Tag Archives: Motu

MOTU Audio Express

Posted on by

The Audio Express features studio-grade sound, hands-on mixing, MIDI connectivity, and all the audio I/O needed for a well-equipped personal studio. Advanced features include front-panel control of four stereo mix busses, stand-alone mixing, digitally controlled analog trim, DDS (Direct Digital Synthesis) audio clocking for exceptionally low jitter performance, and an instrument tuner.

Audio Express features

  • 6-input, 6-output audio interface for Mac and Windows.
  • 6 x 8 physical input/output channels — all channels are available simultaneously and operate independently.
  • Hybrid FireWire/USB 2.0 connectivity — connect to your Mac or PC via either bus-powered Firewire or hi-speed USB2.
  • 8-bus digital mixer — routes and mixes all six inputs to any output pair.
  • Four separate mixes — each output pair (main outs, line outs, S/PDIF out, and phones) can have a completely different mix of all six inputs, with or without computer tracks.
  • Two mic/guitar combo jacks — provide hi-Z 1/4” guitar input or XLR mic input with phantom power, 20 dB pad, Precision Digital Trim™, and plenty of gain.
  • Stereo analog inputs — on line-level, balanced TRS quarter-inch jacks. Connect to synth or or other line-level input signal.
  • Stereo main outs — on balanced TRS quarter-inch jacks. Connect directly to powered speakers (or other line-level analog destination).
  • Stereo 24-bit 96kHz S/PDIF digital in/out.
  • Stereo headphone output on quarter-inch jack with independent volume control.
  • Support for standard sample rates up to 96 kHz.
  • Precision Digital Trim™ — digitally controlled analog trim on all inputs provides adjustments in approximately 1 dB increments. Fine-tune the balance of all inputs and then save/recall trim configurations.
  • Front-panel mixing and control — each input has its own dedicated volume knob. Control multiple mixes with clear feedback from front panel LEDs and metering.
  • CueMix FX cross-platform mixing software — attractive on-screen graphic mixing with a tuner and audio analysis tools including real-time FFT display, spectrogram “waterfall” display, oscilloscope, X-Y plot and linear or polar phase analysis.
  • Stand-alone operation — bring the Audio Express to a gig, with or without a computer. Just plug in the included power adapter and you are ready to go. Need to tweak the mix? Just turn the front-panel knobs.
  • Front panel volume control of main outs and headphone jack.
  • Expandable — add additional interfaces for more I/O as your needs grow.
  • Time code support — directly resolves to (or generates) time code via any quarter-inch input or output, without the need for an extra synchronizer.
  • Direct Digital Synthesis™ (DDS) — a DSP-driven phase lock engine and internal clock source that produces imperceptibly low jitter characteristics (below the noise floor), even when the Audio Express is resolved to an external clock source via SMPTE time code.
  • Sample-accurate MIDI — connect a MIDI controller and/or sound module with no separate interface needed. MIDI I/O is sample-accurate with supporting software.
  • Foot switch input — connect a standard foot pedal switch (sold separately) for hands-free punch-in and punch-out while recording. Or map the pedal to any keystroke function in your host software.
  • DC-coupled TRS outputs — can be used with Volta™ (sold separately) to manipulate and sequence voltage-controlled modular synthesizers from a host DAW.
  • Plug-and-play operation with your Mac or PC via FireWire or USB2 — compatible with all current and recent generation Macs and PCs.
  • Includes native 32- and 64-bit drivers for Mac OS X and Windows 7/Vista, including ASIO, WDM, Wave, Core Audio, and Core MIDI. Supports all popular Mac and Windows audio software.
  • 100% compatible with all host-based effects processing in today’s popular audio programs.
  • Includes AudioDesk full-featured sample-accurate workstation software for the Mac with recording, editing, mixing, real-time 32-bit effects processing & sample-accurate sync.
  • Bus-powered FireWire operation. No need for external power when operating as a FireWire interface connected to a computer. A power supply is included for stand-alone operation.
  • Half-rack form factor with removable rack brackets (included) for portable desktop operation or rack-mount installation.

Price: USD 449.00

Visit: MOTU

MOTU MicroBook, compact USB bus-powered audio interface

Posted on by

The MicroBook turns your Mac or PC computer into a personal 4×2 recording studio with all the audio I/O and mixing you need for professional-quality recording and playback.

Plug in your mic, guitar and keyboard (or other instrument) and record up to four inputs simultaneously. You can even connect your iPod for rehearsing or sampling. Mix your tracks with on-screen CueMix FX software and apply DSP-powered effects such as multi-band EQ and compression.

With professional analog stereo outputs, digital output, and stereo-mini output jacks for both headphones and desktop speakers, you can monitor your live audio and recorded tracks any way you like. Edit and finalize your recording with the included AudioDesk software.

From initial inspiration to polished track, the MicroBook gets you there with broad compatibility, bus-powered convenience, and professional quality.

MicroBook features

  • 4-input, 2-output bus-powered “plug-and-play” USB audio interface for Mac and Windows.
  • 4 x 8 physical input/output channels.
  • 10-bus digital mixer to route and mix live inputs with live computer tracks.
  • Pre-amp equipped mic input with Precision Digital Trim™, 48V phantom power, and 20 dB pad.
  • Guitar input with Precision Digital Trim.
  • Stereo line level analog input (balanced TRS quarter-inch or stereo mini).
  • Stereo balanced TRS quarter-inch line level main outs.
  • Stereo eighth-inch “mini” line level out.
  • S/PDIF digital out (duplicates main out).
  • Headphones output on eighth-inch stereo “mini” jack with independent volume control.
  • Digitally controlled analog trim for all analog inputs.
  • Digital trim for all outputs.
  • CueMix™ FX no-latency mixing and monitoring with EQ and dynamics processing.
  • 7-band parametric EQ and compression.
  • Test tone and white/pink noise generator.
  • Advanced audio analysis software tools, including FFT display, spectrogram “waterfall” display, oscilloscope, X-Y plot, and phase torch.
  • Industry standard Mac and Windows audio drivers (Core Audio, Wave, and ASIO) for across-the-board compatibility.
  • Compatible with all current and recent generation Macs and PCs.
  • Includes AudioDesk DAW software for Mac, USB cable, and mic cable adapter.

Price: USD 269.00

Visit: MOTU

MOTU updates Custom ‘59

Posted on by

MOTU has released an updated version of Digital Performer’s Custom ‘59, an amplifier effect plug-in.motu_custom

The update adds new power amp models that deliver even more punch, crunch and drive for your DP7 guitar tones. The update includes a newly optimized version of Live Room | G with improved performance.

Three new power amp models have been added: Vintage, Classic and Modern. Each provides unique characteristics. Additionally, a new Presence control provides progressive high-frequency shelf filtering.

The Custom ‘59 Amp update is now available as a free download to all registered DP7 owners.

Visit: MOTU

MOTU announces UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid

Posted on by

The UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid provides flexible and mobile operation via motu_ultralite-mk3-hybrid_thumbFireWire or hi-speed USB2 connectivity to a Mac or PC computer, with professional audio quality at samples rates up to 192 kHz and plenty of I/O, including two mic/instrument inputs, six line-level analog inputs, ten channels of analog output, stereo S/PDIF and a stereo headphone output.

“As a FireWire audio interface, the UltraLite-mk3 was an all-time best-seller,” explains Jim Cooper, Director of Marketing for MOTU. “So we added a USB2 port for users who want to connect it to laptop or desktop computers that don’t have built-in FireWire. Pretty much all Macs and PCs now come standard with hi-speed USB2 ports.”

As the first-ever “hybrid” audio interface of its kind, the rear panel of the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid provides both a FireWire A (400 Mbps) and hi-speed USB2 (480 Mbps) port. Users can connect the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid to their computer using either port for full-featured operation and ultra-low bus latency. Using FireWire provides the added benefit of fully mobile bus-powered operation, with enough power through the FireWire cable connection from the computer to support all features, including 48-volt phantom power to both mic inputs. An included power adapter can be used for USB2 connectivity, or operation as a stand-alone mixer.

Other updates include computer-controllable pad and 48V phantom power switches for the two mic inputs, simplified two-way pad switch (-20 dB or off), and an increased mic trim range (0-60 dB).

UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid features

  • CueMix FX™ — flexible 10 input/14 bus mixer with on-board DSP effects, including reverb with sends/returns, plus EQ and compression on every input and output.
  • 10 inputs / 14 outputs — there’s no channel sharing in the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid; the mic inputs, S/PDIF I/O, headphone out and main outs are all handled as separate channels.
  • Classic Reverb™ — provides five different room types, three frequency shelves with adjustable crossover points, shelf filtering and reverb lengths up to 60 seconds.
  • Two forms of compression — a standard compressor with conventional threshold/ratio/attack/release/gain controls and the Leveler™, an accurate model of the legendary LA-2A optical compressor, which provides vintage, musical automatic gain control.
  • Modeled EQ — provides 7-band parametric EQ modeled after British analog console EQs, featuring 4 filter styles (gain/Q profiles) to effectively cover a wide range of audio material. LP and HP filters are also supplied with slopes that range from 6 to 36 dB.
  • CueMix FX cross-platform mixing software — attractive graphic mixing, graphic editing of parametric EQ and a convenient tabbed interface for quick access to all features in one window. Also provides full-screen real-time FFT display, spectrogram “waterfall” display, oscilloscope, X-Y plot and linear or polar phase analysis.
  • Front-panel control — access any setting in your entire UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid mix directly from the front panel.
  • “Reverb return” stream — allows users to record or mix UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid reverb output separately in their DAW. Effects can also be applied when the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid is operating stand-alone (without a computer) as a complete stand-alone mixer.
  • Stand-alone operation — program your mixes at the studio and then bring the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid to your gig, no computer needed. Just plug in the included power adapter and you are ready to go. Need to tweak the mix? Do it on site using the back-lit LCD and front-panel controls.
  • Multiple CueMix FX mixes — for example, create different monitor mixes for the main outs and headphones. Or add send/return loops for outboard gear with no latency.
  • Two combo jacks provide 1/4” guitar input or XLR mic input with phantom power, pad and plenty of gain.
  • Eight 24-bit 192kHz analog inputs and outputs on balanced/unbalanced 1/4″ TRS jacks.
  • Precision Digital Trim™ — Digitally controlled analog trim on all analog inputs (mic/guitar inputs + quarter-inch TRS inputs) provides accurate adjustments in 1 dB increments. Fine-tune the balance of your analog inputs and then save/recall trim configurations.
  • Direct Digital Synthesis™ (DDS) — a DSP-driven phase lock engine and internal clock source that produces imperceptibly low jitter characteristics (below the noise floor), even when the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid is resolved to an external clock source via SMPTE time code.
  • Time code support — directly resolves to (or generates) time code via any quarter-inch input or output, without the need for an extra synchronizer.
  • Sample-accurate MIDI — connect a MIDI controller and/or sound module with no separate interface needed. MIDI I/O is sample-accurate with supporting software.
  • Expandable — add additional interfaces for more I/O as your needs grow.
  • Separate TRS main outs with front panel volume control.
  • Stereo 24-bit 96kHz S/PDIF in/out.
  • Includes 64-bit and 32-bit native drivers for Mac OS X and Windows 7, Vista and XP, including ASIO, WDM, Wave, Core Audio, and Core MIDI. Supports all popular Mac and Windows audio software.
  • Includes AudioDesk full-featured sample-accurate workstation software for Mac with recording, editing, mixing, real-time 32-bit effects processing and sample-accurate sync.
  • Plug-and-play operation with your Mac or PC via FireWire or USB2.
  • Front panel volume control for monitoring. Stereo, Quad, 6.1, 7.1 and user-defined surround monitoring setups available.
  • Front panel headphone jack with volume control.

The UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid will ship Q4 of 2009 at the same price as the original UltraLite-mk3.

Visit: MOTU

MOTU Digital Performer 7

Posted on by

MOTU has introduced Digital Performer 7, the latest version of its digital motu-digital-performer-7audio workstation.

Digital Performer 7 offers new features, enhanced operation and improved performance:

  • Custom ‘59 – A meticulously detailed guitar amp emulator modeled after all-time classics from Fender® and Marshall.
  • Live Room | G – A superb physical modeling speaker cabinet emulator with four mixable mics (close, near and far) and 3-band EQ per mic.
  • Guitar pedals – A new suite of stunningly accurate classic guitar pedals modeled after all-time favorites from Boss, Ibanez & others.
  • Inline EQ & dynamics – Control DP’s multi-band graphic EQ and vintage dynamics processing directly in each Mixing Board channel.
  • Channel Strip – Gain instant access to all mixer channel settings for the track you are working on in any Editor window.
  • Lead sheets – Create and print lead sheets, complete with lyrics and transposable chord symbols.

Additional DP7 new features include:

  • Freely resizable Counter – Resize the Counter window to any size you wish, even the entire width of your screen.
  • Marker Counter – Display markers in large type in the resizable Counter window. Use markers as a teleprompter for lyrics during live performance or recording sessions.
  • Consolidated V-Racks – Display V-Rack virtual instruments and effects side by side with disk tracks in the Mixing Board.
  • Lyrics – Type in lyrics directly below notes on the QuickScribe page. Or paste them into the Lyric window from your word processor and flow them into a track with one click.
  • Transposable chord symbols – Add complex chord symbols directly on the page and transpose them at any time, together with or independently from notes.
  • QuickScribe notation enhancements – Numerous enhancements give you even more control over the look of your score and help speed your notation workflow.
  • Support for Pro Tools 8 – Industry-leading support for operation as a complete software front-end for Pro Tools | HD systems.
  • Info Bar mixer controls – Get instant access to mixer channel settings in any editor window that follow the track you’re working on.
  • Next-generation sample rate conversion – A new ultra-fast, CPU-efficient sample rate conversion algorithm delivers increased precision, efficiency, and transparency, with an astonishing 138 dB signal-to-noise ratio.
  • Real-time crossfades – All crossfades are now computed in real time for lightning fast edits.
  • Wave64 support – Support for the industry standard Wave64 extension to the Broadcast WAVE file format lets you record and import audio files larger than 4GB.
  • Range automation modes – Raise, lower or write automation moves within any selected range, preserving everything before and after.
  • Audio Units instrument side chains – Route side chain inputs to all your favorite third-party Audio Units plug-ins.

Visit: motu.com

MOTU updates BPM to v1.01

Posted on by
Reply

MOTU has updated  BPM (Beat Production Machine) to v1.01. This is bpmnot just a “maintenance update”. Version 1.01 is loaded with significant new features, including the ability create slices in audio files that don’t have them yet, plus the ability to drag and drop slice loops onto a pad bank to automatically load loop slices into the pads.

In addition to many optimizations and enhancements “under the hood”, here is a brief overview of the new features in BPM version 1.0.1:

  • Loading slice loops into banks: you can now drag & drop a slice loop onto a bank to automatically load individual slices onto the bank’s 16 pads.
  • Slicing loops: you can now create slices in audio files that do not yet have slices. Using new controls in BPM’s Clip window, you can slice by transient or by beat grid, then save or even export the individual slices. You can also automatically slice loops when loading them into a rack part.
  • Importing multiple samples: you can now drag & drop multiple samples to import them, either into separate pads or as layers onto a single pad.
  • Pad templates: you can now load and save MIDI note mapping templates for BPM’s sixteen pads. Factory templates for popular 3rd-party pad controllers are provided, including the Akai MPD16, Akai MPD32, KORG padKONTROL, and the M-Audio Trigger Finger.
  • Mono sampling: BPMSampler is now available as both a mono and stereo plug-in, allowing you to sample external sources in either mono or stereo.
  • Saving performances with samples: there is a new command that allows you to save an entire performance, together with all associated samples, to create a self-contained snapshot of everything in the performance.

BPM, or Beat Production Machine, is a complete rhythm production center for Mac and Windows that combines state-of-the-art rhythm programming technology with playable virtual instrument operation inspired by the classic drum machines of the 80′s and 90′s. It comes with a 15 GB library and it can sample too.

Continue reading →