MOTU OctaLite 16x12 USB-C Audio Interface

Take your studio anywhere with the MOTU OctaLite, a 16x12 USB-C audio interface featuring a compact enclosure and eight XLR-1/4" TRS combo mic / line / Hi-Z inputs armed with Burr-Brown op-amps and up to +74 dB of clean gain for a wide range of applications. Combined with eight-channel optical ADAT with S/MUX support, this interface can be used standalone or as an optical expander.

With ESS Sabre32 DAC technology, this interface offers pristine and extremely low-latency audio with sampling rates up to 192 kHz. The I/O of this small interface is surprisingly diverse and includes a front-panel headphone output with dedicated volume control and mix assignment, one optical TOSLINK input and two outputs for handling S/MUX settings at higher sampling rates, and stereo 1/4" TRS balanced line outs. The optical connectors are optionally reconfigurable for stereo S/PDIF signals. Further notable features include loopback support for streaming, DC-coupled TRS outputs for sending CV signals to synth gear, zero-latency reamping support, and plenty of onboard DSP, including a plethora of FX and 4-band EQ control. With the CueMix 5 app, you can easily record entirely with your iPad or iPhone and engage in complete remote control via Wi-Fi. The OctaLite can be rack mounted via optional rack kits, consuming a half-rack of space for easy integration into rack setups or for combining two OctaLites to achieve even higher I/O counts.

Pristine Audio Quality

The OctaLite's analog output is driven by renowned ESS Sabre32 DAC technology, featuring the ES9026PRO DAC, to deliver measured 125 dB dynamic range and -114 dB THD+N. Equipped with Burr-Brown op-amps, the eight mic inputs deliver clean, ultraquiet, neutral performance and up to +74 dB of preamp gain. Advanced USB audio drivers deliver rock-solid performance and impressively low latency.

Eight Mic Pres in a 1/2 Rack Unit

As an interface or mixer, the OctaLite provides eight mic/line/instrument inputs in a half-rack form factor. Connect up to eight microphones, or any combination of mics, line level inputs, and guitars. The Hi-Z 1/4" jacks are perfect for DI guitar recording.

Connect your speakers to balanced line outputs (left and right), along with headphones and 8-channel optical I/O. The optical ports alternatively support stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF). Operate the OctaLite as a USB audio interface, standalone mixer, or eight-channel optical expander for another interface or mixer.

Built for Studio and Stage

Housed in a compact, steel enclosure you can take anywhere, the OctaLite is equally well suited for studio and stage, with or without a computer. Connect all your personal studio gear for state-of-the art computer-based recording and production, or take it to your next gig to mix live.

Ultralow Latency

When operating the OctaLite as a USB audio interface, optimized drivers for both macOS and Windows deliver ultralow latency performance with a round-trip latency (RTL) of 2 ms (milliseconds) over USB (at 96 kHz with a 32-sample host buffer).

Studio-Grade I/O for iOS Devices

The OctaLite is USB audio class compliant, giving you plug-and-play compatibility with iPad and other Apple iOS devices. Record on the go, directly to your iPad, or play backing tracks during a gig, mixed with your live inputs with the OctaLite's built-in mixing. Control everything from the CueMix 5 mixing app on your iPad or iPhone.

Loopback for Live Streaming

The OctaLite provides convenient loopback channels to your host computer or iOS device, so you can easily route computer output, along with a mix of live inputs from the OctaLite itself, back to the computer, where you can record it back into your podcasting host software or stream it live to the internet. The OctaLite provides three virtual mix buses that you can use for alternate loopback mixes. Streaming and podcasting has never been easier and better-sounding.

Optical Expansion

In addition to USB audio interface operation, the OctaLite serves as the perfect optical expander for your UltraLite-mk5, 828, 16A, or other audio interface. Add eight mic channels to your setup with a single optical cable. The mic input circuits in the OctaLite are identical to the UltraLite-mk5, ensuring uniformity across both units for all ten combined inputs.

Setup is easy: just select the analog inputs as the source for the Optical Out bank, and you're good to go. There's even a 2nd extra optical ouput port to cover channels 5 to 8 when employing four-channel SMUX optical format at high sample rates (88.2 or 96 kHz).

Optional Rack Mounting

Ready for serious touring, the steel-encased OctaLite can be rackmounted with thick, steel brackets designed to withstand the punishment on the road ahead. This is the same bracket as used for the UltraLite-mk5. Join two OctaLite units together, side by side, to fill a space in your rack or road case. Or mount an OctaLite side-by-side with an UltraLite-mk5. Thick steel brackets ensure everything connects solidly as a singular full-rack unit.

Note: All rack kits for the OctaLite are sold separately.

The CueMix 5 App

CueMix 5 gives you simple, yet comprehensive graphic control over your OctaLite mix. For macOS, Windows, and iOS, CueMix 5 delivers intuitive graphic mixing, graphic editing of parametric EQ, and a convenient touch-friendly interface, for quick access to all mixing features, digitally controlled trims and other settings in your OctaLite. Create separate mixes for the rear-panel monitor (line) outputs, front-panel headphones, and loopback channels.

Start Making Music Right Away with Included Software

Connect the OctaLite to your Mac or PC and start laying down tracks with the included Performer Lite production software, plus hundreds of loops, one-shots, and sounds from industry leaders MOTU, Big Fish Audio, Lucidsamples, and Loopmasters.

Performer Lite includes over 100 virtual instruments, including acoustic and electric pianos, guitars, basses, drums, organs synths, orchestral instruments, choirs, world instruments, and much more. Take your musical muse wherever it wants to go.

In the box*

MOTU OctaLite 16x12 USB-C Audio Interface

• Power Adapter