MOTU M2

376

2-Channel USB C Audio Interface

  • 24-Bit / 192 kHz AD/DA converter
  • 2 Microphone preamps with individually switchable +48 V phantom power on each one
  • 2 Line inputs: 6.3 mm XLR / Jack Combo (switchable to Hi-Z instrument input)
  • 2 Line outputs: 6.3 mm Balanced jack
  • 2 Unbalanced outputs (mirrored): RCA
  • Stereo headphone output: 6.3 mm Jack
  • MIDI input/output
  • Loopback feature
  • LCD level meter
  • Includes MOTU Performer Lite, Ableton Live Lite, and 6 GB of loops and samples
Available since November 2019
Item number 478035
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Recording / Playback Channels 2x2
Number of Mic Inputs 2
Number of Line Inputs 2
Instrument Inputs 2
Number of Line Outs 2
Headphone Outs 1
Phantom power Yes
Number of S/PDIF Connectors 0
Number of ADAT Connectors 0
Numer of AES/EBU Connectors 0
Number of MADI Connectors 0
Ethernet 0
Other Connectors No
MIDI interface Yes
Word Clock No
Max. sample rate (kHz) 192 kHz
Max. resolution in bit 24 bit
USB Bus-Powered Yes
Incl. power supply No
USB Version 2.0
Width in mm 191 mm
Depth in mm 108 mm
Height in mm 45 mm
Connection Format USB port Type C
Included in delivery USB cable
Zero latency monitoring 1
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$211
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Excellent sound

MOTU is known for its high-quality interfaces and converters in the mid-to-high price range. With its M series, however, the US manufacturer is venturing into the competitive interface price range of around 200 euros. The MOTU M2 is the two-channel variant of the M series USB interface and is designed to be extremely handy and light. The high-resolution display, which shows the input and output levels in detail, immediately catches the eye. Even so, the main focus of the MOTU M2 is not on fancy features or complex software, but solely on delivering excellent sound at an affordable price.

Inputs on the MOTU M2 2-Channel USB C Audio Interface

No frills - no fuss

On the front, the MOTU M2 is equipped with two microphone inputs, which are designed as XLR/jack combo sockets so that both line-level and instrument signals can also be processed. The preamps deliver a maximum gain of up to 60dB. Of course, both channels can supply a microphone with 48V phantom power and the channels can be individually switched to direct monitoring. Two dual outputs are provided on the back, so that each channel has a TRS line out and an RCA. Finally, there is also a MIDI interface - the MOTU M2 does not require any frills at all.

Connections on the MOTU M2 2-Channel USB C Audio Interface

Lightning fast

The heart of the MOTU M2 are its ESS Sabre32 Ultra converters, the same ones found in much more expensive interfaces such as the Apogee Symphony. They offer a dynamic range and an extremely low level of background noise that has never before been available in this price range. And last but not least, MOTU has outdone itself with the USB driver: The driver enables a round trip latency of less than 2ms, which is incredible for a USB interface. You almost don't have to resort to direct monitoring anymore. The MOTU M2 is primarily aimed at musicians and producers who want an uncompromising sound without having to shell out a fortune.

Monitor volume control on the MOTU M2 2-Channel USB C Audio Interface

About MOTU

The US manufacturer of digital audio hardware from Cambridge, Massachusetts, was founded in 1981 and since then has continued to generate attention for its sophisticated and innovative concepts. The company’s range includes USB, Thunderbolt, and network audio interfaces, MIDI interfaces, video hardware, and the popular MOTU Digital Performer DAW software. MOTU also developed “Mouse Stampede”, one of the first arcade games for the Apple Macintosh, in 1984. In short, MOTU represents good-quality, reliable products with a great deal of creativity and wit, which usually come at a very fair price.

MOTU M2 2-Channel USB C Audio Interface

Everything you need

The MOTU M2 is a truly versatile interface. Due to its low latency and excellent sound, it is extremely well-suited for vocal recordings at home or on the go. But the M2 is also a reliable partner in live situations, for playing backing tracks and software instruments, or looping an instrument live through a DAW. In addition, it is a real eye-catcher with its large, bright display - a solid, fast interface with everything you need. There is not much more to say, except that the performance is extremely good and the price is fair. If you’re looking for an affordable interface, the M2 should definitely be on your radar.

376 Customer ratings

4.7 / 5

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283 Reviews

D
motu 2 - my 1st loveа
DALMNESVET 19.01.2022
Заказал в Москву 13 января в ночь на 14е, 19го утром уже получил посылочку с гитарой(ups express). Сразу коротко и ясно отзыв об
этой великолепной карте:
-Сборка высшего качества, крутилки, разъемы - все безупречно.
-Удобство установки - все ок на мак(ос монтерей)
- Звук СУПЕР(всё громко и чётко). Гитару пишет превосходно, звук шикарен, просто идеал.
-соотношение цена/качество прекрасное

Спасибо Thomann !
Я счастлив
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Quality Compact Budget 2-Input Interface
DrCheese 29.02.2024
I was looking for really compact, transportable, bus-powered interface with very low-noise mic preamps and a decent headphone amp and the MOTU M2 fulfils that. I was not interested in on-board processing such as Air mode (Focusrite) or 4k (SSL) as all of that can be done in the DAW. After some use it is still almost all positives but I will list the couple of things that hold it back from being perfect... for me.

POSITIVES:
- smaller dimensions that the direct competitors
- very clean mic preamps (-129dBu EIN)
- decent amount of gain (60dB), although less than the Focusrite 2i2 4th gen which has 69dB.
- gorgeous screen with detailed coloured level meters for both inputs and outputs
- bus powered
- powerful and transparent and noiseless-sounding headphone amp, even with relatively high-impedance headphones
- built-in 5-pin MIDI in and out
- good build quality. Some reviews have highlighted some lateral movement in the dials - mine doesn't do this so maybe MOTU has addressed this
- switchable 48V phantom power on *each* channel
- nice rubber feet - won't slide around the desk
- loop back (see caveat below)

NEGATIVES:
- there doesn't seem to be any way to gang the gain levels for channels 1 and 2. This would be important for stereo recording in XY, ORTF etc. This is one area where I think the Focusrite 2i2 has an advantage

MINOR
- loop back only appears as additional inputs within a DAW. What this means is that once the MOTU driver is installed, device software inputs 1 and 2 are whatever is plugged into physical inputs 1 and 2 on the M2 only, device software inputs 3 and 4 is the looped back stereo sound received from the computer into the M2, and device software inputs 5 and 6 are a mix of both the physical inputs and the looped back computer audio. This is quite a flexible arrangement when working in a DAW but when using something with less flexibility such as Audacity or OBS this can be an added complication. I am coming from Zoom's implementation of loopback where it is a switch made on the hardware which them simply mixes the loopbacked audio in with the hardware inputs (like inputs 5 & 6 on the M2). This has always been sufficient flexibility for me.
- bundled USB cable a bit short
- no dB indications on meters
- hard to see the benefit of the 32-bit float implementation on the M2. It is not like the implementations on field recorders like the Zoom F series or the Sound Devices Mix Pre series where it removes the possibility of clipping the sound file. You still need to watch you gain setting; exceeding 0dBFS results in clipped audio. I think the converters are just 24 bit and then this is converted to 32-bit format.

In summary, a great little budget interface which I can recommend.
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great sound for the money
elshaary 10.03.2022
the motu m2 has very nice sound , with really nice preamps that are very transparent even with very demanding acoustic instruments from central asia . all in all its very good interface for home recordings and on the go.

i would have liked to see dsp fx with it , but that wasn't the case. its solid , good sound , nice screen , good build. suitable for home studios and on the go.
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Powerful yet portable
Oxonian 12.02.2022
First time using this portable Motu interface and I'm pleasantly surprised. I used to own the MK3 years ago and the quality was outstanding. The M2 is very similar in quality. I listened to some of my recordings with my previous audio interface and they sounded appalling! Once I re-recorded the instruments using the M2, the quality was significantly better. I would definitely recommend this device to anyone who wants to put together a small-scale home studio.
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