MOTU Shipping 896MK3 Hybrid Firewire/USB2 Audio Interface

MOTU announced that it is shipping the 896mk3 Hybrid, an enhanced version of its 896 audio interface.

USB 2.0 connectivity makes the MOTU 896mk3 a hybird to have on hand.

USB is always a great option to have on hand, and the system now provides flexible connectivity to Mac or Windows computers via the original Firewire or high-speed USB 2.0. This versatile-looking package includes eight XLR/TRS “combo” style analog inputs with high-quality preamps, ten XLR analog outputs, a total of 28 inputs and 32 outputs, 192 kHz analog operation, signal overload protection, a 32-bit floating point DSP for digital mixing and effects processing, two banks of configurable optical I/O, and support for time code synchronization.

In the back, the rear panel of the 896mk3 Hybrid provides both Firewire A (400 Mbps) and hi-speed USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) ports. Users will be able to connect the 896mk3 Hybrid to their computer using either format for full-featured operation and ultra-low bus latency.

The Firewire jacks on the 896mk3 are 9-pin Type B jacks, but they can be connected to any Firewire jack on the computer (6-pin Type A, 4-pin Type A “mini”, or Type B) using any standard Firewire cable that has the necessary connectors on it.

Other feature updates for the system include computer-controllable pad and 48V phantom power switches for the eight mic inputs.

The 896mk3 Hybrid is now shipping at the same price as the original award-winning 896mk3 (MSRP: $1250). According to MOTU, the 896mk3 Hybrid includes all the features from the earlier Firewire-only mk3, including:

• CueMix FX — flexible 28 input/16 bus mixer with on-board DSP effects, including reverb with sends/returns, plus EQ and compression on every input and output.

• 28 inputs / 32 outputs (at 44.1/48 kHz) — there’s no channel sharing in the 896mk3; the mic inputs, AES/EBU I/O, S/PDIF I/O, headphone out and main outs are all handled as separate channels.

• Front-panel control — access any setting in your entire 896mk3 mix directly from the front panel.

• Stand-alone operation — users can program mixes at the studio and then bring the 896mk3 to a gig — no computer needed. If they need to tweak the mix, they can do it on site using the back-lit LCD and front-panel controls.

• Multiple CueMix FX mixes — for example, users can create different monitor mixes for the main outs and headphones. Or add send/return loops for outboard gear with no latency.

• Eight rear panel combo jacks provide 1/4” guitar/line input or XLR mic input with phantom power, pad and plenty of gain.

• Clip protection — input limiter prevents digital clipping and distortion from overloaded signal levels up to +12 dB over zero.

• Eight 24-bit 192 kHz analog inputs and outputs on XLR jacks.

• Precision Digital Trim — Digitally controlled analog trim on all analog inputs provides accurate adjustments in 1 dB increments. Users can fine-tune the balance of the analog inputs and then save/recall trim configurations.

• Flexible optical I/O — 16 channels of ADAT lightpipe, 8 channels of SMUX (96 kHz) or two pairs of stereo TOSLink. Mix and match formats between the two banks.

• Expandable — add additional interfaces for more I/O as connectivity needs grow.

• Separate XLR main outs and front-panel headphone jacks, each with independent volume control.

• Stereo 24-bit 96 kHz AES/EBU in/out.

• Stereo 24-bit 96 kHz S/PDIF in/out.

• Word clock in and out.

• Foot switch input — conveniently located on the front panel; connect a standard foot pedal switch (sold separately) for hands-free punch-in and punch-out while recording. Or map the pedal to any keystroke function in the host software.

• Includes native 32- and 64-bit drivers for Mac OS X and Windows 7/Vista, including ASIO, WDM, Wave, and Core Audio. Supports all popular Mac and Windows audio software.

• 100% compatible with all host-based effects processing in today’s popular audio programs.

• Includes AudioDesk full-featured sample-accurate workstation software for the Mac with recording, editing, mixing, real-time 32-bit effects processing and sample-accurate sync.

• Front panel volume control for monitoring. Stereo, Quad, 5.1, 7.1 and user-defined surround monitoring setups available.

• Two front panel headphone jacks with independent volume controls.

• Comprehensive front panel metering for all analog and digital audio I/O.

• Dedicated front panel clock status LEDs.

• International 100-240V, 50-60 Hz auto-switching power supply.

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