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MOTU M4 4x4 USB-C Audio Interface

The M4 is a 4-in/4-out USB-C audio interface for Mac, Windows and iOS that offers best-in-class audio quality, best-in-class speed (ultra-low latency) and best-in-class metering with a full-color LCD. Record vocals, instruments or other audio sources quickly and easily. The M4 includes MOTU Performer Lite and Ableton Live Lite production software, 100+ instruments, dozens of plug-ins, and over 6 GB of loops and samples to start making music right away. Additional features include two mic/line/hi-Z instrument XLR combo inputs, individual preamp gain and 48V phantom power, two balanced 1/4-inch line inputs, one-touch hardware monitoring for all inputs, support for stereo monitoring, four balanced 1/4-inch DC-coupled outputs, four unbalanced RCA outputs (mirrored), mix knob for balancing live input with computer playback, ESS-driven headphone output with independent volume control, MIDI in/out, driver "loopback" channels for live-streaming and podcasting, and USB bus power with power switch (USB cable included). Best-in-class Audio Quality Equipped with the same ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC Technology found in audio interfaces costing thousands, the M4 delivers an astonishing 120 dB Dynamic Range on its line outputs. ESS converters also drive the headphone output, which rivals dedicated headphone amplifiers costing hundreds. Ultra-clean preamp circuits produce a measured -129 dBu EIN on the mic inputs. Capture and monitor your audio with pristine clarity. Best-in-class Speed The M4 provides best-in-class speed for monitoring live inputs (mic, guitar or keyboard) through your computer, thanks to MOTU's expertly engineered USB drivers, which deliver class-leading, ultra-low 2.5 ms Round Trip Latency (32 sample buffer at 96 kHz). Best-in-class Metering When recording and mixing, nothing is more critical than achieving optimum levels. The M4 is the only audio interface in its class with a full color 160x120 pixel LCD featuring clear, detailed level meters for all inputs and outputs. Enjoy professional-level volume control and feedback to get your sound just right. Loopback for Live Streaming and Podcasting The M4 driver provides convenient loopback channels to your host computer, so you can easily route computer output back to the computer, where you can mix it with live mics and/or guitar inputs from the M2 in your host software for live streaming or podcasting. Streaming and podcasting has never been easier and better-sounding. MOTU Performer Lite Performer Lite provides everything you need to record, edit, mix, process and master your own music tracks quickly and easily. Plug in your mic, guitar and MIDI keyboard and start tracking with over 100 instruments, dozens of effects plug-ins, guitar FX processing and much more. Ableton Live Lite Live 10 Lite is a lightweight version of Ableton Live 10. It comes with all of Live’s essential workflows, instruments and effects – everything you need to record songs, create hands-on with your controller, take music made in your apps further and so much more. 100+ Instruments Performer Lite includes over 100 instruments, including acoustic and electric pianos, guitars, basses, drums, organs, synths, orchestral instruments, choirs, world instruments and much more. Take your musical muse wherever it wants to go. Loops and Sounds You get over 6 GB of free loops and sample packs from industry leaders MOTU, Big Fish Audio, Lucidsamples and Loopmasters to help you start making music right away. Choose from dozens of musical styles, then drag and drop into your project's timeline to build your track quickly. Stand-alone Operation With a standard USB-C power adapter, the M4 can be used as a stand-alone preamp and basic mixer, with no host computer required. Simply engage the monitor button for all four inputs (and 48V phantom power, if needed) and adjust the preamp gain as needed. Connect the main outs to any line level destination, such as a PA or patch bay.
 
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Audio Interfaces

Unlock high-quality computer recording with an audio interface! This crucial piece of gear acts as the bridge between your microphones, instruments, and your computer, converting analog sound into digital data and back again. Essentially the heart of any modern home or project studio, a good audio interface ensures your recordings capture clear, detailed sound. Connected typically via USB or Thunderbolt, these devices range from simple two-channel boxes to complex multi-input units, providing the essential connections for musicians, podcasters, and creators.

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When you come right down to it, an audio interface is anything that lets you get audio signals in and out of your computer. The challenge in picking one is that there are so many ways of getting it done, and it will all depend on how you like to work and what you're trying to do. A very basic interface would be simply a box that converted analog audio to digital audio that the recording software in your computer can understand, and convert it back to analog audio when you want to hear it. Such converters are referred to as AD/DA (analog to digital/digital to analog) converters. Better quality converters have what's called "jitter correction" to compensate for small timing variations.

Most interfaces are far more than just converter boxes. They include mic preamps, multiple I/O (Input/Output) connections—balanced, unbalanced and digital—and even internal DSP (Digital Signal Processing) for effects, EQ and basic monitor or sub-mixing user. Some units can even act as a simple, stand-alone mixer without a computer attached for use as a basic live sound mixer.

One of the biggest determinants of overall audio quality in an audio interface is the quality of opamps (operational amplifiers) used in construction. Better systems will use lower-noise, lower-distortion components, or in some cases, discrete components rather than single-chip solutions. The number of I/O connections can be a deciding factor. The basic interfaces will be 2-in/2-out, able to handle a vocal and instrument together or a stereo pair of mics for capturing a live event. From there, you can expand as far as you need, depending on what you want to invest in your system. Interfaces with 18 inputs and 22 outputs are not uncommon and will handle most users needs, but you can go far larger with a full-blown Pro Tools HD rig, if that's what is required.

The final consideration is connectivity. There are multiple ways of connecting an audio interface to your computer—USB, FireWire, a PCI slot for desktop systems or Apple's Thunderbolt connection on newer Macintosh computers—all of which have different strengths and weaknesses. USB interfaces tend to be smaller, with most mobile interfaces using USB connections, but can be less robust when you need a lot of simultaneous ins and outs. FireWire, also called IEEE 1394, is fast and robust, but generally requires an external power supply. PCI cards are the fastest with the most bandwidth, but are tied to tower and desktop systems, so will be confined to a single studio location. Some of the more popular brands for interfaces are Akai, Apogee, Avid, Focusrite, M-Audio, MOTU, Presonus, Roland, Tascam and Yamaha, though there are many others. The best interface is the one you're going to use, so spend some time with the Pro Audio specialists at Guitar Center so they can help you find exactly the right one.

In addition to the mainstream audio interfaces described above, our GC Pro team of experts offers hands-on sales and support for professional solutions such as Avid HDX Systems and the Focusrite Rednet series. These solutions are typically used in recording studios, post facilities and other professional settings.