New Gear Review: MOTU UltraLite AVB

UltraLite AVB isoWith more I/O than previous models, the MOTU half-rack space UltraLite AVB has 18 inputs and 18 outputs that includes two microphone and two guitar inputs, 8-channel ADAT optical (switchable to stereo TOSLink), 6 x 8 balanced 1/4-inch analog I/O and MIDI IN/OUT jacks. Easy to throw in your backpack, this small interface’s balanced analog outputs have a dynamic range of 117 dB, and there is double the DSP available for the redesigned console-style software mixer capable of 48 inputs and 12 stereo busses.

The routing matrix allows for the intuitive patching of inputs to outputs, or splitting inputs to multiple destinations. The UltraLite AVB will also work as a stand-alone mixer with 32-bit floating-point processing and modeled analog EQ, compressors and reverbs. Now you can control everything wirelessly from an app running on an iPad, iPhone or Android tablet, smartphone and laptops running a Web browser.

The MOTU UltraLite AVB connects to a computer through AVB Ethernet or class-compliant hi-speed USB 2.0 (compatible with USB 3.0 and iOS) and records at sample rates up to 192 kHz. Through AVB Ethernet, users can connect another AVB for more I/O or connect to an expanded MOTU AVB network with multiple interfaces and computers. The MOTU UltraLite AVB sells for $649 MSRP.

motu.com/products/avb/ultralite-avb

Barry Rudolph is a recording engineer/mixer who has worked on over 30 gold and platinum records. He has recorded and/or mixed Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hall & Oates, Pat Benatar, Rod Stewart, the Corrs, and more. Barry has his own futuristic music mixing facility and loves teaching audio engineering at Musician’s Institute, Hollywood, CA. He is a lifetime Grammy-voting member of NARAS and a contributing editor for Mix Magazine. barryrudolph.com