High-level recording with a superior hardware interface.

The MOTU 896HD FireWire digital interface is easy to use and quick to set up. Empowers your computer with powerful 24-bit, 192kHz audio. Provides 8 mic preamps, pristine 192kHz analog I/O, 8 channels of ADAT digital, and stereo AES/EBU. Adapts to studio or stage. With a computer, provides 18 inputs and 22 outputs, including main out and headphone out.

The 896HD includes the CueMix DSP onboard mixing feature, a flexible DSP-driven 18-input/8-bus mixing and monitoring matrix that eliminates the need for an external mixer or patchbay. CueMix connects all of your studio gear, including mics, guitars, keyboards, drum machines, and effects processors. Everything can be controlled from the included CueMix Console software or directly from the 896HDs front panel.

If you're hitting the road, just program the 896 in the studio with the CueMix Console software and then take the 896 on the road for portable mixing and monitoring without a computer. In the studio, the 8 channels of ADAT optical I/O, plus stereo AES/EBU, make the 896HD an ideal companion to a digital mixer. All digital I/O connections support standard sample rates up to 96kHz.

MOTU 896HD Digital Audio Interface Features:

• Activity meters
• Large 10-segment meters display all analog input activity with software-controlled peak and clip indicators
• Programmable meters allow you to view analog output, ADAT input, or ADAT output
  
  Front-panel input trims
• Independent control of input gain for all 8 24-bit, 192kHz inputs
• Each input has its own front-panel 48-volt phantom power switch
  
  Main outputs
• Connect powered monitors directly to these jacks and separately control your main mix and monitor levels with convenient front-panel knobs
  
  AES/EBU digital I/O with SRC
• Stereo AES/EBU input and output
• Built-in sample rate conversion allows
• you to connect 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96kHz devices, regardless of the system sample rate
  
  International power supply
• Built-in international power supply accepts 110-220V on a standard IEC cable so your 896HD can follow you wherever your music takes you
  
  Standard 1394 FireWire ports
• Connect your FireWire-equipped computer here
• No PCI or PC cards to install just plug in and go
• MOTU FireWire interfaces are expandable;
• the second FireWire port allows you to daisy-chain more devices without the need for a FireWire hub
  
  Word clock
• Word clock input and output for synchronization with a wide variety of digital devices or a centralized word clock source
  
  System meters
• Dedicated meters for main outputs plus programmable meters for digital
• AES/EBU input or output activity
• Clock indicators display sample rate, clock source and rate conversion
  
  Handsfree punch in/out
• Connect a pedal for handsfree punch in and out
  
  Volume controls
• Volume control can optionally control level to main monitors as well as headphones
  
  8 balanced outputs
• Each XLR output is individually switchable for +4 or -10dB levels
  
  8 mic/line/instrument inputs
• Neutrik connectors accept XLR or 1/4" inputs Plug in a mic, guitar or synth to 24-bit, balanced or unbalanced 192kHz inputs
• Each input is switchable to accept mic or line level signals, with additional front-panel trim or completely bypass the trim circuit with the +4/fixed setting
  
  ADAT optical I/O
• 8 channels of ADAT optical (lightpipe) input and output
• Connect a digital mixer, ADAT or additional A/D/A converter
• Also supports 4 channels of 88.2 or 96kHz audio ADAT Sync port provides sample-accurate sync for compatible devices
• Transfer multiple passes of ADAT via lightpipe with single-sample accuracy every time

Get professional with 24-bit audio power. Order today!

MOTU 896HD Digital Audio Interface

Write A Review

Average of 9 User Ratings

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

Customer Reviews

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

If Motu Customer support didn't stink...

Posted by a little stuck from Murfreesboro, TN on Feb 27, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Home Studio Engineer

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Alternative,Acoustic

If Motu Customer support didn't stink... this would be an unbeatable interface for home studios! I love the features, the routing, the preamps,the look and feel, and the sounds you can get with it! Everything about the unit is awesome except for when something goes wrong... I fell victim to the ridiculous 90 warranty issue and my studio was out of commission for 2-3weeks! That stunk! I've spent too much money to get out... I'll probably have to buy and 8pre or another 896hd just so when things go wrong again I wont be shut down completly! MOTU doesn't really seem to care much about their customers!

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

Worst Purchase Ever

Posted by Chip from Jamison, PA on Feb 10, 2006

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Drummer

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock/Pop

I was so excited to get my MOTU, but it turned out to be a nightmare. I only used the main outs for the first few months and it worked fine, but one day I tried to use the other outputs, only to find that they didn't work properly. After following MOTU's tech support advice, I bought a new firewire card and cable, and it was still broken. Then I had to pay MOTU 80 bucks to fix it, because their joke of a warranty only lasts 90 days. Horrible customer support.

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

Great interface

Posted by MOTUmann from winona, mn on May 2, 2005

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: active musician/engineer

Reviewer's Play Style: blues, rock, jam, funk

I've been using the 896 for about 8 months now and I am still amazed by the ease of use, quick setup time, reliability, and overall quality of this unit. I've used it with and without a mixer and it works great either way. I gave it a 9 for features because I wish it had midi I/O, but that's minor. This is a great unit and I plan on buying another one in the near future.

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

Using two MOTU 896HD units

Posted by Bluefin74 from Huntingdon Valley, PA on Apr 24, 2005

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Progressive Rock

I just purchased two of the MOTU 896HD units for recording with my band. Between my drum kit, vocals, bass, keyboard, and guitar, we needed a system that could record up to 16 tracks simultaneously. The 896HDs provide a tremendous amount of flexibility and capability. You can daisy-chain up to four 896HD units using a Firewire connection. The LED meters on the front panel are very useful, and the ability to have phantom power controllable per channel is really nice. The included software is decent, but not great. The AudioDesk application (need a beefy Mac to run it) has a lot of capability but requires a lot of time to learn. The customer support from MOTU is pretty average. But these units can do everything we need and then some, even if they are a little pricey.

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

I'm not sure I have a project studio anymore

Posted by If You're Listening Studio from Fulton, MS on Feb 1, 2005

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Songwriter with Project Studio

Reviewer's Play Style: Emo/ Electronic/ Alternative

I grabbed this baby (896HD) and a Vintech X73i, and I am starting to think I don't have a project studio anymore. The routing on this thing is nuts. I have a PC. I was scared of having trouble. I had the whole system up and running, playing back and recording in under 10 minutes. Only problem with the whole unit is the switches between line, mic and +4 on the inputs. They feel cheap. The rest of the unit is PERFECT. It is so sturdy. It looks great and the meters are priceless.

View more product reviews »

If you would like to write a review, please see our product review guidelines.

MOTU 896HD Digital Audio Interface

Read 9 Reviews

We're sorry, this product has been discontinued.