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MOTU

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As the first-ever "hybrid" audio interface of its kind, the MOTU UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid provides flexible and mobile operation via FireWire or hi-speed USB2 connectivity to a Mac or PC computer, with professional audio quality at sample rates up to 192 kHz and plenty of I/O, including two mic/instrument inputs, six line-level analog inputs, ten channels of analog output, stereo S/PDIF and a stereo headphone output.

Housed in a rugged, compact half-rack enclosure you can take anywhere, the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid Audio Interface is equally well-suited for studio and stage, with or without a computer. As an interface or standalone mixer, the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid provides 10 separate inputs and 14 separate outputs.

Connect all of your recording studio equipment, including microphones, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines, effects processors and even MIDI devices to this MOTU audio interface. Record, monitor, route and process all of these live inputs using the professional on-board CueMix FX digital mixer - with no latency and no processor strain on your computer. Apply hardware DSP-driven effects processing to inputs, outputs, and busses independent of your host computer. Add Classic Reverb with lengths up to 60 seconds. Further sculpt your sound with 7-band parametric EQ featuring filter types carefully modeled after British analog console EQs. The MOTU UltraLite lets you choose between two forms of compression: a conventional compressor and the Leveler, an accurate model of the legendary LA-2A optical compressor that provides vintage, musical automatic gain control.

The MOTU audio interface's included CueMix FX cross-platform mixing software provides attractive graphic mixing, graphic editing of parametric EQ, and a convenient tabbed interface for quick access to all features in one window. Advanced signal analysis tools include a full-screen real-time FFT display, spectrogram "waterfall" display, oscilloscope, X-Y plot and linear or polar phase analysis.

After programming the on-board mixing in the studio, unplug the MOTU UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid 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.

The MOTU UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid Interface provides cross-platform compatibility with Mac and Windows and all of your favorite audio software and host-based effects via WDM/ASIO/Core Audio drivers. Or you can use the included AudioDesk workstation software for Mac, with 24-bit recording/editing and 32-bit mixing/processing/mastering.
MOTU UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid Audio Interface
MOTU UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid Audio Interface
MOTU UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid Audio Interface

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Hybrid FireWire/USB2 connectivity ” connect to your computer via either bus-powered FireWire or hi-speed USB2.
  • CueMix FX ” flexible 10 input/14 bus mixer with on-board DSP effects, including reverb with sends/returns, plus EQ and compression on every input and output.
  • 10 inputs/14 outputs ” there's no channel sharing in the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid; the mic inputs, S/PDIF I/O, headphone out and main outs are all handled as separate channels.
  • Classic Reverb ” provides five different room types, three frequency shelves with adjustable crossover points, shelf filtering and reverb lengths up to 60 seconds.
  • Two forms of compression ” a standard compressor with conventional threshold/ratio/attack/release/gain controls and the Leveler, an accurate model of the legendary LA-2A optical compressor, which provides vintage, musical automatic gain control.
  • Modeled EQ ” provides 7-band parametric EQ modeled after British analog console EQs, featuring 4 filter styles (gain/Q profiles) to effectively cover a wide range of audio material. LP and HP filters are also supplied with slopes that range from 6 to 36 dB.
  • CueMix FX cross-platform mixing software ” attractive graphic mixing, graphic editing of parametric EQ and a convenient tabbed interface for quick access to all features in one window. Also provides full-screen real-time FFT display, spectrogram "waterfall" display, oscilloscope, X-Y plot and linear or polar phase analysis.
  • Front-panel control ” access any setting in your entire UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid mix directly from the front panel.
  • "Reverb return" stream ” allows users to record or mix UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid reverb output separately in their DAW. Effects can also be applied when the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid is operating stand-alone (without a computer) as a complete stand-alone mixer.
  • Stand-alone operation ” program your mixes at the studio and then bring the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid to your gig ” no computer needed. Just plug in the included power adapter and you are ready to go. Need to tweak the mix? Do it on site using the back-lit LCD and front-panel controls.
  • Multiple CueMix FX mixes ” for example, create different monitor mixes for the main outs and headphones. Or add send/return loops for outboard gear ” with no latency.
  • Two combo jacks provide hi-Z ¼ " guitar input or low-Z XLR mic input with phantom power, pad and plenty of gain.
  • Eight 24-bit 192kHz analog inputs and outputs on balanced/unbalanced ¼ " TRS jacks
  • Precision Digital Trim ” Digitally controlled analog trim on all analog inputs (mic/guitar inputs plus quarter-inch TRS inputs) provides accurate adjustments in 1 dB increments. Fine-tune the balance of your analog inputs and then save/recall trim configurations.
  • Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) ” a DSP-driven phase lock engine and internal clock source that produces imperceptibly low jitter characteristics (below the noise floor), even when the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid is resolved to an external clock source via SMPTE time code.
  • Time code support ” directly resolves to (or generates) time code via any quarter-inch input or output, without the need for an extra synchronizer.
  • Sample-accurate MIDI ” connect a MIDI controller and/or sound module with no separate interface needed. MIDI I/O is sample-accurate with supporting software.
  • Expandable ” add additional interfaces for more I/O as your needs grow.
  • Separate TRS main outs with front panel volume control.
  • Stereo 24-bit 96kHz S/PDIF in/out.
  • Includes drivers for Mac & PC, including ASIO, WDM, Wave, Core Audio, and Core MIDI. Supports all popular Mac and Windows audio software.
  • 100% compatible with all host-based effects processing in today's popular audio programs.
  • Includes AudioDesk full-featured sample-accurate workstation software for the Mac with recording, editing, mixing, real-time 32-bit effects processing & sample-accurate sync.
  • Plug-and-play operation with your Mac or PC via FireWire or USB2.
  • Front panel volume control for monitoring. Stereo, Quad, 6.1, 7.1 and user-defined surround monitoring setups available.
  • Front panel headphone jack with volume control.
  • Bus-powered FireWire operation. No need for external power when operating as a FireWire interface connected to a computer. A power supply is included for stand-alone operation.

collapse expand iconWarranty

Warranty terms vary. Check with manufacturer for specific product warranty.

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6 Reviews

100%

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Reviewed by 6 customers

  • I love my MK3 sounds amazing and work great in the studio.

    5

    submitted6 years ago

    byTwan Da God

    fromAtlanta, GA

    I use the MK3 in my professional recording studio paired with a monitor station and a aston orgin mic. Vocals come out amazing which makes mixing even better.

  • Amazing sound

    5

    submitted10 years ago

    byJeremy

    fromRedmond, WA

    The sound of MOTU is amazing. Compared to other audio interfaces I've heard, the UltraLite-mk3 lands right in the sweet spot of aural transparency and the uniquely appealing sound that is signature MOTU. As a stand-alone unit with all the onboard mixing features and effects/dynamics processing, it's pretty awesome. Combined with your favorite DAW, it's indispensable. I will be ordering another one soon to double my I/O's and fill the other half of the rack space. If possible, definitely conduct an A/B comparison between the UltraLite and another interface in the same class and price range, using the same audio source and monitor setup. You'll hear the difference and see just how much the UltraLite-mk3 stands above the rest.

  • Nothin' but trouble

    1

    submitted15 years ago

    byBB Estes

    fromDenver, CO

    I've had two of these, both failed... just google the unit and see what you get... MOTU support so far has been useless, very very frustrating... avoid this one, I suspect a bad chip or design flaw.

  • Fantastic Interface

    5

    submitted15 years ago

    byRox

    fromMesa AZ

    This unit works great. I have tested it on 32 and 64 bit Windows (XP and Vista) based machines. Firewire and USB work well and have no issues. The sound is fantastic. The onboard effects and hardware monitoring realy help and take a big load off of the CPU. Latencies are very low. I would buy this again. WOW!!!

  • Works great for PC users

    5

    submitted15 years ago

    byDon Belisle

    fromWichita, Ks

    I have had mine a little over a year now. Under Win XP pro SP2, it has performed without any issues. The audio clairty is excellent. I have no problem using ANY firewire type of interface. It has been one of my favorite GC purchases. I have run up to as many as 72 audio tracks synced to 16 midi tracks, with no timing errors what so ever. I recommend this unit to anyone running a PC with XP pro, Service pack 2, 32 bit version. I am currently testing out 32 bit Win 7, So far the unit works like it did under XP 32 bit. I skipped Vista and the 64 bit thing, because of driver support is still questionable for 64 bit compatability. I expect soon, the 64 bit drivers will be solid, for now stick to 32 bit, the unit seems to be rock solid for me. Even at 192Khz recordings. I would replace it in a heartbeat if something went down. The Motu web site is hard to get thru to real people for issues, but they eventually responded to my driver bug I logged in their system, they fixed the bug with their lastest driver release and I was notified in a few weeks of my reporting it. I love my MK III, no problems at all, exceeds my expectations.

  • Only for a Mac

    3

    submitted15 years ago

    byShawn

    fromSan Francisco, CA

    The technical capabilities of this unit are great but I would never recommend it to some one using a PC. The unit only works with Firewire cards featuring the Texas Instruments chip, meaning only Mac users and very lucky high-end PC's if any exist. Unit will glitch and drop out causing strange noises and mess up tempos and midi signals when this happens. This makes the unit unreliable and unusable for live performance. Customer service is a joke! Completely useless responses to my questions often taking weeks to get a response. I cannot recommend this unit. Though it sounds great on paper the glitches make this unit unusable. Maybe if you have a Mac you will have better luck.

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