Shop Keyboard Deals, Financing, and More

MOTU Micro Express 4x6 USB MIDI Interface

4-In/6-Out USB/Serial MIDI Interface with SMPTE
$249.00

Earn $13 back in Bonus Bucks OR pay $11/month with 24 month financing*

Delayed Availability

Due to unforseen circumstances, MOTU is experiencing an extended backorder on MicroExpUSB. Please contact us to either secure your place in line for the earliest possible future shipment or discuss product alternatives.

Add to Cart
Notify me about deals

Ask An Expert

Our expertly trained Sales Engineers are ready to help!

What is a Sales Engineer?
Sweetwater Gear Exchange

Have one to sell?
Check out Sweetwater's Gear Exchange!
Learn More

Most Popular Accessories & Related Items

MOTU Micro Express 4x6 USB MIDI Interface
$249.00
Add to Cart
Add to list
Back to navigation

This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

Get to know them!

Compact USB-Powered MIDI with Sync!

The Micro Express is a mini version of the MIDI Express XT. It has many of the same features as the Express XT - except that it is smaller and even more affordable. The micro Express is a half-rack unit with 4 inputs and 6 outputs.

MOTU Micro Express at a Glance:
  • Easy USB interface for timing accuracy and plug-and-play connections
  • Handles all MIDI functions with ease
  • Multiple synchronization options for use with other gear

Easy USB interface for timing accuracy and plug-and-play connections
The Micro Express takes full advantage of USB, giving you increased MIDI throughput, better timing accuracy, support for "hot-swapping" and plug-and-play expansion. Plus, the Micro Express can be powered by the USB bus of your Mac or PC!Need to connect another sound module or synth? No problem. Just add another Micro Express or any MOTU USB MIDI interface via a standard USB hub.

Handles all MIDI functions with ease
The Micro Express delivers a lot of MIDI control in a small package. With 4-in, 6-out capability, the Micro Express gives you control of up to 96 independent MIDI channels. You can merge any inputs to any outputs, route any inputs to any outputs, mute any MIDI data on any cable and re-channelize data on input and output. This means the Micro Express is great for your studio setup and your live performance rig!

Multiple synchronization options for use with other gear
Just because it's small, don't think the Micro Express is short on functionality. In fact, it offers many synchronization options for locking up your MIDI gear with sequencers, digital recorders and video feeds. With the Micro Express you can:

  • Generate and read SMPTE time code (LTC)
  • Convert LTC to MIDI Time Code (MTC) to sync a Mac, PC or other devices to SMPTE
  • Convert all SMPTE frame rates (24, 25, 29.97 drop, 29.97 non-drop, 30)
  • Stripe SMPTE time code in all frame rates
  • Convert MIDI Time Code to SMPTE time code
  • Operate in SMPTE "Jam Sync" with adjustable freewheeling for dropout-free sync
  • Connect MIDI Machine Control devices and serve as either an MMC master or slave
MOTU Micro Express Features:
  • MIDI Time Stamping (MTS) ready
  • Stand-alone MIDI patchbay/merger/processor
  • SMPTE tape sync in all formats
  • 4x6 MIDI merge matrix - connects any device to any other
  • Front panel presets for plug-and-play convenience
  • 4 independent MIDI IN
  • 6 independent MIDI OUT
  • 96 MIDI channels
  • Supports MIDI Machine Control transport messages
  • Pedal input for momentary foot switch
  • Audio click input - converts audio click into MIDI data
  • 16 presets with 8 programmable, battery-backed memory
  • Recalls setups via MIDI patch change
  • Includes software for Macintosh and Windows
  • Powered by your computer's USB bus
Simplify your MIDI setup with a Micro Express!

Additional Media

Warranty Info

Sweetwater's FREE 2-Year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty

Extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

  • Save money with FREE parts and labor
  • Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time
  • Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department
Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage

Free 2-year Warranty

Sweetwater's 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ Warranty gives you extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage
Tools Icon

Save money with free parts & labor!

Fast Icon

Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time.

Award Icon

Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department.

Back to navigation

Tech Specs

  • Type: Desktop or Rack
  • Ports: 4 x 6
  • Computer Connectivity: USB
  • Compatibility - Mac: OS X 10.5 or later
  • Compatibility - Windows: Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8
  • Power: Bus Powered
  • Height: 1.75"
  • Width: 9.5"
  • Depth: 7"
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 2551

What Makes Our Sales Engineers Great?

Sweetwater Sales Engineers are a world-class team of experts dedicated to you. Hand selected from across the globe, each brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the world of music gear to provide you with unparalleled service completely free of charge. Friendly relationships, real trust, and the right gear are only a call or a click away!

Back to navigation

Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

The Best

Motu has the best midi interfaces on the market. They function flawlessly and integrate with hardware and route everything effortlessly.
Music background: Professional Musician
Rated 5/5

Just what I needed

I am average at MIDI implementation routing still trying to figure out the in and outs.

Over all this product has made it simpler to connect all my MIDI gear it just simplified for better routing without hung notes and needing to hit the panic .
Rated 5/5

Extremely Please with the Micro Express

Very easy to install drivers & setup. I bought this to use with Cakewalk Pro Audio ver 9 & Roland VS recorders. (VS-1680 & VS-880ex) I was having problems with a Midi Sport 2x2. Cakewalk kept crashing when using MTC. Once I plugged everything in with the Micro Express it worked extremely well & in sync. I found the unit to be well built, solid & expert workmanship. This is a high quality unit. No regrets. I'm back recording again.
Music background: Professional musician, songwriter & music publisher.
Rated 5/5

Fantastic!

Very easy to route any midi instrument!
Music background: Audio Engineer
Rated 4.5/5

10+ years & 1 battery change

I've had this thing for 10+ years, with a fair amount of us, and it's never given me a problem. I currently have a complete keyboard rig with 4 keyboards + MIDI control on a variety of devices including mixers and other outboard gear.

This all connects via USB and neatly ties in with Ableton Live 10 with no hiccups allowing me to use VST's + hardware synths in any imaginable combination, available 24/7, without ever having to re-patch.

Drivers for this thing are easy to install as MOTU has a unified MIDI installer. Great routing capabilities and features in the software. I run this on Windows 10 and from time to time the application will just disappear and need to be restarted, but all the settings are retained in the hardware so a minor complaint. It appears they haven't really updated the specific drivers for their MIDI products in awhile but it is fairly stable so I will take of .5 stars for that as the software is aging...at least for PC (can't speak for Mac drivers)

There will come a point in time where you will need to change the very inexpensive battery (flat/round type)...

If mine ever dies, I would definitely buy again.
Music background: 35 year serious hobbyist

Hear from a Sales Engineer

What Do Our In-house Gear Experts Think?

Kenny Bergle

MOTU is the world leader in MIDI interfaces and really always has been. They provide the best bang-for-the-buck as well as the most features and RELIABILITY. The MicroExpressUSB is no exception. With SMPTE striping and syncing ability, 4 in and 6 out MIDI, footpedal input (for locking a human drummer to MIDI clock!), and USB connectivity, you can't beat the MicroExpressUSB for $250!!! IF you don't need 8 ins and outs, get the MicroExpress!

Yuval Fuchs

From old school MIDI studios to Film and Post production facilities, this little 1/2-rack will be a loyal liason between the outside MIDI world and your computer DAW/sequencer.
Close Close $2,000 Pick Your PRS Giveaway -- input your email address below to enter or click here to learn more.

See giveaway details & rules or check out our past winners!

Success!

Your email, test has been entered to win this giveaway. Good Luck!