34 simultaneous audio channels
You get 8 x 8 balanced analog, 8-channel ADAT optical and independent headphone out for 16 inputs and 18 outputs. The optical ports also support stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF).
Ultra-low latency and proven, high-performance MOTU drivers
The best possible latency performance
The 8A delivers round-trip latency (RTL) performance as low as 1.6 ms at 96kHz over Thunderbolt™ — and an astonishing 1.9 ms over USB — with high-performance DAW hosts.
Mobile operation and universal connectivity
Ultimate portability and flexibility
Connects to your computer with Thunderbolt™, super-speed USB 3.0 or AVB/TSN Ethernet — with support for up to 256 audio channels (128 in and 128 out). USB audio class-compliant firmware and high-performance, industry-standard drivers work with any audio apps. Connects to your iPad™ with a standard camera connection kit (adapter).
DSP mixing and effects processing
Console-style mixing with 48 channels and 12 busses
The 8A's full-fledged 48-input digital mixer delivers 7 stereo aux busses, 3 groups, access to 64 network inputs, and DSP effects, including reverb, 4-band EQ, gate and compression. If you know your way around a large-format mixing console, you'll feel right at home. If you've ever wished to mix on a large console, the driver's seat is now yours.
Modeled vintage effects processing
Vintage processing with 32-bit float precision
Classic reverb. Compression modeled after the legendary LA-2A compressor. EQ modeled after British analog console EQs. The 8A's mixing and effects DSP engine delivers virtually unlimited headroom and the utmost in sound quality.
Flexible matrix routing and splitting
Route your audio anywhere with one-click ease
Send any input to any output, or multiple outputs. Includes routing to and from the computer, plus any devices on the audio network.
Web app control from any device
Control everything from your laptop, tablet and smartphone
The software that you use to control the 8A doesn't reside on your hard drive. It's a web app served from the hardware itself. This means you can control the 8A's on-board DSP, mixing, device settings, and network audio routing from your favorite web browser on a laptop, tablet or smartphone connected by wire or Wi-Fi to your local area network. Use any web client on any platform — Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android — as long as it shares the same network.
Stand-alone operation with wireless control No computer or laptop needed
Connect an Apple® Airport™ or other Wi-Fi router with a standard Ethernet cable for wireless control of device settings, powerful 48-channel mixing and DSP effects.
| Sample rates | 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz |
| Analog inputs |
8 x 1/4" TRS line inputs (balanced/unbalanced)
Max level: +24 dBu (range -96 to +22) |
| Analog outputs |
8 x 1/4" TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled 5v)
Max level: +20 dBu (range -4 to +20) 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo headphone |
| Digital I/O |
1 bank (8 ch) of ADAT optical at 1x sample rates
1 bank (4 ch) of SMUX optical at 2x sample rates Switchable to stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF) |
| Total I/O |
16 inputs / 18 outputs (34 total) at 1x sample rates
12 inputs / 14 outputs (26 total) at 2x sample rates 8 inputs / 10 outputs (18 total) at 4x sample rates |
| Computer I/O |
1 x Thunderbolt 1 (Mac and Win)
Thunderbolt 2 & 3 compatible 1 x USB 3.0 (Mac and Win) USB 2.0 and iOS compatible (class compliant) 1 x AVB/TSN Ethernet (Mac only) Requires OS X 10.11 or later |
| Computer I/O channels |
Thunderbolt (44.1 to 96 kHz): 128 in/out
Thunderbolt (176.4 to 192 kHz): 64 in/out USB 3.0 (44.1 to 96 kHz): 128 in/out USB 3.0 (176.4 to 192 kHz): 64 in/out AVB/TSN Ethernet: 16 to 128 in/out depends on host computer speed |
| Headphone | 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone (assignable) |
| Front panel |
1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output
1 x digital rotary encoder • phone volume 5 x switches • menu navigation 160 x 128 pixel RGB LCD for level meters / menu nav Power switch |
| Power |
External 12-18V DC power supply
1.0A max • tip pos or neg |
| Dimensions
and weight |
(width x depth x height, enclosure only)
8.6 x 7 x 1.75 inches 22 x 17.75 x 4.5 cm 2.2 lbs / 1.0 kg |
