MOTU has announced the release of the new MOTU 848 audio interface, a flagship addition to its next-generation range that builds on the success of the acclaimed 828 and 16A. Designed for professional studios, the 848 combines cutting-edge Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 connectivity with MOTU’s renowned audio quality and flexible routing options.
At the heart of the 848 is ESS Sabre32 DAC technology, offering a dynamic range of 125 dB and extremely low distortion for pristine analogue sound. With up to 256 channels of host I/O at 96 kHz, the MOTU 848 is capable of handling even the most demanding projects, while its drivers deliver ultra-low round-trip latency of around 1.8 ms at 96 kHz with a 32-sample buffer.
The interface provides 60 simultaneous channels, with 28 inputs and 32 outputs available at once, including four transparent microphone preamps. Its onboard 48-channel DSP mixer features 12 stereo busses, each equipped with EQ, compression, gate, and reverb, allowing powerful monitoring and routing without taxing the host computer.
Thunderbolt 4 ensures up to 40 Gbps bandwidth, with full backwards compatibility with Thunderbolt 3, USB 3, and USB 2. AVB/TSN Ethernet integration makes it possible to connect the MOTU 848 into larger networked audio systems with near-zero latency, further extending its flexibility in studio and live environments.
The MOTU 848 continues the company’s tradition of delivering high-performance interfaces that balance uncompromising audio quality with modern connectivity, making it a natural successor to the 828 and 16A and a powerful centrepiece for today’s recording setups.