MOTU have announced that their popular 828 audio interface has undergone a complete redesign, boasting a refreshed front panel that offers an improved user interface and high-resolution metering. In total, the unit provides 60 (28 x 32) channels of I/O at base sample rates, and offers 24 channels of mixing with onboard DSP providing high quality reverb, four-band EQ and compression. The 828 offers support for all standard sample rates up to 192kHz with 24-bit conversion, whilst the onboard mixing and processing benefit from 32-bit floating point operation (or 64-bit floating point, in the case of the Para EQ).
Front Panel
MOTU 828 hi-res LCD screen.
The most obvious change to the 828 is the newly-designed front panel, which now features a high resolution 3.9-inch / 480 x 128 pixel colour LCD screen. Many of the unit's functions can be controlled from here thanks to a Menu encoder coupled with a pair of Back and Select buttons, and it also provides comprehensive metering of all of the analogue and digital I/O channels. Functions such as A/B speaker switching, talkback, mute and mono summing are also provided by a welcome set of dedicated buttons.
I/O
The 828’s first two analogue inputs are available on front-panel XLR/TRS combo sockets, and will accept mic, line-level or instrument sources. Both are also equipped with a balanced insert point, provided by four quarter-inch TRS sockets on the rear panel — when nothing is connected to the front-panel inputs, the insert returns can also be used as additional line-level inputs.
Up to 74dB of preamp gain is available, and each channel is equipped with a -20dB pad, switchable phantom power and a polarity invert function. Two headphone outputs are provided on the front panel, each equipped with their own independent level control and level metering on the hi-res LCD.
The remaining analogue inputs and outputs all operate at line-level, with eight of each provided on rear-panel quarter-inch TRS sockets joined by a main monitor output on pair of XLRs — the TRS outputs are all DC-coupled, making it possible to control modular synth rigs from a DAW using CV signals. There’s also a selection of digital I/O, too, with S/PDIF in and out offered by a pair of RCA connectors, and two sets of eight-channel optical ADAT provided by four Toslink sockets. MIDI is also present thanks to a pair of five-pin DIN sockets, and connectivity with a host machine is handled by a USB-C socket.
The rear panel of the latest 828 model.
The interface’s driver provides a pair of loopback channels, making it possible to mix system audio with the 828’s input sources for applications such as podcasting or live streaming.
Word Clock I/O is available on a pair of BNC connectors, and there’s also a quarter-inch footswitch input that allows for hands-free punch-in recording, or can be mapped to a DAW keystroke function. Finally, as befits a professional piece of hardware, mains power is delivered to an internal PSU via a standard IEC inlet (no wall-warts here!).
Included Software
Routing and monitoring is taken care of by MOTU’s CueMix 5 software, which is available as a desktop application for Mac or Windows system, as well as an iOS/iPad OS App for iPhone or iPad. In addition to controlling all of the onboard mixing and routing features, it can also be used to remotely control the unit’s preamp parameters. Copies of MOTU Performer Lite and Ableton Live Lite are also included, along with over 6GB of free loops and samples.
Wi-Fi control: If the 828 is connected to a computer on your wi-fi network, you can control everything wirelessly from the CueMix 5 app running on mobile devices or other computers on the same network — even multiple devices at the same time. Users can manage access to the 828 with network discovery and password protection.
Key Specs
Mic Inputs
- Dynamic Range: 118dB (A-weighted)
- THD+N: -114dB (unweighted)
- EIN: -110dB
Line Inputs
- Dynamic Range: 120dB (A-weighted)
- THD+N: -114dB (unweighted)
Line Outputs
- Dynamic Range: 125dB (A-weighted)
- THD+N: -114dB (unweighted)
Headphone Outputs
- Dynamic Range: 118dB (A-weighted)
- THD+N: -110dB (unweighted)
Conversion
- 24-bit DACs (ESS)
- 24-bit ADCs (AKM)
Pricing & Availability
The latest 828 is available now, priced at $995.
