MOTU 828

The completely redesigned 828 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 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.

Next-gen 28 x 32 USB3 audio interface - Builds on 22 years of proven success as an industry-leading audio interface brand.

New 3.9-inch TFT display - The bright, 24-bit RGB LCD provides 480 x 128 pixel high-resolution metering for all analog and digital I/O, plus detailed status info and access to hardware settings from a simple and convenient menu.

Superb analog audio quality and high-end converters - Renowned ESS Sabre32™ DAC technology delivers 125 dB dynamic range. Support for all standard sample rates up to 192 kHz.

Ultra-low latency and proven, high-performance MOTU drivers - Round-trip latency (RTL) performance as low as 2 ms at 96kHz with high-performance DAW hosts.

Universal connectivity - Connects to your computer with 5 Gbps USB3 (compatible with USB2) for up to 60 audio channels. Class-compliant firmware and industry standard drivers work with any audio apps. Connects to an iPad with USB-C or a Lightning adapter kit (sold separately).

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, separate main outs on XLR jacks, two banks of 8-channel optical I/O, stereo RCA S/PDIF digital I/O, and two front-panel headphone outputs.

Advanced mic channels - Cutting-edge components deliver ultra-transparent 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 for outboard gear processing.

Flexible insert returns - When nothing is connected to the front-panel mic inputs, the two rear-panel returns function as additional line inputs with identical signal path characteristics as the other eight line inputs.

DSP mixing and effects processing - Flexible 24-input digital mixer with 8 stereo busses and DSP effects, including reverb, 4-band EQ, gate and compression.

Wi-Fi control - If the 828 is connected to a computer on your Wi-Fi network, you can control everything 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.

Precision boost/trim for analog I/O - Calibrate analog input and output signals in precise 1 dB increments. Apply phase invert individually to analog inputs.

Control room features - Control your sessions with front-panel "talk" button and "A/B" speaker select buttons to quickly compare your mixes on two sets of studio monitors.

Two flexible 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 that includes live 828 inputs and built-in reverb.

Two banks of optical I/O - 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.

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

MIDI in/out/thru - connect MIDI gear without the need for a separate MIDI interface.

Word clock in/out/thru - Supports all sample rates up to 192 kHz.

DC-coupled TRS outputs - Use the 828 to manipulate and sequence voltage-controlled modular synthesizers from a host DAW.

Loopback for live streaming and podcasting - 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.

Guitar re-amping - Connect 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.

CueMix 5 app - Control mixing and settings from your Mac, PC or iOS device.

Performer Lite - Workstation software with over 100 included instruments, dozens of effects and 6 GB of included loops to make music right away. Also includes Ableton Live Lite.

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

1M Ohm impedance on the line/instr inputs

Analog inputs

8 x 1/4-inch TRS line in (balanced/unbalanced)

2 x 1/4-inch insert returns function as 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 (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 3.1 / USB2 - audio class compliant

1 x IF-certified USB 3.2 Gen1 Type C-to-C cable included

Compatible with USB Type A (with C-to-A cable)

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: <1 Ohm

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

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

Mac System Requirements

Intel Core i3 Mac or faster (including Apple silicon Macs)

4 GB RAM; 8 GB or more recommended

macOS version 10.13 or later

Available Hi-Speed or Super-Speed USB port

A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)

Windows System Requirements

Intel Core i3 PC (or AMD equivalent)

4 GB RAM; 8 GB or more recommended

Windows 10 or later (x64 AMD/Intel only)

Available Hi-Speed or Super-Speed USB port

A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)

Class-Compliant Support

USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac or iOS (no driver required)

Included Software

CueMix 5

MOTU Performer Lite

Ableton Live Lite

6 GB of loops and sounds from Big Fish Audio, LucidSamples, Loopmasters and MOTU

ANALOG I/O:

Connector Dynamic Range THD+N Max

Channel Type (A-weighted) (unweighted) Level

Line Input 1/4" TRS, balanced, tip hot 120 dB -114 dB (0.0002%) +21 dBu

Line Output 1/4" TRS, balanced, tip hot 125 dB -114 dB (0.0002%) +21 dBu

Mic input XLR, balanced, pin 2 hot 118 dB THD+N: -114 dB 0 dBu (without pad)

EIN: -129 dBu Preamp gain: +74 dB

Phones 1/4", TRS stereo 118 dB -110 dB (0.0003%) Max level: 14.4 dBu

Output Impedance: <1 Ohm

COMPATIBLE MAC SOFTWARE:

The 828 ships with standard Core Audio drivers for macOS for compatibility with virtually all Core Audio-compatible apps, including:

MOTU Performer Lite

MOTU Digital Performer

Avid Pro Tools (version 9 or later)

Apple Logic Pro

Apple Logic Express

Apple Garage Band

Apple SoundTrack Pro

Ableton Live

Presonus Studio One

Propellerhead Record & Reason

Steinberg Cubase

Cockos Reaper

Native Instruments Kontakt

Waves stand-alone apps (and plug-ins, via compatible host)

Compatible Windows Software

The 828 ships with standard ASIO and Wave drivers for Windows 10 and 11 for compatibility with virtually all ASIO- and Wave-compatible audio apps, including:

MOTU Performer Lite

MOTU Digital Performer

Avid Pro Tools (version 9 or later)

Ableton Live

Cakewalk Sonar

Cockos Reaper

Image Line FL Studio

Native Instruments Kontakt

Presonus Studio One

Propellerhead Record & Reason

Sony Vegas Pro

Sony Sound Forge

Sony Acid

Steinberg Cubase

Waves stand-alone apps (and plug-ins, via compatible host)