From MOTU
Aimed at serious musicians, creators, and podcasters, the completely redesigned MOTU 828 USB-C Audio/MIDI Interface connects to a Mac, Windows, or iOS device via lightning-fast 5 Gbps USB 3.1 with low-latency high-performance drivers to deliver 60 total channels of I/O and 24-channel mixing with onboard effects processing, including reverb, 4-band EQ and compression. The 828 features a refreshed front panel that offers an improved user interface and high-resolution metering.
- Renowned ESS Sabre32 DAC technology delivers 125 dB of dynamic range and extremely low harmonic distortion, with support for all standard sample rates up to 24-bit / 192 kHz. Analog performance is driven by decades of MOTU engineering expertise in audio-interface technology.
- Cutting-edge components deliver ultratransparent sound with -114 dB THD+N, 118 dB dynamic range, and -129 dBu EIN. Each mic channel provides individual controls for +74 dB of preamp gain, -20 dB pad, 48V phantom power, and phase invert.
- All settings can be controlled remotely from a computer or iOS device. Each mic channel includes a dedicated send/return insert (balanced) for outboard gear processing.
Universal Connectivity for Mac, Windows, iOS
- Connect to your Mac, Windows, or iOS device with 5 Gbps USB 3.1 (compatible with USB 2), with up to 60 audio channels (28-in / 32-out). Class-compliant firmware means you can plug and play with Mac or iOS hosts, no driver needed. Industry standard high-performance drivers work with any audio apps.
- Connect directly to your iPad via USB-C or a standard camera connection kit (Lightning adapter).
- Optimized drivers for both Mac and Windows deliver renowned ultralow latency performance.
- With a high-performance DAW such as Digital Performer, the 828 delivers an astonishing round trip latency (RTL) of ~2 ms (milliseconds) over USB (2 or 3), at 96 kHz with a 32-sample host buffer.
Bright 3.9" TFT Display on Front Panel
- On the front panel, the bright 3.9", 24-bit RGB LCD provides 480x128 pixel high-resolution metering for all analog and digital I/O.
- Get detailed status info and access to hardware settings from a simple and convenient menu.
60 Simultaneous Audio Channels
- 28 inputs and 32 outputs, including two combo XLR/TRS mic / line / Hi-Z guitar inputs with send/return inserts, 8 TRS analog (line-level) in/out, and separate main outs on XLR jacks.
- Two banks of 8-channel ADAT I/O, stereo RCA S/PDIF digital I/O, and two front-panel headphone outputs.
Hi-Z Guitar Inputs: DIY Guitar Re-Amping
- Connect your guitar to the front-panel Hi-Z combo input, use CueMix's near-zero latency to loop to any output (with a re-amp adapter, if needed), and record both the dry signal and your miked-up amp simultaneously.
- Then re-amp the dry signal later with different amps and cabs—or amp modeling plug-ins—to experiment with different tones.
Send/Return Loops for Both Mic Inputs
- Each 828 mic input offers a dedicated analog send/return loop, allowing for both mono or stereo mic-channel outboard processing via fully balanced connections.
- If nothing is plugged into a mic input, its return serves as an extra line input with identical signal characteristics to all other line inputs.
Two Independent Headphone Outputs
- With independent volume control, each headphone output can mirror each other, the Main Outs, any other analog output pair, any CueMix bus, or any USB output channels.
- Or, you can create a completely customized mix for each headphone output that includes live 828 inputs and built-in reverb.
Wireless Wi-Fi Control
- If the 828 is connected to a computer on your Wi-Fi network, you can control all settings and mixing wirelessly from the CueMix 5 app running on mobile devices or other computers on the same network—even multiple devices at the same time.
- Manage access to the 828 with network discovery and password protection.
- Flexible 24-input digital mixer with 8 stereo buses and DSP effects, including reverb, 4-band EQ, gate, and compression.
- Take control of your recording sessions with the front-panel talkback switch.
- Connect two sets of monitors and check your mixes instantly with front-panel A/B select buttons.
- Talkback uses any analog input (no built-in front-panel talkback mic).
Monitor Group for Surround Systems
- Control your 5.1 or 7.1 surround speaker system with a single fader.
- The MonitorGroup gives you the flexibility to choose any analog outputs you wish to control.
Loopback and Live Streaming
- With two loopback channels, you can easily route computer output back to the computer, where you can mix it with live mics and/or guitar inputs from the 828 in your host software for live streaming or podcasting.
ADAT Optical I/O and Optical Expansion
- Connect outboard digital processors, digital mixers, or other gear with 16 channels of ADAT at 44.1 / 48 kHz or 8 channels of S/MUX at 88.2 / 96 kHz.
- Bank A can optionally provide stereo TOSLINK (optical S/PDIF) I/O up to 96 kHz.
S/PDIF Digital I/O
- The 828's standard RCA S/PDIF input and output make stereo digital transfers a snap, with optional external clocking and support for sample rates up to 96 kHz.
- Choose any source signal for the S/PDIF output.
CueMix 5 Monitor Mixing with Effects
- CueMix 5 for Mac, Windows, and iOS gives you simple yet comprehensive graphic control over your mix with attractive graphic mixing, graphic editing of parametric EQ, and a convenient touch-friendly interface (on iOS) for quick access to all mixing features, digitally controlled trims, and other settings.
- Connect MIDI gear without the need for a separate MIDI interface.
- MIDI Thru mode lets you loop MIDI directly from IN to OUT, bypassing the computer (or with no computer connected).
DC-Coupled TRS Outputs
- All analog outputs are DC-coupled.
- This means you can use the 828 to manipulate and sequence modular synthesizers from a host DAW using control voltage (CV).
Footswitch Input
- Connect a standard foot pedal switch (available separately) for hands-free punch-in and punch-out while recording.
- Or map the pedal to any keystroke function in your host software.
- Word clock in/out/thru supports all sample rates up to 192 kHz.
- Latching power button that prevents inadvertent switching.
- Built-in rack ears for improved durability.
- Sheet-steel case with increased depth and heft.
| Channels of I/O | 28 Inputs / 32 Outputs |
|---|---|
| Maximum Sampling Rate | 192 kHz / 24-Bit |
| Number of Microphone Inputs | 2 |
| Analog Audio I/O | 2x Combo XLR-1/4" 3-Pin Balanced Mic/Line/Hi-Z Input 8x 1/4" TRS Balanced Line Input 2x 1/4" TRS Balanced Insert Input 8x 1/4" TRS Balanced Line Output 2x XLR 3-Pin Balanced Monitor Output 2x 1/4" TRS Balanced Insert Output 2x 1/4" TRS Headphone Output |
| Digital Audio I/O | 2x TOSLINK Optical ADAT Input 2x TOSLINK Optical ADAT Output 1x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Input 1x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Output |
| Host Connection | USB-C (Class-Compliant) |
| OS Compatibility | macOS 10.13 or Later Windows 10 or Later |
| Power Requirements | AC Input |
| Channels of I/O | 28 Inputs / 32 Outputs |
|---|---|
| Built-In DSP | Yes |
| Maximum Sampling Rate | 192 kHz / 24-Bit |
| Number of Microphone Inputs | 2 |
| Built-In Microphone | No |
| Input Level Adjustment | 2x Knob |
Signal Processing
| Pad | Mic/Line/Hi-Z: -20 dB (Switchable per Channel) |
|---|---|
| Gain/Trim Range | Combo XLR-1/4" Mic/Line/Hi-Z Inputs: 74 dB (in 1 dB Steps) Digital Inputs: 20 dB |
| High-Pass Filter | No |
| Solo/Mute | Mute per Master |
Connectivity
| Analog Audio I/O | 2x Combo XLR-1/4" 3-Pin Balanced Mic/Line/Hi-Z Input 8x 1/4" TRS Balanced Line Input 2x 1/4" TRS Balanced Insert Input 8x 1/4" TRS Balanced Line Output 2x XLR 3-Pin Balanced Monitor Output 2x 1/4" TRS Balanced Insert Output 2x 1/4" TRS Headphone Output |
|---|---|
| Phantom Power | 48 V, Selectable On/Off |
| Digital Audio I/O | 2x TOSLINK Optical ADAT Input 2x TOSLINK Optical ADAT Output 1x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Input 1x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Output |
| Host Connection | USB-C (Class-Compliant) |
| Host Connection Protocol | USB 3.1/3.2 Gen 2, Wi-Fi |
| USB (Non-Host) | No |
| Sync I/O | 1x BNC Word Clock Input 1x BNC Word Clock Output/Thru |
| Network I/O | No |
| MIDI I/O | 1x DIN 5-Pin Input 1x DIN 5-Pin Output |
| Expansion Slots | No |
| Other I/O | 1x 1/4" Footswitch |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi *Built-In |
Performance
| Maximum Input Level | Mic Inputs: 0 dBu Line/Insert Inputs: +21 dBu |
|---|---|
| Maximum Output Level | Line/Insert/Monitor Outputs: +21 dBu Headphone Outputs: 14.4 dBu |
| Impedance | Mic/Line/Hi-Z Inputs: 1 Megohm Headphone Outputs: < 1 Ohm |
| Dynamic Range | Mic Inputs: 118 dBA Line Inputs: 120 dBA Line Outputs: 125 dBA Headphone Outputs: 118 dBA Line Outputs: 125 dB Digital AD/DA Converters: 125 dB |
| THD+N | Mic Inputs: -114 dB Line Inputs: -114 dB / 0.0002% Line Outputs: -114 dB / 0.0002% Headphone Outputs: -110 dB / 0.0003% |
| EIN | Mic Inputs: -129 dBu |
Digital Audio
| Sample Rates | 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 kHz |
|---|---|
| Sample Rate Conversion | No |
| Bit Depths | 24-Bit |
| Latency | 2 ms at 96 kHz |
| Sync Sources | ADAT, Internal, S/PDIF, Word Clock |
Audio Storage & Playback
| Media/Memory Card Slot | No |
|---|
Compatibility
| OS Compatibility | Computer: macOS 10.13 or Later / Windows 10 or Later Mobile: iOS Only |
|---|---|
| OS Compatibility | macOS 10.13 or Later Windows 10 or Later |
| Processor Requirement | Mac: Intel Core Apple |
| RAM Requirements | 4 GB |
| Mobile App Compatible | Yes: iOS Only |
Power
| Power Requirements | AC Input |
|---|---|
| AC Input Power | 100 to 240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz |
Physical
| Rackmount Size | 1 U |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 19 x 12.25 x 1.75" / 48.3 x 31.12 x 4.45 cm |
| Weight | 11.0 lb / 5.0 kg |
Packaging Info
| Package Weight | 17.4 lb |
|---|---|
| Box Dimensions (LxWxH) | 25.7 x 19.1 x 8.3" |
Free 3-Year Warranty
Sound Pure stands behind our products. Free three-year warranty on this item. Coverage exclusions live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.
Level of support and expertise that simply isn't available at big-box megastores. Read the warranty →
Returns
Not eligible for Try Before You Buy or the 48-hour approval period. Standard return policy applies — see Terms & Conditions, Section 18 for details.
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