MOTU 24Ao

The 24Ai and 24Ao are two new members of MOTU's high-end audio interface lineup that includes the 1248, 8M and 16A. You can mix and match their complementary I/O configurations and unify operation with their shared AVB audio networking platform.

The 24Ao offers twenty-four analog outputs. Both units include three 8-channel ADAT optical banks, for a total of 72 channels each (24 analog plus 48 optical). Use the 24Ai and 24Ao to add analog I/O to your computer, or as a flexible optical expander and mixer. Or both!

All analog I/O is supplied on multi-channel DB-25 D-sub connectors and Phoenix connectors for convenient, flexible wiring into studio and industrial installations alike. If you need individual quarter-inch connectors, check out the 16A interface.

British analog mixing consoles are renowned for their musical EQ profiles. The 24Ai and 24Ao meticulously model these classic EQs to give you the very same, magical EQ response found on these coveted desks. Each input channel also provides a classic compressor module with optional peak/RMS operation. Groups and the Main Mix bus are equipped with MOTU's Leveler™, an accurate model of the legendary Teletronix™ LA-2A™ optical leveling amplifier, known for its unique and highly sought-after Automatic Gain Control (AGC) characteristics.

With one click on the routing grid, you can route any source signal to any destination. Sources can be analog or digital inputs on the interface, computer channels, mixer bus outputs, or audio network streams from other devices on the network. Destinations include interface outputs, host software inputs, mixer inputs, or any other device (or computer) on the AVB network. You can even split any single input (or stereo pair) to unlimited multiple output destinations.

• Superb audio quality - Employs the same industry-recognized analog design as MOTU's groundbreaking 1248, 8M and 16A audio interfaces.

• 72 simultaneous audio channels - 24 high-quality, balanced analog inputs (24Ai) or outputs (24Ao) on three banks of multi-channel connectors (D-sub and Phoenix), plus three banks of 8-channel ADAT optical for 24 analog channels and 48 digital channels.

• Universal connectivity - Connects to a computer with audio class compliant high-speed USB 2.0 (compatible with USB 3.0 and iOS). Discovery app and web app software works alongside any host audio software.

• On-board DSP with mixing and effects - Flexible 48-input digital mixer modeled after large format mixing consoles, with 12 stereo busses and DSP effects, including reverb, 4-band EQ, gate, and compression.

• 32-bit floating point processing - DSP-driven mixing and effects engine delivers virtually unlimited headroom and the utmost in sound quality.

• Modeled vintage effects processing - Classic reverb. Compression modeled after the legendary LA-2A compressor. EQ modeled after British analog console EQs.

• The MOTU AVB Switch for system expansion and AVB audio networking.

• System expansion - Add a 2nd MOTU AVB interface (24Ai, 24Ao, 1248, 8M or 16A) with a simple Cat-5e Ethernet cable. Connect up to five MOTU interfaces using a MOTU AVB Switch (sold separately).

• AVB audio networking - Build a network with multiple interfaces and computers using standard AVB switches and network cabling, with ultra-low network latency, even over long cable runs (100 meters point to point). Stream hundreds of audio channels among devices and computers on the network.

• Matrix routing and splitting - Send any input to any output, or multiple outputs. Includes routing to and from the computer, plus any devices on the AVB network.

• Web app control - Control on-board DSP, mixing, device settings, and network audio routing from web app software running in your favorite browser on a laptop, tablet or smart phone connected by wire or Wi-Fi to your local area network.

• Stand-alone mixing with wireless control - Connect an Apple Airport™ or other Wi-Fi router directly to the 24Ai or 24Ao with a standard Ethernet cable and control powerful mixing and DSP effects from your smart phone or tablet, without a computer. Great for live sound mixing.

• ADAT digital I/O - Use the 24Ai or 24Ao as a 24-channel optical expander for other gear. 24 channels at 44.1/48 kHz or 12 channels at 88.2/96 kHz.

• Comprehensive metering - The large backlit 324 x 24 LCD lets you view all signal activity at a glance with detailed metering for all analog and digital I/O. Access hardware settings from a simple and convenient menu.

• AudioDesk 4.0 - Includes AudioDesk workstation software with 24-bit recording, sample-accurate editing and 32-bit mixing and mastering.

SAMPLE RATES :

44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz

24AI ANALOG :

inputs 24 channels (balanced/unbalanced)

3x DB-25 D-sub and 6x 12-pin Phoenix

Max level: +24 dBu (digitally adjustable -96 to +22)

24AO ANALOG OUTPUTS :

24 channels (balanced, DC coupled)

3x DB-25 D-sub and 6x 12-pin Phoenix

Max level: +20 dBu (digitally adjustable -24 to 0 dB)

DIGITAL I/O :

3 banks (24 ch) of ADAT optical at 1x sample rates

3 banks (12 ch) of SMUX optical at 2x sample rates

Stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF) on Bank A (optional)

TOTAL I/O :

24 analog + 48 digital (72 total) at 1x rates

24 analog + 24 digital (48 total) at 2x rates

24 analog + 0 digital (24 total) at 4x rates

COMPUTER I/O :

1 x USB 2.0 audio class compliant, USB 3.0 and iOS compatible

1 x AVB Ethernet (requires OS X Yosemite)

COMPUTER I/O CHANNELS :

USB 2.0 (44.1 to 48 kHz): 64 in/out

USB 2.0 (88.2 to 96 kHz): 32 in/out

USB 2.0 (176.4 to 192 kHz): 24 in/out

AVB Ethernet: 16 to 128 in/out, depending on host computer speed

SYNC I/O :

1 x word clock in

1 x word clock out

FRONT PANEL :

5 x switches

menu navigation

324 x 24 pixel LCD for level meters / menu nav

1 x AC power switch

POWER :

International 100-240V autoswitching supply

50-60 Hz

0.5A max

Mac System Requirements

• 1 GHz Intel-based Mac or faster

• 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended

• Mac OS X version 10.8 or later

• Available high-speed USB 2.0 or AVB Ethernet port*

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

• *AVB Ethernet audio interface operation requires OS X Yosemite

Windows System Requirements

• 1 GHz Pentium-based PC compatible or faster

• 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended

• Windows 7, 8 or 10

• Available USB 2.0 or 3.0 port

• Available Ethernet port for firmware updates

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