MOTU M6 6×4 6-In / 4-Out USB-C Audio Interface

Manufacturer’s Description

Audio Quality

Equipped with the same ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC Technology found in audio interfaces costing thousands, the M6 delivers an astonishing 120 dB Dynamic Range on its main outputs. ESS converters also drive the headphone outputs, which rivals dedicated headphone amplifiers costing hundreds. Ultra-clean preamp circuits produce a measured -129 dBu EIN on the mic inputs. Capture and monitor your audio with pristine clarity.

• ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC Technology for superb analog sound
• The same converter technology used in audio interfaces costing thousands
• Measured 120 dB dynamic range on outputs
• Measured -129 dBu EIN on mic inputs
• ESS-driven headphone outputs

Speed

The M6 provides best-in-class speed for monitoring live inputs (mic, guitar or keyboard) through your computer, thanks to MOTU’s expertly engineered USB drivers, which deliver class-leading, ultra-low 2.5 ms Round Trip Latency (at 96 kHz with a 32 sample buffer).

Metering

When recording and mixing, nothing is more critical than achieving optimum levels. The M6 is the only audio interface in its class with a full color LCD featuring clear, detailed level meters for all inputs and outputs. Enjoy professional-level volume control and feedback to get your sound just right.

Loopback

The M6 driver provides convenient loopback channels to your host computer, so you can easily route computer output back to the computer, where you can mix it with up to four mics (and/or guitars) from the M6 in your host software for live streaming or podcasting. Streaming and podcasting has never been easier and better-sounding!

A/B Monitor Switch

The M6 is the only audio interface in its class to offer A/B monitor switching. Connect two pairs of monitors and quickly check your mixes on each pair with the push of a button.

Stand-alone operation

With the included multi-blade international DC power adapter connected, you can power the M6 when the computer is turned off (or completely disconnected from the M6). This allows you to monitor any live inputs you may have (mics, guitars, keyboards, etc.) without a host computer or iOS device needed.

A tradition of engineering excellence

Decades of award-winning product engineering for hit songs, mega tours, primetime shows and blockbuster movies goes into every MOTU audio interface. 

Highlights

• 6-in / 4-out USB audio interface with studio-quality sound
• Best-in-class audio quality driven by ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC Technology
• Best-in-class speed (ultra-low latency) for host software processing
• Best-in-class metering for all inputs/outputs with a full-color LCD
• 4 x mic/line/hi-Z guitar inputs on combo XLR/TRS
• Individual preamp gain and 48V phantom power for each mic input
• 2 x balanced 1/4-inch line inputs
• Hardware (direct) monitoring for all inputs (in mono or stereo)
• Monitor mix knob to balance live inputs and computer playback
• A/B switch to compare mix output on two sets of studio monitors
• Measured -129 dB EIN on mic inputs
• 4 x balanced, DC-coupled 1/4-inch TRS outputs
• Measured 120 dB dynamic range on the 1/4-inch balanced TRS outputs
• 2 x headphone out (driven by ESS converters) with independent volume control
• 1 x 3-4 switch for optional headphone monitoring of Line Out 3-4
• MIDI in/out (16 channels to/from USB host)
• Support for 44.1 to 192 kHz sample rates
• USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac (no driver required)
• Windows driver with 2.5 ms Round Trip Latency (32 sample buffer at 96 kHz)
• Mac driver (optional, for 2.5 ms RTL@32/96 kHz and loopback feature)
• iOS compatible (USB audio class compliant)
• Driver loopback for capturing host output, live streaming and podcasting
• Bus powered USB-C (compatible with USB Type A) with power switch (USB cables included)
• Multi-blade international DC power adapter for stand-alone operation without a computer
• Rugged metal construction (extruded case, faceplates and knobs)
• Workstation software included (MOTU Performer Lite and Ableton Live Lite 11)
• 100+ instruments (in Performer Lite)
• Over 6 GB of included free loops, samples and one-shots from industry leading libraries
• Kensington security slot
• Two-year warranty

Specifications

General

• Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
• Mic/line/guitar
  • 4 x XLR/TRS “”combo jack”” mic/line/Hi-Z guitar inputs
  • Independent preamp gain, 48V phantom power and monitor switch for each input
• Analog inputs: 2 x 1/4″” line in
• Analog outputs
  • 4 x 1/4″” TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled)
  • 2 x 1/4″” TRS stereo headphone with independent volume
• Computer I/O
  • 1 x USB-C 2.0 audio class compliant
  • Compatible with USB Type A host (*see power below)
  • USB C-to-C and C-to-A cables included
• MIDI I/O
  • 1 x MIDI IN
  • 1 x MIDI OUT
  • 16 MIDI channels to/from computer host
• Headphones
  • 2 x 1/4″” TRS stereo headphone with independent volume
  • 1 x 3-4 switch for optional monitoring of Line Out 3-4
• Phantom power: 4 x individual +48V
• Front panel
  • 2 x 1/4″” TRS headphone output
  • 1 x potentiometer • monitor vol
  • 2 x potentiometer • phone vol
  • 1 x potentiometer • input monitor mix
  • 4 x potentiometer • mic/line/guitar input gain
  • 11 x switches • (4) 48V, (5) MON, (1) A/B and (1) 3-4
  • 160 x 120 pixel full-colored LCD with input and output level meters
• Power: Bus-powered through USB* Optional multi-blade international 15V DC power adapter (included)*USB bus power available with USB-C hosts only. For other hosts, use the included DC power adapter. For iOS devices with a Lightning port, an Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter is required (sold separately).
• Dimensions and weight(width x depth x height, enclosure only)
  • 9.21 x 4.75 x 1.8 inches
  • 23.4 x 12.0 x 4.57 cm
  • 2.15 lbs / 0.975 kg

System Requirements

• Mac System Requirements
  • Intel Core i3 Mac or faster (including Apple silicon Macs)
  • 4 GB RAM; 8 GB or more recommended
  • macOS version 10.11 or later
  • (Optional driver requires 10.13 or later)
  • Available USB port
  • A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
• Windows System Requirements
  • 1 GHz Pentium-based PC compatible or faster
  • 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended
  • Windows 10 or later (x64 only)
  • Available USB port
  • A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
• Class-Compliant Support: USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac or iOS (no driver required)
• Included Software
  • MOTU Performer Lite
  • Ableton Live Lite 11
  • 6 GB of loops and sounds from Big Fish Audio, LucidSamples, Loopmasters and MOTU

Compatible Mac Software

The M6 ships with standard Core Audio drivers for macOS for compatibility with virtually all Core Audio-compatible apps, including:

• MOTU Performer Lite
• MOTU Digital Performer
• Avid Pro Tools (version 9 or later)
• Apple Logic Pro
• Apple Logic Express
• Apple Garage Band
• Apple SoundTrack Pro
• Ableton Live
• Presonus Studio One
• Propellerhead Record & Reason
• Steinberg Cubase
• Cockos Reaper
• Native Instruments Kontakt
• Waves stand-alone apps (and plug-ins, via compatible host)

Compatible Windows Software

The M6 ships with standard ASIO and Wave drivers for Windows 10 for compatibility with virtually all ASIO- and Wave-compatible audio apps, including:

• MOTU Performer Lite
• MOTU Digital Performer
• Avid Pro Tools (version 9 or later)
• Ableton Live
• Cakewalk Sonar
• Cockos Reaper
• Image Line FL Studio
• Native Instruments Kontakt
• Presonus Studio One
• Propellerhead Record & Reason
• Sony Vegas Pro
• Sony Sound Forge
• Sony Acid
• Steinberg Cubase
• Waves stand-alone apps (and plug-ins, via compatible host)