MOTU 828 28 x 32 USB3 Audio Interface with DSP Effects and Virtual Mixer

The MOTU 828 is a professional USB3 audio interface designed for recording studios, live sound engineers, and serious home producers. It provides comprehensive connectivity with 28 inputs and 32 outputs, including two combination XLR/TRS microphone/line/high-impedance guitar inputs with send/return inserts. This makes it suitable for recording vocals, instruments, and connecting outboard gear simultaneously. The interface supports sample rates up to 192kHz at 24-bit resolution, ensuring high-fidelity audio capture and playback. A key feature is its built-in DSP (Digital Signal Processing) engine, which powers a flexible 24-input digital mixer with eight stereo busses. This includes effects such as reverb, 4-band EQ, noise gate, and compression, all processable on the interface itself to conserve computer CPU resources. The ultra-low latency performance is particularly beneficial for guitarists using amp simulation software, allowing them to monitor with effects in real-time while recording a dry signal. Connectivity extends to eight TRS analogue line inputs and outputs, two banks of 8-channel ADAT optical I/O for expanding with preamps, stereo RCA S/PDIF digital I/O, and two independent front-panel headphone outputs with separate level controls. The unit is compatible with both macOS (10.13 or later) and Windows 10 or later systems via a class-compliant USB-C connection, requiring no dedicated drivers for core functionality. It includes MOTU's CueMix 5 software for mixer control, which can also be operated wirelessly from an iPhone or iPad, allowing performers to adjust their own monitor mix. Bundled software includes MOTU Performer Lite and Ableton Live Lite DAWs, plus a 6GB library of loops and samples. With its 1U rack-mountable design, the 828 is well-suited for project studios, mobile recording rigs, and as the centrepiece of a hybrid analogue-digital setup.