MOTU MicroBook IIc USB Audio Interface

No longer available at zZounds
Get MOTU quality in a go-anywhere USB interface. The MicroBook gives you a XLR mic pre, 1/4" guitar input, 2 line inputs, 4 line outs and S/PDIF digital out.

The MOTU MicroBook IIc turns your Mac, PC or iPad into a 4 x 6 recording studio with all the audio I/O and mixing you need to make pro-quality recordings. Plug in your mic, guitar, and keyboard and record up to four analog inputs simultaneously. Mix using CueMix FX software and apply DSP-powered multi-band EQ and compression. Listen to everything on headphones or studio monitors. From initial inspiration to polished track, the MicroBook IIc gets you there with broad compatibility, bus-powered convenience and professional quality.

Everything you need to make world-class recordings

The MicroBook IIc provides simultaneous inputs for a microphone, a guitar, and a keyboard or other stereo line level device. The mic preamp delivers neutral coloration and pristine sound, with -20 dB pad and 48V phantom power for condenser mics. Programmable outputs provide flexible monitoring options.

Ultra-compact size - Take it with you anywhere

The MicroBook IIc is an impressively small 5.5 by 3.6 by 1.25 inches, which means that it slides easily into your backpack -- or a large pocket. It also sits nicely next to your laptop or desktop computer.

Studio-grade sound - Engineered for the discriminating ear

The MicroBook IIc has been engineered with MOTU's renowned, award-winning audio interface technology, which delivers the uncompromising audio quality and rock-solid performance MOTU interfaces are known for worldwide. You can always record and mix with confidence, even in the read more most demanding professional recording situations, knowing that decades of engineering experience are behind you, every step of the way. The MicroBook IIc delivers measured audio specs that rival interfaces costing hundreds more.

High-speed USB 2.0 - High bandwidth and low latency

The MicroBook IIc can record and play all channels simultaneously, and high-speed USB 2.0 provides plenty of bandwidth, even at 96 kHz.

iPad support - High-quality I/O for your iOS music apps

As the "c" in its name implies, the MicroBook IIc is USB audio class compliant. Use a standard Lightning to USB Camera Adapter (purchased separately) to connect the MicroBook IIc to your iPad. Then record and monitor high-quality audio with your favorite iOS apps. Power the MicroBook IIc with the included Micro-USB cable and AC wall adapter.

Flexible volume control - Digital encoders push and turn

The two digital rotary encoders not only look good, they feel good, too. Push the volume knob repeatedly to cycle among the main outs, headphones, or both, as indicated by the LEDs. For the mic input, adjust trim and toggle 48V phantom power or the -20 dB pad. Hands-on control is immediate and intuitive.

XLR mic input

Go ahead: connect your $5,000 mic. This preamp is worthy of the best you've got.

Hi-Z guitar in

Proper impedance delivers totally authentic guitar tones that feel right as you play.

Line in

Add a keyboard or other line level input on balanced connectors for pristine sound.

Multiple independent outputs

Feed independent audio to each output pair: main out, line out, and phones.

Balanced line level connectors

Protect your mix from AC hum and RF noise with balanced connections.

Digitally controlled analog trim

You get the best of both worlds: analog sound quality with digital precision.

Mixing and effects - It's an 8-bus digital mixer, too

The MicroBook IIc is an 8-bus digital mixer that lets you mix live inputs with each other -- with or without host software tracks. With CueMix FX running on your computer, you can create separate mixes of live audio from your mic, guitar, and keyboard, and send each mix to separate outputs (main out, line out, and phones out) or any combination of all three.

Solid metal chassis - MOTU interfaces are built to last

The MicroBook IIc aluminum alloy chassis is lightweight, yet incredibly sturdy and durable, and designed to withstand the rigors of the studio, stage, and tour bus. In a world awash with cheap plastic, the cool touch of the MicroBook IIc's metal exterior in your hands is a reassuring reminder that you are holding quality engineering and construction built to last.

Features:

- 4-input, 6-output bus-powered USB audio interface for Mac and Windows.
- Supports Apple iPad with camera connection kit (sold separately).
- 6-bus digital mixer to route and mix live inputs with audio software tracks.
- Mic input with Precision Digital Trim(TM), 48V phantom power, and 20 dB pad.
- Guitar input with Precision Digital Trim.
- Stereo line input (1/4-inch or stereo mini).
- Stereo 1/4-inch balanced main outs, plus 1/8-inch mini line-level out.
- S/PDIF digital out at rates up to 96 kHz.
- Multi-band EQ, compressor, and test tone/noise generator.
- Instrument tuner and analysis tools, including FFT display and oscilloscope.
- Includes AudioDesk DAW software for Mac and Windows, a USB cable, and a power adapter.
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- Converters: 24-bit
- Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz
- Analog In: XLR mic input with preamp, 1/4" hi-Z guitar, 2 x 1/4" TRS phone (balanced/unbalanced), 1/8" stereo "mini" (unbalanced)
- Analog Outputs: 2 x 1/4" balanced TRS main out, 1/8" stereo "mini" line out (unbalanced), 1/4" TRS headphone
- Digital Output: RCA coaxial S/PDIF
- Computer I/O: USB 2.0 "High-speed"
- Sync Out: S/PDIF
- Headphone Output: 1 x 1/4" TRS phone with volume control
- Phantom Power: +48V
- Power Supply: Micro-B USB
- Dimensions: (L x W x H) 5 x 3 5/8 x 1" (14 x 19.2 x 3.2 cm)
- Mac System Requirements: Any Mac with an Intel processor, 4 GB RAM or more, Mac OS X version 10.6.8 or later, Available high-speed USB 2.0 port, A large hard drive (preferably at least 250 GB)
- Windows System Requirements: Pentium 4 CPU (or equivalent) 1 GHz or faster, 4 GB RAM or more, Windows 10, 8, or 7, Available high-speed USB 2.0 port, A large hard drive (preferably at least 250 GB)
- iOS Requirements: iOS 7 or later
- Included software: CueMix FX, AudioDesk
- Operating Systems: Mac OS X version 10.11, 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7, 10.6 (10.6.8 or later required), Windows 10, 8, or 7
- 64-bit operation: Available for Mac OS X version 10.6.8 or later, Available for 64-bit versions of Windows 7 (or later), Requires a 64-bit CPU (and host application for plug-in versions)

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 617-576-2760

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (2 ratings)
Submitted April 24, 2016 by Rob A

"Portability and power"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I've had my Microbook IIc a little over three months. It's a well-made and pretty deep piece of audio equipment that might take a little while to fully master and appreciate. I play keyboards using a Mac laptop rig on the road, and needed a portable audio interface that would let me run a wired in-ears setup. I travel light; I don't want to bring a rack of gear, so the fact that the Microbook IIc slips into my laptop bag is a big plus. I've geeked out a bit and set up my plugin hosting software (Plogue Bidule) to send OSC to CueMix FX using several knobs on my Roland midi controller – so from my keyboard I can control the level of my keys in my ears, as well as an ambient stereo mic (plugged into the Microbook's 1/8" line input), and an xlr feed from the monitor desk (plugged into the Mic input). Putting OSC control into MOTU interfaces is a very nice feature (a lot of digital mixers do this now) but they’ve designed it to work only with an iPad running an app called TouchOSC. It took a few hours of googling and some help from more knowledgeable folk to get Bidule to talk to CueMix FX– MOTU could not help me at all there. As you might know, the Microbook IIc has a built-in DSP mixer that lets you put compression and eq on every input and output. I set up the compressor on the headphones output to act as a limiter, which is a safety feature of most if not all dedicated in-ears systems. The built-in DSP means that the audio from the interface's inputs can be processed and read more mixed back to my in-ears without going through the computer – which would create latency and make this interface unusable for me. After quite a bit of research it really looks like the Microbook IIc is the only interface made that satisfies all my requirements – portability, multiple inputs, and built-in mixing and DSP. So far I’m very happy with my purchase.

Musical Background:
Pro player, many years of experience

Musical Style:
Jazz, Funk, R&B, Brazilian
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