MOTU M2 2-in / 2-out USB Audio Interface

SKU: # 723041   |   Model: # M2 - MOTU   |    Product Reviews5 Reviews  Write a Review

M2 2-in / 2-out USB Audio Interface

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M2 2-in / 2-out USB Audio Interface
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

Q & A


Question: Any drop outs on play back?
- asked on Nov 9, 2023

Reviews


13.59.192.81
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Great preamps and DAC for the money! 0 of 0 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
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Great Product - Until it Died 4 of 7 customers found this review helpful
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Performance Warranty Banner

Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty

A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.

Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.

How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
  • Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
  • Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
  • No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
  • Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
  • Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
  • Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
  • Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
  • Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
  • Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
 

Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.

Purchasing additional years of coverage

Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.

If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:

  • NEW products: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
  • USED products: 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. 4% for each additional year.
  • GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
  • BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.

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