MOTU OctaLite USB Audio Interface and Optical Expander

MOTU OctaLite USB Audio Interface and Optical Expander

16-in/12-out, 192kHz USB Audio Interface with 8 Preamps, 8-ch. Optical I/O, DSP Mixing with FX, Loopback, Standalone Mixer Operation, OLED Display, and Software - macOS/Windows/iOS 

Compact Recording Hub with Eight Preamps and DSP

When your recording rig needs to move from the studio to the rehearsal room to the stage, the MOTU OctaLite is ready to oblige with eight combo mic/line/instrument inputs, a full digital signal processing (DSP) mixer, and onboard effects in a compact chassis. Every input is assigned its own preamp gain and phantom power, while ultra-low-latency drivers ensure performers are in time with the track. Additionally, the DSP builds separate headphone and monitor mixes with reverb, EQ, and dynamics, all dialed in from the CueMix 5 app on your Mac, PC, iPad, or iPhone. Furthermore, the OctaLite can operate as a standalone mixer, with or without a laptop, or double as an optical expander, adding eight more preamps to an UltraLite-mk5 over a single cable. A compact interface that supports your rig wherever you take it, the MOTU OctaLite delivers elevated performance and versatile functionality in any setting.

A full DSP mixer at your fingertips

The OctaLite’s onboard DSP handles hardware monitoring with ultra-low latency, freeing your computer’s processor for the session at hand. Build independent mixes for headphones and monitors, then put three virtual mix buses to work for in-the-box mixing and routing. Reverb, 4-band parametric EQ, compression, and gating are available on both inputs and mix buses. The CueMix 5 app controls it all from a Mac, PC, or iOS device, and with a USB-connected computer on the network, several phones and tablets can simultaneously adjust mixes over Wi-Fi. The OctaLite also operates as a standalone mixer, with or without a computer, so your monitor setup remains consistent from rehearsal to the stage.

Add eight inputs over a single optical cable

Optical expander mode grows your current setup, providing eight additional mic/line/instrument inputs for an UltraLite-mk5 or another audio interface, carried over a single optical cable at sample rates up to 96 kilohertz. The OctaLite also racks side by side with an UltraLite-mk5 or a second OctaLite in a single rack space with an optional mounting kit. When operating as an interface, the OctaLite's optical port can carry eight channels, stereo TOSlink, or S/MUX output on channels five through eight at 88.2 and 96 kilohertz. With the OctaLite, you can expand your rig as your projects grow.

Clean signal path and creative routing

Burr-Brown op-amps power each preamp with up to +74 decibels of gain and a measured equivalent input noise (EIN) of -129 decibels, while ESS Sabre32 Ultra digital-to-analog converter (DAC) technology gives the balanced outputs a 125-decibel dynamic range. This results in clean recording, a very low noise floor, and accurate monitoring. You also receive loopback USB channels to capture your computer’s audio for livestreaming and podcasting, as well as balanced, DC-coupled 1/4-inch outputs that let your digital audio workstation (DAW) send control voltage (CV) to modular synths. Completing the package is the MOTU Performer Lite workstation software, with more than 100 instruments and over 6 gigabytes of loops, samples, and one-shots. Every connection on the OctaLite opens yet another way to record, perform, and create.

MOTU OctaLite Features:

• Compact 16-in x 12-out, 192kHz USB audio interface and optical expander with DSP mixing and FX
• 8 combo XLR/TRS mic/line/hi-Z inputs with Burr-Brown op-amp preamps, +74dB of gain, -129 dB EIN, and individual 48V phantom power
• Clean analog performance from ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC technology, with 125dB output dynamic range and an ESS-driven headphone output
• DSP-driven monitor mixer delivers ultra-low-latency hardware monitoring with independent headphone and monitor mixes, plus 3 virtual mix buses
• Onboard reverb, 4-band parametric EQ, compressor, and gate for inputs and mix buses
• Standalone operation as a mixer, with or without a computer
• CueMix 5 app controls mixing and settings from a Mac, PC, or iOS device, with Wi-Fi control from multiple mobile devices via a USB-connected computer
• Optical expander mode adds 8 mic/line/instrument inputs to an UltraLite-mk5 or other interface over a single optical cable, up to 96kHz
• 8-ch. optical or 2-ch. TOSlink I/O, with S/MUX output on channels 5–8 at 88.2kHz or 96kHz
• Hi-speed USB 2.0 connection, class compliant for driver-free operation on Mac and iOS, and compatible with USB 3.0
• 2ms round-trip latency at a 32-sample buffer/96kHz with the Windows driver, plus an optional Mac driver for the same performance and loopback for livestreaming and podcasting
• 2 balanced, DC-coupled 1/4-in. TRS outputs double as CV outputs for modular synths
• Includes MOTU Performer Lite workstation software with 100+ instruments and 6GB+ of loops, samples, and one-shots
• High-resolution OLED display with precision metering for all analog I/O, plus 1dB-step boost and trim
• Rugged steel construction; Rack mounts side by side with an UltraLite-mk5 or a second OctaLite in a single rack space (mounting kits sold separately)
• 2-year warranty provided by MOTU

Buy direct from STL Pro Audio, the authorised NZ distributor for MOTU