Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $951
High-end/Boutique
$150
$501+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
Step up your recording game with the MOTU 828x Thunderbolt Audio Interface, a powerhouse designed for musicians and producers who demand versatility and top-tier performance. Seamlessly integrating 28 inputs and 30 outputs, this interface is tailored for both studio and live settings. Whether you're capturing the warmth of a vintage mic or the crispness of digital synths, the 828x ensures pristine sound quality with up to 192kHz resolution.
The 828x shines with its lightning-fast Thunderbolt connectivity, offering ultra-low latency and massive bandwidth. This means you can daisy-chain multiple devices without compromising performance. Additionally, the USB 2.0 and 3.0 compatibility ensures you're equipped for any setup, whether you're on a Mac or PC.
The interface's robust build features a solid metal chassis designed to endure the demands of the studio and the road. Dual combo-style mic/guitar inputs with preamps, coupled with a professional-grade on-board digital mixer, allow for intricate sound crafting with zero latency. Plus, the unique V-Limit hardware limiter ensures your recordings are free from digital clipping, even in dynamic situations.
Perfect for musicians who need flexibility, the 828x doubles as a standalone mixer with effects, making it an excellent choice for live performances. With its intuitive interface, you can easily adjust mixing and effects parameters directly from the backlit LCD.
Key Features:
- Thunderbolt connectivity with 28 inputs and 30 outputs
- Supports recording up to 192kHz resolution
- USB 2.0 and 3.0 compatibility for Mac and PC
- Dual combo-style mic/guitar inputs with preamps
- On-board digital mixer with DSP-driven effects
- V-Limit hardware limiter for dynamic recording
- Standalone mixer capability with effects
- Durable metal chassis for studio and road use
FAQs
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What connectivity options does the MOTU 828x Thunderbolt Audio Interface offer?
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The MOTU 828x provides Thunderbolt and high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity, making it versatile for both modern and legacy systems. It also includes MIDI I/O for connecting MIDI devices.
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Is the MOTU 828x compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems?
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Yes, the MOTU 828x is compatible with both Mac OS X and Windows, ensuring broad compatibility with different computer setups.
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Can the MOTU 828x be used as a standalone mixer?
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Yes, the MOTU 828x can function as a standalone mixer with its on-board digital mixer and effects, making it suitable for live sound applications without a computer.
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What is the audio resolution capability of the MOTU 828x?
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The MOTU 828x supports up to 192kHz audio resolution, providing high-quality audio recording and playback.
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How many inputs and outputs does the MOTU 828x offer?
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The MOTU 828x features 28 inputs and 30 outputs, allowing for extensive connectivity options for complex studio setups.
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Does the MOTU 828x include any built-in effects?
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Yes, the MOTU 828x includes an on-board digital mixer with effects, which can be used for creating custom mixes and adding effects to your audio in real-time.
Videos
Kendall Giles
Review: MOTU 828X Audio Interface
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about MOTU 828x Thunderbolt Audio Interface.
Software and compatibility
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Some users report the MOTU Discovery app may not recognize the 828x unless connected to a network, despite the system listing it in the Thunderbolt chain.
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Security settings in macOS can block the interface recognition; allowing necessary permissions can resolve connectivity problems.
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Some users report that the front inputs are labeled 1 and 2, but in the software, they appear as 3 and 4, causing initial confusion during setup.
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MOTU 828x has been noted to work with Intel-based Mac drivers on Big Sur, while M1 Macs may present compatibility issues.
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Setup and maintenance
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A common issue involves incorrect cable usage; ensure using a Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter, not a similar-looking USB-C cable.
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User experience
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Users experience intermittent recognition issues needing multiple power cycles for the Mac to detect the interface.
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Other
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The MOTU 828x's absence of AVB networking is noted by some as a drawback, particularly for users relying on advanced networked setups.
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Features and functionality
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The MOTU 828x may require users to mirror outputs in Logic due to non-standard output labeling, where 1/4" outs need to be set to 3-4 instead of 1-2.
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Comparisons
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The Focusrite Clarett series is noted for being more affordable with potentially better sound quality compared to the MOTU 828x, despite being perceived as "prosumer."
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 4 Ratings
Artist usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use MOTU 828x Thunderbolt Audio Interface, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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