MOTU M6 6x4 USB-C Audio Interface Reviews
Looking for a high-quality audio interface that won't break the bank? The MOTU M6 fits that description to a T. This 6-in/4-out USB-C audio interface includes ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC technology for top-shelf sound, along with optimized drivers that yield impressive low-latency performance. Four great-sounding mic preamps include individual gain adjustment and phantom power, while 1-touch hardware monitoring ensures smooth tracking. You'll also benefit from convenient front-panel metering, by way of the M6's full-color LCD screen. Podcasters will appreciate the built-in loopback functionality, which includes a mix knob for balancing your live input with your computer's playback. Bus-powered for the ultimate in portability, the MOTU M6 packs a lot of performance into a compact, high-powered audio interface.
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As low as $17/month
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Highest Rated Reviews
Good Sounds
The sound is very nice awesome interface.
If I had one request for MOTU, it would be if the channel selection when recording to Garage Band allowed the Main Out to be selected.
This thing is amazing.
Only had for just under a month. IT is a fantastic Audio interface with great sounding preamps and its own mixer. All I'm going to say now is this thing is it.
Good for home studio
I bought this to build a home studio around and also for the possibility of doing some YouTube videos or podcasts. I have yet to use for recording videos or podcasts, but have hooked up an external microphone and headphones, and have the ability to plug in my guitars directly through he interface. I have no complaints so far, the interface works as described, low noise, I have had no latency issues, but I also haven't stressed it with a lot of looping sounds back yet.
For me it works as it should and performs the functions I need and does those well.
Everything I need
I spent over a year in research in this category of devices, which led me to the decision to purchase the MOTU M6. Having now (10/23) spent about a month with it, I can see why it's been received so well by this community. The sonic quality is very impressive. Especially in the lows in which I've become accustomed to finding distortion. Not the case with the M6. Lows are clear and plentiful. Separation and clarity stand out from other devices I've used. It try to keep my songwriting setup as light, simple and easy to use. I don't want anything getting in the way of inspiration. The experience is simple yet satisfying. The MOTU M6 fits the bill.
A Step Up
Replaced my Focusrite Scarlett with this. (Windows) The focusrite drivers were subpar though the interface sounded very good. The MOTU drivers are fantastic...latency is a non issue now. The preamp sound a little more warm as well. All in all, super happy with this purchase.
always take good advice
I originally purchased a different interface that was a bit cheaper the sweetwater rep warned me that they're not the best but I did it anyway. Bad idea I called back like 2 weeks later and Zach my usual rep helped me get an exchange that was a bit more but very much worth it. The moral of the story is listen to the one's who know and don't cheep out it costs more in the long run. Thanks Sweetwater.
Very happy.
Solid build. Smooth knobs and controls, was recording in minutes. Great sound, very clean and open, very fast, low latency. A big improvement over my old presonus firepod. Even without the mac drivers installed much faster tan before.
Great sounding Interface for the money... But issue with first unit..
Bought this interface based on my current needs and the overall reviews for Motu interfaces. This is my first impressions and initial problem with first unit.
Initial problem:
* The first unit randomly dropped my Midi controller forcing a interface restart to reconnect. Problem could not be resolved, so a replacement unit was shipped. So far, no problem with replacement unit.
Pro's:
* Straight forward operation
* Clean natural sounding Pre's
* Nice audio Conversion
* Plenty of I/O
* Good Head phone volume
* Reasonable price
Con's:
* Really have to push main monitor volume on powered JBL's
* Having to replace unit because of failed midi connection
* Sound system pop when powering off interface
Overall, I like the unit post replacement. I also would like to give credit to Vinny in customer service, for his quick response and overall efforts to resolve the initial issues and getting me a replacement quickly.
Clear, articulate, and neutral
It's a very nice unit. Well built, functionally intuitive, and sounds great. It does exactly what I need without unnecessary bells and whistles.
It wasn't exactly plug and play with my new Mac Mini M2 Pro, it was necessary to download a driver. No big deal.
The only minor quibble is that all the inputs are on the back, and this makes frequent plugging and unplugging somewhat awkward. I do understand that to make the unit compact and affordable, some design compromise is necessary.
I don't have to think about it, and that's a good thing.
New M series from MOTU - M6
I needed a more compact interface for portable work. My older MOTU 8ch interface was just too big sometimes. The MOTU M6 looked like a good option. There are 4 quiet MOTU mic pre-amps and two additional TRS inputs. I does most sample rates up to 24-bit. I use it on MacOS with Logic Pro and have tried it with Audacity and GarageBand. It sets up easily yet does require the "optional" driver install to be seen as anything other than a generic USB (2ch?) interface.
Pro: 4 clean Mic-Pre amplifiers
Good compatibility
Uncluttered front panel user interface
USB-C powered with selectable Phantom power
Good compact size / portable
Full size differential connectors all around
2ch headphone output
Con: Only an interface with loopback, very limited mixing options
None of the MOTU digital graphical control options I know from my 8ch MOTU
I was hoping the 4 outputs would be more versatile
All in all a great product. It does what it needs to well. I am disappointed that it does not have some of the digital remote capabilities of it's bigger relatives. Being USB powered with 4 phantom pre-amps is great.
Problematic
I ordered this interface for the loopback feature. I'm an online music teacher and I wanted a simple way for the audio from Amplitube, my Midi Piano modeling software, and any other audio from the computer mixed with my microphone. For this the interface works nearly perfectly. It does send the computer audio from several softwares and the microphone to my students in Zoom well. However with specifically the amp modeling software weather directly in the stand-alone program or through a few DAWs (Ableton, GarageBand, Logic) the latency drifts. It isn't noticeable right after turning on the computer, but after the computer has been on for a while it will drift to about a 1-2 second delay and stay there. The only way to fix it is to reset the interface (powering off and powering on). I've tried setting different refresh rates, using different usb-c to usb-c cables as well as usb-c to usb-a. Nothing has fixed it, updates to the device firmware, updates to the software on the computer, nothing. I've even thought maybe the multiple software were having trouble competing for resources (despite my Focusrite 4i2, and AXE I/O never having the issue), and ran just one to test it and still eventually the latency issue persists.
It has been several months of frustration, and remedy attempts. I keep hoping a firmware or software update will fix it as the interface itself it sounds good, and has top. notch features for the price.
