MOTU 1248 Thunderbolt / USB-2 / AVB Ethernet Audio Interface with DSP

The world’s first Thunderbolt audio interface with 48-channel mixing and AVB networking. The 1248 is the flagship interface for a new line of high-performance audio interfaces that combine superb audio quality and state-of-the-art features. The 1248 provides all the I/O you need for a well-equipped personal studio, including four mic inputs, two dedicated hi-Z guitar inputs, 8 x 12 balanced analog with separate main and monitor outs, 2 x 8-channel ADAT optical, and RCA S/PDIF (with sample rate conversion), for a total of 32 inputs and 34 outputs. The 1248 employs latest-generation ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ converters, known for their industry-leading performance, together with expertly engineered analog circuits that reflect more than three decades of pro audio engineering expertise. The result? The 1248 achieves actual, measured performance of 123 dB dynamic range (A-weighted, 20 Hz to 20 kHz) on its balanced TRS analog outputs.

Features:

• Superb audio quality - Exceptional dynamic range (123 dB on analog output) and THD+N (-110 dB).
• 66 simultaneous audio channels - 4 mic inputs, 2 guitar inputs, 8x12 balanced analog with dedicated main and monitor outs, ADAT optical and S/PDIF digital (with SRC) for 32 inputs and 34 outputs.
• Universal connectivity - Thunderbolt or high-speed USB 2.0 (compatible with USB 3.0). USB audio class-compliant firmware and Industry standard drivers work with any audio software.
• On-board 32-bit floating point DSP with large console style mixing and effects - Flexible 48-input digital mixer with 12 stereo busses and DSP effects, including reverb with sends, plus modeled analog EQ and compression, gate, and reverb.
• System expansion and audio networking - Add a 2nd MOTU interface with a simple Cat-5e ethernet cable. Connect up to five MOTU interfaces using a MOTU AVB Switch (sold separately). Build a network with multiple interfaces and computers using standard AVB switches and network cabling, with ultra-low network latency, even over long cable runs (hundreds of meters). Stream hundreds of audio channels among devices and computers on the network.
• Matrix routing and splitting - Flexible, matrix-style audio routing and splitting for any analog or digital input, computer channel or network stream to any other output, computer, or network device. Split any single input to unlimited multiple output destinations.
• Web app control - Control on-board DSP, mixing, device settings, and network audio routing from web app software running in your favorite browser on a laptop, tablet or smart phone connected by wire or Wi-Fi to your local area network.
• Stand-alone mixing with wireless control - Connect an Apple Airport or other Wi-Fi router directly to the 1248 with a standard Ethernet cable and control the 1248's powerful mixing and DSP effects from your smart phone or tablet, without a computer. Great for live sound mixing.

Specifications:

• Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
• Mic inputs:
  • 4 x XLR mic inputs
  • Preamp gain: 0 to +63 dB (digitally controlled)
• Analog Inputs:
  • 2 x 1/4" hi-Z guitar inputs (front panel)
  • 8 x 1/4" TRS line inputs (balanced/unbalanced)
  • Max level: +24 dBu (digitally adjustable +2 to +24)
• Analog Outputs:
  • 12 x 1/4" TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled)
  • Max level: +20 dBu (digitally adjustable -4 to +20)
  • 2 x 1/4" TRS stereo headphone
• Digital I/O:
  • 2 banks (16 ch) of ADAT optical at 1x sample rates
  • 1 bank (8 ch) of SMUX optical at 2x sample rates
  • Stereo RCA S/PDIF up to 96 kHz (with SRC on input)
  • Stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF) on Bank A (optional)
• Total I/O:
  • 32 inputs and 34 outputs (66 total) at 1x sample rates
  • 24 inputs and 26 outputs (50 total) at 2x sample rates
  • 14 inputs and 16 outputs (30 total) at 4x sample rates
• Computer I/O:
  • 1 x Thunderbolt (compatible with 1 and 2)
  • 1 x USB 2.0 audio class compliant, USB 3.0 and iOS compatible
  • 1 x AVB Ethernet (requires OS X Yosemite)
• Computer I/O channels:
  • Thunderbolt (44.1 to 96 kHz): 128 in/out
  • Thunderbolt (176.4 to 192 kHz): 64 in/out
  • USB 2.0 (44.1 to 48 kHz): 64 in/out
  • USB 2.0 (88.2 to 96 kHz): 32 in/out
  • USB 2.0 (176.4 to 192 kHz): 24 in/out
  • AVB Ethernet: 16 to 128 in/out, depending on host computer speed
• Sync I/O:
  • 1 x word clock in
  • 1 x word clock out
• Network I/O: 1 x RJ45 AVB/TSN Ethernet (1 Gbps)
• AVB streams:
  • (8 channels per stream) 16 in / 16 out @ 44.1 or 48 kHz
  • 16 in / 16 out @ 88.2 or 96 kHz
  • 8 in / 8 out @ 176.4 or 192 kHz
• Headphone: 2 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone (assignable)
• Phantom Power: 4 x individual +48V
• Front Panel:
  • 2 x 1/4" TRS headphone output
  • 2 x TRS hi-Z guitar input
  • 2 x digital rotary encoders • main/monitor volume
  • 2 x digital rotary encoders • phone volume
  • 2 x digital rotary encoders • guitar input gain
  • 4 x digital rotary encoders • mic preamp gain
  • 8 x switches • (4) Pad and (4) 48V Phantom switch
  • 324 x 24 pixel LCD for level meters / menu nav
  • 1 x AC power switch
• Power: International 100-240V autoswitching supply 50-60 Hz • 0.5A max
• Dimensions and weight:
  • (width x depth x height, enclosure only):
    • 19 x 7 x 1.75 inches
    • 48.3 x 17.75 x 4.5 cm
    • 4.6 lbs / 2.08 kg
  • with rack brackets removed:
    • 17.25 inches (43.8 cm) wide
    • 4.5 lbs / 2.04 kg
• Included Software:
  • Thunderbolt and USB 2.0 drivers
  • MOTU Discovery App for Mac & PC (finds connected MOTU interfaces)
  • MOTU Discovery App for iOS (available from Apple App Store)
  • MOTU Pro Audio Control web app (served from the hardware itself)
  • MOTU Audio Tools (FFT, oscilloscope, X-Y plot, phase analyzer)
  • AudioDesk for Mac & PC (separate download)
• System Requirements:
  • Mac:
    • Intel Core i3 Mac or faster (including the new Apple silicon Macs)
    • 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended
    • Mac OS X version 10.8 or later
    • Available Thunderbolt, USB 2.0 or AVB Ethernet port*
    • Available Ethernet port for firmware updates
    • A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
    • *AVB Ethernet audio interface operation requires OS X El Capitan or later
  • Windows:
    • 1 GHz Pentium-based PC compatible or faster
    • 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended
    • Windows 7*, 8 or 10
    • Available Thunderbolt or USB 2.0 or 3.0 port
    • Available Ethernet port for firmware updates
    • A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
  • Web App Support:
    • Any web client platform: Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
    • Any web browser: Safari, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Explorer, etc.
    • Web client must be connected to the same network as the MOTU AVB interface by wire or Wi-Fi.