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MOTU M2 2-in / 2-out USB Audio Interface
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Equipped with the same ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC Technology found in audio interfaces costing thousands, the M2 delivers an astonishing 120 dB Dynamic Range on its main outputs. ESS converters also drive the headphone output, which rivals dedicated headphone amplifiers costing hundreds. Ultra-clean preamp circuits produce a measured -129 dBu EIN on the mic inputs. Capture and monitor your audio with pristine clarity.
Speed
The M2 provides best-in-class speed for monitoring live inputs (mic, guitar or keyboard) through your computer, thanks to MOTU's expertly engineered USB drivers, which deliver class-leading, ultra-low 2.5 ms Round Trip Latency (at 96 kHz with a 32 sample buffer).
Metering
When recording and mixing, nothing is more critical than achieving optimum levels. The M2 is the only audio interface in its class with a full color LCD featuring clear, detailed level meters for all inputs and outputs. Enjoy professional-level volume control and feedback to get your sound just right.
Loopback
The M2 driver provides convenient loopback channels to your host computer, so you can easily combine computer audio with live mics and/or guitar inputs to stream the combined mix to Youtube or your favorite podcasting platform in real time. Streaming and podcasting has never been easier and better-sounding!
Workstation software, virtual instruments and loops to get you making music right away
Connect the M2 to your Mac or PC and start laying down tracks with the included Performer Lite or Live Lite production software, plus hundreds of loops, one-shots and sounds from industry leaders Big Fish Audio, Lucidsamples and Loopmasters.
FEATURES
• 2-in / 2-out USB audio interface with studio-quality sound
• Best-in-class audio quality driven by ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC Technology
• Best-in-class speed (ultra-low latency) for host software processing
• Best-in-class metering for all inputs/outputs with a full-color LCD
• 2x mic/line/hi-Z guitar inputs on combo XLR/TRS
• Individual preamp gain and 48V phantom power for each input
• Hardware (direct) monitoring for each input (mono or stereo)
• Measured -129 dB EIN on mic inputs
• 2x balanced, DC-coupled 1/4-inch TRS outputs
• Measured 120 dB dynamic range on the 1/4-inch balanced TRS outputs
• 2x RCA (unbalanced) analog out (mirrored)
• 1x headphone out (driven by ESS converters) with independent volume control
• MIDI in/out
• Support for 44.1 to 192 kHz sample rates
• USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac (no driver required)
• Windows driver with 2.5 ms Round Trip Latency (32 sample buffer at 96 kHz)
• Mac driver (optional, for 2.5 ms RTL@32/96 kHz and loopback feature)
• iOS compatible (USB audio class compliant)
• Driver loopback for capturing host output, live streaming and podcasting
• Bus powered USB-C (compatible with USB Type A) with power switch (USB cable included)
• Rugged metal construction
• Workstation software included (MOTU Performer Lite 10 and Ableton Live Lite 10)
• 100+ instruments (in Performer Lite)
• Over 6 GB of included free loops, samples and one-shots from industry leading libraries
• Kensington security slot
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
Mic/line/guitar inputs: 2 x XLR/TRS "combo jack" mic/line/Hi-Z guitar inputs
Independent preamp gain, 48V phantom power and monitor switch for each input
Analog outputs:
• 2 x 1/4" TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled)
• 2 x RCA (unbalanced) analog out (mirrored)
• 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo headphone
Computer I/O:
• 1 x USB-C (compatible with USB Type A) 2.0 audio class compliant
MIDI I/O:
• 1 x MIDI IN
• 1 x MIDI OUT
• 16 MIDI channels to/from computer host
Headphone: 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone
Phantom power: 2 x individual +48V
Front panel
• 1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output
• 2 x XLR/TRS combo inputs
• 1 x potentiometer • monitor vol
• 1 x potentiometer • phone vol
• 2 x potentiometer • mic/instr input gain
• 4 x switches • (2) 48V and (2) MON
• 160 x 120 pixel full-colored LCD with input and output level meters
Power: Bus-powered through USB
Dimensions, enclosure only (W x D x H): 19.05 x 10.8 x 4.5 cm / (7.5 x 4.25 x 1.75 inches)
Weight: 0.61 kg / 1.35 lbs
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Mac System Requirements
• 1 GHz Intel-based Mac or faster
• 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended
• macOS version 10.11 or later
• Available USB port
• A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
Windows System Requirements
• 1 GHz Pentium-based PC compatible or faster
• 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended
• Windows 7, 8 or 10
• Available USB port
• A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
Class-Compliant Support: USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac or iOS (no driver required)
Included Software:
• MOTU Performer Lite
• Ableton Live 10 Lite
• 6GB of loops and sounds from Big Fish Audio, LucidSamples, Loopmasters and MOTU
Speed
The M2 provides best-in-class speed for monitoring live inputs (mic, guitar or keyboard) through your computer, thanks to MOTU's expertly engineered USB drivers, which deliver class-leading, ultra-low 2.5 ms Round Trip Latency (at 96 kHz with a 32 sample buffer).
Metering
When recording and mixing, nothing is more critical than achieving optimum levels. The M2 is the only audio interface in its class with a full color LCD featuring clear, detailed level meters for all inputs and outputs. Enjoy professional-level volume control and feedback to get your sound just right.
Loopback
The M2 driver provides convenient loopback channels to your host computer, so you can easily combine computer audio with live mics and/or guitar inputs to stream the combined mix to Youtube or your favorite podcasting platform in real time. Streaming and podcasting has never been easier and better-sounding!
Workstation software, virtual instruments and loops to get you making music right away
Connect the M2 to your Mac or PC and start laying down tracks with the included Performer Lite or Live Lite production software, plus hundreds of loops, one-shots and sounds from industry leaders Big Fish Audio, Lucidsamples and Loopmasters.
FEATURES
• 2-in / 2-out USB audio interface with studio-quality sound
• Best-in-class audio quality driven by ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC Technology
• Best-in-class speed (ultra-low latency) for host software processing
• Best-in-class metering for all inputs/outputs with a full-color LCD
• 2x mic/line/hi-Z guitar inputs on combo XLR/TRS
• Individual preamp gain and 48V phantom power for each input
• Hardware (direct) monitoring for each input (mono or stereo)
• Measured -129 dB EIN on mic inputs
• 2x balanced, DC-coupled 1/4-inch TRS outputs
• Measured 120 dB dynamic range on the 1/4-inch balanced TRS outputs
• 2x RCA (unbalanced) analog out (mirrored)
• 1x headphone out (driven by ESS converters) with independent volume control
• MIDI in/out
• Support for 44.1 to 192 kHz sample rates
• USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac (no driver required)
• Windows driver with 2.5 ms Round Trip Latency (32 sample buffer at 96 kHz)
• Mac driver (optional, for 2.5 ms RTL@32/96 kHz and loopback feature)
• iOS compatible (USB audio class compliant)
• Driver loopback for capturing host output, live streaming and podcasting
• Bus powered USB-C (compatible with USB Type A) with power switch (USB cable included)
• Rugged metal construction
• Workstation software included (MOTU Performer Lite 10 and Ableton Live Lite 10)
• 100+ instruments (in Performer Lite)
• Over 6 GB of included free loops, samples and one-shots from industry leading libraries
• Kensington security slot
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
Mic/line/guitar inputs: 2 x XLR/TRS "combo jack" mic/line/Hi-Z guitar inputs
Independent preamp gain, 48V phantom power and monitor switch for each input
Analog outputs:
• 2 x 1/4" TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled)
• 2 x RCA (unbalanced) analog out (mirrored)
• 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo headphone
Computer I/O:
• 1 x USB-C (compatible with USB Type A) 2.0 audio class compliant
MIDI I/O:
• 1 x MIDI IN
• 1 x MIDI OUT
• 16 MIDI channels to/from computer host
Headphone: 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone
Phantom power: 2 x individual +48V
Front panel
• 1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output
• 2 x XLR/TRS combo inputs
• 1 x potentiometer • monitor vol
• 1 x potentiometer • phone vol
• 2 x potentiometer • mic/instr input gain
• 4 x switches • (2) 48V and (2) MON
• 160 x 120 pixel full-colored LCD with input and output level meters
Power: Bus-powered through USB
Dimensions, enclosure only (W x D x H): 19.05 x 10.8 x 4.5 cm / (7.5 x 4.25 x 1.75 inches)
Weight: 0.61 kg / 1.35 lbs
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Mac System Requirements
• 1 GHz Intel-based Mac or faster
• 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended
• macOS version 10.11 or later
• Available USB port
• A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
Windows System Requirements
• 1 GHz Pentium-based PC compatible or faster
• 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended
• Windows 7, 8 or 10
• Available USB port
• A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
Class-Compliant Support: USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac or iOS (no driver required)
Included Software:
• MOTU Performer Lite
• Ableton Live 10 Lite
• 6GB of loops and sounds from Big Fish Audio, LucidSamples, Loopmasters and MOTU
Q & A
Question: Any drop outs on play back?
- asked on Nov 9, 2023
- asked on Nov 9, 2023
Reviews
3.135.220.30
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Became a paperweight 0 of 1 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Sudbury, Ontario
The MOTU M2 was great while it lasted. The mic preamps were clean and quiet, it had a nice full-colour display, and the midi input was just what I needed for electronic drums. And then one day it just stopped working. The screen displays a MOTU logo but that was it, no functionality whatsoever and has been a paperweight ever since. I would not recommend this brand to others and I will not be purchasing their products again.
Posted by Paul on Nov 22, 2024
Great preamps and DAC for the money! 0 of 1 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Fredericton, New Brunswick
You really can't go wrong with this little guy. The DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) is worth the price of the gear alone. The preamps for the mic are super quiet with my condenser (Rode NT1) or my dynamics (Audix OM2). Really good signal to noise ratio. The tone coming through the preamp is neutral, not too dark, not too bright. I couldn't be happier for the price!
Posted by Justin Fortier on Nov 24, 2022
Great Product - Until it Died 4 of 8 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Victoria, British Columbia
I purchased this 1 year and 11 days ago. It had all the features I needed, and was compatible with my PC and with my Mac. It was also perfect as an external "sound card" out to my monitors and to my headphones.
Of course, all those great features are meaningless if the device won't power up anymore. I tried multiple power sources.
Posted by Papa Dafoe on Feb 2, 2022
Excellent overall performance 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Scarborough, Ontario
The only problem I have with (my) unit is that the midi input doesn't always work. There are no settings for the unit and it is supposed to be ready to go once the drivers are installed. I'm not sure if this midi issue is unique or if it is a common problem for all of these units. The problem is present for both a PC and Mac computer. A separate midi interface works fine.
Posted by Dieter Billinger on Oct 14, 2021
Motu m2 review. 4 of 4 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Vancouver, British Columbia
Sounds awesome with my Mackie HR824MK2's. Really good sound quality. The headphone amp gets so loud it can distort some of my headphones at high volumes. Lots of power.
Posted by Jeremy C. on Dec 21, 2020
Excellent, high quality interface 26 of 28 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Langley, British Columbia
I mostly run guitar through this, into Ableton. I am able to get extremely low latency, 6.2 ms RTL, which is just perfect for real time guitar looping. The preamps sound excellent, and are super clean, with no noise. A very pleasant surprise is how good the headphone out sounds - it rivals some of my standalone dac/amps - very impressive. Also, the thing is build like a tank, all knobs are gnarled, and have no jiggle, and the casing is solid metal. The screen is very responsive, and extremely useful. Drivers seem perfect so far. This is a huge win. I came from a Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 1st gen...the Motu is far better in every way.
Posted by Tyler Lemery on Jun 11, 2020