10pre

The MOTU 10pre is a high-performance, rack-mountable audio interface designed to be the central hub for professional recording studios, live sound setups, and AVB audio networks. Representing the latest generation of MOTU's connectivity technology, the 10pre offers a massive 54 simultaneous audio channels (26 inputs and 28 outputs) in a single rack space, integrating both superb analog quality and extensive digital I/O. It utilizes state-of-the-art Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 connectivity, ensuring extremely low-latency performance with modern Mac, PC, and iOS host devices, compatible also with Thunderbolt 3, USB3, and USB2 systems for universal studio integration.

At the heart of the 10pre is the renowned ESS Sabre32 DAC technology, which delivers an impressive 125 dB of dynamic range on its analog outputs, ensuring ultra-transparent and professional-grade audio conversion. For capturing signals, the interface is equipped with ten advanced mic/line/instrument preamps offering up to 74 dB of pristine gain, along with individual controls for phantom power, pad, and phase reverse. Inputs 1-2 also feature dedicated hardware sends and returns, allowing for effortless integration of outboard analog processing gear like compressors and EQs before the signal hits the digital stage. This blend of high-end analog circuitry and comprehensive I/O makes the 10pre a robust solution for tracking a full band, running multiple cue mixes, and connecting a diverse range of studio equipment.

Beyond its physical I/O, the 10pre distinguishes itself with a built-in 64-channel, 32-bus digital mixer, complete with on-board DSP effects including reverb, 4-band EQ, gate, and compression. This internal processing capability allows users to create latency-free monitor mixes with professional polish, entirely offloading the burden from the host computer's CPU. The interface further embraces modern professional standards through two integrated AVB (Audio Video Bridging) Gigabit Ethernet ports. This functionality enables the user to network multiple MOTU AVB interfaces and computers using standard Cat 5e/6 cables, creating a sophisticated, low-latency audio network capable of handling hundreds of audio channels across long distances, making it scalable for large-format studio and live sound environments. Control over the entire system, including the mixer and all device settings, is provided via the powerful CueMix Pro web application, accessible wirelessly from a Mac, PC, or iOS device.

Key Features of the MOTU 10pre Audio Interface

• High-Performance Connectivity: Features blazing-fast Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 (USB-C) ports, universally compatible with Mac, PC, and iOS (iPad) devices, also supporting Thunderbolt 3, USB3, and USB2.
• Ultra-Low Latency: Optimized drivers deliver industry-leading round-trip latency (RTL) performance, typically less than 2ms at 96 kHz.
• Elite Audio Quality: Incorporates renowned ESS Sabre32 DAC technology for superb audio conversion with a measured 125 dB dynamic range on line outputs and sample rates up to 24-bit/192kHz.
• Massive I/O: Offers 54 simultaneous audio channels (26 inputs and 28 outputs).
• 10 Advanced Preamps: Ten high-performance mic/line/instrument combo inputs with 74 dB of gain, individually controlled Pad, Phantom Power, and Phase Invert.
• Analog Outputs: Eight balanced 1/4-inch TRS analog line outputs (DC-coupled for CV control) and two independent 1/4-inch TRS headphone outputs.
• Digital I/O: Two banks of 8-channel ADAT optical I/O (switchable to stereo TOSLink/S/PDIF optical).
• Hardware Inserts: Two dedicated 1/4-inch send/return inserts on Mic Inputs 1-2 for integrating outboard analog gear.
• On-Board DSP Mixer & FX: Built-in 64-input, 32-bus digital mixer with classic DSP effects, including Reverb, 4-Band EQ, Gate, and Compression, for latency-free monitoring and mixing.
• AVB Audio Networking: Dual integrated Gigabit Ethernet ports for AVB networking, allowing for system expansion, daisy-chaining, and extremely low-latency audio transmission across a network.
• Remote Control: All device features, including the mixer, routing, and preamps, are controllable via the CueMix Pro web app from any Mac, PC, or iOS device over Wi-Fi.
• DC-Coupled Outputs: All TRS line outputs are DC-coupled, enabling the 10pre to send Control Voltage (CV) signals from your DAW to manipulate and sequence modular synthesizers.
• Advanced Control Room Features: Includes dedicated front-panel controls for Talkback, Mute, Sum-to-Mono, and A/B/C monitor select for quick speaker comparison.
• High-Resolution Metering: Features a large, bright 3.9-inch full-color TFT display for high-resolution metering of all I/O and easy access to hardware settings.
• Loopback Functionality: Provides internal loopback channels for simplified live streaming and podcasting, allowing you to mix computer output with live mic/instrument inputs.
• Software Included: Comes bundled with MOTU Performer Lite and Ableton Live Lite, plus over 6 GB of free loops, samples, and one-shots.
• Form Factor: 1U Rack-mountable metal chassis.