MOTU has announced two new USB bus-powered audio interfaces for Mac, Windows and iOS, the M2 and M4. With two and four channels of audio I/O, respectively, the M2 and M4 include individual 48V phantom power on both mic inputs, mono and stereo hardware (direct) monitoring.

We’ve always liked the rugged construction of the small MOTU interfaces and their enduring popularity with mobile producers and touring musicians suggests we’re not alone. With all-metal enclosures these should find their way into many gig bags like their predecessors. So what’s different about these interfaces compared to the competition?

The first thing is a full-colour LCD offering best-in-class metering. The audio quality and latency performance have been upgraded, with a quoted round trip latency of 2.5ms at 32 samples and 96KHz. We’re very pleased to see "loopback" driver channels for live-streaming and podcasting, incorporating computer audio with mic and line-level signals. Proper MIDI connections are present here too, not something which can be taken for granted on all small USB interfaces in 2019.

Jim Cooper, Director of Marketing at MOTU told us…

"The M2 and M4 deliver unmatched audio performance at an entry-level price point. With simple plug-and-play operation and a complete package of bundled software, instruments and sounds, users can get started making music right away."

M2 And M4 Feature Highlights

• 2-in / 2-out and 4-in / 4-out USB audio interfaces 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-colour 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 (M4 only)

• Hardware (direct) monitoring for each input

• Monitor mix knob to balance live inputs and computer playback (M4 only)

• Measured -129 dB EIN on mic inputs

• Balanced, DC-coupled 1/4-inch TRS outputs (2x for M2; 4x for M4)

• Measured 120 dB dynamic range on the 1/4-inch balanced TRS outputs

• RCA (unbalanced) analog outs that mirror 1/4-inch outs (2x for M2; 4x for M4)

• 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 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

• Built-in the USA

• Two-year warranty

Pricing And Availability

The M2 ($169.95 USD) and M4 ($219.95 USD) are now shipping.