Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU) 828 FireWire Audio Interface

The 828 is an affordable, FireWire-based digital audio hard disk recording system for Mac OS and Windows. If you have a G4 Cube, or FireWire iMac, add an 828 for a virtually silent (fanless) recording system. It is also the perfect companion for your laptop computer. With built-in phantom-powered mic pre-amps and no-latency monitoring, you don't need a mixer for portable recording.

Included with the 828 is the acclaimed AudioDesk workstation software for Macintosh. Of course, the 828 ships with ASIO drivers for compatibility with your favorite software.

The MOTU 828 includes a single rack space I/O unit, a 12 ft. FireWire cable to connect the 828 to your computer, software drivers for both Mac OS and Windows, and AudioDesk, a complete Macintosh audio workstation software package.

AudioDesk gives you all of the latest advanced features you need to record, edit, mix, process, and master an audio project in your Power Macintosh computer. It even includes MOTU's groundbreaking PureDSP time-stretching and pitch-shifting technology and dozens of real-time, 32-bit effects plug-ins. If you need integrated MIDI sequencing, you can obtain Digital Performer at a special upgrade price.

Features
FireWire-based (1394) hard disk recording at a breakthrough price

Drivers for Mac & PC - for all popular Macintosh and Windows audio software (ASIO/Wave drivers)

100% compatible with all host-based effects processing in today's popular audio programs

24-bit analog converters

CueMix Plus zero-latency hardware patchthru system

Includes AudioDesk full-featured sample-accurate workstation software for MacOS with recording, editing, mixing, real-time 32-bit effects processing, and sample-accurate sync

Sample-accurate digital transfers between ADAT digital tape decks and the computer via the ADAT sync port

Eight 24-bit analog outputs on balanced/unbalanced 1/4 in. TRS jacks

Six 24-bit analog inputs on balanced/unbalanced 1/4 in. TRS jacks

Two 24-bit analog inputs on balanced/unbalanced 1/4 in./XLR combo Neutrik connectors

2 mic pre-amps with switchable 48-volt phantom power on the front panel

105dB dynamic range

Front panel volume control over monitor input level on main outs

Front panel headphone jack with independent volume control

Front panel signal present LEDs for all analog and digital I/O

Trim controls for all inputs on front panel

Dedicated front panel clock status LEDs

8 channels of 24-bit ADAT optical input/output

Stereo S/PDIF in/out in optical and coax formats - ADAT lightpipe and S/PDIF optical formats share the same jacks and cannot be used at the same time. However, you may use ADAT lightpipe in and optical S/PDIF out simultaneously and the S/PDIF coax I/O and lightpipe I/O may be used simultaneously.

The 828 provides 8 channels of balanced/unbalanced analog input and output using 24-bit converters with 105 dB dynamic range. Eight channels of 24-bit ADAT lightpipe and stereo S/PDIF I/O provide a grand total of 18 simultaneous inputs and outputs.

Analog inputs one and two are designed for maximum flexibility. They use Neutrik XLR/TRS combo connectors so you can plug anything from a microphone to a guitar into the same jack. If you prefer to use condenser microphones, you can apply 48-volt phantom power. Each input provides 40dB of gain with convenient front panel trim knobs.

Like our PCI-324 card, the 828 features an ADAT sync input jack for sample accurate audio transfers with Alesis ADATs, or any device that supports ADAT sync.

A pedal input allows you to plug-in a footswitch for hands-free punch-in recording. The 828 software auto-senses pedal polarity for easy setup.

A built in international power supply uses a standard IEC cable. No noisy wall warts or line lumps to keep track of.

CueMix Plus - No Latency Monitoring
The 828 gives you the ability to select an input via software and mix it with the main outputs inside the 828 to create a no latency monitor mix. Because the mix does not have to travel back to the computer, the result is delay-less patch-thru. This mix is sent out the independent main+monitor outs and headphones. You can adjust the patch thru volume relative to the main mix with the convenient front panel monitor level knob.