***NEW MOTU audio interface to be announced--also DP7.2

[wylie1]

This device would be awesome if you could just plug in two condenser mics for a quick x-y recording.

That looks like something missing to me as well.
Unless #2 input works the same as 1#.

Looks like a cool little box though.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Oh yeah, MSRP is $269.

[newrigel]

Fanboy? Are we on gearslutz or MOTUNATION? LOL

No just a very viable comparison in which, if touted as a mobile I/O, having to haul around a mic is more crap. I can use a take from the one's internal mic to final if I wanted to. It's just that they could have taken it to the next level in size. I don't use FX when I track... that way, I don't have to use those key commands to fix everything

[David Polich]

I have to deal with a lot of consumer-professional audio gear interconnection at work so I love the inclusion of 1/8" and 1/4" connections.

This device would be awesome if you could just plug in two condenser mics for a quick x-y recording. Without the second mic pre, I still vote for spending more on the Ultralite.

-Ian

The Microbook is aimed at the market that wants inepensive audio interfaces. That's a growing market, this product makes sense.

I have an Ultralite MK3 Hybrid and LOVE IT. Yes, if you can afford it, buy that instead.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

For twice the price.

[mrbillet]

Unfortunately I can't help but think the lack of a 2nd pre was a tactic. This new box is pretty versatile, but we all know that sooner rather than later you need to put 2 mics up in your room, and voila, you need to go buy that Ultralite too.

I don't want to come off as a hater over this little thing. I was initially very excited, but because I've done my obsessive low-budget research already, I immediately saw what I think of as a serious flaw. I had the same feeling when the M-Box mini came out.

It does have that Apple-like design simplicity that has worked so well, and just the right features to get you off to a good start. Just like in the Analog tape thread in the Off Topic section, it's worth remembering how lucky we are to have so much audio capability in little, relatively inexpensive boxes. I'm reminding myself.

-Ian

[BradLyons]

Well of course, Ian....if you need a second pre, if you need more I/O, well $300 more and get an UltraliteMk3. I asked for this very type of product about 5-years ago, or whenever it was the Ultralite came out---and that was their answer then. NOW that there is a product from $249 that is highly portable to the HD192---MOTU has a full and complete product line-up that hits EVERY feature-set and price point out for those features. I talk to A LOT of individuals everyday, including those that are brand new to recording or hobbyists who just want something inexpensive. Typically that means "okay" sound or dealing with cheap hardware as in cheap design. This now gives those users a MOTU option without compromising much in the end. The fact that you have DSP monitoring with DSP effects on a USB box for $250---that's just amazing!

OH by the way for you non DP users there is going to be a bundle of plugins available coming out which is essentially the MasterWorks EQ, the Limiter, and the Reverb. More to come on that later.

[micihch]

i don't understand one thing: why no tracking reverb that runs on the dsp?

[kassonica]

Has anyone noticed that it looks very similar to a Mac mini?


Very cool although for my own needs I would have to have 2 mic pres for stereo, but for a lot folk (guitarists and songwriters come to mind) it would be a desirable piece of kit.


I so like where motu is heading, if only they would release the top end converter along the lines of Mytec, apogee, etc........... I would be completely happy.

[Jim]

I was hoping MOTU's next interface would support USB3. It's starting to appear on video IO boxes already. Yes, I know Mac doesn't have USB3... yet. It's rumored to be on the next generation of MacPros, along with 10GB Ethernet. I can't wait.

[Shooshie]

I was hoping MOTU's next interface would support USB3. It's starting to appear on video IO boxes already. Yes, I know Mac doesn't have USB3... yet. It's rumored to be on the next generation of MacPros, along with 10GB Ethernet. I can't wait.

How much bandwidth does it take to process and send 4 channels of audio? I haven't done the math, but I would guess that MOTU has, and if USB2 is fast enough for 4 channels at 96K or whatever is the high-end for that box, then there wouldn't be any need for USB3. If they're bumping their headroom on the ceiling of USB2, then I would agree that it needs the new speed-bump for USB, but it doesn't seem likely. We've been using 828 and 896 boxes with 8 channels of 96K audio on Firewire 400, and they say that USB2 is at least close to that speed in practice, even though it's rated higher than Firewire 400, so just transliterating from firewire to its funky competitor, it would appear that you could at least handle two of these boxes in tandem if not FOUR or more at lower speeds.

USB3 will be nice, but we'll see a whole new round of interfaces for that. (save your money, pros!)

Shooshie

[James Steele]

... that way, I don't have to use those key commands to fix everything

Couldn't leave it alone, huh? Hey... not our fault you like to be slower and not use keyboard shortcuts.

[mikebeckmotu]

OH by the way for you non DP users there is going to be a bundle of plugins available coming out which is essentially the MasterWorks EQ, the Limiter, and the Reverb. More to come on that later.

I saw how you tucked away this important info in a larger response!
I've always wanted the MW EQ to use in any plugin host.
Very nice.

[BradLyons]

Sorry, didn't think it was as relevant here

[MIDI Life Crisis]

This has turned out to be one of my favorite threads ever. So much promise and it apparently has everything!

Mikey likes it!