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MOTU UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid MOTU UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid
10-in/14-out USB 2.0 and FireWire Hybrid Audio Interface with 2 Microphone Preamplifiers, DSP Mixer and Built-in Reverb, EQ, and Compression Effects - Mac/PC

Retail Price: $595.00
Sale Price: $549.00

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MOTU UltraLite-mk3 (No Longer Available)

Item ID: UltraLitemk3

FireWire Audio Interface and Standalone Mixer with 10 Inputs and 14 Outputs, Digital Effects - Mac/PC

Sorry, the MOTU UltraLite-mk3 is no longer available. We've left this page up for reference only. Check out the great alternatives on this page or call toll-free (800) 222-4700 to speak with a Sweetwater Sales Engineer about similar products.

From Our Research Team:

Now with Onboard Effects and Higher Resolution!

The MOTU UltraLite-mk3 updates MOTU's famous UltraLite, making it more powerful than ever. This half-rackspace, bus-powered FireWire audio interface turns your laptop or desktop computer into a mobile recording studio with an impressive 10 inputs and 14 outputs. MOTU also updated the UltraLite-mk3 to even better 24-bit/192kHz resolution from the original's 96kHz. Delivering the same innovative design, proven reliability, and award-winning sound as MOTU's other high-end FireWire audio interfaces - including new CueMix Effects, as found on the acclaimed MOTU 896 - the MOTU UltraLite-mk3 is an incredibly compact and powerful interface!

MOTU UltraLite-mk3 FireWire Audio/MIDI Interface at a Glance:
  • Rugged mobile interface with two mic preamps
  • Eight analog ins and 10 TRS outs with improved resolution
  • New onboard 14-bus digital mixer and DSP effects processing
  • A wealth of DSP effects
  • Easy configuration with CueMix Console
  • Bus-powered and expandable via FireWire
  • Syncs to SMPTE time code
  • Works with Macs (including Intel Macs) and PCs

Rugged mobile interface with two mic preamps
Housed in sturdy yet lightweight aluminum alloy, the UltraLite-mk3 provides two mic/instrument inputs with preamps, 48-volt phantom power, unique 3-way pad switch (-36, -18 and 0dB) and front-panel Digital Precision Trim knobs that provide 24dB of gain in 1dB increments for a total gain range of 60dB.

Eight analog ins and 10 TRS outs
The MOTU UltraLite-mk3 sees improved analog recording resolution - updated from 24-bit/96kHz to 24-bit/192kHz. You'll also enjoy plenty of additional analog I/O via six balanced line-level 1/4" (TRS) inputs (a total of eight analog ins) and 10 analog TRS outputs. Also included are stereo S/PDIF digital I/O, a dedicated stereo headphone output, and MIDI I/O for a controller keyboard and other gear. MIDI performance is sample-accurate with supporting software.

Onboard digital mixing and DSP effects processing
Beyond its impressive I/O offering, the MOTU UltraLite-mk3 offers new onboard DSP effects and extensive mixing. All I/O is routed to a new onboard 14-bus digital mixer driven by hardware-based DSP with 32-bit floating point precision. You can apply no-latency effects processing to inputs, outputs, or busses directly in the hardware - independent of the computer - for making excellent monitor mixes for your musicians, or when you need a versatile stand-alone mixer. You can record input signals to the computer wet or dry - and can even record dry while keeping a monitor mix wet for your headphone mixes. Read below to find out more about the effects the MOTU UltraLite-mk3 includes.

A wealth of DSP effects
Effects on the MOTU UltraLite-mk3 include reverb, parametric EQ and compression/limiting. As far as reverb, the UltraLite-mk3's Classic Reverb gives you five different room types, three frequency shelves with adjustable crossover points, shelf filtering, and reverb lengths up to 60 seconds. Two forms of compression are supplied: a standared compressor with conventional threshold/ratio/attack/release/gain controls and the Leveler, an accurate model of the legendary LA-2A optical compressor which provides vintage, musical automatic gain control. Finally, the EQ section provides 7-band parametric EQ modeled after British analog console EQs, featuring 4 filter styles (gain/Q profiles) to effectively cover a wide range of audio material. LP and HP filters are also supplied with slopes that range from 6 to 36dB.

Easy configuration with MOTU's CueMix Console
Everything on the UltraLite-mk3, including talk-back and listen-back, can be controlled from the included CueMix Console software, just like a conventional mixer. When using the UltraLite-mk3 to mix without a computer, you can control CueMix directly from the UltraLite-mk3's front-panel. When you finish front-panel programming, the backlit LCD displays 8-segment level meters for all inputs and outputs simultaneously, providing instant and continuous feedback, even in low light environments.

Bus-powered and expandable via FireWire
The UltraLite-mk3 can draw power directly from its FireWire bus connection to the computer (no AC required) or from the included DC power supply when operating as a stand-alone mixer. You can easily expand your system by connecting additional UltraLite-mk3, Traveler, 828 or 896 FireWire audio interfaces. The UltraLite-mk3 provides two FireWire A (400Mbit) ports for easy and convenient daisy-chaining.

Syncs to SMPTE time code
The MOTU UltraLite-mk3 also provides on-board SMPTE time code synchronization features, which allow you to slave your UltraLite-mk3 system to SMPTE time code (via any analog input) without a synchronizer. The UltraLite-mk3 can also generate time code and send it to any analog output. These sync features are provided by a DSP-driven phase-lock engine with sophisticated filtering that provides fast lockup times and sub-frame accuracy. Like CueMix DSP, the synchronization features are cross-platform and compatible with all audio sequencer software that supports the ASIO2 sample-accurate sync protocol.

Works with Macs (including Intel Macs) and PCs
The UltraLite-mk3 provides cross-platform compatibility with Mac OS X 10.3 or higher (including the new Intel Macs), Windows XP and any audio software that supports standard WDM/ASIO/Core Audio drivers. The included AudioDesk workstation software for Macintosh provides 24-bit recording/editing and 32-bit mixing/processing/mastering.

MOTU UltraLite-mk3 FireWire Audio/MIDI Interface Features:
  • 10-input, 14-output audio interface with FireWire bus power
  • 24-bit/192kHz audio resolution
  • Two mic/instrument preamps with phantom power
  • Digital Precision Trim knobs with a total of 60dB gain range
  • Six balanced line-level TRS inputs
  • Ten analog TRS outputs
  • Stereo 96kHz S/PFDIF I/O
  • Latency-free monitoring with four monitor mixes
  • Onboard 14-bus digital mixer with effects
  • Can operate as as standalone mixer with effects
  • Program with CueMix Console or computer-free via front panel
  • Expandable, with two FireWire A (400Mbit) ports
  • Slaves to SMPTE time code
  • Compatible with new Intel MacBook Pro computers

MOTU makes mobile recording even easier with the UltraLite-mk3!

UltraLite-mk3 Image Gallery

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Reviews

Tons of stuff packed in a tiny box

by David W. from Washington, DC
August 24, 2009
Music Background: Performer/Composer
My live rig was getting pretty cumbersome with synths and audio gear so I needed a portable interface to simplify things. I already owned a MOTU 828 mkII and liked the fact that it could function as ... read more [+]a stand alone mixer as well, but the mkII didn't have built in effects so when I'm performing with straight audio all the channels would be dry.

The Ultralite really fits what I needed. I can program the effects and compression and run mics through it on gigs without the computer. With the computer it's great because it allows me to mix software and live instruments from my keyboard. It really performs well and the fact that it's buss powered means one less power brick. My only complaint is that front panel programming is very different from that of the 828.

It takes some getting used to, so it's better to configure all your channels with the computer before you use it stand alone. Other than that, I am very pleased with this unit. close [-]

Solid build, excellent on board DSP, great value for money

by Tim from Melbourne, Australia
December 7, 2008
Music Background: Electronic Music Producer
For the price you pay, I think it's one of the best Firewire units around, especially with the onboard DSP.

I ditched my M-AUDIO Firewire 410 for the mk3. The 410 was a nasty piece of h... read more [+]ardware that caused me all sorts of gried (powering off on its own, pain installing their drivers, not enough power going to my genelecs, the list goes on...)

With the Ultralite mk3 I had been having blue screen issues with the MOTU drivers (in particular MOTUFWA.SYS), and although it took a month for MOTU to reply via their "Tech Links" once I logged the issue, they eventually did help solve the problem so I'm still a very happy customer (I had to uninstall current software & drivers and specific MOTU registry keys, then install the latest drivers). close [-]

Overall a good product

by Brandon Crowe from Evansville IN
March 23, 2009
Music Background: Producer, Writer, Composer
I've had the Ultralite Mk3 for about two weeks now and i am using it with Sonar on a vista x64 bit system. The preamps on the ultralite sound great with lots of head room and the on-board dsp effects ... read more [+]are great. I use the compressor on the ultralite instead of patching in my alesis 3630. The drivers for the product are pretty solid with a 64bit system as long as you install and setup sonar correctly. The latency on the ultralite couldn't get better. The only issue i have is stuck midi notes. When playing vst instruments with my Triton hooked up through the midi in and out on the ultralite, it miss or sustain midi notes every 15 seconds or so. I have found out that this is a common issue with the Ultralite, and since m-audio hasn't yet released a 64bit driver for there midisport series, I'm stuck for now until motu fixes this problem. Overall, this unit is the best bang for your money, unless you count on using it to control software synths, then plan on investing in a compatible midi interface as well... PS Sweetwater is Great close [-]

Amazing Hardware

by Mac from MI, USA
September 23, 2008
Music Background: Hobbyist
The hardware performs beautifully once you get it configured. You will end up avoiding the hardware interface since functions are burried so deep. Software is adequate, but needs a few more shortcu... read more [+]ts. Lots of clean power for a very little unit. Built like a brick. close [-]

Sweetwater Advice

Carson McClain
Solid, tested drivers. 'Nuff said! Any MOTU piece I have ever used works and works long term. When I sit in front of my computer, I want to make music, not deal with driver issues.
Read more reviews
See Also: FireWire Interfaces , MOTU , MOTU FireWire Audio Interfaces

MOTU UltraLite-mk3

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