MOTU 896mk3 – FireWire/USB 2.0 Hybrid Audio Interface

MOTU 896mk3 Overview

The Motu 896mk3 is a hybrid digital audio interface that features both FireWire and USB 2.0 connectivity. The interface can also function as a rack-mount, standalone mixer without the need for a computer. It provides eight channels of 24-bit/192kHz analog recording and playback, combined with sixteen channels of optical digital I/O, stereo AES/EBU, S/PDIF, and separate analog main outs. MOTU 896mk3

An on-board CueMix FX digital mixer allows for routing guitars, synthesizers, keyboards, drum machines and even effects processors with no latency and no processor strain on the host computer. Hardware DSP-driven effects processing can be applied to inputs, outputs and busses independent of the host computer.

DSP effects include the Classic Reverb with reverb times of up to sixty seconds, and a seven-band parametric EQ featuring filter types modeled after British analog console EQs. Also included are a conventional compressor and the Leveler, an accurate model of the legendary LA-2A optical compressor that provides automatic gain control.

All analog inputs are equipped with V-Limit, a hardware limiter that helps prevent digital clipping from overloaded input signals. Additional protection can be applied to the microphone/guitar inputs by enabling the Soft Clip feature, which engages just before clipping and helps reduce perceptible distortion.

Powered monitors can be plugged directly into the outputs of the interface and the output attenuated from the software or a front-panel control. Main out volume is not limited to stereo operation, and includes quad, 5.1, 7.1 and even user-defined configurations are available. Additional programming allows for all thirty-two outputs to be controlled with the master volume knob.

• Hybrid FireWire/USB2 connectivity – connect to your computer via plug-and-play FireWire or hi-speed USB2
• CueMix FX is a 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 44.1/48kHz)
• No channel sharing – the microphone inputs, AES/EBU and S/PDIF I/O, headphone out and main outs are all handled as separate channels
• Front-panel control with access to any setting in a mix directly from the front panel
• Stand-alone operation – program your mixes at the studio and then bring the unit to a gig without a computer
• Need to tweak the mix? Do it on site using the back-lit LCD and front-panel controls
• Multiple CueMix FX mixes (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″ or XLR microphone input with phantom power, pad and plenty of gain
• Clip protection – input limiter prevents digital clipping and distortion from overloaded signal levels up to +12dB over zero
• Eight 24-bit/192kHz analog inputs and outputs on XLR jacks
• Precision Digital Trim digitally controls analog trim on all analog inputs while providing accurate adjustments in 1.0dB increments
• Fine-tune the balance of your analog inputs and then save/recall trim configurations
• Flexible optical I/O – 16 channels of ADAT Lightpipe, 8 channels of SMUX (96kHz) or two pairs of stereo TOSLink
• Mix and match formats between the two banks
• Expandable by adding additional interfaces for more I/O as needs grow
• Separate XLR main outs and front-panel headphone jacks, each with independent volume control
• 24-bit/96kHz AES/EBU stereo I/O
• 24-bit/96kHz S/PDIF stereo I/O
• Wordclock in and out
• CueMix FX includes audio analysis visual diagnostic tools for the stereo audio signals, from an accurate guitar/instrument tuner to phase and polarity measurement tools, to a full-fledged oscilloscope
• Resolve directly to time code, with no additional synchronizer required via one of the analog input jacks
• Includes a DSP-driven phase-lock engine with sophisticated filtering that provides fast lockup times and sub-frame accuracy
• MOTU SMPTE Console software (for Mac OS X and Windows 7/Vista) provides a complete set of tools to generate SMPTE for striping, regenerating or slaving other devices to the computer
• Foot switch input (conveniently located on the front panel) connects a standard foot pedal switch (sold separately) for hands-free punch-in and punch-out while recording
• 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, Core Audio, and Core MIDI
• 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 Macintosh with recording, editing, mixing, real-time 32-bit effects processing and sample-accurate sync
• Plug-and-play operation with Mac or PC via FireWire or high-speed USB 2.0
• Front panel volume control for monitoring
• Stereo, Quad, 6.1, 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
• Internal universal 100~240V, 50/60Hz auto switching power supply