Equipped with the same ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC Technology found in audio interfaces costing thousands, the M4 delivers an astonishing 120 dB Dynamic Range on its main outputs. ESS converters also drive the headphone output, which rivals dedicated headphone amplifiers costing hundreds. Ultra-clean preamp circuits produce a measured -129 dBu EIN on the mic inputs. Capture and monitor your audio with pristine clarity.
☑ ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC technology for superb analog sound
☑ The same converter technology used in audio interfaces costing thousands
☑ Measured 120 dB dynamic range on outputs
☑ Measured -129 dBu EIN on mic inputs
☑ ESS-driven headphone output
Speed
The M4 provides best-in-class speed for monitoring live inputs (mic, guitar or keyboard) through your computer, thanks to MOTU's expertly engineered USB drivers, which deliver class-leading, ultra-low 2.5 ms Round Trip Latency (at 96 kHz with a 32 sample buffer).
Metering
When recording and mixing, nothing is more critical than achieving optimum levels. The M4 is the only audio interface in its class with a full color LCD featuring clear, detailed level meters for all inputs and outputs. Enjoy professional-level volume control and feedback to get your sound just right.
Loopback
The M4 driver provides convenient loopback channels to your host computer, so you can easily route computer output back to the computer, where you can mix it with live mics and/or guitar inputs from the M4 in your host software for live streaming or podcasting. Streaming and podcasting has never been easier and better-sounding!
A tradition of engineering excellence
Decades of award-winning product engineering for hit songs, mega tours, primetime shows and blockbuster movies goes into every MOTU audio interface.
I/O
2x mic/line/Hi-Z guitar inputs
2x balanced 1/4-inch line inputs
4x balanced 1/4-inch TRS out
4x RCA analog out (mirrored)
1x stereo headphone w/volume
1x MIDI in/out
dB RANGE
120 dB dynamic range on output
-129 dBu EIN on mic inputs
CONNECTIVITY
Bus-powered USB-C
Compatible with USB Type A
Windows driver
Mac driver (optional)
iOS compatible (with adapter kit)
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Plug-and-play operation
Hardware (direct) monitoring
Independent 48V phantom power
Rugged metal construction
44.1 to 192 kHz sample rates
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
macOS 10.11 or higher
Windows 7, 8, 10 or higher
iOS 9 or higher
Technical Specifications
Sample rates |
44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz |
---|---|
Mic/line/guitar |
2 x XLR/TRS "combo jack" mic/line/Hi-Z guitar inputs Independent preamp gain, 48V phantom power and monitor switch for each input |
Analog inputs |
2 x 1/4" line in |
Analog outputs |
4 x 1/4" TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled) 4 x RCA (unbalanced) analog out (mirrored) 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo headphone |
Computer I/O |
1 x USB-C (compatible with USB Type A) 2.0 audio class compliant |
MIDI I/O |
1 x MIDI IN 1 x MIDI OUT 16 MIDI channels to/from computer host |
Headphone |
1 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone |
Phantom power |
2 x individual +48V |
Front panel |
1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output 2 x XLR/TRS combo inputs 1 x potentiometer • monitor vol 1 x potentiometer • phone vol 1 x potentiometer • input monitor mix 2 x potentiometer • mic/line/guitar input gain 5 x switches • (2) 48V, (2) MON and (1) 3-4 160 x 120 pixel full-colored LCD with input and output level meters |
Power |
Bus-powered through USB |
Dimensions and weight |
(width x depth x height, enclosure only) 8.25 x 4.25 x 1.75 inches 20.955 x 10.8 x 4.5 cm 1.55 lbs / 0.7 kg |
System Requirements
Mac System Requirements |
1 GHz Intel-based Mac or faster 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended macOS version 10.11 or later Available USB port A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording) |
---|---|
Windows System Requirements |
1 GHz Pentium-based PC compatible or faster 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended Windows 7, 8 or 10 (x64 only) Available USB port A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording) |
Class-Compliant Support |
USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac or iOS (no driver required) |
Included Software |
MOTU Performer Lite Ableton Live 10 Lite 6GB of loops and sounds from Big Fish Audio, LucidSamples, Loopmasters and MOTU |
Analog I/O
Connector type |
Dynamic range (A-weighted) |
THD+N (unweighted) |
Max level |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Line Output |
1/4" TRS, balanced, tip hot |
120dB |
-110dB |
+16dBu |
Line Input |
1/4" TRS, bal/unbal, tip hot |
115dB |
-106dB |
+18dBu (at minimum gain) |
Mic input |
XLR, balanced, pin 2 hot |
115dB |
-129dBu EIN |
+10dBu (at minimum gain) |
Phones |
1/4", TRS stereo |
115dB |
-110dB |
+12.5dBu |
Compatible Mac Software
The M4 ships with standard Core Audio drivers for Mac OS X for compatibility with virtually all Core Audio-compatible apps, including:
MOTU Performer Lite
MOTU Digital Performer
Avid Pro Tools (version 9 or later)
Apple Logic Pro
Apple Logic Express
Apple Garage Band
Apple SoundTrack Pro
Ableton Live
Presonus Studio One
Propellerhead Record & Reason
Steinberg Cubase
Cockos Reaper
Native Instruments Kontakt
Waves stand-alone apps (and plug-ins, via compatible host)
Compatible Windows Software
The M4 ships with standard ASIO and Wave drivers for Windows 7, 8 and 10 for compatibility with virtually all ASIO- and Wave-compatible audio apps, including:
MOTU Performer Lite
MOTU Digital Performer
Avid Pro Tools (version 9 or later)
Ableton Live
Cakewalk Sonar
Cockos Reaper
Image Line FL Studio
Native Instruments Kontakt
Presonus Studio One
Propellerhead Record & Reason
Sony Vegas Pro
Sony Sound Forge
Sony Acid
Steinberg Cubase
Waves stand-alone apps (and plug-ins, via compatible host)
M4 Feature Highlights
4-in / 4-out USB audio interface with studio-quality sound
Best-in-class audio quality driven by ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC Technology
Best-in-class speed (ultra-low latency) for host software processing
Best-in-class metering for all inputs/outputs with a full-color LCD
2x mic/line/hi-Z guitar inputs on combo XLR/TRS
Individual preamp gain and 48V phantom power for each input
2x balanced 1/4-inch line inputs
Hardware (direct) monitoring for each input (mono or stereo for inputs 1-2, stereo for inputs 3-4)
Monitor mix knob to balance live inputs and computer playback
Measured -129 dB EIN on mic inputs
4x balanced, DC-coupled 1/4-inch TRS outputs
Measured 120 dB dynamic range on the 1/4-inch balanced TRS outputs
4x RCA (unbalanced) analog out (mirrored)
1x headphone out (driven by ESS converters) with independent volume control
MIDI in/out
Support for 44.1 to 192 kHz sample rates
USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac (no driver required)
Windows driver with 2.5 ms Round Trip Latency (32 sample buffer at 96 kHz)
Mac driver (optional, for 2.5 ms RTL@32/96 kHz and loopback feature)
iOS compatible (USB audio class compliant)
Driver loopback for capturing host output, live streaming and podcasting
Bus powered USB-C (compatible with USB Type A) with power switch (USB cable included)
Rugged metal construction
Workstation software included (MOTU Performer Lite 10 and Ableton Live Lite 10)
100+ instruments (in Performer Lite)
Over 6 GB of included free loops, samples and one-shots from industry leading libraries
Kensington security slot
Built in the USA