The 896mk3 from MOTU is a FireWire digital audio interface that can also function as a rackmount, standalone mixer without the need for a computer. It provides eight channels of 24-bit/192kHz analog recording and playback, combined with sixteen channels of optical digital I/O, stereo AES/EBU, S/PDIF and separate analog main outs.
When used with the digital I/O at lower sample rates, the unit can provide twenty-eight separate inputs and thirty-two separate outputs, including dedicated main outs on XLRs and two front panel headphone outs. The input/output configuration can be further enhanced on any system by connecting the 8pre mic input expander or other MOTU audio interfaces.
The on-board CueMix FX digital mixer allows for routing guitars, synthesizers, keyboards, drum machines and even effects processors with no latency and no processor strain on the host computer. Hardware DSP-driven effects processing can be applied to inputs, outputs and busses independent of the host computer.
DSP effects include the Classic Reverb with reverb times of up to sixty seconds, and a seven-band parametric EQ featuring filter types modeled after British analog console EQs. Also included are a conventional compressor and the Leveler, an accurate model of the legendary LA-2A optical compressor that provides automatic gain control.