MOTU 828 Audio Interface

The MOTU 828 Audio Interface delivers everything you need to turn your computer into a powerful 24-bit/192 kHz digital audio workstation.

The MOTU 828 connects to a Mac or PC with 5 Gbps USB 3 (compatible with USB 2), with up to 60 audio channels (28 in and 32 out). Proven, reputable MOTU drivers work with all your favorite audio apps, delivering industry-leading, ultra-low round trip latency (RTL) performance as low as 2 ms at 96 kHz with high-performance DAW hosts. USB audio class-compliant firmware allows connection to your iPad™ or any iOS™ device via USB-C or a standard camera connection kit (Lightning adapter, sold separately).

The 828 is equally well-suited for studio and stage. As an interface or standalone mixer, the 828 provides 28 separate inputs and 32 separate outputs, including two XLR/TRS “combo” mic/line/guitar inputs, dedicated main outs on XLRs, and two independent front-panel headphone outs. Renowned ESS Sabre32™ DAC technology delivers superb analog performance.

Connect all of your studio gear, including microphones, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines and effects processors. Record, monitor, and process all of these live inputs with no latency and no processor strain on your computer. Powerful DSP delivers separate 24-channel monitor mixes for all analog output pairs, including the two headphone outputs, with on-board effects processing, including reverb, 4-band EQ and compression.

Take control of your recording sessions with the front-panel talk button. Connect two sets of speakers and check your mixes instantly with front-panel A/B speaker select buttons. Stream your sessions to the web with loopback channels and your customized mix of any 828 inputs. After recording and mixing in the studio, unplug the 828 from the computer and take it on stage for operation as a stand-alone mixer with effects. Control everything over Wi-Fi from the CueMix 5 app running on your laptop, tablet and smartphone. From studio to stage, the 828 delivers exceptional sound quality, state-of-the-art operation and rock-solid performance.

MOTU 828 Audio Interface Features

• Next-gen 28 x 32 USB3 audio interface with DSP, mixing and effects
• New 3.9-inch 24-bit RGB LCD with precision metering for all I/O
• Superb analog audio performance driven by ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC Technology
• Ultra-low latency and proven, high-performance MOTU drivers (~2 ms RTL with a 32 sample buffer @ 96 kHz)
• Universal connectivity with 5 Gbps USB3 (compatible with USB2)
• 60 simultaneous audio channels (28 inputs and 32 outputs)
• 2x high-performance mic/line/hi-Z guitar inputs on combo XLR/TRS
• Individual preamp gain, 48V phantom power, -20 dB pad, phase invert, remote control, and dedicated inserts for each mic input
• Measured -114 dB THD+N, 118 dB dynamic range and -129 dBu EIN on mic inputs
• Flexible insert returns can operate as extra line inputs (when mic inputs are unused)
• DSP-driven 24-input digital mixer with 8 stereo busses and DSP effects (reverb, 4-band EQ, gate & compressor)
• Wi-Fi control from CueMix 5 app on multiple mobile devices (via a USB-connected computer on the same network)
• Network management features (discovery for multiple devices on the network and password protection for each device)
• Precision boost for all analog inputs and trim for all analog outputs in 1 dB increments
• Control room features include Talkback and A/B monitor select via CueMix 5 software or front panel controls
• Two flexible headphone outputs with independent volume control and fully customizable independent mixes
• 2x balanced XLR main outs
• 8x balanced, DC-coupled 1/4-inch TRS analog outputs with measured 125 dB dynamic range
• Hardware (direct) monitor mixing for each analog output pair and both headphones (8 mix busses)
• 8x balanced 1/4-inch TRS analog inputs with measured 120 dB dynamic range
• 2x banks of optical digital I/O (16 ADAT channels at 1x sample rates) with optional stereo TOSLink on Bank A
• 1x RCA S/PDIF stereo digital I/O
• MIDI in/out/thru
• Word clock in/out/thru
• Foot switch input for hands-free punch-in recording or other programmable host computer keystrokes
• DC-coupled TRS outputs can be used to control modular synthesizers from a host DAW using control voltage (CV)
• Support for 44.1 to 192 kHz sample rates
• 1-rack U form factor built with rugged steel construction
• USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on macOS and iOS (no driver required)
• Driver loopback for mixing host software output with live 828 inputs for streaming and podcasting
• Guitar re-amping with near-zero loop-thru to record the dry guitar signal and mic'd amp simultaneously
• CueMix 5 app to control mixing and settings from your Mac, PC or iOS device
• MOTU Performer Lite and Ableton Live Lite workstation software included
• 100+ instruments (in Performer Lite)
• Over 6 GB of included free loops, samples and one-shots from industry leading libraries
• Two-year warranty

MOTU 828 Audio Interface Specifications

• Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
• Mic/line/instr inputs
  • 2 x XLR/TRS "combo" jacks
  • Individual -20 dB pad and 48V phantom power
  • Preamp gain: +74 dB in 1 dB increments
  • 1 MΩ impedance on the line/instr inputs
  • Independent balanced send/return inserts
• Analog inputs
  • 8 x 1/4-inch TRS line in (balanced/unbalanced)
  • 2 x 1/4-inch insert returns function as balanced TRS line inputs (with no mic inputs connected)
  • Max level: +21 dBu
  • +20 dB digital gain on each input
• Analog outputs
  • 8 x 1/4-inch TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled)
  • 2 x male XLR out
  • Max level: +21 dBu
  • 2 x 1/4-inch TRS stereo headphone (see below)
  • 2 x 1/4-inch TRS sends (balanced, pre-converter)
• Digital I/O
  • 2 banks (16 ch) of ADAT optical I/O at 1x sample rates
  • 2 banks (8 ch) of S/MUX optical I/O at 2x sample rates
  • Bank A switchable to stereo TOSLink I/O (optical S/PDIF)
  • 1 x stereo S/PDIF I/O on RCA (up to 96 kHz)
• Computer I/O
  • 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) Type C • USB2 compatible
  • USB audio class compliant (no driver needed)
  • 1 x IF-certified USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type C-to-C cable included
  • Compatible with USB Type A (with a C-to-A cable, sold separately)
  • Total USB audio channels: see "Total Audio I/O" below
  • Round Trip Latency (RTL): ~2 ms (32 sample buffer at 96K)
• Total audio I/O
  • 28 in / 32 out (60 total channels) at 1x sample rates
  • 20 in / 24 out (44 total channels) at 2x sample rates
  • 10 in / 14 out (24 total channels) at 4x sample rates
• MIDI I/O
  • 1 x MIDI In
  • 1 x MIDI Out/Thru
  • 16 MIDI channels to/from computer host
• Headphone
  • 2 x 1/4-inch TRS stereo headphones
  • Output impedance: <1Ω
  • Max output: 14.4 dBu
• Phantom power: 2 x individual +48V
• Foot Switch
  • 1 x 1/4-inch foot switch input
  • Mapping: pedal up/down to any host keystrokes
• Sync I/O
  • 1 x BNC Word Clock In
  • 1 x BNC Word Clock Out/Thru
  • Sample rates: all (from 44.1 to 192 kHz)
• Front panel
  • 2 x XLR/TRS combo inputs
  • 2 x 1/4" TRS headphone outputs
  • 2 x potentiometer • headphone volume
  • 2 x potentiometer • mic/instr input gain
  • 1 x potentiometer • menu navigation
  • 1 x large potentiometer • main volume
  • 12 x switches • (2) 48V, (2) pad, (6) control room, (2) nav
  • 1 x 3.9-inch 480 x 128 pixel 24-bit RGB TFT display
  • 1 x latching power button
• Power
  • Internal 100-240V autoswitching supply
  • 50-60 Hz • 0.5A max
• Dimensions and weight (width x depth x height, enclosure only)
  • 19 x 12.25 x 1.75 inches / 48.26 x 31.1 x 4.44 cm
  • 11 lbs / 5 kgs

MOTU 828 Audio Interface Includes

• MOTU 828 Audio Interface
• Power Cable
• Manufacturer Warranty