional Audio Quality: Record and play back audio with up to 24-bit resolution and sampling rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz.
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Universal Connectivity: High-speed USB 2.0 interface and "Class Compliant" design for seamless compatibility with Mac, Windows, and iPad without the need to install drivers.
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Versatile Inputs and Outputs (4x6): Offers 4 simultaneous inputs: an XLR microphone input with high-quality preamp, a Hi-Z instrument input for guitar/bass, and a stereo line input (via two 1/4" jacks or a 1/8" mini-jack). It has 6 outputs including balanced main outputs, stereo line output, and a separate headphone output.
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Precision Microphone Preamplifier: The microphone input features +48V phantom power for condenser microphones, a -20dB attenuator (PAD), and high-precision digital gain control.
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Integrated Digital Mixer and DSP: Includes powerful CueMix FX mixing software, allowing you to create custom monitor mixes with zero latency. The internal DSP provides 7-band parametric EQ, classic-style compression, and reverb, without consuming your computer's resources.
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Advanced Analysis Tools: Equipped with visual audio analysis tools, such as an instrument tuner, FFT analyzer, spectrogram, and oscilloscope for total control over your sound.
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Robust and Portable Construction: Its compact chassis is made entirely of metal, offering exceptional durability to take it anywhere with complete confidence.
Studio Quality Anywhere
The MicroBook IIc has been designed to adapt to any creative environment. For the touring musician, its compact size, USB power, and all-metal construction make it the ideal travel companion. For the home studio producer, it offers the preamp quality and I/O flexibility of much larger interfaces, enabling polished, professional recordings. Podcasters and content creators will appreciate its high-quality microphone input and simple setup for effortless broadcast-quality sound.
Use Cases
- Recording high-quality demos for singer-songwriters, capturing vocals and guitar simultaneously.
- Production of complete tracks in a home studio, connecting professional synthesizers, drum machines and studio monitors.
- Creating a high-performance mobile recording set with an iPad to capture ideas anywhere.
- Use as a high-fidelity Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) for critical listening or to enjoy your music with the highest quality.
- Setup for live streaming or podcasting, ensuring clear voice capture and full control over monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to install drivers to use the MicroBook IIc with my iPad or Mac?
- No. The MicroBook IIc is "USB Audio Class Compliant," meaning it works natively with macOS and iOS without the need to install drivers. For connecting to an iPad, you'll only need the corresponding Apple Camera Adapter.
- Can I use a condenser microphone that requires phantom power?
- Yes, the XLR microphone input provides +48V phantom power, which can be activated from the front panel, making it compatible with the vast majority of studio condenser microphones.
- Is USB power sufficient or do I need a power adapter?
- When used with a Mac or PC, power via the USB cable is sufficient for full operation. When connected to an iPad, which cannot supply the necessary power, a power adapter must be used (not always included, check box contents).
- What software comes included with the interface?
- The MOTU MicroBook IIc includes a license for the AudioDesk DAW software, a complete audio workstation for Mac and Windows that allows you to record, edit, mix, and master your projects right out of the box.
Project description
USB 2.0 audio interface with Class Compliant operation for compatibility with Mac, Windows, and iOS. It features a 4-input and 6-output configuration. Analog inputs include: 1 XLR microphone preamp with 48V phantom power and 20dB attenuator, 1 Hi-Z instrument input on a 1/4" jack, and 1 stereo line input via two 1/4" TRS jacks or one 1/8" mini-jack. Analog outputs consist of: 1 main stereo pair on balanced 1/4" TRS jacks, 1 stereo line output on a 1/8" mini-jack, and 1 headphone output on a 1/4" jack. It also includes a coaxial S/PDIF digital output. Supports audio resolutions up to 24-bit/96kHz. An integrated 8-bus digital mixer and DSP processor provide EQ, compression, and reverb effects with zero-latency monitoring. Chassis constructed of metal alloy.
