Thunderbolt™ 4 / USB4 audio interface with DSP, mixing, effects and networking
Audio Performance
Superb analog audio quality
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.
Universal Connectivity
Thunderbolt™ and USB connectivity for Mac, PC and iOS
The 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.
Audio I/O
66 simultaneous audio channels
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!
High Performance Driver
Ultra-low latency performance
Optimized drivers for both Mac and PC deliver renowned, ultra-low latency performance. With a high-performance DAW such as Digital Performer, the 16A delivers an astonishing round trip latency (RTL) of ~1.8 ms (milliseconds) over Thunderbolt and USB at 96 kHz with a 32-sample host buffer.
Thunderbolt™ Technology
Plug and play ease with massive bandwidth
Daisy-chain the 16A with up to six other Thunderbolt devices, all connected to your host computer with massive 40 Gbps bandwidth to easily handle hundreds of audio channels, 8K video, terabytes of hard drive storage, and more. Thunderbolt 4-compatible USB-C cable included (length = 2 meters).
Mixing and Effects
64-channel mixing with 32-bit floating point precision
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. Additionally, input channels include a High-Pass Filter and Gate. In essence: capable and transparent mixing.
Point-to-Point Routing
Patchbay routing and splitting
Using intuitive, virtual patch cords, you can easily route any source signal to any destination. Sources can be analog or digital inputs on the interface, computer channels, mixer bus outputs, or audio network streams from other devices on the network. Destinations include interface outputs, host software inputs, mixer inputs, or any other device (or computer) on the network. You can even split any single source (or stereo pair) to unlimited multiple output destinations.
Audio Networking
Flexible system expansion
Audio networking has come of age, delivering a world of possibilities. The 16A features an integrated AVB switch with two Gigabit Ethernet ports, allowing you to daisy-chain multiple 16A units using standard network cabling. Alternatively, expand your network by connecting an external AVB switch to build a network with multiple interfaces, computers, and ultra-low network latency, even over long cable runs (hundreds of meters). Each 16A can transmit and receive 128 audio channels to and from the network. Stream hundreds of audio channels among devices and computers on the network. The 16A is compatible with previous-generation MOTU AVB devices.
✓ Industry standard networking
Developed by the IEEE, Audio Video Bridging (AVB) is widely adopted across the pro audio industry, with no licensing fees required.
✓ Extremely low latency
AVB network latency (from point to point) is fixed at 2 ms throughout the AVB network, even through 100-meter cable runs, daisy-chained devices, and AVB switches.
✓ High channel counts
AVB supports hundreds of audio channels over the network, even at high sample rates.
✓ Network-wide clocking and sync
All devices resolve to a master clock with better- than-sample-accurate phase lock measured in nanoseconds.
✓ Long cable runs
A point-to-point connection can run up to 100 meters with a standard CAT-5e or CAT-6 cable, or much longer with fiber-optic cables.
✓ Guaranteed audio streams
AVB streams are never interrupted by other network traffic to ensure continuous real-time performance.
✓ True plug-and-play operation
Just connect devices and go. No IT expertise required. AVB is a self-managing network protocol.
✓ Flexible topology
Daisy-chain up to eight devices. Add one or more AVB switches to create a network that covers facilities of any size and configuration.
✓ Additional features
- The new 16A is AVB-compatible with all other MOTU AVB interfaces.
- 256 channels of host computer I/O (128 in / 128 out) via Thunderbolt or USB3.
- 16 8-channel streams for 256 channels of network audio I/O (128 in / 128 out).
- Each audio stream can be individually configured between 1-8 audio channels.
- Use multiple PC hosts on the network. Each host can send/receive to all devices and other hosts.
- Use existing Ethernet wiring. Just replace Ethernet switches with AVB-compatible switches.
- Shared operation with standard Ethernet devices like wireless routers, switches, etc.
- Supports 1722.1 for Connection Management and Control.
- Supports AAF stream formats and the legacy AM8-24 format, configurable per stream.
- Gigabit Ethernet speeds support many devices on the network.
CueMix™ Pro
Control everything from your laptop, tablet and phone
CueMix™ Pro is the consummate app for controlling everything in the 16A, including device settings, signal routing and 64-channel mixing and effects. Available for macOS, Windows, and iOS, you can run CueMix Pro on multiple devices at the same time and access the 16A wirelessly through Wi-Fi. As a 1722.1 controller, CueMix Pro can also be used to access AVB-related settings in 3rd-party devices on the network.
Wireless Control
CueMix Pro for iOS
Control all settings and mixing from your host PC or from an iPhone or iPad running the CueMix Pro app. You can even use multiple iOS devices simultaneously.
ADVANCED EXTRAS
Balanced analog
The 16A’s balanced I/O connections are well-protected against RF interference, AC hum, and other noise-producing environmental factors.
Optical I/O and optical expansion
Two optical banks provide 16 channels of ADAT optical at 48 kHz, 8 channels of S/MUX optical I/O at 96 kHz, with optional stereo TOSLink at rates up to 96kHz. Expand your 16A with other optical gear, or use it as an optical expander.
DC-coupled TRS outputs
All analog outputs are DC coupled. This means you can use the 16A to manipulate and sequence modular synthesizers from a host DAW using control voltage (CV).
Meter Views
Not using the optical I/O? Or any analog I/O? The 16A provides customized meter views for analog I/O only, digital I/O only and other combinations to best support your workflow.
Start making music right away with included workstation software, virtual instruments and loops
Connect the 16A to your Mac or PC and start laying down tracks with the included Performer Lite production software, plus hundreds of loops, one-shots and sounds from industry leaders Big Fish Audio, Lucidsamples and Loopmasters.
Performer Lite
Performer Lite provides everything you need to record, edit, mix, process and master your own music tracks quickly and easily. Plug in your mic, guitar and MIDI keyboard and start tracking with over 100 virtual instruments, dozens of effects plug-ins, guitar FX processing and much more.
100+ Instruments
Performer Lite includes over 100 virtual instruments, including acoustic and electric pianos, guitars, basses, drums, organs synths, orchestral instruments, choirs, world instruments and much more. Take your musical muse wherever it wants to go.
6 GB of free loops and sample packs
Performer Lite includes 6 GB of free loops and sample packs from leading sample content providers to help you start making music right away. From Performer Lite’s Content Browser, choose from dozens of musical styles, click to audition, then drag and drop in your projects timeline to build your track quick.
Since 1986, Big Fish Audio has consistently produced the highest quality sample libraries available. Over the years, their sounds have been featured in hundreds of charting songs and top film and television soundtracks.
Lucidsamples is a collective of experienced music producers and professional musicians that offers high quality samples and sample packs which are suitable for creating products in the most popular music genres. Their sounds are being used all over the world by many well known DJs, music producers and companies.
Loopmasters is the definitive “sample boutique.” Based in Brighton, England, this label has been providing pristine audio libraries for more than a decade. Content has been expansive and evolving over the years, with hundreds upon hundreds of royalty-free packs to inspire amateurs and seasoned artists alike.
