828x Professional 28x30 audio interface now available with Thunderbolt (828x) or with FireWire/USB2 (828mk3 Hybrid) for legacy computers
Thunderbolt technology - The future of connectivity
Thunderbolt fulfills the promise of a truly state-of-the-art connectivity standard for personal computers. With massive bandwidth, Thunderbolt allows you to connect displays, hard drives, and other peripherals to your computer, along with the 828x, up to six devices total (with the 828x at the end of the chain), and the Thunderbolt bus won't even break a sweat. Thunderbolt combines plug-and-play convenience with massive bandwidth and low latency for truly professional audio interface performance.
Need legacy FireWire support? The {828MK3HYBRID.Link}Â is for you
The 828mk3 Hybrid provides virtually identical features to the 828x (including USB 2.0 support), except that instead of Thunderbolt, it provides FireWire connectivity to any FireWire-equipped Mac or PC. The connectors are "Type B" jacks typically used for FireWire 800, but they operate as standard FireWire 400 ports and are compatible with any FireWire port on your computer (A or B).
Hi-speed USB 2.0
Mac, PC, and USB 3.0 compatible
As Thunderbolt becomes more widely adopted, Hi-speed USB 2.0 provides across-the-board compatibility with virtually all laptops and desktops on both Mac and Windows. Since USB 2.0 devices are compatible with USB 3.0-equipped hosts, your 828x interface is a future-proof investment in your studio.
28 inputs and 30 outputs
How can one audio interface offer this much I/O?
We pack it in, like no one else can: two combo-style mic/guitar inputs with preamps, 8 balanced analog in/out, XLR main outs, 16 channels of ADAT optical (8 channels at 96 kHz), plus S/PDIF, word clock and MIDI. Connect all of your studio gear, including microphones, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines and even effects processors.
Recording up to 192 kHz
Audio quality without compromise
Now in its fifth generation, the 828 has become a benchmark for the industry, setting the bar by which others are judged. How has this level of respect been earned? Through consistent design integrity and intelligent use of current-generation parts and design technologies.
Studio-grade mic channels
Enjoy extras like sends and optional hardware limiting
Do you work with outboard EQs and compressors? Each 828x mic input offers a pre-converter send for mono or stereo mic channel outboard processing. The 828x's unique V-Limitâ„¢ hardware limiter employs a proprietary design to offer an additional 12 dB of headroom over digital zero with no digital clipping or harsh artifacts, for that added protection in dynamic recording situations. The 828x's preamps are clean and neutral, allowing you to use your favorite plug-ins and host software to color the sound just the way you want for each recording application.
On-board digital mixer with effects
Mixing and effects for monitoring and live mixing
Record, monitor, route and process all live inputs using the professional on-board CueMix FX digital mixer – with no latency and no processor strain on your computer. Apply DSP-driven compression, EQ and reverb to every input and output, independent of your host computer.
Stand-alone operation as a mixer
Go instantly from studio to stage
After programming the on-board mixing in the studio, unplug the 828x from the computer and take it on the road for operation as a stand-alone mixer with effects. All mixing and effects parameters are adjustable using the front panel backlit LCD.
Solid metal chassis
MOTU interfaces are built to last, and last, and last…
We still get calls and Facebook posts from happy users of the original 828, introduced more than 10 years ago! Like all MOTU interfaces, the 828x's aluminum alloy chassis is lightweight, yet incredibly sturdy and durable, and designed to withstand the rigors of the studio, stage, and road. In a world awash with cheap plastic, the cool feeling of the 828x's metal exterior in your hands is a reassuring reminder that you are holding quality engineering and construction.
Two mic inputs with individual preamps
These mic inputs are packed with extras
Two convenient front-panel mic/guitar inputs are equipped with pristine, transparent preamps and offer individually adjustable 48V phantom power and -20 dB pad. All settings can be adjusted directly on the front panel, or from the 828x CueMix FX software running on your computer. Mic inputs can be operated individually or in stereo pairs, as needed.
Flexible combo jacks for guitar input
True hi-Z guitar pickups for authentic feel
The two mic inputs are combo jacks that also accept quarter-inch plugs from a guitar or bass, without an amp or cabinet, so you can run your guitar input through amp/cab simulation plug-ins in your host software.
Individual 48V, pad and gain
Use any combination of mics
Each mic input has individual 48V phantom power, -20dB pad and preamp gain to give you maximum flexibility with the microphones you choose to work with.
Precision trimâ„¢
Digitally controlled analog trim
You get the best of both worlds: analog trim with digital precision and control. The 828x preamps provide 53 dB of gain, which you can adjust in approximately 1 dB increments using the detented digital rotary encoder. As you turn the encoder, you see graphic and numeric feedback in the front panel LCD, so you know exactly how much gain you are applying. The gain adjustment itself is smooth because it is analog, but the digital control gives you both precision and the ability to save and recall trim settings.
V-Limitâ„¢ overload protection
This hardware limiter has got your back
Both mic/guitar inputs are equipped with V-Limitâ„¢, a hardware limiter that helps prevent digital clipping from overloaded input signals. With V-Limit enabled, signals can go above zero dB (where limiting kicks in) to as high as +12 dB above zero with no distortion due to digital clipping.
Soft Clipâ„¢
Further protection for volatile inputs
Additional protection can be applied to the mic/guitar inputs by enabling the 828x's Soft Clipâ„¢ feature, which engages just before clipping occurs and helps reduce perceptible distortion.
Sends
Bring in your outboard gear
Each mic input has a corresponding rear panel send that allows you to insert outboard gear before the signal goes digital. Any input can be used as a return.
A plethora of analog I/O
Eight glorious balanced TRS ins and outs
Eight balanced (TRS) 24-bit analog inputs and outputs, as well as two XLR main outs and the two preamp inputs, can operate at sample rates up to 192 kHz (a total of ten analog inputs and outputs).
Control room monitoring
Designed for studio operation
Connect your primary, powered studio monitors directly to the XLR main outs. Add additional pairs of monitors to the TRS outputs. Control volume from software or the front-panel MAIN VOL control. Choose any combination of outputs to control from the front panel and your software.
Two headphone jacks
Work with others, free from noise restrictions
A second phone jack can be life-saver when you need to finish the mix with your colleague in close proximity to family or neighbors you don't want to disturb. The top phone jack always mirrors the main outs, and the "MAIN VOL" knob controls both. The bottom phone jack has added flexibility: it can mirror the main outs with independent volume control, or it can mirror any other 828x output pair.
Two banks of optical
Truly flexible digital I/O
Two optical banks provide 16 channels of ADAT optical at 48 kHz, 8 channels of S/MUX optical I/O at 96 kHz or two banks of stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF) at rates up to 96 kHz. Each optical input and output operates independently, allowing you to mix and match any optical formats, in and out.
S/PDIF digital I/O
The workhorse of digital connectivity
Stereo digital transfers are an essential fact of daily studio life. The 828x's standard RCA S/PDIF input and output make stereo digital transfers a snap, with optional external clocking and support for sample rates up to 96 kHz.
Balanced analog inputs and outputs
Protect your sound from environmental noise
828x balanced I/O connections are well-protected against RF interference, AC hum, and other noise-producing environmental factors.
