MOTU 16A - Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 audio interface with DSP, mixing, effects and networking
The MOTU 16A is the first audio interface to deliver cutting-edge Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 universal connectivity for Mac, PC and iOS. Connect your host device with the included 40 Gbps USB-C cable and the 16A negotiates the fastest possible connectivity speed, up to 40 Gbps, with backward compatibility for Thunderbolt 3, USB3 and USB2 host connections. Thunderbolt and USB4 connections deliver an astonishing 256 channels of computer I/O (128 in and 128 out) at sample rates up to 96 kHz.
Renowned ESS Sabre32 DAC technology delivers 125 dB dynamic range and extremely low harmonic distortion. Analog performance is driven by decades of engineering expertise in audio interface technology.
Sixteen balanced/unbalanced TRS analog inputs and outputs, 2 x 8-channel
ADAT optical ports, and an independent stereo headphone output deliver a
total of 32 inputs and 34 outputs. Use the 16A for expanded analog I/O for
your computer, or as a flexible, comprehensive patchbay and mixer. Or both!
Daisy-chain the 16A with up to six other Thunderbolt devices, all connected to your host computerwith massive 40 Gbps bandwidth to easily handle hundreds of audio channels, 8K video, terabytes of hard drive storage, and more.
The 16A is equipped with a 64-channel mixer designed just like a large
format mixing console. The 64 inputs can take signal from anywhere:
the physical inputs on the 16A interface itself, audio channels from host
software on your computer, audio network streams, or even mixer outputs.
The mixer provides 26 aux busses, plus main, reverb, monitor, and solo
buses. All inputs and output buses provide 4-band double-precision
parametric EQ and a compressor.
MOTU 16a Specifications
Sample rates
- 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
Analog inputs
- Analog inputs - 16 x 1/4-inch TRS line in (balanced/unbalanced)
- Max level: +21 dBu
- +20 dB digital gain on each input
Analog outputs
- 16 x 1/4-inch TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled)
- Max level: +21 dBu
- -99 dB digital trim on each output
- 1 x 1/4-inch TRS stereo headphone
Digital I/O
- 2 banks (16 ch) of ADAT optical I/O at 1x sample rates
- 2 banks (8 ch) of S/MUX optical I/O at 2x sample rates
- Bank A switchable to stereo TOSLink I/O (optical S/PDIF)
Computer I/O
- 2 x Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4.1 (40 Gbps) Type C
- 1 x Thunderbolt-compatible / USB4 GEN3 C-to-C cable
- Compatible with USB2 Type A with a C-to-A cable
- Round Trip Latency (RTL): ~1.8 ms
Total audio I/O
- 32 in / 34 out (66 total channels) at 1x sample rates
- 24 in / 26 out (50 total channels) at 2x sample rates
- 16 in / 18 out (34 total channels) at 4x sample rates
Headphone
- 1 x 1/4-inch TRS stereo headphone with channel select
- Output impedance: <1Ω
- Max output: 13.3 dBu
Networking
- 2x Gigabit AVB Ethernet ports
- 16 AVB streams in/out at sample rates up to 96 kHz
- 8 AVB streams in/out at 176.4 or 192 kHz
- 1-8 audio channels configurable per stream
- Up to 128 audio channels in & out (up to 96 kHz)
- Supports 1722.1 for Connection Management and Control
- Supports AAF stream formats & legacy AM8-24 format
- Stream format configurable per stream
Sync I/O
- 1 x BNC Word Clock In
- 1 x BNC Word Clock Out/Thru
- Sample rates: all (from 44.1 to 192 kHz)
Front panel
- 1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output
- 1 x encoder • headphone volum
- 1 x encoder • headphone channel select
- 1 x encoder • menu navigation
- 1 x large encoder • main volume
- 3 x switches • (1) headphone mono, (2) menu nav
- 2 x 3.9-inch 480 x 128 pixel 24-bit RGB TFT display
- 1 x latching power button
Power
- Internal 100-240V autoswitching supply
- 50-60 Hz • 1.0A max
Dimensions and weight
- (width x depth x height, enclosure only)
- 19 x 12.25 x 1.75 inches / 48.26 x 31.1 x 4.44 cm
- 11 lbs / 5 ks