MOTU
58Also known as: Mark of the Unicorn
UnclaimedMOTU (Mark of the Unicorn) is an engineering-driven music technology company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1981 by Jason Linhart, Craig Finseth, Scott Layson Burson, and Brian Hess, the company began developing music software in 1984 and shipped Performer — one of the industry's earliest MIDI sequencers — in 1985. MOTU went on to pioneer the FireWire audio interface cate...
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in MIDI Interfaces Rank
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in Audio Interfaces Rank
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in Groovebox Rank
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in MIDI Interfaces Rank
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in Sampler Plugins Rank
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$50.00
MOTU (Mark of the Unicorn) is an engineering-driven music technology company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1981 by Jason Linhart, Craig Finseth, Scott Layson Burson, and Brian Hess, the company began developing music software in 1984 and shipped Performer — one of the industry's earliest MIDI sequencers — in 1985. MOTU went on to pioneer the FireWire audio interface category and has since built a comprehensive lineup spanning audio interfaces, MIDI interfaces, digital audio workstation software, and virtual instruments.
MOTU's flagship DAW, Digital Performer, is widely used in film scoring, television, and game audio production, with users including Oscar-winning composers. The company's audio interface range covers everything from the budget-friendly M-Series (M2, M4, M6) — which brought ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC technology and 120 dB dynamic range to the entry-level market — to professional rack-mounted units like the 828 (a 28x32 USB3 interface) and the Thunderbolt-equipped 10pre. MOTU also produces MIDI interfaces such as the MIDI Express XT and Micro Express, virtual instruments including MachFive 3, Ethno Instrument, and BPM, and AVB networking solutions for large-scale audio installations.
The company's hardware and software are used across music production, broadcast, film, gaming, and live performance. MOTU's combination of high-specification audio conversion, low-latency performance, and integrated DSP mixing has made its interfaces a staple in both professional studios and home recording setups.
MOTU has 100 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Audio Interfaces, MIDI Interfaces, and DAW Software. Their gear is featured by 200 artists, with the strongest followings in Electronic, Rock, and Pop. Notable users include Noriyuki Iwadare, Yasunori Mitsuda, and Hideki Naganuma. MOTU's catalog spans the full price spectrum — from entry-level options to high-end flagships.
Artists Who Use MOTU
Community setups featuring MOTU
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