MOTU 828 28 x 32 USB 3.0 Audio Interface Reviews
Since the original 828's introduction in 2001, MOTU's one-rack-unit, two-preamp audio interface has remained ubiquitous in project studios worldwide. Now in its fifth iteration, the MOTU 828 brandishes lightning-fast USB3 connectivity with 2–3ms of roundtrip latency and a host of creativity-enhancing features. The 828 flaunts ESS Sabre32-fueled sound with 24-bit/192kHz conversion, in addition to overhauled mic pres with 74dB of available gain, hardware inserts, and hi-Z guitar inputs. You'll appreciate the 828's built-in 24-channel digital mixer with onboard DSP effects, as well as its advanced control room features. This 28-in/32-out interface is jam-packed with I/O, including two banks of optical I/O, plus word clock and MIDI. You also get an optical expansion mode, a footswitch input, a 3.9-inch front-panel TFT display with customizable metering, multichannel monitor control for surround workflows, and Wi-Fi control from your Mac, PC, or iOS device. Studios will be hard-pressed to find a more powerful combination of industry-leading sound, low-latency operation, workflow-elevating features, and comprehensive I/O than you'll get with the MOTU 828.
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As low as $42/month
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Highest Rated Reviews
828 kicks butt
the 828 does everything I need it to do and more with the quality I've come to expect from MOTU
Adam is OK too...
not joking
MOTU 828
This has the cleanest, clearest converters I've ever experienced in an interface. I have a Mac Studio 1st gen computer and I run LUNA as my DAW. The 828 interfaces with LUNA beautifully and everything works as it should. I communicated with MOTU regarding a couple of tech-spec questions I had and they got back to me within a couple of days - very friendly people. The CueMix software has an easy to understand GUI and works seamlessly with the 828 as well. I can't say anything about Windows because I don't use it - as for Mac, this simply works very well. You'll be creating music, not working on your setup.
Loving the MOTU 828
I recently upgraded my audio interface from a Presonus 32.4.2 to the MOTU 828 because of OS compatibility issues. After researching and checking out multiple interfaces I found myself going back looking at the 828! The selling points for me was the built in dsp with all the multiple ins and outs because I needed to be able to plug in all of my synths, drum machines, and outboard gear in the same way I did with my mixer! The loop back function makes it super easy to record information from the computer back into the computer with outboard effects added with no latency! The slick design is stellar with a smooth silky looking display! The knobs and buttons are super smooth and I love the A/B monitoring section! I love the fact that I can plug it into my new Macbook Pro and then move it to my older Imac because of the backwards compatibility! This is my first time owning a MOTU product and I couldn't be happier and for the price, you can't beat it!
Loving the MOTU 828
I recently upgraded my audio interface from a Presonus 32.4.2 to the MOTU 828 because of OS compatibility issues. After researching and checking out multiple interfaces I found myself going back looking at the 828! The selling points for me was the built in dsp with all the multiple ins and outs because I needed to be able to plug in all of my synths, drum machines, and outboard gear in the same way I did with my mixer! The loop back function makes it super easy to record information from the computer back into the computer with outboard effects added with no latency! The slick design is stellar with a smooth silky looking display! The knobs and buttons are super smooth and I love the A/B monitoring section! I love the fact that I can plug it into my new Macbook Pro and then move it to my older Imac because of the backwards compatibility! This is my first time owning a MOTU product and for the price you can't beat it! Also the sound is amazing and I can't be happier!
Perfect timing.
Perfect timing from MOTU. Sold my Apollo 2nd Gen during Covid for ultra portable M4. Find Julian Krause's wonderfully objective technical reviews. Planned on moving to the MOTU Ultralite mk5 but held off and glad I did. New 2024 828 checks every box on the list. Paired with an Audient ASP800 and have compact mobile rig with 10 very high quality pres, excellent I/O features, industry leading specs, test results to back it all up and NO hardware dependent software for 2/3rds the cost of an Apollo X6 alone with 2 mic pres. Cuemix on the iPad is just great too. Highly recommended.
Upgraded My Sound
I took a chance ordering the new unreviewed model 828 after much research.
It's still early days, but the sound is superb relative to my 13-year-old Focusrite Liquid 56, as one might expect. I think both the DAC and the headphone amp are much improved over the old unit. The sound has more detail and depth than previously. Substantially more.
The build quality is impressive and the unit has heft. The knobs have a solid, smooth feel. The display is stellar. DSP effects sound good. If it was a car, I'd say Lexus.
I got twisted around a bit in the Cuemix software, which is not really that complicated, but I misunderstood some aspects with regard to the onboard DSP effects after reading the manual. A note to Motu customer support was responded to same day and set me straight. That means a lot to me as a customer.
With a sophisticated unit such as this, one hopes it will last for the duration. With a new PC build and the 828, my DAW time is much nicer.
Quite pleased at this juncture.
