MOTU 8 Pre ES 24×28 Thunderbolt/USB Audio Interface Overview:
The MOTU 8pre-es is a 24×28 audio interface designed to provide versatile connectivity, DSP console-style mixing, and high-resolution audio for musicians and recording engineers in project studios, commercial facilities, home setups, and live stage applications. Packed with ESS Sabre32 Ultra digital-to-analog converters, it boasts a dynamic range of 123 dB and latency as low as 1.6 ms. The 8pre-es can be used at up to 24-bit / 192 kHz resolution with a host DAW or as a standalone mixer. It is compatible with Thunderbolt and USB on Mac OS X and Windows systems.
Its 24 inputs include eight XLR-1/4″ combo jacks for mics, instruments, and line-level signal, as well as optical S/PDIF and ADAT ports. Among the outputs are eight 1/4″ TRS jacks, two headphone outputs, ADAT, and S/PDIF.
Time code support is also on hand, as the machine converts SMPTE time code to MTC, then passes MTC on to any MTC-compatible host. The unit sports flexible monitoring thanks to its digital mixer, as well as a built-in talkback mic and front-panel talk button for communicating with your artists. The mixer is DSP-powered, offering console-style control over 48 channels, multiple aux buses and groups, and effects such as reverb, EQ, gating, and compression, and even LA-2A emulations.
Control the interface functions via a web app on a wired or wireless device. Additional power is unlocked via the supplied MOTU software package, which includes audio analysis tools and the AudioDesk digital audio workstation.
Eight Preamps
8 transparent mic inputs deliver 118 dB of dynamic range.
Sabre DAC
ESS Sabre32 DAC technology delivers 123 dB dynamic range and the same audio quality as MOTU’s flagship 1248.
Digital Connectivity
Connect to your computer with Thunderbolt, Hi-Speed USB 2.0, or AVB/TSN Ethernet for up to 256 audio channels (128 in / 128 out). Class-compliant firmware and industry standard drivers work with any audio apps. The unit can even connect to an iPad with a standard camera connection kit (available separately).
Comprehensive I/O
28 inputs and 32 outputs including stereo S/PDIF coaxial, 16 channels of ADAT optical, dual XLR-1/4″ combo jacks, eight 1/4″ I/O, two independent headphone outputs, and more.
52 Simultaneous Audio Channels
24 inputs and 28 outputs include eight transparent remote-controllable mic inputs, 8 TRS analog outputs, two banks of optical wordclock I/O, and two front-panel headphone jacks.
Displays
Dual front-panel LCD screens provide visual access to robust metering and menu displays.
Versatile Control
Easily control the interface via web app on a wired or wireless device.
Standalone Operation
Use the interface without a computer for effects and signal routing at a live gig.
Flexible Matrix Routing/Splitting
Send any input to any output, or to multiple outputs. You can route to and from the computer, or any device on an AVB network.
Expandable
Connect multiple interfaces together to expand system I/O.
Separate Main Outs
Provides dedicated XLR main outputs for connecting to studio monitors, as well as additional balanced TRS outputs for connecting to secondary monitors.
Dual-Headphone Outputs
Each 1/4″ TRS headphone output has its own volume control and can be programmed with the same or different mixes.
SMPTE Timecode Support
Converts SMPTE time code (LTC) to MIDI Time Code (MTC) and passes MTC on to any MTC-compatible host software.
DC-Coupled TRS Outputs
Use the 8pre-es to manipulate and sequence voltage-controlled modular synthesizers from a host DAW.
Audio Analysis Tools
Included software features an oscilloscope, real-time FFT analyzer, X-Y plot, and graphic phase-analysis.
AudioDesk
Includes digital audio workstation software for Mac and Windows with 24-bit recording, 32-bit mixing and effects processing, and sample-accurate editing.
Built-In Talkback
Integrated talkback microphone and front-panel talk button.
Monitor Controls
Front-panel monitor level with mono, mute, and switching for two sets of monitors.
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