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MOTU 8pre-es Thunderbolt™/USB 2 8 mic pre audio interface with DSP and network
52 simultaneous audio channels
24 inputs and 28 outputs, all independent
Connect all your studio gear, including microphones, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines, outboard processors and optical expanders. All I/O is available simultaneously.
 
Connection (Input X Output)
Analog (balanced 1/4 inch TRS)
  • 8
Mic/Line/Guitar inputs with preamps
  • 8
Headphones output
  • 2x stereo
ADAT optical
  • 16 x16
Total
  • 24 x 28
 
Superb analog audio quality
Renowned ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC technology
Renowned ESS Sabre32™ DAC technology delivers measured 123 dB dynamic range and the same proven, award-winning audio quality as MOTU's flagship 1248. 
 

MOTU 8pre-es Thunderbolt™/USB 2 8 mic pre audio interface with DSP and network

$1,195.00Price

Technical Specifications

Sample rates 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
Mic/line/instr inputs 8 x XLR/TRS "combo style" mic/line/instr inputs 
Preamp gain: 0 to +63 dB (digitally controlled) 
TRS max level with pad: +17 dBu
Analog outputs 8 x 1/4" TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled) 
Max level: +20 dBu (digitally adjustable -4 to +20) 
2 x 1/4" TRS stereo headphone
Digital I/O 2 banks (16 ch) of ADAT optical at 1x sample rates 
2 banks (8 ch) of SMUX optical at 2x sample rates 
Switchable to stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF)
Total I/O 24 in / 28 out (52 total) at 1x sample rates 
16 in / 20 out (36 total) at 2x sample rates 
8 in / 12 out (20 total) at 4x sample rates
Computer I/O 1 x Thunderbolt 1 (Mac and Win) 
      Thunderbolt 2 & 3 compatible 
1 x USB 2.0 audio class compliant 
      USB 3.0 and iOS compatible
Computer I/O channels
Thunderbolt		 128 in/out at 1x (44.1 to 48 kHz) 
128 in/out at 2x (88.2 to 96 kHz) 
64 in/out at 4x (176.4 to 192 kHz)
Computer I/O channels
USB		 64 in/out at 1x (44.1 to 48 kHz) 
32 in/out at 2x (88.2 to 96 kHz) 
24 in/out at 4x (176.4 to 192 kHz)
Sync I/O 1 x BNC word clock in/out
Network I/O 1 x RJ45 AVB/TSN Ethernet (1 Gbps)
AVB streams
(8 channels per stream)		 4 in / 4 out @ 44.1 or 48 kHz 
4 in / 4 out @ 88.2 or 96 kHz 
2 in / 2 out @ 176.4 or 192 kHz
Headphone 2 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone (assignable)
Phantom power 8 x individual +48V
Front panel 2 x 1/4" TRS headphone output 
2 x digital rotary encoders • phone vol 
4 x digital rotary encoders • mic/instr input gain 
2 x large digital rotary encoders • main vol / menu 
8 x small switches • (4) Pad / (4) 48V Phantom pwr 
10 x large switches • menu nav / A-B select, etc. 
2 x LCD (128 x 160) for level meters / menu nav
Power International 100-240V autoswitching supply 
50-60 Hz • 0.5A max
Dimensions
and weight		 (width x depth x height, enclosure only) 
19 x 7 x 1.75 inches 
48.3 x 17.75 x 4.5 cm 
4.6 lbs / 2.05 kg 
with rack brackets removed: 
17.25 inches (43.8 cm) wide 
4.5 lbs / 2.04 kg

 

Mac System Requirements

  • 1 GHz Intel-based Mac or faster
  • 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended
  • Mac OS X version 10.8 or later
  • Available Thunderbolt 1/2/3, USB 2/3 or AVB/TSN Ethernet port*
  • A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
  • *AVB/TSN Ethernet audio interface operation requires OS X El Capitan or later

Windows System Requirements

  • 1 GHz Pentium-based PC compatible or faster
  • 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended
  • Windows 7, 8 or 10
  • Available Thunderbolt 1/2/3 or USB 2/3 port
  • A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)

Web App Support

  • Any web client platform: Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
  • Any web browser: Safari, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Explorer, etc.

Included Software

  • Thunderbolt and USB 2.0 drivers
  • MOTU Discovery App for Mac & PC (finds connected MOTU interfaces)
  • MOTU Discovery App for iOS (available from Apple App Store)
  • MOTU Pro Audio Control web app (served from the hardware itself)
  • MOTU Audio Tools (FFT, oscilloscope, X-Y plot, phase analyzer)
  • AudioDesk for Mac & Windows (separate download)

Operating Systems

  • For computer audio I/O: Mac OS X 10.8 or later; Windows 7 or later
  • For web app control: Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
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