MOTU
$279.95 Price may change
6 videosCaT
Works well, feels well made. Love that I don’t need bloatware for it to run seamlessly on Mac as well.
Use it with both my windows and Mac system to power two KRK monitors. Sounds comparable to my Scarlett 2i2 but looks and feels way better, definitely feels like the upgrade I needed. The screen is relatively redundant for what I need it for, but looks cool so can’t complain too much.
All in all, glad I purchased it.
Nicholas McNew
Fantastic audio interface. It manages to capture exactly what I want, while not getting in my way. Works wonderful with my kvm and switches devices cleanly.
Archer
While not officially supported, the MOTU M4 "just works" on Linux; no drivers required. As examples, MIDI keyboard control, EWI live line-in recording, and audio loopback with a DAW (e.g. Ardour) all function without major issue. My modest computer uses an Intel® Core™ i7-7567U CPU running Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS with minimal latency detected. It may take a little experimentation to figure things out, but the biggest hints are to turn on the MOTU M4 prior to logging in to the desktop and use patchbay software such as PipeWire/Helvum.
Rosa Iris
English:
The MOTU M4 4x4 USB-C Audio Interface has been on the market for years, and in my humble opinion, it still stands as the best in its price range, even surpassing the fourth generation of the Scarlett series. My RTL (Round Trip Latency) or latency is an incredible 4 milliseconds on Windows 11 at a sample rate of 48kHz and a buffer size of 16 samples – something truly impressive. The headphone output works exceptionally well with high-impedance headphones, and its components and preamplifiers are excellent considering the price.
This interface is the new version, as it is now assembled in China while the original was manufactured and assembled in the United States. The new version brings changes that enhance the build quality. I cannot conclude this review without adding that even after years on the market, this audio interface still boasts the best signal metering or monitoring with its LCD screen – simply fantastic.
Español:
La interfaz de audio MOTU M4 4x4 USB-C ha estado en el mercado durante años y, en mi humilde opinión, sigue siendo la mejor en su rango de precio, incluso superando a la cuarta generación de la serie Scarlett. Mi RTL (Round Trip Latency) o latencia es increíblemente baja, con 4 milisegundos en Windows 11 a una frecuencia de muestreo de 48 kHz y un tamaño de búfer de 16 muestras, algo realmente impresionante. La salida de auriculares funciona excepcionalmente bien con auriculares de alta impedancia, y sus componentes y preamplificadores son excelentes considerando el precio.
Esta interfaz es la nueva versión, ya que ahora se ensambla en China, mientras que la original se fabricaba y ensamblaba en Estados Unidos. La nueva versión trae cambios que mejoran la calidad de construcción. No puedo concluir esta reseña sin agregar que, incluso después de años en el mercado, esta interfaz de audio sigue teniendo el mejor medidor o monitoreo de señal con su pantalla LCD, simplemente fantástico.
Tyler P
I got this as a replacement for a Tascam US-1800 (16x08 but older) which was an 18 input 6 output giant that I thought I would need for recording a large drum set. After more experience, research into more minimalistic recording set ups to gain inspiration from on where I can reduce the equipment I really need and what is really important to have for really good audio I have gained some perspective. I can do a lot more now with these 4 inputs than I could 5 years ago with the 18 input. And that is partly because this interface is so amazing and high quality.
Firstly, the advantages over the Tascam US series: almost everything. Their own first party driver that is extremely high performing, low latency and perfect sounding. They are a USB-C interface which means way faster data transfer speed and even less latency. Add to that I now have a Thunderbolt 4 plug on my new tower, and it is even more high performance. Not to mention the insane build quality of this unit. It is not just metal but solid matte black steel and aluminum. This thing weighs almost as much as the US-1800 did.
For the features, this is basically the perfect interface for whatever you could ever want to do. It can be expanded via ADAT with the standard 8 input expansion unit preamp, or can be expanded much more with the custom MOTU system involving a PCIE card. This is why I was not worried about size even if I did decide I needed it. A Behringer 8 preamp input expander unit is like $200. Another thing to add to the stack and 8 more inputs.
The sound output and input is extremely clean and it is very much plug and play with their drivers. No Asio4ALL BS needed here. My stack is a Windows 11 PC with Thunderbolt 4 to the MOTU M4 to an Aune T1mk2 DAC to Hifiman HE-5XX cans and Mackie CR3 speakers. It runs both incredibly cleanly with the DAC tube amp and sounds clear, clean, mostly balanced and flat but with just a perfect amount of warmth from the tube pre-processing of the T1. Every piece of gear is being ran stock and unmodified as well.
Overall this has to be the best unit under $1000 if you count the M6 because no one else has all this value in a single unit. There are few other units that even support 32 bit processing like this one, so that with the built in LED color display for levels and the build quality and driver make this a flawless piece of gear. If looking for an interface this size for any budget under ~$1000, get this one.
Perry Walker
First let me say, this interface has great preamps and DACs. My problem is that I was expecting to get a wow factor coming from the behringer umc404HD; I didn't. The headphone amp on the M4 did not do as good of a job driving my DT990 250ohm head set; the behringer did a much better job. I also had to boost the gain on the M4 preamp between 2-3 O'clock to get the same levels as the UMC404 when at 12 o'clock. Initially the drivers were a nightmare to get working properly on the M4. The main reason why I got this interface was because I did not like the behringer drivers and DAC. The M4 driver in my experience is much worse. The best bang for the buck with the M4 are the transparent preamps and the DAC which sounds great on vocals and make mixing a dream. I've seen videos on YouTube describing the preamps on the M4 as being superior and more quiet than the umc404. But In my real world use they both appear to be just as quiet. The preamp on the umc404 aren't as detailed for vocals but they tend to sound better on bass and drums; this is just my opinion. Overall I am keeping both interfaces because they are useful for different applications. However, the price point for this interface should be $150 not $229 because it's just ok. No wow factors here.
Keshah Walker
First let me say, this interface has great preamps and DACs. My problem is that I was expecting to get a wow factor coming from the behringer umc404HD; I didn't. The headphone amp on the M4 did not do as good of a job driving my DT990 250ohm head set; the behringer did a much better job. I also had to boost the gain on the M4 preamp between 2-3 O'clock to get the same levels as the UMC404 when at 12 o'clock. Initially the drivers were a nightmare to get working properly on the M4. The main reason why I got this interface was because I did not like the behringer drivers and DAC. The M4 driver in my experience is much worse. The best bang for the buck with the M4 are the transparent preamps and the DAC which sounds great on vocals and make mixing a dream. I've seen videos on YouTube describing the preamps on the M4 as being superior and more quiet than the umc404. But In my real world use they both appear to be just as quiet. The preamp on the umc404 aren't as detailed for vocals but they tend to sound better on bass and drums; this is just my opinion. Overall I am keeping both interfaces because they are useful for different applications. However, the price point for this interface should be $150 not $229 because it's just ok. No wow factors here.
Conan
The installation video is a bit out of date, the M2/M4 pair have their own driver for my Mac Mini M1. When installing the driver, make sure the unit is NOT connected/powered. When the security window comes up warning about the driver's origins, I had to open the lock icon on the bottom left, then hit the APPROVE button. The video doesn't show this.
Note: MOTU Performer and Performer Lite do not work with MacOS Big Sur. If you need a freeware DAW, go with the Ableton Live 10 lite.
KIM Doan
I buy it from South Korea.
I play it nice.
Aleksey
If you want a sleek interface that's looks great and does what you expect - go for this device!
If you like seeing your input levels displayed with uv meter - go for this device!
If you want to record at 250kbps and have no latency (depends on PC specs, DAW and amount of plugin active) then what are you waiting for! This is totally worth saving up for!
Cool features such as uv metering. Input and output. direct monitoring with a push of a button on/off, headphones and monitor septate volume controls, its own power switch.
Anthony
This is by far the best audio interface I have bought for a windows system. It runs flawlessly and connected directly to the integrated usb-c port on my motherboard. Most medium to high end motherboards have an integrated usb-c port so connect it directly to it rather than using the cable it comes with (usb-c to usb type 'a'). Im currently running at 96Khz with 256 sample buffer. It's overkill but has absolutely no problems at all running at such a high sample rate. Youtube and gaming have no problems at this setting. Even more surprising, I am running with Dolby DTS unbound software encoding downloaded from the microsoft store. Using my reference headphones I get pristine surround sound, studio quality sound which blows away my gaming headphones. For making music with ableton it gets even better with 8ms latency at 48Khz with a 128 sample buffer size. This unit is incredible, probably the next best thing to a thunderbolt 3 UA arrow interface which I also own an use for my Macbook Pro. The display is beautiful and crystal clear. Though not packing the dsp effects of its older brother (motu utltralite hybrid) the unit makes up for in its solid build and knob placements which have a very high quality feel with adequate spacing. Also has a power on/off button in back.
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