MOTU OctaLite 16x12 USB Audio Interface w/ DSP

About: MOTU OctaLite 16x12 USB Audio Interface w/ DSP

The OctaLite is a 16-input, 12-output audio interface and optical expander with DSP mixing, effects processing and best-in-class analog audio quality for on-the-go mobile audio recording. Connect to a computer through hi-speed USB 2.0 with optimized ultra-low latency drivers (audio class compliant, compatible with USB 3.0 and iOS) and record at sample rates up to 192 kHz with eight combo XLR/TRS mic/line/hi-Z guitar inputs, two balanced quarter-inch analog outputs, 8-channel optical I/O (with support for 2-channel TOSLink), an extra optical output for SMUX channels 5-8 at 88.2 or 96 kHz, and a headphone output. Monitor live inputs directly with DSP-driven mixing. Create a separate, unique monitor mix for the headphones and monitor outputs. Apply on-board effects, including reverb, 4-band parametric EQ and dynamics processing to inputs and mix busses. Take the OctaLite on the road as a stand-alone mixer and control everything from the CueMix 5 app running on your laptop, iPad or iPhone. Or use the OctaLite as an optical expander to add eight mic/line/instrument inputs to a MOTU UltraLite-mk5 (or other audio interface) with a single optical cable. From studio to stage, the OctaLite delivers exceptional sound quality, state-of-the-art operation and rock-solid performance.

• 16 x 12 USB audio interface with DSP, mixing and effects
• Operation as an 8-channel mic/line/instr optical expander up to 96 kHz
• Can be mounted side by side with an UltraLite or another OctaLite in a single rack space
• Superb analog audio performance driven by ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC Technology
• Ultra-low latency for host software processing
• Precision front-panel metering for all analog I/O with high-resolution OLED display
• 8x mic/line/hi-Z guitar inputs on combo XLR/TRS with Burr Brown op amps and +74 dB of preamp gain
• Individual preamp gain and 48V phantom power for each mic input
• Measured -129 dB EIN on mic inputs
• 2x balanced, DC-coupled 1/4-inch TRS analog outputs with 125 dB dynamic range
• Hardware (direct) monitor mixing
• 1x optical digital I/O (8-channel optical or 2-channel TOSLink)
• 1x optical SMUX out (channels 5-8) at 88.2 or 96 kHz
• 1x headphone out (driven by ESS converters) with independent volume control
• Precision boost for all analog inputs and trim for all analog outputs in 1 dB steps
• Wi-Fi control from CueMix 5 app on multiple mobile devices (via a USB-connected computer on the same network)
• Network management features (discovery for multiple devices on the network and password protection for each device)
• Support for 44.1 to 192 kHz sample rates
• DC-coupled TRS outputs for CV control of modular synths from a host DAW
• USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac (no driver required)
• Windows driver with 2 ms Round Trip Latency (32 sample buffer at 96 kHz)
• Mac driver (optional, for 2 ms RTL@32/96 kHz and loopback feature)
• iOS compatible (USB audio class compliant)
• Loopback for capturing host output, live streaming, and podcasting
• DSP-driven monitor mixer with independent mixes for phones and monitor outs
• Mixer includes three virtual mix buses for in-the-box mixing and routing
• On-board effects including reverb, 4-band parametric EQ and dynamics
• Guitar re-amping with near-zero latency loop-thru to record dry guitar and mic'd amp simultaneously
• Rugged steel construction
• CueMix 5 app to control mixing and settings from a Mac, PC or iOS device
• MOTU Performer Lite workstation software included
• 100+ instruments (in Performer Lite)
• Over 6 GB of included free loops, samples and one-shots
• Rack-mountable as a single unit or side-by-side with an UltraLite-mk5 or 2nd OctaLite (mounting kits sold separately)
• Two-year factory warranty

Sound - Best-in-class audio quality

The OctaLite analog output is driven by renowned ESS Sabre32 DAC technology, featuring the ES9026PRO DAC, to deliver measured 125 dB dynamic range and -114 dB THD+N.

Equipped with Burr-Brown op-amps, the eight mic inputs deliver super-clean, ultra-quiet, neutral performance and +74 dB of preamp gain.

Renowned USB audio drivers deliver rock-solid performance and industry-leading low latency.

Connectivity - Eight mic inputs in a half-rack unit 

As an interface or mixer, the OctaLite provides eight mic/line/instrument inputs in a half rack form factor. Connect up to eight microphones, or any combination of mics, line level inputs, and guitars. The hi-Z quarter-inch jacks are perfect for DI guitar recording. Connect your speakers to balanced line outputs (L-R), along with headphones and 8-channel optical I/O. The optical ports alternatively support stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF). Operate the OctaLite as a USB audio interface, stand-alone mixer or 8-channel optical expander for another interface or mixer.

Versatility - Built for studio and stage

Housed in a compact, steel enclosure you can take anywhere, the OctaLite is equally well-suited for studio and stage, with or without a computer. Connect all your personal studio gear for state-of-the art computer-based recording and production, or take it to your next gig to mix live.

Performance - Ultra-low latency

When operating the OctaLite as a USB audio interface, optimized drivers for both Mac and PC deliver ultra-low latency performance with a round trip latency (RTL) of 2 ms (milliseconds) over USB (at 96 kHz with a 32-sample host buffer).

USB Class Compliance - Studio-grade I/O for your iOS device

The OctaLite is USB audio class compliant, giving you plug-and-play compatibility with iPad and other Apple iOS devices. Record on-the-go, directly to your iPad, or play backing tracks during a gig, mixed with your live inputs with the OctaLite's built-in mixing. Control everything from the CueMix 5 mixing app on your iPad or iPhone.

Live Streaming - Loopback

The OctaLite provides convenient loopback channels to your host computer or iOS device, so you can easily route computer output, along with a mix of live inputs from the OctaLite itself, back to the computer, where you can record it back into your podcasting host software or stream it live to the internet. The OctaLite provides three virtual mix buses that you can use for alternate loopback mixes. Streaming and podcasting has never been easier and better-sounding!

Mobile recording and mixing

After recording and mixing in the studio, take the OctaLite on the road with your laptop for mobile recording and live mixing.

Optical Expansion

In addition to USB audio interface operation, the OctaLite serves as the perfect optical expander for your UltraLite-mk5, 828, 16A or other audio interface. Add eight mic channels to your setup with a single optical cable. The mic input circuits in the OctaLite are identical to the UltraLite-mk5, ensuring uniformity across both units for all ten combined inputs. Setup is easy: just select the analog inputs as the source for the Optical Out bank, and you're good to go. There's even a 2nd extra optical ouput port to cover channels 5-8 when employing the 4-channel SMUX optical format at high sample rates (88.2 or 96 kHz).

Rack-Mount Operation

• Half-rack Mounting Kit: Ready for serious touring, the steel-encased OctaLite can be rack-mounted with thick, steel brackets designed to withstand the punishment on the road ahead. This is the same bracket as used for the UltraLite-mk5. (Sold separately)
• Half-rack Coupler Kit: Join two OctaLite units together, side by side, to fill a space in your rack or road case. Or mount an OctaLite side-by-side with an UltraLite-mk5. Thick steel brackets ensure everything connects solidly as a singular full-rack unit. (Sold separately)
• Sixteen mic inputs in a single rack space: Mount two OctaLites side by side and you've got sixteen mic inputs in a single rack space. Great for your studio rack or a portable rack case for on-the-go recording!

Flexible "combo-jack" inputs

Flexible XLR/TRS combo jacks let you plug in mics, guitars and/or line inputs. Add individual 48V phantom power if needed, adjust level with trim and pad, and start recording. Apply reverb, EQ and compression to the mix in your headphones, to the recorded tracks, or both. The quarter-inch inputs are hi-Z, perfect for DI guitar recording.

Headphone output

The headphone output mirrors the main outs, but you can also create your own independent headphone mix. Push the VOL knob to control MAIN OUT volume.

Preamp gain

Each mic input has +74 dB of independent preamp gain, a -20 dB pad and 48V phantom power for condenser mics. Use the rotary encoders for quick access to basic settings from the front panel.

Large OLED display

The bright, crisp, high-resolution OLED provides long-throw metering for all analog I/O, plus activity indicators for digital audio.

• ​FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
  • Superb sound quality & performance
  • 8 mic/line/hi-Z guitar inputs in a half rack unit
  • USB interface and optical expander operation
  • On-board DSP, mixing and effects
  • Universal connectivity
  • Loopback and other advanced extras
  • CueMix 5 console app (Mac/Win/iOS)
  • Performer Lite workstation software
• I/O (16 x 12)
  • 8x mic/line/Hi-Z guitar inputs
  • 2x balanced 1/4-inch TRS outputs
  • 1x optical in (ADAT or TOSLink)
  • 1x optical out (ADAT or TOSLink)
  • 1x optical out (SMUX channels 5-8)
  • 1x stereo headphone w/volume
• CONNECTIVITY
  • USB-C audio class compliant
  • Compatible with USB Type A
  • Low-latency Windows ASIO driver
  • Low-latency Windows WAVE driver
  • Low-latency Mac driver (optional)
  • iOS / USB-C
  • iOS / Lightning (with adapter kit)
• AUDIO PERFORMANCE
  • 125 dB dynamic range on output
  • -129 dBu EIN on mic inputs
• SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
  • macOS 12 or later
  • Windows 11
  • iOS 13.5 or later

Monitor Mixing with Effects - The CueMix 5 app

CueMix 5 gives you simple, yet comprehensive graphic control over your OctaLite mix. For macOS, Windoww and iOS, CueMix 5 delivers intuitive graphic mixing, graphic editing of parametric EQ, and a convenient touch-friendly interface for quick access to all mixing features, digitally controlled trims and other settings in your OctaLite. Create separate mixes for the rear-panel monitor (line) outputs, front-panel headphones and loopback channels.

Start making music right away with included workstation software, virtual instruments and loops

Connect the OctaLite to your Mac or PC and start laying down tracks with the included Performer Lite production software, plus hundreds of loops, one-shots and sounds from industry leaders MOTU, Big Fish Audio, Lucidsamples and Loopmasters.

• Performer Lite: Performer Lite provides everything you need to record, edit, mix, process and master your own music tracks quickly and easily. Plug in your mic, guitar and MIDI keyboard and start tracking with over 100 virtual instruments, dozens of effects plug-ins, guitar FX processing and much more.
• 100+ Instruments: Performer Lite includes over 100 virtual instruments, including acoustic and electric pianos, guitars, basses, drums, organs synths, orchestral instruments, choirs, world instruments and much more. Take your musical muse wherever it wants to go.
• 6 GB of free loops and sample packs: Performer Lite includes 6 GB of free loops and sample packs from leading sample content providers to help you start making music right away. From Performer Lite's Content Browser, choose from dozens of musical styles, click to audition, then drag and drop in your projects timeline to build your track quick.
  • Since 1986, Big Fish Audio has consistently produced the highest quality sample libraries available. Over the years, their sounds have been featured in hundreds of charting songs and top film and television soundtracks.
  • Lucidsamples is a collective of experienced music producers and professional musicians that offers high quality samples and sample packs which are suitable for creating products in the most popular music genres. Their sounds are being used all over the world by many well known DJs, music producers and companies.
  • Loopmasters is the definitive "sample boutique." Based in Brighton, England, this label has been providing pristine audio libraries for more than a decade. Content has been expansive and evolving over the years, with hundreds upon hundreds of royalty-free packs to inspire amateurs and seasoned artists alike.

Specifications

• System Requirements
  • Mac
    • Apple silicon and Intel processors supported
    • 8+ GB RAM recommended for optimal performance
    • macOS 12 or later (with driver or USB class compliant)
    • Available USB port
  • Windows 
    • x86-64 (Intel, AMD) & ARM (Snapdragon) PCs supported
    • 8+ GB RAM recommended for optimal performance
    • Windows 11 23H2 or later (x86-64/ARM64)
    • Available USB port
  • Class-Compliant Support: USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac or iOS (no driver required)
  • Included Software
    • CueMix 5
    • MOTU Performer Lite
    • Ableton Live Lite
    • 6GB of loops and sounds from MOTU, Big Fish Audio, LucidSamples, and LoopCloud
• Technical
• Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
• Mic/line/guitar inputs: 8 x XLR/TRS "combo" jacks
  • 1 MΩ impedance on the line/instr inputs
• Digital I/O
  • 1 bank (channels 1-8) of ADAT optical at 1x sample rates
  • 1 bank (channels 5-8) of SMUX optical at 2x sample rates
    • Switchable to stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF)
• Computer I/O: 1 x USB-C 2.0 audio class compliant
  • Compatible with USB Type A (with adapter or C-to-A cable)
• Total audio I/O
  • 16 in / 12 out (28 total) at 1x sample rates
  • 12 in / 12 out (22 total) at 2x sample rates
  • 8 in / 4 out (12 total) at 4x sample rates
• Headphone: 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone
• Phantom power: 8 x individual +48V
• Front panel
  • 2 x XLR/TRS combo inputs
  • 1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output
  • 1 x potentiometer • phone/monitor vol
  • 1 x potentiometer • mic/instr input gain
  • 1 x potentiometer • mic channel select
  • 4 x switches • 48V, pad, back, menu
  • 1x high-resolution white OLED display for metering/status
• Power
  • Multi-blade international 15V DC power adapter
  • 2.0A max • tip positive
  • Supports 100-240V power sources (US/Japan, EU, UK, Australia)
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 8.6 x 6.9 x 1.75 inch (22 x 17.5 x 4.5 cm)
• Weight: 3.0 lbs (1.36 kg)