MOTU 828 28 x 32 USB 3.0 Audio Interface

The MOTU 828 has been found in countless project studios since 2001, and this fifth generation brings the biggest overhaul yet: USB3 connectivity, ESS Sabre32 conversion, and a serious jump in mic preamp performance. It's a 1U interface with 28 inputs and 32 outputs running at 24-bit/192kHz with 125dB of dynamic range on the outputs.

The two built in mic preamps give you 74dB of gain, a -20dB pad, phantom power, polarity reverse, and a dedicated hardware insert on each channel for patching in outboard gear. There's also a Hi-Z guitar input on each combo jack. Includes 8 TRS line inputs and outputs (each with 1dB-precision boost and trim) and XLR main outs.

Where the 828 really pulls ahead is the built-in mixer. A 24-input digital mixer with 8 stereo busses runs entirely on the unit's own DSP, complete with reverb, 4-band EQ, gate, and compression, so you get zero latency monitoring with real effects before anything hits your computer. CueMix 5 puts all of that under your control from Mac, PC, or iOS, with Wi-Fi built in if you want to walk the mix around the room, and a front panel display gives you metering and quick access to settings without opening a laptop.

For studios running outboard digital gear, the 828 has two banks of optical I/O (ADAT or S/MUX), stereo S/PDIF, and word clock in/out. Also includes MIDI in/out/thru, a footswitch input for hands free punch-ins, and two independently mixable headphone outputs. There's also loopback built in for anyone streaming or podcasting! MOTU measures 2 to 3ms of round trip latency at 96kHz.

Key features

• 28-in/32-out (60 channel) USB3 audio interface
• ESS Sabre32 converters, 125dB dynamic range, 24-bit/192kHz
• 2x combo mic/line/Hi-Z guitar inputs, 74dB gain, pad, phantom power, dedicated inserts
• 8x TRS line inputs and outputs with 1dB-precision boost/trim, XLR main outs
• Onboard 24-input DSP mixer with reverb, EQ, gate, and compression
• Can run as a standalone mixer, no computer required
• 2 banks of optical I/O, stereo S/PDIF, word clock in/out
• MIDI in/out/thru, footswitch input
• 2x independently mixable headphone outputs
• 3.9" colour display for metering and settings
• CueMix 5 software with Wi-Fi control
• Loopback for streaming/podcasting