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MOTU 828mk3 Hybrid

Item ID: 828mk3Hy

28x30 USB/FireWire Audio Interface with 2 Microphone Preamplifiers, 8 TRS Inputs, 8 TRS Outputs, 2 XLR Outputs, 2 x ADAT I/O, MIDI I/O, Word Clock I/O, and Built-in Mixer with Onboard Effects - 24-bit/192kHz Resolution - Mac/PC

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From Our Research Team:

Versatile Interface with USB and FireWire!

Here's an interface that offers tons of I/O, premium sound quality, AND extreme flexibility in the modern recording world. Meet the MOTU 828mk3 Hybrid. This versatile interface offers both FireWire and USB connections, giving you the flexibility to connect to the computers you want. It's perfect for the recordist who has multiple machines or collaborates with artists and bands. You can feel confident knowing you have the connectivity that will work anywhere, plus a wealth of I/O, including two preamps, to tackle any recording situation!

One reason the MOTU 828 series has been so popular and well loved is the fact that these interfaces sound incredible, while remaining extraordinarily versatile. You can record up to 24-bit/192khz-quality audio, and the MOTU 828mk3 Hybrid offers combo inputs, 1/4" inputs, and ADAT banks. You can also use the MOTU 828mk3 as a standalone mixer, using the onboard DSP to route signals the way you please. In fact, you even get built-in EQ, compression, and reverb effects that are powered by DSP. That way, you can give the artist a lush headphone mix, without tapping into any of your computer's CPU power you need for recording. You can also record those effects, so it's like having top-notch plug-ins without the processor strain! All of the DSP mixing and effects are controlled by the CueMix FX software that's included with the MOTU 828mk3 Hybrid.

When what you want is a great-sounding interface that's also reliable, you can count on MOTU every time. And when what you want is maximum versatility, thanks to a decked-out array of I/O, you'll want to grab the MOTU 828mk3 Hybrid!

MOTU 828mk3 Hybrid FireWire and USB Interface Features at a Glance:
  • 28 inputs and 30 outputs (at 44.1/48kHz)
  • CueMix FX manages 28 input/16 bus mixer with on-board DSP effects
  • CueMix FX includes reverb with sends/returns, plus EQ and compression on every input and output
  • Access any setting in your entire 828mk3 mix directly from the front panel
  • Stand-alone functionality
  • Multiple CueMix FX mixes
  • 2 front panel combo jacks provide hi-Z 1/4" guitar input or low-Z XLR mic input with phantom power
  • Mic/guitar instrument sends-add analog outboard effects to the 2 mic/guitar inputs
  • Mic/guitar input limiter prevents digital clipping and distortion from overloaded signal levels
  • 8 24-bit/192kHz analog inputs and outputs on balanced/unbalanced 1/4" TRS jacks
  • 16 channels of ADAT lightpipe, 8 channels of SMUX (96kHz) or 2 pairs of stereo TOSLink
  • Sample-accurate MIDI
  • Expandable-add additional interfaces for more I/O as your needs grow
  • Separate XLR main outs and front-panel headphone jacks, each with independent volume control
  • Stereo 24-bit 96kHz S/PDIF in/out
  • Word clock in and out
  • SMPTE in and out
  • Includes drivers for Mac & PC, including ASIO, WDM, Wave, GSIF, Core Audio, and Core MIDI
  • Supports all popular Macintosh and Windows audio software
  • 100% compatible with all host-based effects processing in today's popular audio programs.
  • Includes AudioDesk software for the Mac
  • Plug-and-play operation with your Mac or PC via FireWire
  • Front panel volume control for monitoring
  • Monitor in stereo, quad, 6.1, 7.1, plus user-defined surround monitoring setups
  • 2 front panel headphone jacks with independent volume controls
  • LED metering for all analog, digital and MIDI I/O, plus SMPTE sync tach and lock LEDs
  • Dedicated front panel clock status LEDs

The MOTU 828mk3 Hybrid is decked out with I/O and handy USB and FireWire connectivity for maximum flexibility!

828mk3 Hybrid Image Gallery

Specification Detail
Computer Connection Type FireWire and USB
Form Factor Rackmount
Simultaneous I/O 28 x 30
A/D Resolution 24-bit/96kHz
Built In DSP/FX Yes
Number of Audio Inputs 12
Audio Input Types 2 x Combo (Mic/Line/Hi-Z), 8 x TRS
Number of Audio Outputs 14
Audio Output Types 2 x XLR (Main), 8 x TRS, 2 x 1/4" (Send), 1 x TRS (Main) 1 x TRS (Headphone)
Number of Digital Inputs 10
Digital Input Types 1 x ADAT (Optical, 8 Ch.), 1 x S/PDIF (Coax)
Number of Digital Outputs 10
Digital Output Types 1 x ADAT (Optical, 8 Ch.), 1 x S/PDIF (Coax)
Number of Mic Preamps 2
Phantom Power Yes
MIDI I/O In, Out
Clock I/O 1 x Word Clock (In/Out via BNC), 1 x SMPTE (In/Out via 1/4")
Bus Powered No
Rack Units 1U
Depth 7"
Width 19"
Height 1.75"
Manufacturer Part Number 4365

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Reviews

based on 7 reviews

The MOTU 828mk3 Hybrid GREAT PIECE OF HARDWARE!!!

by Edward Moon from NW Lower Penninsula, Michigan
July 25, 2011
Music Background: Recording engineer, producer, etc.
After I put it into Pro Tools 9.03, it didn't want to record from the mike inputs; however, after talking one time (by e-mail) with a SweetWater service tech... The problem was fixed. (It was mostly m... read more [+]y fault {I was the dummy!}). I have, since, used the Microphone and Line inputs with no difficulty. I specifically like the built in mixer and effects (EQ and reverb). I have not used the compressor/limiter yet, but, I have set them up in a test project and they seem to be able to do the job. NET RESULT: I would recommend this unit, and SweetWater to my friends. close [-]

MOTU 828mk3 Hybrid

by Eric E. from
June 30, 2011
Music Background:
Works just as expected. I had good luck with the prior two versions of the 828, so decided to give this one a try. I'm not disappointed. I bought two of these to support all the inputs I need. Wor... read more [+]ks well with FW or USB connection. I'd like it more if it had a few more inputs (who wouldn't) and if the panel were a bit easier to figure out (but, it's pretty good considering the limted real estate available). close [-]

A Nice Piece

by Eric from Washington, DC
April 4, 2011
Music Background: Label Owner, Producer
My Wife brought me this for me & it's a nice piece. Actual the pre-amps are very clean & the converters are nice & smooth; works great with Protools 9 & Cubase 5.5. I'll recommend this over the preson... read more [+]us Fire-Studio or if you canget both, I actually have both... close [-]

Very Solid Piece

by Nick Borgosz from Buffalo, NY
March 17, 2011
Music Background: Recording Engineer, Guitarist, Drummer.
Very solid piece for an awesome price. CueMix FX is great and anyone not using it is not using this thing to it's fullest. I can use the CueMix FX to monitor artists using EQ, Comps, & Reverbs with ... read more [+]no latency while having my DAW have a 1024 buffer and making it super solid and reliable. It also takes care of talk back and basic volume controls, elimanating the need for any external central station/big knob controllers. Front two inputs are very handy and DO NOT overide analog 1 & 2 on the back. Just really, really feature loaded. On the BAD side...the LED's on the front are useless and the knobs on the front feel really sketchy. The software can control everything and you never really need to touch those though. I have mine hooked up via USB to W7 32bit w/ Samplitude 11.2 and it's been perfect. No crashes, no ASIO dropouts, nothing. GREAT piece at a great price. close [-]

Almost everything I need

by Damon Gold from Lake Tahoe, CA.
May 30, 2011
Music Background: 25+ years in recording, live sound, broadcast and film
the sound quality on the mk3 is very good, it's I/o flexibility is nearly perfect, for my needs (live sound) I would love to have 8 mic pres not 2 and dedicated gain control knob for each of the 8 li... read more [+]ne inputs (or at least one knob that could access each line input gain and shuttle between them. my only real disappointment is the lowest latency setting of 64 samples per buffer this setting is not quite fast enough for a pro musician I normally run at 16 and if I want to run big multichannel shows I might drop to 32 samples per buffer. the 828 mk3 has not proven to be stable until I drop it 96 samples per buffer.
overall I am pleased with my 828mk3 but I expected more fro
MOTU after purchasing their products for the last 15 years. close [-]
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See Also: USB Interfaces , MOTU , MOTU FireWire Audio Interfaces , MOTU USB Audio Interfaces

MOTU 828mk3 Hybrid

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