MOTU 828 28x32 USB Audio Interface

The completely redesigned 828 audio interface delivers everything you need to turn your computer into a powerful 24-bit/192 kHz digital audio workstation.

The 828 connects to a Mac or PC with Super-speed (5 Gbps) USB 3 or Hi-speed 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.

Overview

Audio Performance – Superb analog audio quality

Renowned ESS Sabre32™ DAC technology delivers 125 dB dynamic range and extremely low harmonic distortion. Analog performance is driven by decades of engineering expertise in audio interface technology.

USB-C – Universal connectivity for Mac, PC and iOS

Connect to your Mac, PC or iOS device with 5 Gbps USB 3 (compatible with USB 2), with up to 60 audio channels (28 in and 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).

Connectivity – 60 simultaneous audio channels

Connect all your studio gear, including microphones, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines, outboard processors, MIDI gear, optical expanders — even a foot pedal. All 28 inputs and 32 outputs are available simultaneously.

High Performance Driver – Ultra-low latency performance

Optimized drivers for both Mac and PC deliver renowned, ultra-low 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.

Mic Inputs – Transparent mic channels and hi-Z guitar inputs

Capture your recorded material in its truest, most natural form with -113 dB THD+N, 115 dB dynamic range and -129 dBu EIN performance. Each mic channel has individual preamp gain, pad, 48V phantom power and remote control from your computer or iOS device. Each combo jack alternately provides a 1/4-inch high-impedance TS guitar input for DI tracking and reamping.

Hi-Z Guitar Inputs – Guitar re-amping

DI your guitar to the front-panel 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 mic’d 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. No need to re-plug cables between recording and re-amping.

Channel 1-2 Sends/Returns – Extra line inputs when you need them

Do you work with compressors and other outboard gear? Each 828 mic input offers a dedicated analog send/return loop, allowing for both mono or stereo mic channel outboard processing. If nothing is plugged in to a mic input, its return serves as an extra line input with identical signal characteristics to all other line inputs.

Monitor Group – Control up to ten analog outputs

Control your 5.1 or 7.1 surround speaker system with a single fader. The Monitor Group gives you the flexibility to choose any analog outputs you wish to control.

Control Room – A/B speaker select and talkback

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.

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.

Wireless Control – CueMix 5 for iOS

Control all settings and mixing from your USB host or from an iPhone or iPad running the CueMix 5 app. You can even use multiple iOS devices simultaneously. Set a password for your 828 for network security.

ADVANCED EXTRAS

Loopback and live streaming – With 828 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.

Optical I/O and optical expansion – Two optical banks provide 16 channels of ADAT optical at 48 kHz, 8 channels of S/MUX optical I/O at 96 kHz, with optional stereo TOSLink at rates up to 96kHz. Expand your 828 with other gear, or use it as an optical expander.

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.

MIDI I/O with MIDI Thru
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).

Foot switch input
Connect a standard foot pedal switch (sold separately) for hands-free punch-in while recording. Or map the pedal to any keystroke function in your host software.

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).

Two headphone outputs
Each headphone output can be programmed with the same or different mixes, with independent volume control from the front-panel or CueMix 5.

Balanced analog
The 828’s balanced I/O connections are well-protected against RF interference, AC hum, and other noise-producing environmental factors.

Meter Views
Not using the optical I/O? Or any digital I/O? The 828 provides customized meter views for analog I/O only, digital I/O only and other combinations to best support your workflow.

Start making music right away with included workstation software, virtual instruments and loops
Connect the 828 to your Mac or PC and start laying down tracks with the included Performer Lite production software, plus hundreds of loops, one-shots and sounds from industry leaders Big Fish Audio, Lucidsamples and Loopmasters.

Performer Lite
Performer Lite provides everything you need to record, edit, mix, process and master your own music tracks quickly and easily. Plug in your mic, guitar and MIDI keyboard and start tracking with over 100 virtual instruments, dozens of effects plug-ins, guitar FX processing and much more.

100+ Instruments
Performer Lite includes over 100 virtual instruments, including acoustic and electric pianos, guitars, basses, drums, organs synths, orchestral instruments, choirs, world instruments and much more. Take your musical muse wherever it wants to go.

6 GB of free loops and sample packs
Performer Lite includes 6 GB of free loops and sample packs from leading sample content providers to help you start making music right away. From Performer Lite’s Content Browser, choose from dozens of musical styles, click to audition, then drag and drop in your projects timeline to build your track quick.

Since 1986, Big Fish Audio has consistently produced the highest quality sample libraries available. Over the years, their sounds have been featured in hundreds of charting songs and top film and television soundtracks.

Lucidsamples is a collective of experienced music producers and professional musicians that offers high quality samples and sample packs which are suitable for creating products in the most popular music genres. Their sounds are being used all over the world by many well known DJs, music producers and companies.

Loopmasters is the definitive “sample boutique.” Based in Brighton, England, this label has been providing pristine audio libraries for more than a decade. Content has been expansive and evolving over the years, with hundreds upon hundreds of royalty-free packs to inspire amateurs and seasoned artists alike.