Audio interface Motu UltraLite AVB

MOTU UltraLite AVB

This is the youngest model and the most affordable, yet it has quite a few connection ports, and the digital processor is the same. The main difference of the UltraLite AVB from older models is in positioning. The device is recommended for mobile sound recording. The case is compact, half-rack. The internals also differ from older models. The manufacturer claims "best-in-class" sound quality of 117 dB, meaning the best in its category. The device supports a total of 18 inputs and 18 outputs. Of these, 8 channels are occupied by ADAT, the remaining 10 inputs/outputs are analog. Among the analog connectors, there are two XLR connectors for microphones (+48V), two dedicated connectors for guitar, 6 purely line inputs, 8 purely line outputs, and a headphone output. It is important to note that the microphone and guitar inputs are not paired and are completely independent. Typically, interfaces like to put XLR/TRS and combine three inputs into one - microphone/guitar/line. This leads to the situation where you can connect 1 microphone, 1 guitar, and 0 line devices. In the MOTU interface, this problem does not exist; 2 microphones, 2 guitars, and additionally 6 line inputs will work simultaneously. Besides expansion via ADAT, there is also cascading via the AVB connector. The second device simply connects via Ethernet cable. Up to 5 devices can be combined via the MOTU AVB Switch. Thus, the MOTU UltraLite AVB stands out favorably among budget multi-channel interfaces and represents a full-fledged professional device for multi-channel recording of a small ensemble.
In the digital part, the same processor as in 1248 and 16A has allowed the implementation of a 48-channel mixer with 12 buses. The effects in the mixer are hardware, meaning the device works both with a computer and standalone - the operating mode is selectable. The mixer is controlled not only from the computer but also remotely via Wi-Fi, through any mobile device with a browser (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android).

Specifications

• Sample rates 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
• Microphone inputs 2 x XLR
• Gain: 0 to +56 dB (analog, digitally controlled)
• Analog inputs 2 x 1/4" hi-Z guitar inputs
• 6 x 1/4" TRS line inputs (balanced/unbalanced)
• Max: +24 dBu (digital trim, from -96 to +22)
• Analog outputs 8 x 1/4" TRS line outputs (balanced, DC coupled)
• Max: +20 dBu (digital trim, from -4 to +20)
• 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo headphone
• Digital connectors 8 channels ADAT with the ability to switch to stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF)
• Total channels 18 inputs / 18 outputs at 1x sample rate
• 14 inputs / 14 outputs at 2x sample rate
• 10 inputs / 10 outputs at 4x sample rate
• PC connection 1 x USB 2.0 (class compliant) compatible with USB 3.0 and iOS
• 1 x AVB Ethernet (only for OS X Yosemite)
• USB 2.0 channel count (44.1 and 48 kHz): 64 in/out
• USB 2.0 (88.2 and 96 kHz): 32 in/out
• USB 2.0 (176.4 and 192 kHz): 24 in/out
• AVB Ethernet: from 16 to 128 in/out, depending on PC power
• MIDI in/out 1 x MIDI IN
• 1 x MIDI OUT
• Headphones 1 x 1/4" TRS (assignable)
• Phantom power 2 x individual +48V switches
• Front panel 1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output
• 2 x TRS hi-Z guitar input
• 1 x digital knob • main/headphone volume
• 2 x digital knob • guitar level/on
• 2 x digital knob • microphone level
• 4 x buttons • (2) pad and (2) +48V
• 128 x 48 pixel LCD with backlight for levels and menu navigation
• Power External adapter 12-18V DC
• maximum current 1A