New MOTU 5th-Generation Interface

US UltraLite-mk5 18 x 22 half-rack USB audio interface is now shipping 07/04/21

MOTU is now shipping the UltraLite-mk5, a ground-up redesign of its 18 x 22 half-rack USB audio interface for macOS, Windows and iOS. Here's the story in the company's own words...

The 5th-generation UltraLite-mk5 matches the connectivity of its popular predecessors with a total of 40 simultaneous I/O channels, including two front-panel XLR/TRS combo-style mic/line/hi-Z guitar inputs with preamps (+74 dB of gain), 6 x 10 balanced quarter-inch analog I/O, 8-channel ADAT optical (switchable to stereo TOSLink), stereo RCA S/PDIF I/O and MIDI in/out jacks, all housed in a fully redesigned steel enclosure with molded aluminum alloy end caps.

A new high-resolution, high-contrast white OLED display provides precision metering for all analog inputs and outputs, along with digital I/O activity indicators and status info.

Updated ESS™ DAC Technology drives all analog outputs, including headphones, with the new ES9026PRO DAC delivering an impressive 125 dB dynamic range on the line outputs. Analog inputs vastly outperform earlier models with measured 120 dB dynamic range and -114 dB THD+N (0.0002%). The mic inputs deliver a remarkable -129 dB Equivalent Input Noise (EIN).

The included CueMix™ 5 software has been completely re-engineered as a native app for macOS, Windows 10 and iOS. With a fresh new GUI, CueMix 5 simplifies hardware (direct) monitoring, allowing users to engage monitoring for each input with one click, directly on the Home screen. Separate mix tabs let users quickly create independent monitor mixes for each analog output pair, complete with 4-band parametric EQ, gating, compression and reverb.

The UltraLite-mk5 connects to a computer through Hi-Speed USB-C (audio class compliant, compatible with USB 2.0, 3.0 and iOS) and operates at sample rates up to 192 kHz.

Pricing and Availability:
$595 USD.

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