The MOTU Monitor 8 is a versatile device that combines a 24 x 16 x 8 monitor mixer, a six-channel headphone amplifier, and a USB/AVB audio interface, making it an ideal solution for both studio and live sound applications. It offers exceptional analogue audio quality, serving as a primary audio interface or as a comprehensive monitor mixer.
Designed with mixing in mind, the MOTU Monitor 8 can handle 24 input sources, including eight channels of high-quality balanced TRS analogue inputs and 16 channels of ADAT optical inputs. It can also integrate multi-channel computer audio and up to 64 channels of audio streamed from other devices on a connected AVB audio network. These inputs can be mixed to eight stereo output groups: Main, Aux, and Monitor Groups A through F, providing flexibility for various monitoring setups.
For monitoring purposes, the MOTU Monitor 8 features six independent monitor groups, each offering multiple mirrored outputs. These include two headphone outputs located on the front and rear panels, a summed quarter-inch mono output for stage monitors, and for groups A through D, balanced stereo quarter-inch outputs suitable for in-ear monitoring systems or other stereo destinations. This configuration allows each monitor mix to be sent simultaneously to two pairs of headphones, a wireless in-ear module, and a stage wedge, accommodating diverse monitoring needs.
The device employs state-of-the-art ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ converters, renowned for their industry-leading performance. Coupled with expertly engineered analogue circuits, the MOTU Monitor 8 achieves a measured performance of 123 dB dynamic range (A-weighted, 20 Hz to 20 kHz) on its balanced TRS analogue outputs, ensuring pristine sound quality without compromise.
Connectivity is a key feature of the MOTU Monitor 8. It offers high-speed USB 2.0, ensuring broad compatibility with most laptops and desktops, and is USB audio class compliant, providing OS-level support, including compatibility with iOS devices via a camera connection kit. This future-proof connectivity ensures seamless integration with various systems.
The MOTU Monitor 8 is equipped with a 48-channel digital mixer, designed to emulate large-format mixing consoles. These 48 inputs can source signals from the device’s physical inputs, audio channels from host software, audio network streams, or even mixer outputs. The mixer provides seven stereo auxiliary buses, three groups, a reverb bus that can alternatively serve as a fourth group, a Main Mix bus, and a separate Monitor bus that can function as a solo bus, offering comprehensive and transparent mixing capabilities.
In terms of effects processing, the MOTU Monitor 8 includes modelled analogue EQ and compression. It meticulously replicates the classic EQ profiles of British analogue mixing consoles, delivering the same sought-after EQ response. Each input channel also features a classic compressor module with optional peak/RMS operation. Groups and the Main Mix bus are equipped with MOTU’s Leveler™, an accurate model of the renowned Teletronix™ LA-2A™ optical levelling amplifier, celebrated for its unique Automatic Gain Control characteristics.
The device offers flexible matrix routing and splitting, allowing any input to be sent to any output or multiple outputs simultaneously. This includes routing to and from the computer, as well as any devices on the AVB network, providing versatility in complex audio setups.
For system expansion and audio networking, the MOTU Monitor 8’s network port supports AVB Ethernet, the industry standard developed by the IEEE for professional audio networking. Users can add a second MOTU AVB interface, such as the 1248, 8M, or 16A, using a simple Cat-5e or Cat-6 Ethernet cable. Up to five MOTU interfaces can be connected using a MOTU AVB Switch (sold separately), enabling the creation of a network with multiple interfaces and computers using standard AVB switches and network cabling. This setup allows for ultra-low network latency, even over long cable runs up to 100 meters point to point, and facilitates the streaming of hundreds of audio channels among devices and computers on the network.
The MOTU Monitor 8 also supports stand-alone mixing with wireless control. By connecting an Apple Airport™ or another Wi-Fi router directly to the device with a standard Ethernet cable, users can control the MOTU Monitor 8’s powerful mixing and DSP effects from a smartphone or tablet without the need for a computer, making it an excellent solution for live sound mixing.
The MOTU Monitor 8 is a multifaceted device that combines a monitor mixer, headphone amplifier, and audio interface into a single unit. With exceptional audio quality, extensive connectivity options, comprehensive mixing and effects processing capabilities, and support for system expansion and wireless control, it is well-suited for both studio and live sound applications.
