Description
MOTU M4 Audio Interface
BEST IN CLASS
Audio Quality
Equipped with the same ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC Technology found in audio interfaces costing thousands, the M4 delivers an astonishing 120 dB Dynamic Range on its main outputs. ESS converters also drive the headphone output, which rivals dedicated headphone amplifiers costing hundreds. Ultra-clean preamp circuits produce a measured -129 dBu EIN on the mic inputs. Capture and monitor your audio with pristine clarity.
☑ ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC technology for superb analog sound
☑ The same converter technology used in audio interfaces costs thousands
☑ Measured 120 dB dynamic range on outputs
☑ Measured -129 dBu EIN on mic inputs
☑ ESS-driven headphone output
Speed
The M4 provides best-in-class speed for monitoring live inputs (mic, guitar, or keyboard) through your computer, thanks to MOTU’s expertly engineered USB drivers, which deliver class-leading, ultra-low 2.5 ms Round Trip Latency (at 96 kHz with a 32 sample buffer).
Metering
When recording and mixing, nothing is more critical than achieving optimum levels. The M4 is the only audio interface in its class with a full-color LCD featuring clear, detailed level meters for all inputs and outputs. Enjoy professional-level volume control and feedback to get your sound just right.
Loopback
The M4 driver provides convenient loopback channels to your host computer, so you can easily route computer output back to the computer, where you can mix it with live mics and/or guitar inputs from the M4 in your host software for live streaming or podcasting. Streaming and podcasting have never been easier and better sounding!
A tradition of engineering excellence
Decades of award-winning product engineering for hit songs, mega tours, primetime shows, and blockbuster movies go into every MOTU audio interface.
I/O
2x mic/line/Hi-Z guitar inputs
2x balanced 1/4-inch line inputs
4x balanced 1/4-inch TRS out
4x RCA analog out (mirrored)
1x stereo headphones w/volume
1x MIDI in/out
dB RANGE
120 dB dynamic range on output
-129 dBu EIN on mic inputs
CONNECTIVITY
Bus-powered USB-C
Compatible with USB Type A
Windows driver
Mac driver (optional)
iOS compatible (with adapter kit and powered USB hub)
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Plug-and-play operation
Hardware (direct) monitoring
Independent 48V phantom power
Rugged metal construction
44.1 to 192 kHz sample rates
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
macOS 10.11 or higher
Windows 10 or higher
iOS 9 or higher
Workstation software, virtual instruments, and loops to get you making music right away
Connect the M4 to your Mac or PC and start laying down tracks with the included Performer Lite or Live Lite production software, plus hundreds of loops, one-shots, and sounds from industry leaders Big Fish Audio, Lucidsamples, and Loopmasters.
MOTU 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.
Ableton Live Lite
Live Lite 11 is a lightweight version of Ableton Live 11. It comes with all of Live’s essential workflows, instruments, and effects – everything you need to record songs, create hands-on with your controller, take music made in your apps further and so much more.
100+ Virtual Instruments
Performer Lite includes over 100 virtual instruments, including acoustic and electric pianos, guitars, basses, drums, organ synths, orchestral instruments, choirs, world instruments, and much more. Take your musical muse wherever it wants to go.
Loops and sounds
You get 6 GB of free loops and sample packs from leading sample content providers to help you start making music right away. Choose from dozens of musical styles, then drag and drop them into your project’s timeline to build your track quickly.
Technical Specifications
| Sample rates | 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz |
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| Mic/line/guitar | 2 x XLR/TRS “combo jack” mic/line/Hi-Z guitar inputs Independent preamp gain, 48V phantom power, and monitors switch for each input |
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| Analog inputs | 2 x 1/4″ line in |
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| Analog outputs | 4 x 1/4″ TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled) 4 x RCA (unbalanced) analog out (mirrored) 1 x 1/4″ TRS stereo headphone |
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| Computer I/O | 1 x USB-C (compatible with USB Type A) 2.0 audio class compliant |
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| MIDI I/O | 1 x MIDI IN 1 x MIDI OUT 16 MIDI channels to/from the computer host |
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| Headphone | 1 x 1/4″ TRS stereo phone |
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| Phantom power | 2 x individual +48V |
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| Front panel | 1 x 1/4″ TRS headphone output 2 x XLR/TRS combo inputs 1 x potentiometer • monitor vol 1 x potentiometer • phone vol 1 x potentiometer • input monitor mix 2 x potentiometer • mic/line/guitar input gain 5 x switches • (2) 48V, (2) MON and (1) 3-4 160 x 120 pixel full-colored LCD with input and output level meters |
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| Power | Bus-powered through USB |
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| Dimensions and weight | (width x depth x height, enclosure only) 8.25 x 4.25 x 1.75 inches 20.955 x 10.8 x 4.5 cm 1.55 lbs / 0.7 kg |
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System Requirements
| Mac System Requirements | Intel Core i3 Mac or faster (including Apple silicon Macs) 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended macOS version 10.11 or later (Optional driver requires 10.13 or later) Available USB port A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording) |
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| Windows System Requirements | 1 GHz Pentium-based PC compatible or faster 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended Windows 10 or later (x64 only) Available USB port A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording) |
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| Class-Compliant Support | USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac or iOS (no driver required) |
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| Included Software | MOTU Performer Lite Ableton Live 10 Lite 6GB of loops and sounds from Big Fish Audio, LucidSamples, Loopmasters and MOTU |
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Analog I/O
| Connector type | Dynamic range (A-weighted) | THD+N (unweighted) | Max level |
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| Line Output | 1/4″ TRS, balanced, tip hot | 120dB | -110dB | +16dBu |
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| Line Input | 1/4″ TRS, bal/unbal, tip hot | 115dB | -106dB | +18dBu |
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| Mic input | XLR, balanced, pin 2 hot | 115dB | -129dBu EIN | +10dBu (at a minimum gain) |
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| Phones | 1/4″, TRS stereo | 115dB | -110dB | +12.5dBu |
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Compatible Mac Software
The M4 ships with standard Core Audio drivers for macOS for compatibility with virtually all Core Audio-compatible apps, including:
- MOTU Performer Lite
- MOTU Digital Performer
- Avid Pro Tools (version 9 or later)
- Apple Logic Pro
- Apple Logic Express
- Apple Garage Band
- Apple SoundTrack Pro
- Ableton Live
- Presonus Studio One
- Propellerhead Record & Reason
- Steinberg Cubase
- Cockos Reaper
- Native Instruments Kontakt
- Waves stand-alone apps (and plug-ins, via the compatible host)
Compatible Windows Software
The M4 ships with standard ASIO and Wave drivers for Windows 7, 8, and 10 for compatibility with virtually all ASIO- and Wave-compatible audio apps, including:
- MOTU Performer Lite
- MOTU Digital Performer
- Avid Pro Tools (version 9 or later)
- Ableton Live
- Cakewalk Sonar
- Cockos Reaper
- Image-Line FL Studio
- Native Instruments Kontakt
- Presonus Studio One
- Propellerhead Record & Reason
- Sony Vegas Pro
- Sony Sound Forge
- Sony Acid
- Steinberg Cubase
- Waves stand-alone apps (and plug-ins, via the compatible host)
- 4-in / 4-out USB audio interface with studio-quality sound
- Best-in-class audio quality driven by ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC Technology
- Best-in-class speed (ultra-low latency) for host software processing
- Best-in-class metering for all inputs/outputs with a full-color LCD
- 2x mic/line/hi-Z guitar inputs on combo XLR/TRS
- Individual preamp gain and 48V phantom power for each input
- 2x balanced 1/4-inch line inputs
- Hardware (direct) monitoring for each input (mono or stereo for inputs 1-2, stereo for inputs 3-4)
- Monitor mix knob to balance live inputs and computer playback
- Measured -129 dB EIN on mic inputs
- 4x balanced, DC-coupled 1/4-inch TRS outputs
- Measured 120 dB dynamic range on the 1/4-inch balanced TRS outputs
- 4x RCA (unbalanced) analog out (mirrored)
- 1x headphone out (driven by ESS converters) with independent volume control
- MIDI in/out
- Support for 44.1 to 192 kHz sample rates
- USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac (no driver required)
- Windows driver with 2.5 ms Round Trip Latency (32 sample buffer at 96 kHz)
- Mac driver (optional, for 2.5 ms RTL@32/96 kHz and loopback feature)
- iOS compatible (USB audio class compliant)
- Driver loopback for capturing host output, live streaming, and podcasting
- Bus-powered USB-C (compatible with USB Type A) with the power switch (USB cable included)
- Rugged metal construction
- Workstation software included (MOTU Performer Lite 10 and Ableton Live Lite 10)
- 100+ instruments (in Performer Lite)
- Over 6 GB of included free loops, samples, and one-shots from industry-leading libraries
- Kensington security slot
- Two-year warranty
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