MOTU UltraLite mk4 18x22 USB Audio Interface with DSP

Description

Designed for the road or for use in studios, the MOTU UltraLite-mk4 expands on previous iterations to give you 18 inputs and 22 outputs in a class-compliant, high-speed USB-2 interface. From the device itself, you can monitor inputs and outputs, while a web-control app allows you to control signal routing, tweak levels, and apply on-board effects utilising a laptop, iOS device, or smartphones over a closed Wi-Fi network. This means that in live scenarios, you can use the UltraLite-mk4 as a stand-alone digital mixer.

In conjunction with a DAW, the device can record audio at up to 192 kHz/24-bit. It can do so via two combination XLR/1/4" jacks, as well as six 1/4" jacks on the back-panel. Eight output jacks allow you to patch in outboard gear, while two main 1/4" outputs and a headphone jack give you monitoring capabilities. An optical I/O section allows you to connect eight channels of compatible inputs and outputs, a pair of S/PDIF connections afford you digital I/Os, and MIDI can also be routed via two 5-pin DIN jacks.

In addition to the built-in 32-bit DSP effects provided by the UltraLite-mk4, the device ships with AudioDesk, a digital audio workstation for Mac and Windows which provides 24-bit recording, sample-accurate editing, and the ability to mix and master. The interface is class compliant—meaning no drivers are required in most cases—and can record audio at very low latencies.

Features

Low-Latency Audio for Mobile or Studio Use

The UltraLite-mk4 provides mobile USB2 audio connectivity to your computer with low latency at sample rates up to 192 kHz in both Studio and Mobile settings.

Comprehensive I/O

This device provides multiple I/O including two mic/guitar inputs, six line-level analogue inputs, ten analogue outputs, 8-channel optical digital I/O, S/PDIF digital I/O, MIDI I/O, and a headphone output.

Studio and Stage Use

Housed in a compact, aluminium-alloy enclosure, the UltraLite-mk4 is equally suited for studio and stage, either with or without a computer. As an interface or stand-alone mixer, the UltraLite-mk4 provides 18 inputs and 22 outputs, giving you enough real-estate to connect speakers, headphones, mics, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines, effects processors, and MIDI devices.

Mixing via Graphic User Interface

Record, monitor, route and process all live inputs using the on-board 48-channel mixer with no latency and no processor strain on your computer. This mixer can be utilised via the front panel's graphic user interface.

DSP-Driven Effects Processing

The UltraLite-mk4 ships with hardware-based, DSP-driven effects to liven up your mix, all of it independent of your host computer. Included is a reverb with decays up to 60 seconds in length, a 4-band parametric AEQ, a model of the LA-2A optical compressor, and more.

Analysis and Scope

Analyse and scope your audio with diagnostic tools, including a full-screen, real-time FFT display, spectrogram "waterfall" display, oscilloscope, X-Y plot, and phase analyser.

Other Notable Features

• Using Web app control, you can tweak everything from your web browser on a laptop or a mobile device (table or smartphone) through a shared Wi-Fi network.
• This device connects to any computer with hi-speed USB 2.0, is audio class compliant, and compatible with USB 3.0 and iOS. Also, it's compatible with all audio software.
• Large backlit LCD lets you view all signal activity at a glance with detailed metering for all analogue and digital I/O.
• Included is the AudioDesk workstation software for Mac and Windows, with 24-bit recording, sample-accurate editing and 32-bit mixing and mastering.

Specifications