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MOTU UltraLite-mk3 - Hybrid FireWire/USB 2.0 Audio & MIDI Interface

BH #MAULMK3H • MFR #8450
37 reviews
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MOTU UltraLite-mk3 - Hybrid FireWire/USB 2.0 Audio & MIDI Interface
Key Features
  • Hybrid FireWire & USB 2.0 Connectivity
  • On Board DSP Processor
  • Classic Reverb, LA-2A Compressors, EQ
  • 10 Inputs, 14 Outputs
The UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid from MOTU is a hybrid FireWire and USB 2.0 audio and MIDI interface for Windows and Mac computers with built-in DSP processing that also offers powerful stand-alone mixer functionality. It connects to both Mac and Windows computers through either a FireWire or USB port and provides high-resolution audio inputs and outputs for the connected computer. The option of computer connections provides a welcome level of future-proof usage.

Built-in DSP processing gives you the ability to add reverbs, compressors, and EQ to all input and output channels of the UltraLite-mk3, without taxing the host computer's processors. Additionally, when the UltraLite-mk3 is configured for stand-alone use, the DSP processing can be used without being attached to a computer. You can even call up the effects and tweak their parameters to your liking by utilizing the LCD display, all without a computer. Among the included effects are a vintage LA-2A compression emulation, and a range of reverbs and EQs.

A rich assortment of inputs and outputs are provided on the UltraLite-mk3, and controlling their gain settings is easy. You can make fine adjustments to the microphone preamps, as well as the input and output trims of all of the 1/4" jacks. Mac and Windows compatible CueMix FX software is included which enables you to create and save elaborate mixing and routing setups for the UltraLite-mk3. You can even slave to external SMPTE time code source through any of its quarter-inch inputs or outputs. MOTU SMPTE Console software is included to generate, regenerate, or slave other devices to your computer.

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MOTU UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid Overview

The UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid from MOTU is a hybrid FireWire and USB 2.0 audio and MIDI interface for Windows and Mac computers with built-in DSP processing that also offers powerful stand-alone mixer functionality. It connects to both Mac and Windows computers through either a FireWire or USB port and provides high-resolution audio inputs and outputs for the connected computer. The option of computer connections provides a welcome level of future-proof usage.

Built-in DSP processing gives you the ability to add reverbs, compressors, and EQ to all input and output channels of the UltraLite-mk3, without taxing the host computer's processors. Additionally, when the UltraLite-mk3 is configured for stand-alone use, the DSP processing can be used without being attached to a computer. You can even call up the effects and tweak their parameters to your liking by utilizing the LCD display, all without a computer. Among the included effects are a vintage LA-2A compression emulation, and a range of reverbs and EQs.

A rich assortment of inputs and outputs are provided on the UltraLite-mk3, and controlling their gain settings is easy. You can make fine adjustments to the microphone preamps, as well as the input and output trims of all of the 1/4" jacks. Mac and Windows compatible CueMix FX software is included which enables you to create and save elaborate mixing and routing setups for the UltraLite-mk3. You can even slave to external SMPTE time code source through any of its quarter-inch inputs or outputs. MOTU SMPTE Console software is included to generate, regenerate, or slave other devices to your computer.

Hybrid FireWire/USB2 connectivity, connect to your computer via either bus-powered FireWire or hi-speed USB 2.0
Includes CueMix FX, a flexible 10 input/14 bus mixer with on-board DSP effects, including reverb with sends/returns, plus EQ and compression on every input and output
No channel sharing on the 10 inputs and 14 outputs of the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid; the mic inputs, S/PDIF I/O, headphone out, and main outs are all handled as separate channels
Classic Reverb provides five different room types, three frequency shelves with adjustable crossover points, shelf filtering, and reverb lengths up to 60 seconds
Two forms of compression, a standard compressor with conventional threshold/ratio/attack/release/gain controls and the Leveler, an accurate model of the legendary LA-2A optical compressor, which provides vintage, musical automatic gain control
Modeled EQ provides 7-band parametric EQ modeled after British analog console EQs, featuring 4 filter styles (gain/Q profiles) to effectively cover a wide range of audio material. LP and HP filters are also supplied with slopes that range from 6 to 36 dB.
CueMix FX cross-platform mixing software, attractive graphic mixing, graphic editing of parametric EQ and a convenient tabbed interface for quick access to all features in one window. Also provides full-screen real-time FFT display, spectrogram "waterfall" display, oscilloscope, X-Y plot and linear or polar phase analysis.
Front-panel control, access any setting in your entire UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid mix directly from the front panel
"Reverb return" stream allows users to record or mix UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid reverb output separately in their DAW. Effects can also be applied when the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid is operating stand-alone (without a computer) as a complete stand-alone mixer.
Stand-alone operation, program your mixes at the studio and then bring the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid to your gig with no computer needed. Just plug in the included power adapter and you are ready to go. Tweak the mix on site using the back-lit LCD and front-panel controls.
Multiple CueMix FX mixes, create different monitor mixes for the main outs and headphones. Or add send/return loops for outboard gear with no latency.
Two combo jacks provide hi-Z 1/4" guitar input or low-Z XLR mic input with phantom power, pad, and plenty of gain
Eight 24-bit 192 kHz analog inputs and outputs on balanced/unbalanced 1/4" TRS jacks
Digitally controlled analog trims on all analog inputs (mic/guitar inputs & quarter-inch TRS inputs) provides accurate adjustments in 1 dB increments. Fine-tune the balance of your analog inputs and then save/recall trim configurations.
Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) is a DSP-driven phase lock engine and internal clock source that produces imperceptibly low jitter characteristics (below the noise floor), even when the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid is resolved to an external clock source via SMPTE time code
Time code support directly resolves to (or generates) time code via any quarter-inch input or output, without the need for an extra synchronizer
Sample-accurate MIDI, connect a MIDI controller and/or sound module with no separate interface needed. MIDI I/O is sample-accurate with supporting software.
Expandable, you can add additional interfaces for more I/O as your needs grow
Separate TRS main outs with front panel volume control
Stereo 24-bit 96 kHz S/PDIF in/out
Includes drivers for Mac & PC, including ASIO, WDM, Wave, Core Audio, and Core MIDI
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 & sample-accurate sync
Plug-and-play operation with your Mac or PC via FireWire or USB 2.0
Front panel volume control for monitoring. Stereo, Quad, 6.1, 7.1 and user-defined surround monitoring setups available.
Front panel headphone jack with volume control
Bus-powered FireWire operation. No need for external power when operating as a FireWire interface connected to a computer. A power supply is included for stand-alone operation.
UPC: 839128005747

MOTU UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid Specs

Key Specs
Channels of I/O
10 Input / 14 Output
Maximum Sampling Rate
192 kHz / 24-Bit
Number of Microphone Inputs
1
Analog Audio I/O
2x Combo XLR-1/4" TRS Mic/Line Input
6x 1/4" TRS Balanced/Unbalanced Line Input
10x 1/4" TRS Line Output
1x 1/4" TRS Headphone Output
Digital Audio I/O
1x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Input
1x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Output
Host Connection
1x FireWire 6-Pin (Class-Compliant, on Interface)
1x USB-B (Class-Compliant)
OS Compatibility
Windows
macOS 10.4
Power Requirements
AC/DC Power Adapter (Included)
Channels of I/O
10 Input / 14 Output
Built-In DSP
Floating-Point
Maximum Sampling Rate
192 kHz / 24-Bit
Number of Microphone Inputs
1
Built-In Microphone
No
Signal Processing
Pad
No
High-Pass Filter
No
Solo/Mute
No
Connectivity
Analog Audio I/O
2x Combo XLR-1/4" TRS Mic/Line Input
6x 1/4" TRS Balanced/Unbalanced Line Input
10x 1/4" TRS Line Output
1x 1/4" TRS Headphone Output
Phantom Power
48 V
Digital Audio I/O
1x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Input
1x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Output
Host Connection
1x FireWire 6-Pin (Class-Compliant, on Interface)
1x USB-B (Class-Compliant)
Host Connection Protocol
FireWire 400
USB 2.0
USB (Non-Host)
No
Sync I/O
No
Network I/O
No
MIDI I/O
1x DIN 5-Pin Input
1x DIN 5-Pin Output
Expansion Slots
No
Wireless
No
Digital Audio
Sample Rates
44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 kHz
Bit Depths
24-Bit
Sync Sources
Internal, S/PDIF
Audio Storage & Playback
Media/Memory Card Slot
No
Compatibility
OS Compatibility
Windows / macOS 10.4 Only
OS Compatibility
Windows
macOS 10.4
Mobile App Compatible
No
Required Hardware
FireWire 400 Port, FireWire 800 Port, USB 2.0 Port
Power
Power Requirements
AC/DC Power Adapter (Included)
AC/DC Power Adapter
10 to 24 VDC
Packaging Info
Package Weight
5.6 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
15 x 11.4 x 5.5"

MOTU UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid Reviews

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