MOTU Announces Three New Thunderbolt Interfaces – 1248, 8M, And 16A Audio Interface

July 29th, 2014 by Gabriel Lamorie

A trio of new high-tech interfaces from MOTU are loaded with more than the average audio interface.

All three models are available in the same footprint with differences in I/O – 1248, the flagship model, offers 8 x 12 balanced TRS I/O, four digitally controlled mic-pres, two front-panel hi-Z guitar inputs, two independent phone outs, and stereo RCA S/PDIF digital I/O.

8M, a lateral design, offers 8 balanced TRS outputs, and eight digitally controlled “hybrid” preamps with built-in hardware limiter. Lastly, the 16A offers 32 balanced TRS connections – I/O metering for all models is displayed on a lovely backlit LCD. They also come equipped with USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt interface options.

Another noteworthy feature is the networking capability of the AVB Ethernet port. Designed for plug and play, users will be able to daisy-chain two MOTU interfaces. With an optional MOTU AVB Switch ($295 MSRP), users can take it even further by chaining from three to five MOTU interfaces.

Three new interfaces from MOTU lets us use them individually or together as a complete system.

The 1248, 8M, and 16A interfaces from MOTU are available now for MSRP $1,495 each. I will now daisy-chain complete details and specs from MOTU:

1248, 8M and 16A feature summary

Superb audio quality — For example, all balanced TRS analog outputs produce 123 dB dynamic range and -110 dB THD+N (0.0003%) at -1 dBFS, Unweighted, 1 kHz.
Universal connectivity — Connects to your computer with Thunderbolt or high-speed USB 2.0 (compatible with USB 3.0). Class-compliant firmware and Industry standard drivers work with any 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 DSP engine for mixing and effects 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 1248, 8M or 16A with a standard Ethernet cable and control the powerful on-board 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.

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