MOTU M2 USB Audio Interface

MOTU M2 USB Audio Interface, New, Action Position Back

zZounds Gear Experts Say...

Get MOTU sound quality in an incredibly affordable, desktop-friendly USB-C audio interface! The M2 offers 2 clean mic/line/hi-Z guitar inputs, plus MIDI I/O.

Overview

The MOTU M2 is a 2-in/2-out USB-C audio interface for Mac, Windows, and iOS that offers best-in-class audio quality, best-in-class speed (ultra-low latency) and best-in-class metering with a full-color LCD. Record vocals, instruments or other audio sources quickly and easily. The M2 includes MOTU Performer Lite and Ableton Live Lite production software, 100+ instruments, dozens of plug-ins, and over 6 GB of loops and samples to start making music right away.

See how to connect your MOTU M2 or M4 interface and start recording in this video:

Additional features include two mic/line/hi-Z instrument XLR combo inputs, individual preamp gain and 48V phantom power, one-touch hardware monitoring, support for stereo monitoring, balanced 1/4-inch DC-coupled outputs, unbalanced RCA outputs (mirrored), ESS-driven headphone output with independent volume control, MIDI in/out, driver "loopback" channels for live-streaming and podcasting, and USB bus power with power switch (USB cable included).

Best-in-Class Audio Quality

Equipped with the same ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC technology found in audio interfaces costing thousands, the MOTU 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… read more 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 route computer output back to the computer, where you can mix it with live mics and/or guitar inputs from the M2 in your host software for live streaming or podcasting. Streaming and podcasting has never been easier and better-sounding!

Features:

- 2-in / 2-out USB audio interface with studio-quality sound
- Best-in-class audio quality driven by ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC Technology -- the same converter technology used in audio interfaces costing thousands
- Best-in-class speed (ultra-low latency) for host software processing
- Best-in-class metering for all inputs/outputs with a full-color LCD
- Measured 120 dB dynamic range on outputs
- Measured -129 dBu EIN on mic inputs
- ESS-driven headphone output
- 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
- Built in the USA
- Two-year warranty

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.p65Warnings.ca.gov.

Specs

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 and weight (width x depth x height, enclosure only):
- 7.5 x 4.25 x 1.75 inches (19.05 x 10.8 x 4.5 cm)
- 1.35 lbs (0.61 kg)

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging

Base Item

Shipping Weight: 2 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 3 in
Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 3120

Documents and Manuals

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 617-576-2760
Web: https://motu.com/techsupport

Reviews

(8 ratings)

Submitted March 29, 2021 by a customer from yahoo.com

"THIS WILL NOT BE GOING BACK"

Overall:

(see rating details)

Bought a pair of Focal Alpha 50s to go along with this interface. All I really knew was I needed XLR to male cables. I plugged the Alpha 50s into my Behringer UMC22 and hated the sound. I had done that because I thought the interface had a USB-C to USB-C cable. I was very close to returning the speakers. Then, I decided to open up the box and sure enough, USB-C to USB-A. Downloaded the drivers and holy crap, the speakers had the best sound I'd heard. The speakers weren't even broken in. I used to laugh at the latency on the Behringer. Now, I laugh at how low my latency is. I'm getting 8 ms at 256 samples at 96k (24 bit.) When I triple buffer in FL Studio, that only brings it up to 13 ms. The Motu drivers are ok, but the ASIO drivers are faster. I would never even bother recording with my old interface. If this interface is too slow for you, blame your CPU. Sound quality is literally unheard of. Music is so much more enjoyable now. This is a small price to hear music clearly. When Motu claims this is the best in class, they aren't just referring to the best $180 interface. I believe this is leagues ahead of most interfaces in terms of sound quality, even though I'm yet to hear anything more expensive than this. This is up-to-date with features, aside from inputs. The dynamic range is amazing. My Behringer had a really compressed sound when cranked. I don't need the inputs, as I don't use hardware. There is no put in having 12 inputs like on the Babyface Pro, just for "sound quality."… read more Oh, and the meters! Warranty is 90 days. If this messes up within 45 days, it's going to Motu, not zZounds. I'm covered. If my Behringer could last a year and a half, I believe this should keep my sound clear for a few years. This is a no-brainer. Ableton Live Lite 10 means you will be able to make and record music by simply buying this. Not to mention the discount to upgrade. My only advice is to take breaks when using headphones. It would be easy to listen to a set for hours, at 100 db with this. Get lost in the clarity and protect your ears.Shoutout to zZounds for making gear affordable with payment plans. I only use the big online stores for reviews.

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