Detail 01
Four XLR/TRS combo inputs with +74 dB gain, pad, 48V, and instrument inputs on channels 1–2
Lets the first four analog inputs accept microphone, line, or instrument sources, with front-panel control over gain, pad, and phantom power.
Product detailSKU #1500000468535
MOTU848 Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 Audio Interface
1/10
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Built to anchor high-channel-count recording, monitoring, and networked audio systems, the 848 combines 28-in/32-out operation with Thunderbolt 4/USB4 and AVB connectivity. Four combo inputs, eight line inputs, 12 balanced DC-coupled line outputs, dual headphone outputs, digital I/O, and word clock provide substantial routing scope in a 1U metal enclosure. Its front display, encoders, switches, and control-room functions keep essential monitoring and setup controls within reach, while CueMix Pro extends control to Mac, Windows, and iOS.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Tracking sessions that need mic, line, instrument, digital, and headphone connections from one rackmount interface.
- Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 monitoring setups using the interface’s supported monitor format and 12 balanced line outputs.
- Expanding audio between rooms or systems through AVB networking with up to eight linked units.
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Systems requiring direct 5-pin DIN MIDI connections; MIDI is carried over USB MIDI via AVB.
- Compact desktop-only setups that cannot accommodate its 19-inch-wide, 1U rackmount enclosure.
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
12 balanced, DC-coupled 1/4-inch TRS line outputs
Provides twelve analog output paths, including DC-coupled operation for modular synth control.
Detail 03
Two AVB Ethernet ports
Supports AVB networking and dual Gigabit Ethernet connections for linked audio systems.
Detail 04
32 mix buses and 64-channel mixer engine
Provides internal mixing capacity for routing and monitoring workflows.
Detail 05
~1.8 ms round-trip latency at 96 kHz, 32 buffer
Specifies the listed round-trip latency under that sample-rate and buffer setting.
Detail 06
3.9-inch 480 × 128 full-color RGB TFT display
Places metering and menu information on the front panel.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Confirm your system uses Thunderbolt 4, USB4, USB3, or USB2 for computer connection.
- 02Plan for a 19-inch-wide, 1U rackmount unit measuring 12.25 inches deep.
- 03Check MIDI routing requirements if your rig depends on 5-pin DIN MIDI ports.
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Can the 848 connect to an iPad?
Yes. It is USB Audio Class Compliant for macOS and iOS, and CueMix Pro is available for iOS.
02How many headphone outputs does it have?
It has two 1/4-inch TRS stereo headphone outputs.
03Can it be used with modular synth control?
Yes. Its 12 balanced line outputs are DC-coupled for modular synth control.
04Does it support AVB expansion?
Yes. Its AVB networking supports up to eight linked units, with each unit sending and receiving up to 128 audio channels.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsSound
- Effects
- Reverb, 4-band EQ, HPF, gate, compression (32-bit float processing)
2 detailsPickups & controls
- Control App
- CueMix Pro (Mac, Windows, iOS)
- Control Room
- A/B/C speaker select, talkback, mono, mute, main volume
1 detailsBody & build
- Loopback
- Yes, for streaming/podcasting
12 detailsConnections & power
- Outputs
- 2 x ¼" TRS stereo
- DC Coupled Outputs
- Yes (for modular synth control)
- Headphone Outputs
- 2 x ¼" TRS stereo; max output 13.3 dBu; output impedance < 1 ohm
- MIDI
- USB MIDI over AVB (no 5-pin DIN MIDI ports)
- Mic Input Dynamic Range
- 118 dB
- Output Impedance
- <1 ohm
- Max Input Level
- 0 dBu (w/o pad)
- Line Outputs
- 12 x ¼" TRS (balanced, DC-coupled); max level: +21 dBu
- Line Inputs
- 8 x ¼" TRS (balanced/unbalanced); insert returns on 3–4 dual-function as line inputs
- Mic Line Instrument Inputs
- 4 x XLR/TRS combo (with +74 dB gain, -20 dB pad, 48V, 1MΩ instrument input on 1–2)
- Power Supply
- Internal 100–240V auto-switching
- Power Input
- IEC connector
2 detailsSize & weight
- Weight
- 11
- Dimensions
- 19 inch W × 12.25 inch D × 1.75 inch H (48.26 × 31.1 × 4.44 cm)
26 detailsOther
- Total I O
- 28 in / 32 out @ 1x sample rate (60 channels total)
- Dynamic Range Line Out
- 125 dB
- Dac
- ESS Sabre32™ DAC technology
- Networking
- 2 x AVB Ethernet ports (16 AVB streams in/out @ ≤96 kHz; 8 streams @ 176.4–192 kHz)
- Ein
- -129 dBu
- Thd N
- -114 dB
- Re Amping
- Yes (with CueMix loopback to output)
- Mix Busses
- 32
- Mixer Engine
- 64 channels
- Monitor Formats
- Supports Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 monitoring
- Word Clock
- In, Out/Thru (BNC)
- Digital I O
- 2 banks ADAT (16 ch @ 1x), 2 banks S/MUX (8 ch @ 2x), TOSLink SPDIF (via ADAT A)
- Connection Type
- USB4 (Type C), Thunderbolt 4 compatible
- Front Panel
- 2 headphone jacks, 6 encoders, 14 switches, menu nav, main volume encoder
- Display
- 3.9 inch full-color RGB TFT, 480 × 128 pixels
- Class Compliant
- Yes (USB Audio Class Compliant for macOS/iOS)
- Gain Range
- +74 dB (1 dB steps)
- Consumption
- 1.0 A max
- Chassis
- Full-metal rackmount enclosure
- Thd N Line Out
- -114 dB (0.0002%)
- Computer I O
- 2 x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 (40 Gbps); backward compatible with USB3/USB2
- Sample Rates
- 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
- Product Type
- Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 audio interface with AVB networking
- Round Trip Latency
- ~1.8 ms @ 96 kHz, 32 buffer
- Max Level
- 13.3 dBu
- Word Clock Sync
- Yes
