MOTU

MOTU

58

Also known as: Mark of the Unicorn

Unclaimed

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 cate...

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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

Noriyuki Iwadare uses 8 MOTU products

Noriyuki Iwadare

Composer, Music Producer

Yasunori Mitsuda uses 7 MOTU products

Yasunori Mitsuda

Composer, Music Producer

Hideki Naganuma uses 5 MOTU products

Hideki Naganuma

Composer, Music Producer

Yuki Kajiura uses 4 MOTU products

Yuki Kajiura

Composer · Kalafina

Roger O'Donnell uses 4 MOTU products

Roger O'Donnell

Keyboardist, Music Producer · The Cure

Yoko Shimomura uses 4 MOTU products

Yoko Shimomura

Keyboardist, Composer

Deadmau5 uses 3 MOTU products

Deadmau5

Music Producer · BSOD

Adrian Belew uses 3 MOTU products

Adrian Belew

Singer, Guitarist · Nine Inch Nails

Squarepusher uses 3 MOTU products

Squarepusher

Bassist, Music Producer · Squarepusher & AFX

Richard Barbieri uses 3 MOTU products

Richard Barbieri

Keyboardist · Porcupine Tree

Darude uses 3 MOTU products

Darude

Music Producer

JayB uses 3 MOTU products

JayB

Anthony Rodriguez uses 3 MOTU products

Anthony Rodriguez

Keyboardist, Composer

Trent Reznor uses 2 MOTU products

Trent Reznor

Singer, Guitarist · Nine Inch Nails

Robert Fripp uses 2 MOTU products

Robert Fripp

Guitarist, Keyboardist · King Crimson

Autechre uses 2 MOTU products

Autechre

Music Producer

Robin Finck uses 2 MOTU products

Robin Finck

Guitarist · Nine Inch Nails

Stewart Copeland uses 2 MOTU products

Stewart Copeland

Singer, Guitarist · The Police

Mark Mothersbaugh uses 2 MOTU products

Mark Mothersbaugh

Singer, Guitarist · Devo

Ben Frost uses 2 MOTU products

Ben Frost

Guitarist, Composer

Community setups featuring MOTU

Show yours
maranaspacemarine

maranaspacemarine

Gear IQ 257

chase_h_xealot

chase_h_xealot

Gear IQ 145

jimmarchi1

jimmarchi1

Gear IQ 40994

jimmarchi1

jimmarchi1

Gear IQ 40994

renigadecinetrax

renigadecinetrax

Gear IQ 186

M

mimidia

Gear IQ 69

primecandidate

primecandidate

Gear IQ 147

jeffreymmviii

jeffreymmviii

Gear IQ 1991

viotones

viotones

Gear IQ 216

acid

acid

Gear IQ 393

M

mellisonant_mike

Gear IQ 497

beat_supercell

beat_supercell

Gear IQ 174

D

disector

Gear IQ 51

vitali_harmash

vitali_harmash

Gear IQ 111

bart_van_zon

bart_van_zon

Gear IQ 695

theveiledcreature

theveiledcreature

Gear IQ 534

vangart

vangart

Gear IQ 532

vaibhavahuja

vaibhavahuja

Gear IQ 243

rainydayloops

rainydayloops

Gear IQ 366

theveiledcreature

theveiledcreature

Gear IQ 534

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