MOTU 8A 16 x 18 Thunderbolt / USB3 Audio Interface
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Key Info
34 simultaneous audio channels
You get 8 x 8 balanced analog, 8-channel ADAT optical and independent headphone out for 16 inputs and 18 outputs. The optical ports also support stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF).
Superb analog audio quality and high-end converters
Performance suitable for the most demanding situations
Renowned ESS Sabre32™ DAC technology delivers 123 dB dynamic range and the same proven, award-winning audio quality as MOTU's flagship 16A.
Ultra-low latency and proven, high-performance MOTU drivers
The best possible latency performance
The 8A delivers round-trip latency (RTL) performance as low as 1.6 ms at 96kHz over Thunderbolt™ — and an astonishing 1.9 ms over USB — with high-performance DAW hosts.
Mobile operation and universal connectivity
Ultimate portability and flexibility
Connects to your computer with Thunderbolt™, super-speed USB 3.0 or AVB/TSN Ethernet — with support for up to 256 audio channels (128 in and 128 out). USB audio class-compliant firmware and high-performance, industry-standard drivers work with any audio apps. Connects to your iPad™ with a standard camera connection kit (adapter).
DSP mixing and effects processing
Console-style mixing with 48 channels and 12 busses
The 8A's full-fledged 48-input digital mixer delivers 7 stereo aux busses, 3 groups, access to 64 network inputs, and DSP effects, including reverb, 4-band EQ, gate and compression. If you know your way around a large-format mixing console, you'll feel right at home. If you've ever wished to mix on a large console, the driver's seat is now yours.
Modeled vintage effects processing
Vintage processing with 32-bit float precision
Classic reverb. Compression modeled after the legendary LA-2A compressor. EQ modeled after British analog console EQs. The 8A's mixing and effects DSP engine delivers virtually unlimited headroom and the utmost in sound quality.
Flexible matrix routing and splitting
Route your audio anywhere with one-click ease
Send any input to any output, or multiple outputs. Includes routing to and from the computer, plus any devices on the audio network.
Web app control from any device
Control everything from your laptop, tablet and smartphone
The software that you use to control the 8A doesn't reside on your hard drive. It's a web app served from the hardware itself. This means you can control the 8A's on-board DSP, mixing, device settings, and network audio routing from your favorite web browser on a laptop, tablet or smartphone connected by wire or Wi-Fi to your local area network. Use any web client on any platform — Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android — as long as it shares the same network.
Technical Specifications
- Sample rates 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
- Analog inputs 8 x 1/4" TRS line inputs (balanced/unbalanced)
- Max level: +24 dBu (range -96 to +22)
- Analog outputs 8 x 1/4" TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled 5v)
- Max level: +20 dBu (range -4 to +20)
- 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo headphone
- Digital I/O 1 bank (8 ch) of ADAT optical at 1x sample rates
- 1 bank (4 ch) of SMUX optical at 2x sample rates
- Switchable to stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF)
- Total I/O 16 inputs / 18 outputs (34 total) at 1x sample rates
- 12 inputs / 14 outputs (26 total) at 2x sample rates
- 8 inputs / 10 outputs (18 total) at 4x sample rates
- Computer I/O 1 x Thunderbolt 2 (Mac and Win)
- Thunderbolt 1 & 3 compatible
- 1 x USB 3.0 (Mac and Win)
- USB 2.0 and iOS compatible (class compliant)
- 1 x AVB/TSN Ethernet (Mac only)
- Requires OS X 10.11 or later
- Computer I/O channels Thunderbolt (44.1 to 96 kHz): 128 in/out
- Thunderbolt (176.4 to 192 kHz): 64 in/out
- USB 3.0 (44.1 to 96 kHz): 128 in/out
- USB 3.0 (176.4 to 192 kHz): 64 in/out
- AVB/TSN Ethernet: 16 to 128 in/out
- depends on host computer speed
- Headphone 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone (assignable)
- Front panel 1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output
- 1 x digital rotary encoder • main/phone volume
- 5 x switches • menu navigation
- 160 x 128 pixel RGB LCD for level meters / menu nav
- Power switch
- Power External 12-18V DC power supply
- 1.0A max • tip pos or neg
- Dimensions
- and weight (width x depth x height, enclosure only)
- 8.6 x 7 x 1.75 inches
- 22 x 17.75 x 4.5 cm
- 2.2 lbs / 1.0 kg
Included Software
- MOTU Discovery App for Mac & Windows (finds connected MOTU interfaces)
- MOTU Discovery App for iOS (available from Apple App Store)
- MOTU web app (served from the hardware itself)
- AudioDesk 4.0 for Mac & Windows (separate download)
System Requirements
PC
- 1 GHz Pentium-based PC compatible or faster
- 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended
- Windows 7, 8 or 10
- Available Thunderbolt or USB port
- Available Ethernet port for firmware updates
- A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
Mac
- 1 GHz Intel-based Mac or faster
- 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended
- Mac OS X version 10.8 or later
- Available Thunderbolt, USB or AVB/TSN Ethernet port*
- A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
- *AVB/TSN Ethernet audio interface operation requires OS X 10.11 or later
- SKU:
- MOTU-8A
- Model Name:
- 8A
- Brand:
- MOTU
UK Delivery
FREE Standard Delivery on orders over £99.00.
Orders placed before 4pm will normally be dispatched the same day.
Please refer to our delivery schedule for exceptions.
Delivery Upgrade Options (Over £99)
- DPD Express Next Working Day - £4.99
- Next Working Day Pre 12pm - £8.99
- Saturday / Sunday - £9.99
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If, for whatever reason, you are dissatisfied with your purchase, you can return it to Music Matter within 30 days of receiving the item, providing it arrives back in new condition.
You have the option of receiving a full refund / exchange within 14 days, or, exchange / credit only within 30 days.
Full Refund Within 14 days
In order to receive a full refund, you must notify us within 14 days of receiving the goods. Once you have notified us you will have 14 days to return the product to us.
Exchange Within 30 days
In order to exchange an item, you must notify us within 30 days of receiving the goods. Once you have notified us you will have days to return the product to us.
Goods received back 14 days after the cooling of period ends may be rejected.
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Minimum 12 Months Warranty
All new & used goods supplied by Music Matter are warranted free from defects for 12 months from the date of supply (unless otherwise stated).
Extended Warranty
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