MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface
The Audio Express from MOTU is a compact, yet fully featured digital audio interface that connects to any current Mac or PC via FireWire or high-speed USB 2.0. The interface is compatible with virtually all DAWs on the market today, but can also function as a standalone mixer, both in the studio and for live events.
The unit provides a lot of connectivity for a compact unit. Connect a microphone, guitar, keyboard, and digital input, and the interface is ready to make pro-quality recordings. Quickly balance the levels of the analog and digital inputs, right from the front panel. Each instrument has its own volume control. Route inputs directly to any output pair, each with its own unique mix - main outs, line outs, S/PDIF out, and phones.
Because immediate volume adjustments are always within reach, the Audio Express serves as the perfect compact, portable live mixer, with or without a computer. Even without a computer, the interface provides complete control over all four mix busses with direct access to volume, mute and solo for each input. So for a live event, one mix can be sent to the main PA while another mix is sent to the personal monitors.
On-screen mixing with the included CueMix FX application provides comprehensive graphic control over a mix and other settings in the Audio Express. The application can be operated side by side with any host audio software for Mac or Windows, and it can be controlled from the Mackie Control Universal Pro automated work surface.
-
- 6-input, 6-output audio interface for Mac and Windows
- 6 x 8 physical input/output channels - all channels are available simultaneously and operate independently
- Hybrid FireWire/USB 2.0 connectivity - connect to your Mac or PC via either bus-powered FireWire or high-speed USB2
- 8-bus digital mixer routes and mixes all six inputs to any output pair Four separate mixes - each output pair (main outs, line outs, S/PDIF out, and phones) can have a completely different mix of all six inputs, with or without computer tracks
- Two microphone/guitar combo jacks provide hi-Z 1/4" guitar input or XLR microphone input with phantom power, 20dB pad, Precision Digital Trim, and plenty of gain
- Stereo analog inputs on line-level, balanced TRS quarter-inch jacks - great for keyboards or other line level-input signals
- Stereo main outs on balanced TRS quarter-inch jacks -connect directly to powered speakers (or other line-level analog destination)
- Stereo 24-bit/96kHz S/PDIF digital in/out
- Stereo headphone output on quarter-inch jack with independent volume control
- Support for standard sample rates up to 96 kHz
- Precision Digital Trim - digitally controlled analog trim on all inputs provides adjustments in approximately 1.0dB increments - fine-tune the balance of your inputs and then save/recall trim configurations
- Front-panel mixing and control with each input having its own dedicated volume knob
- Control multiple mixes with clear feedback from front panel LEDs and metering
- CueMix FX cross-platform mixing software - attractive on-screen graphic mixing with an instrument tuner and audio analysis tools including real-time FFT display, spectrogram "waterfall" display, oscilloscope, X-Y plot and linear or polar phase analysis
- Stand-alone operation - bring the Audio Express to your gig, with or without a computer - just plug in the included power adapter and you are ready to go - need to tweak the mix? Just turn the front-panel knobs
- Front panel volume control of main outs and headphone jack
- Add additional interfaces for more I/O as your needs grow
- Timecode support directly resolves to (or generates) time code via any quarter-inch input or output, without the need for an extra synchronizer
- Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS), a DSP-driven phase lock engine and internal clock source that produces imperceptibly low jitter characteristics (below the noise floor), even when the Audio Express is resolved to an external clock source via SMPTE Timecode
- Sample-accurate MIDI (with supporting software) - connect a MIDI controller and/or sound module with no separate interface needed
- 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
- DC-coupled TRS outputs can be used with Volta (sold separately) to manipulate and sequence voltage-controlled modular synthesizers from a host DAW
- Plug-and-play operation with your Mac or PC via FireWire or USB2 - compatible with all current and recent generation Macs and PCs
- Includes native 32- and 64-bit drivers for Mac OS X and Windows 7/Vista, including ASIO, WDM, Wave, Core Audio, and Core MIDI
- Supports all popular Mac and Windows audio software
- 100% compatible with all host-based effects processing in today's popular audio programs
- Includes AudioDesk full-featured sample-accurate workstation software for the Mac with recording, editing, mixing, real-time 32-bit effects processing and sample-accurate sync
- Bus-powered FireWire operation
- No need for external power when operating as a FireWire interface connected to a computer
- Power supply included for stand-alone operation
| Converters | 24-bit |
| Sample Rates | Up to 96kHz |
| Analog Input |
2 x 1/4" TS/XLR combo Microphone/Instrument 2 x 1/4" TRS phone Line |
| Analog Output |
4 x 1/4" TRS phone 1 x 1/4" TRS phone Headphone |
| Digital Input | 1 x RCA coaxial S/PDIF |
| Digital Output | 1 x RCA coaxial S/PDIF |
| Other Connectors |
2 x 5-pin DIN MIDI I/O 1 x FireWire 1 x USB2 1 x 1/4" TS phone Footswitch |
| Headphones | Yes, with individual volume control |
| Phantom Power | +48V individually switchable for either preamp |
| Metering |
Main/Line Output: 2 x 5 dual ladder LEDs Mic/Inst Input: 2 x 10 dual ladder LEDs |
| Power Requirements |
FireWire or USB powered 9-18VDC "+" or "-" tip, 5W power supply (included) |
| System Requirements |
Mac PowerPC G4 1GHz or faster (including PowerPC G5 and all Intel processor Macs) OS X 10.5 or 10.6 (10.5.8 or later required) 1GB RAM (2GB or more recommended) FireWire or USB2 port Large hard drive (preferably at least 100GB) PC Pentium IV (or equivalent) 1GHz or faster Windows Vista SP2 or later, 32- or 64-bit, Windows 7 32- or 64-bit 1GB RAM (2GB or more recommended) FireWire or USB2 port Large hard drive (preferably at least 100GB) |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 9.5 x 7 x 1.75" (241 x 178 x 45mm) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 5 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
80%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Versatile (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Performances (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Professional musician (3)
Reviewed by 5 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-5
Pros
- Versatile
Cons
- Difficult To Use
Best Uses
- Performances
Comments about MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface:
— I'm putting mic into the Motu - altering sound via Guitar Rig and Ableton Live - coming out of the Motu into amp.
— the 4 mic inputs is just what I need. Motu is small and portable. You can adjust both input and output levels
— If you're not a geek, the manual is difficult. took a while to get it running. The button/dials are multi-functional and you really got to read the manual.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Powerful
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Studio
- Performances
- Professional Recording
Comments about MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface:
Very easy to install, studio quality sound, fast and stable drivers, what else do you need? MOTU audio express is the perfect partner for recording and live situations.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Studio
- Performances
- Professional Recording
Comments about MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface:
great mobility with this weightless soundcard.
works easily with my laptop, and recording software, and converts my analog sound to digital very simply. Quality fidelity all along the process.
Pros
- Dual Firewire and USB
- Solid Contruction
Cons
- Difficult interface
- Documentation
Best Uses
- Project Studio
Comments about MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface:
The Audio Express is solid and sturdy, and comes with adapters so you can mount it on a rack shelf. I'm still learning how to configure it; my first session with the AE took a very long time, and there are still things I haven't figured out how to do (like hardware monitoring).
The USB/FireWire interface works well, and the unit will power itself off bus power while on FW, but needs the included audio adapter when using USB.
The front panel is difficult to figure out, and will take me some time to get used to; a lot of functions are accessed by pressing the pots in to cycle through different modes.
A nice touch is the locking connectors for the combo XLR sockets; no more pulling a mic out accidentally, at least not out of the Audio Express. (This'll put my mind at ease a bit when using phantom power.)
Recommended tentatively, since I'm still leraning the unit; I'm also undecided on whether I should have spent the extra $150 on the MOTU 828.
Pros
- Clean Sound
- Great Features
- Great MOTU support
Cons
- No PC level adjustment
Best Uses
- Digital Audio
Comments about MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface:
Clean sound, great features, except it does not allow the level of the audio from the computer to be attenuated. Some high and low end boxes don't allow this either. In studios dedicated to audio or with mixing consoles to do the leveling this wouldn't be a problem. In a more modest studio, controlling the computer level is critical and the ability to do so also appears in some high and low level boxes.
Displaying reviews 1-5
Cables
-
- Original: $14.99
- Save: $1.50
- Price: $13.49
Digital Cables
- Price: $15.99
Headphones
- Price: $27.37
Monitors
- Price: $179.00
Data Storage Devices
- Price: $159.00
Software
- Price: $495.00
Why Shop at B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via any UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority shipping methods by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don’t turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you’ll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We’ve made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
See sample Newsletter
Help
Company Information
B&H Resources
