34 simultaneous audio channels

You get 8 x 8 balanced analog, 8-channel ADAT optical and independent headphone out for 16 inputs and 18 outputs. The optical ports also support stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF).

Superb analog audio quality and high-end converters

Performance suitable for the most demanding situations

Renowned ESS Sabre32™ DAC technology delivers 123 dB dynamic range and the same proven, award-winning audio quality as MOTU's flagship 16A.

Ultra-low latency and proven, high-performance MOTU drivers

The best possible latency performance

The 8A delivers round-trip latency (RTL) performance as low as 1.6 ms at 96kHz over Thunderbolt™ — and an astonishing 1.9 ms over USB — with high-performance DAW hosts.

Mobile operation and universal connectivity

Ultimate portability and flexibility

Connects to your computer with Thunderbolt™, super-speed USB 3.0 or AVB/TSN Ethernet — with support for up to 256 audio channels (128 in and 128 out). USB audio class-compliant firmware and high-performance, industry-standard drivers work with any audio apps. Connects to your iPad™ with a standard camera connection kit (adapter).

DSP mixing and effects processing

Console-style mixing with 48 channels and 12 busses

The 8A's full-fledged 48-input digital mixer delivers 7 stereo aux busses, 3 groups, access to 64 network inputs, and DSP effects, including reverb, 4-band EQ, gate and compression. If you know your way around a large-format mixing console, you'll feel right at home. If you've ever wished to mix on a large console, the driver's seat is now yours.

Modeled vintage effects processing

Vintage processing with 32-bit float precision

Classic reverb. Compression modeled after the legendary LA-2A compressor. EQ modeled after British analog console EQs. The 8A's mixing and effects DSP engine delivers virtually unlimited headroom and the utmost in sound quality.

Flexible matrix routing and splitting

Route your audio anywhere with one-click ease

Send any input to any output, or multiple outputs. Includes routing to and from the computer, plus any devices on the audio network.

Web app control from any device

Control everything from your laptop, tablet and smartphone

The software that you use to control the 8A doesn't reside on your hard drive. It's a web app served from the hardware itself. This means you can control the 8A's on-board DSP, mixing, device settings, and network audio routing from your favorite web browser on a laptop, tablet or smartphone connected by wire or Wi-Fi to your local area network. Use any web client on any platform — Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android — as long as it shares the same network.

Technical Specifications

• Sample rates 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
• Analog inputs 8 x 1/4" TRS line inputs (balanced/unbalanced)
• Max level: +24 dBu (range -96 to +22)
• Analog outputs 8 x 1/4" TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled 5v)
• Max level: +20 dBu (range -4 to +20)
• 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo headphone
• Digital I/O 1 bank (8 ch) of ADAT optical at 1x sample rates
• 1 bank (4 ch) of SMUX optical at 2x sample rates
• Switchable to stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF)
• Total I/O 16 inputs / 18 outputs (34 total) at 1x sample rates
• 12 inputs / 14 outputs (26 total) at 2x sample rates
• 8 inputs / 10 outputs (18 total) at 4x sample rates
• Computer I/O 1 x Thunderbolt 2 (Mac and Win)
• Thunderbolt 1 & 3 compatible
• 1 x USB 3.0 (Mac and Win)
• USB 2.0 and iOS compatible (class compliant)
• 1 x AVB/TSN Ethernet (Mac only)
• Requires OS X 10.11 or later
• Computer I/O channels Thunderbolt (44.1 to 96 kHz): 128 in/out
• Thunderbolt (176.4 to 192 kHz): 64 in/out
• USB 3.0 (44.1 to 96 kHz): 128 in/out
• USB 3.0 (176.4 to 192 kHz): 64 in/out
• AVB/TSN Ethernet: 16 to 128 in/out
• depends on host computer speed
• Headphone 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone (assignable)
• Front panel 1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output
• 1 x digital rotary encoder • main/phone volume
• 5 x switches • menu navigation
• 160 x 128 pixel RGB LCD for level meters / menu nav
• Power switch
• Power External 12-18V DC power supply
• 1.0A max • tip pos or neg
• Dimensions
• and weight (width x depth x height, enclosure only)
• 8.6 x 7 x 1.75 inches
• 22 x 17.75 x 4.5 cm
• 2.2 lbs / 1.0 kg

Included Software

• MOTU Discovery App for Mac & Windows (finds connected MOTU interfaces)
• MOTU Discovery App for iOS (available from Apple App Store)
• MOTU web app (served from the hardware itself)
• AudioDesk 4.0 for Mac & Windows (separate download)

System Requirements

PC

• 1 GHz Pentium-based PC compatible or faster
• 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended
• Windows 7, 8 or 10
• Available Thunderbolt or USB port
• Available Ethernet port for firmware updates
• A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)

Mac

• 1 GHz Intel-based Mac or faster
• 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended
• Mac OS X version 10.8 or later
• Available Thunderbolt, USB or AVB/TSN Ethernet port*
• A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
• *AVB/TSN Ethernet audio interface operation requires OS X 10.11 or later