This review is superior to all others by far. Doesn't feel like a sales pitch. He gets right down to showing actually useful data instead of sales jargon. Good stuff.
Been eyeing this interface for a while. Now I'm convinced of its quality. That's the respect I have for your journalism. Keep it up! Love the quality of the rear line inputs.
Hi Julian, You don't need to use Loopback to add processing on recording. You can change the setting "To USB host" to "Post FX" on the Input tab and it will apply all effects before sending to the computer.
I think he was inferring if you wanted to add the Motu input fX to your entire mix. Using loopback to bring the whole mix through two inputs stereo linked.
Do you know if I can record a wet signal with one set of fx while monitoring with a different set of fx? (ex: recording wet with eq only while monitoring with eq, compression, and reverb)
LUCKY! lol. I'm really wanting to sell my M4 because my fav interface of all time has been the Ultralite line. But I have to be honest, I don't need the extras the UL gives me ( but I want it sooooo bad!)
I was so waiting for you to do this review. As always, top notch. You definitely are the best audio interface reviewer out there and I know I have to enjoy you now before one of these big companies comes and scoops you up. Keep up the awesome work Mr. Julian Krause!!
I have this interface and its … just incredible. The only thing i miss is a second headphone output and I don’t love the headphone volume knob but theae are tiny drawbacks and otherwise its an unreal value at its price. The headroom on this interface is crazy.. i have not being able to make it clip and it sounds so good.
@@tuneunleashed latency has not been a issue - but I’ve had massive issues with the clock / stability when using this for a longer time .. I have jitters and dropouts on both intel and M1 MacBooks and a Windows HP desktop - so I’m actually not that happy with the stability of my device. I don’t have these issues with my SSL 2+ interface.
Thank you for another excellent review, Julian. I listened to this one on my Motu 2, an interface which is excellent value for money (as your review of it showed).
CueMix 5 definitely needs some feature enhancements on the EQ and Compressor side imo. And, for a portable device, should include the guitar tuner of the previous CueMix software too. I'm hoping MOTU will be working to enhance and build upon version 5 a lot more in the very near future.
MOTU is superb. Even the carton box were they come in like the vast majority of products (if not all) seems to be highly designed. For example I purchased the Strymond Big Sky reverb pedal, wich is great, and it came practically inside an unprotected box. It looked like a sandwich. I bet a lot of products start malfunctioning due to a carton box that does not protect well the item during shipping. It can also fell in the store from the display etc. So my experience with MOTU is that right from the unboxing you can identify without being an expert the quality of MOTU products. Is like a diamond inside some fancy case. And like if that was not enough they cost a lot less than other products than can not even match the quality of MOTU. 👍👍🏻👍🏼👍🏽👍🏾👍🏿
Wow. Thanks Julian. Looking at your table, the MOTU seems to demonstrate the best performance with no pink or red cells. This is exactly the review I needed to see.
Awesome review, thank you for the detail. I had it for few weeks, and yes the EQ is very limited, DSP is lacking and I wish they had a 2nd headphone output on it. Great sounding unit.
This is just an incredible product and another great review Julian! I'm glad I waited and didn't get the M4. Pretty sure this will be my next interface.
Great review, as usual; it'd be interesting to see the results of your preamp testing methodology on classic mic preamps like a Neve 1073 or API 312 (or clones/repackaging thereof).
I so thought and thought about biting the bullet in getting this one. And seeing your review of it gave me all the missing information that kept me from going for it. It would have been my dream interface. But it’s so much money just for a hobby. 😳 I ended up buying the MOTU M4 instead. And judging by my measurement of the dynamic range (~108.5dB) it turns out to be roughly the same as the M2, you did. test before, not counting production variances. And listening back and forth between the noise 8:13 (Ultralite Mk 5)and 8:19 (M2) the noise monk in me is the only one to react. 🤣
@@eranddroory9987 owned a Babyface in the past but the new MOTU stuff has improved over the years that you longer need to over pay for an RME. They make the same stuff. I have a MOTU 828ES in my rack that I use for my Hybrid mixing rig. You can sort of see it in My profile aviator picture on here. And guess what? I use Windows 10 and it's the most rock solid interface I've used to date. Focusrite was the worst in terms of driver stability.
What a great video - technically confident, nicely delivered and nice and short! Liked and subscribed. This looks like an excellent replacement for my RME Fireface which is sadly FireWire only and so won't work with my new Mac :(
Crosstalk is just measured for headphones but I wonder what the crosstalk is for line outputs when used for summing audio as it's important for clarity, depth and width.
Thank you a lot for this review! I'm really searching for alternatives to the Focusrite Clarett line since they're out of stock almost everywhere, and this new product really caught my attention!
I have 624. Can you test balanced and unbalanced output-input for distortion? Balanced with 2 stereo TRS and mic cable. In an unbalanced one, there are also 2 stereo TRS and a mono cable. I have ~ 40 times more distortion in unbalanced 0.00013% versus 0.00633%. The Motu 624 output has Hot and Cold phase distortion. On balance, they are compensated. No balance does not compensate for them.
I just got this interface last week. Glad to hear the numbers are as good as it sounds. The motu is to much easier to use than my RME but I am curious how the numbers compare
Great review! But I would still like to see a comparison to some RME interfaces, e.g. Babyface. Or are these above a certain price range and that's why you don't take them to the test bench? 🤔
Thank you for the in depth reviews. Very good work. Great interface. I miss a dedicated (bigger) Volume knob for the Monitors. I hate these tiny multifunction endless turning encoders. I prefer an analog Volume knob „with a start and an end of turning“ even if it means channel volume discrepancies. and am a bit dissapointed by the headphone amp values but you cant have it all. Still very good interface.
FINALLY got mine after 8 months of waiting in line on back-order. Sniped it in mint condition off a Reverb seller who didn't know what they had. Paid MSRP.
Really enjoying your channel. Without being an expert i feel like the most important thing is the peripheral build (like the analog stage-line in and output etc ect) and not the converters themselves. Having said that i was surprised by the noise on the Antelope interface. Jesus… Cant wait for 1) Spl Marc One, 2) Merging Technologies ANUBIS test
Was waiting for this one, Julian. Good review, as we've come to expect. Wondering which of the interfaces you've reviewed is your best overall pick. Have a feeling this one would be near the top. The Motu is a finalist for me, along with the Antelope GO. However, the number of ins/outs on the Motu is key as I have external equipment to patch in and this will probably be the deciding point, since Julian's check of the audio specs paint it as a top choice.
MOTU is building outstanding sounding and performing interfaces. However, they seem to have completely forgotten how to design a meter. 15 years ago they had no such issues.
Hi Julian, when looking at your date sheet 12:16 , is Channel Balance the respective difference of main outputs 1 & 2? I ask because I noticed my tascam 208i has that exact off-balance measurement of the master output, where left (1) is 1.9 db louder than right (2). Very annoying, just off enough to bother me 🙂
Hey, this measurement is specifically for the headphone output impacting the left right balance of your headphones. For the main outputs I haven't measured it. If your main outs have different output levels, you could try to compensate for that by simply turning up one monitor slightly to match the other one. Or if the Tascam allows in software, you might be able to slightly change the volume of one channel to match it to the other one.
@JulianKrause unfortunately they seem to share the same circuit (headphone/master outs) with no ability to customize panning in the software - which is why I'm going to get the ultralite mk5 so I don't have to worry about that (thanks for the great review)
Thank you for your reviews! I hope you reach 100k soon, earn more with this channel and review the top ones. Meanwhile you can review IK Multimedia I/O that was "made for guitarists". You could record a basic course about mixing! I would buy it!
Well I was totally wrong you do need to enable loopback to record your voice or an instrument with the real-time processing but I have to say the gate the Reverb and the EQ are really really good I'm just not too crazy about the way the compressor works the gate works just as good as having a 286s which I no longer need to use now that I have this amazing piece of gear and it sounds fantastic
AVB is not the same as Thunderbolt or USB that you connect to your computer. It's a Networking protocol for connecting multiple interfaces on a network similar to Dante. It's for large scale deployment applications which is only relevant to high enf gear. The Ultralite Mk5 also has nothing to do with the MOTU AVB Pro Audio line up. Different market.
@@eman0828 Not sure I understand your point. MOTU has interfaces with all three USB, Thunderbolt and AVB. Same as RME. Would be interesting to know how they compare in terms of latency and stability. RME is priced higher and I think a lot of people would like to know if there's a reason to pay more for RME.
@@cuba1956 I own a MOTU 828ES AVB myself so I should know. AVB wasn't meant to be a protocol as a computer interface connection. It's like Dante designed for interconnecting audio interfaces together on a Network with an Ethernet cable when deploying in large scalability. The Focusrite RedNet and Red Dante interfaces aren't all the different than MOTUs high end line of AVB Pro Audio interfaces.
@@cuba1956 MOTU offers better vaule. I personally don't think its worth paying 200% mark up on something that does the same thing. Both MOTU and RME support their drivers long term as well. If you look back at many of MOTUs hardware you will see that the original 828 firewire interface drivers were supported over a 17 year long period from the early 2000s.
Nice. Thanks Julian. I have been using my MixPre 10 II as an interface and am switching it out for something that can handle surround channels. I would love to see how the headphone output of the MixPre compares.
Did you test how this intergace behave when using a keyboard controller playing a VST like Kontakt? How should be latency with MIDI? Can you play a grand piano without clicks, noises or delays playing notes? Audio latency is not the problem. But MIDI latency is more inconvenient when uing VSTs instruments. Excellent review!
@@dub-funkmusicnation7366 yes. I suppose that would be a goog solution. But I use MOTU MIDI EXPRESS with lots of stuffs plugged in. So using multiple midi to usb devices is not the best solution. Maybe in the future with the new MIDI 2 standard.
just like interesting fact, at least in microbook II, the crosstalk issue is caused by sharing the same opamps for more than one signal at the same time :)
Short of a few idiosyncrasies, this interface is absolutely perfect. The numbers are ridiculous, from measured results to connectivity to price, even the size is perfect. MOTU really hit it out of the park here. RME and Apollo and Antelope and Prism Sound can go eat dycks. This is the interface to get.
I wouldn't say that. I had the option of choosing this and the Antelope Zen Q, which is $350 more. I went with the Zen Q. Why? Well the Zen Q current promotion has better AFX (over 90 real time effects for free), a free IMHO very nice mic (Edge Solo Large Condenser MIC $600), a free case and the full blown Bitwig Studio ($399) for free. In terms of value the Zen Q, if you're just getting into the game, is pretty unbeatable and really unbelievable. Now if you have a DAW and have no interest in Bitwig, don't need a mic and could care less about real time effects for live streaming then MOTU is the winner. For me the Zen Q was the clear winner.
Great videos, Julian, thank you! I’m curious about the headphone power of the MOTU UltraLight-mk5 versus the M2. At 300 ohms, you measured very close (0.3dB higher) to the MOTU spec of +14dBu, but for the M2, you got about 1.9dB under their +12.5dBu spec currently on their website for the M2, M4 and M6. I know manufacturer’s specs aren’t always perfect, but I noticed there was a small update to the M line since you tested the M2. It seems outside your approach to disassemble them, but I wonder if they made any changes to the power supplies in the M models, and if the UltraLight-mk5 is using a different headphone amp and/or higher voltage. How about testing the latest MOTU M2 and M6 (which has an extra power connector)? Just per the numbers, I think the M models will drive my 150 ohm 94dB sensitive headphones well enough at the moderate levels I prefer but since I’d like to do a lot of listening, not just recording, it’s a bit of a concern, as are some negative impressions some have posted regarding using budget audio interfaces such as the M2 as a headphone amp. I’m on the side of the fence of just getting it, but am also considering if I need more than two mic preamps.
Do you think this is a step up from Audient ID14 MK2 when it comes to what I hear on the outputs, especially when we’re talking about mixing? Talking about Resolution, depth, stereo separation.
Hi Julian. Thanks so much for the video, very useful. There is one thing I need to know but I can't see from the video: what opamps are there on the analog outputs?Because I need to see their specification to know what is the minimum impedance that can be connected.
Hi! thnx you for the incredible and professional review!!! My measured value of headphones crosstalk is -92dB (in RMAA) Why is that? Also you can get many more loopback channels if you connect the input and output ADAT (loopback for loopback )))
What's the best way to add a second headphone since there's only 1 headphone jack( for the singer while I'm recording ) Thank you for the kind sharing.
5:40 why not show also 96kHz values? don't remember last time I used 48kHz 6:22 this would be great to show measured with different sample rates, as the top end looks very theoretical 6:34 no RME interfaces? hope not just me would be interested, Audient Evo and Motu M series are quite noisy, so these numbers do not help anyway 8:07 if only Audient iD range had a (half) rack shaped interface :D 12:24 again, would be cool to see it measured with different sample rates, to see the effect of the AD low pass filter thanks for the video!
Hi, your reviews are terrific, thank you for all the hard work you put into them. Regarding the huge spike at 1000 KHZ shown at 10:30 of the video, is that something to be concerned about and can you hear it?
Hey, the huge spike is the 1 kHz test signal, that's supposed to be audible ;) The other peaks are harmonics caused by distortion but they are most definitely at an inaudible level.
Incredibly in-depth and objective as always. Still the best audio interface reviewer on UA-cam.
This review is superior to all others by far. Doesn't feel like a sales pitch. He gets right down to showing actually useful data instead of sales jargon. Good stuff.
That safety offset tip at 5:48 saved me so much time, thank you.
The audio interface review king is back!
Been eyeing this interface for a while. Now I'm convinced of its quality. That's the respect I have for your journalism. Keep it up! Love the quality of the rear line inputs.
Great one Julian. Maybe it's time for some Apogees, Prisms or RMEs to see if their high price matches the performance.
+1
Agreed!
I agree, because I suspect that most of the more expensive interfaces sell their brand. 0 distortion is 0 distortion
I just commented the same thing essentially, lol
Agreed. Totally
Hi Julian, You don't need to use Loopback to add processing on recording. You can change the setting "To USB host" to "Post FX" on the Input tab and it will apply all effects before sending to the computer.
Wow thats good to know!
I think he was inferring if you wanted to add the Motu input fX to your entire mix. Using loopback to bring the whole mix through two inputs stereo linked.
Do you know if I can record a wet signal with one set of fx while monitoring with a different set of fx? (ex: recording wet with eq only while monitoring with eq, compression, and reverb)
@@CSVO138 the interface would be processing a stream for each so i doubt it'd have the overhead for that
Also, not to forget it has DC coupled outputs which allow you to run modulating signals from your pc into modular synths or similar hardware ..
I just ordered this interface, essentially based on this review. Thanks for your work. It's excellent.
May I ask where you ordered it from, how, and how it worked out? Can't find any in stock.
@@jonathanjacobs1525 They're now in stock
Watched this one with my Ultralite MK 5 providing audio, haha, love this thing
LUCKY! lol. I'm really wanting to sell my M4 because my fav interface of all time has been the Ultralite line. But I have to be honest, I don't need the extras the UL gives me ( but I want it sooooo bad!)
Damn the MOTU-Mxxx line seem to be killing it. Got M2 and I am very very happy.
MOTU has always been on it.
Loved this review from the Starship Enterprise! Looks like this puppy is killin it! Wow!
I was so waiting for you to do this review. As always, top notch. You definitely are the best audio interface reviewer out there and I know I have to enjoy you now before one of these big companies comes and scoops you up. Keep up the awesome work Mr. Julian Krause!!
I own the Ultralite Mk5. Happy to watch your review becasuse it gives me assurance in my decision to buy.
Probably the best audio interface for running backtracks live!
Excellent review. I'm still using an old MOTU 828 mk3 and love it. With the exception of channels of IO, it's probably all I'll ever need.
A thoroughly super in-depth review Julian!! You helped me make my decision on this device, hands down!! I'm getting it!!
I have this interface and its … just incredible. The only thing i miss is a second headphone output and I don’t love the headphone volume knob but theae are tiny drawbacks and otherwise its an unreal value at its price. The headroom on this interface is crazy.. i have not being able to make it clip and it sounds so good.
It's easily the best interface u can buy right now, short of a few personal idiosyncrasies.
How’s the latency though cause I’m the measurements they don’t look too good
@@tuneunleashed latency has not been a issue - but I’ve had massive issues with the clock / stability when using this for a longer time .. I have jitters and dropouts on both intel and M1 MacBooks and a Windows HP desktop - so I’m actually not that happy with the stability of my device. I don’t have these issues with my SSL 2+ interface.
YESS been waiting for this!
Such a good review. All your videos are excellent man! Would love to see your review of the Apogee Symphony Desktop 🙏🏽
Thank you for another excellent review, Julian. I listened to this one on my Motu 2, an interface which is excellent value for money (as your review of it showed).
This is for me the best audio interface for a home studio amazing preamp quality
i am *most* impressed with your reviews, as well as your coverage of rew. you have earned a new subscriber :)
CueMix 5 definitely needs some feature enhancements on the EQ and Compressor side imo. And, for a portable device, should include the guitar tuner of the previous CueMix software too. I'm hoping MOTU will be working to enhance and build upon version 5 a lot more in the very near future.
And the ommision of a red clip light on the preamps is a real oversight.
@@joelonsdale you can see if it's clipping on the OLED display
@@ar_xiv No you can't.....you can't see it.
Any update so far?
That's what I want to see ,,a close up look of inside the interface, thanks bro ,I love to see, actual chips and so on,. Great video
MOTU is superb. Even the carton box were they come in like the vast majority of products (if not all) seems to be highly designed. For example I purchased the Strymond Big Sky reverb pedal, wich is great, and it came practically inside an unprotected box. It looked like a sandwich. I bet a lot of products start malfunctioning due to a carton box that does not protect well the item during shipping. It can also fell in the store from the display etc.
So my experience with MOTU is that right from the unboxing you can identify without being an expert the quality of MOTU products. Is like a diamond inside some fancy case. And like if that was not enough they cost a lot less than other products than can not even match the quality of MOTU.
👍👍🏻👍🏼👍🏽👍🏾👍🏿
Wow. Thanks Julian. Looking at your table, the MOTU seems to demonstrate the best performance with no pink or red cells. This is exactly the review I needed to see.
Love your Videos Man, you're definitely the best audio interface reviewer on UA-cam
Awesome review, thank you for the detail. I had it for few weeks, and yes the EQ is very limited, DSP is lacking and I wish they had a 2nd headphone output on it. Great sounding unit.
This is just an incredible product and another great review Julian! I'm glad I waited and didn't get the M4. Pretty sure this will be my next interface.
Did you get it? I want to upgrade my interface and I was thinking about the M4 or ID14. Now I think this is what I have been looking for
This Ultralite Mk5 with the DSP of the Antelope ZenGo along with the mixing capabilities of RME‘s TotalMix would be endgame audio interface level.
you mean Versus or OR? no point in having 3...lol...
@@massivebeatzz combined.....
Wow, what a refreshingly detailed review, thank you! subscribed!
Thank you so much for this. Superb analyses. My favourite is the headphones comparison table. Nothing speaks louder than facts and figures! Well done!
especially since the manufacturers always HIDE their true stats on HP outs!
Great review, as usual; it'd be interesting to see the results of your preamp testing methodology on classic mic preamps like a Neve 1073 or API 312 (or clones/repackaging thereof).
Very helpful as always. Please do Apollo Twin MkII!
Another outstanding review... Keep up the good work my friend.
I really thank you for amazing reviews you make, I always learn a lot from your videos, thank you so much again and good luck
I so thought and thought about biting the bullet in getting this one. And seeing your review of it gave me all the missing information that kept me from going for it. It would have been my dream interface. But it’s so much money just for a hobby. 😳 I ended up buying the MOTU M4 instead. And judging by my measurement of the dynamic range (~108.5dB) it turns out to be roughly the same as the M2, you did. test before, not counting production variances. And listening back and forth between the noise 8:13 (Ultralite Mk 5)and 8:19 (M2) the noise monk in me is the only one to react. 🤣
Nice, enjoy your M4!
Thanks a lot Julian! could you please review the new “RME UCX 2 “which in some ways is comparabel to Motu mk 5 .just a lot more expensive
also I'd like to see one for the Babyface Pro FS
@@ACDevastation I have it.. Awesome little interface :-)
The RME is very over priced by today's standards.
@@eman0828 in terms of stability and low latency its unrivaled. Did you ever own any rme stuff?
@@eranddroory9987 owned a Babyface in the past but the new MOTU stuff has improved over the years that you longer need to over pay for an RME. They make the same stuff. I have a MOTU 828ES in my rack that I use for my Hybrid mixing rig. You can sort of see it in My profile aviator picture on here. And guess what? I use Windows 10 and it's the most rock solid interface I've used to date. Focusrite was the worst in terms of driver stability.
I'd love to see a review on the MOTU 828es or MOTU 8pre-es
What a great video - technically confident, nicely delivered and nice and short! Liked and subscribed. This looks like an excellent replacement for my RME Fireface which is sadly FireWire only and so won't work with my new Mac :(
Dammit .. I'm buying one now haha great video
Please review and compare the new Motu 828 (2024)
the back of this device is insane
Crosstalk is just measured for headphones but I wonder what the crosstalk is for line outputs when used for summing audio as it's important for clarity, depth and width.
lo mejor en análisis de interfaces!!! 🤘🤯
Cuemix5 updated. You don't need to loopback to have the fx printed on the way in. You just press a button on the mixer. Cool🎉
Thank you a lot for this review! I'm really searching for alternatives to the Focusrite Clarett line since they're out of stock almost everywhere, and this new product really caught my attention!
Love the dry humour and delivery!
Probably the best interface right now
This is a great review of what looks like a great device. Thanks again, Julian! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Objective and perfect as always! This should be a nice upgrade from Motu M4, can't wait for a mid tier audio interface shootout!
I was waiting for your review since it came out
Awesome - I was thinking about lending you a 624 before, but this does the trick :D
I have 624. Can you test balanced and unbalanced output-input for distortion? Balanced with 2 stereo TRS and mic cable. In an unbalanced one, there are also 2 stereo TRS and a mono cable. I have ~ 40 times more distortion in unbalanced 0.00013% versus 0.00633%. The Motu 624 output has Hot and Cold phase distortion. On balance, they are compensated. No balance does not compensate for them.
@@Kolin4556 I don't have any measuring equipment, sorry
I just got this interface last week. Glad to hear the numbers are as good as it sounds. The motu is to much easier to use than my RME but I am curious how the numbers compare
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/rme-babyface-pro-fs RME is beating the Motu even at higher sample rate. Motu is really good though.
@@damithrijenkins8999 beating an old Motu maybe. This just came out, so you might have posted false info!
Great review! But I would still like to see a comparison to some RME interfaces, e.g. Babyface. Or are these above a certain price range and that's why you don't take them to the test bench? 🤔
Best channel for making good buying decisions!
Thank you for the in depth reviews. Very good work. Great interface. I miss a dedicated (bigger) Volume knob for the Monitors. I hate these tiny multifunction endless turning encoders. I prefer an analog Volume knob „with a start and an end of turning“ even if it means channel volume discrepancies. and am a bit dissapointed by the headphone amp values but you cant have it all. Still very good interface.
Ps: The Mk5 you cant buy in Germany right now. Not for 10+ weeks. I guess it is cause of the Chip shortage crisis ?
Thanks Julian we wanted to see some rme products please.
FINALLY got mine after 8 months of waiting in line on back-order. Sniped it in mint condition off a Reverb seller who didn't know what they had. Paid MSRP.
How’s the latency though with virtual instruments?!
I love all the numbers :-)
Really enjoying your channel. Without being an expert i feel like the most important thing is the peripheral build (like the analog stage-line in and output etc ect) and not the converters themselves.
Having said that i was surprised by the noise on the Antelope interface. Jesus… Cant wait for 1) Spl Marc One, 2) Merging Technologies ANUBIS test
Was waiting for this one, Julian. Good review, as we've come to expect.
Wondering which of the interfaces you've reviewed is your best overall pick. Have a feeling this one would be near the top.
The Motu is a finalist for me, along with the Antelope GO. However, the number of ins/outs on the Motu is key as I have external equipment to patch in and this will probably be the deciding point, since Julian's check of the audio specs paint it as a top choice.
wow thank you for rhis review ...amazing man !
I would spend a bit more for an RME UCX II over this. Nice review!
MOTU is building outstanding sounding and performing interfaces. However, they seem to have completely forgotten how to design a meter. 15 years ago they had no such issues.
Hi Julian, when looking at your date sheet 12:16 , is Channel Balance the respective difference of main outputs 1 & 2? I ask because I noticed my tascam 208i has that exact off-balance measurement of the master output, where left (1) is 1.9 db louder than right (2). Very annoying, just off enough to bother me 🙂
Hey, this measurement is specifically for the headphone output impacting the left right balance of your headphones. For the main outputs I haven't measured it. If your main outs have different output levels, you could try to compensate for that by simply turning up one monitor slightly to match the other one. Or if the Tascam allows in software, you might be able to slightly change the volume of one channel to match it to the other one.
@JulianKrause unfortunately they seem to share the same circuit (headphone/master outs) with no ability to customize panning in the software - which is why I'm going to get the ultralite mk5 so I don't have to worry about that (thanks for the great review)
Thank you for your reviews! I hope you reach 100k soon, earn more with this channel and review the top ones. Meanwhile you can review IK Multimedia I/O that was "made for guitarists".
You could record a basic course about mixing! I would buy it!
Well I was totally wrong you do need to enable loopback to record your voice or an instrument with the real-time processing but I have to say the gate the Reverb and the EQ are really really good I'm just not too crazy about the way the compressor works the gate works just as good as having a 286s which I no longer need to use now that I have this amazing piece of gear and it sounds fantastic
I'd love to see some RME reviews. Also, comparing AVB connection to USB would be very interesting to see.
I second this
AVB is not the same as Thunderbolt or USB that you connect to your computer. It's a Networking protocol for connecting multiple interfaces on a network similar to Dante. It's for large scale deployment applications which is only relevant to high enf gear. The Ultralite Mk5 also has nothing to do with the MOTU AVB Pro Audio line up. Different market.
@@eman0828 Not sure I understand your point.
MOTU has interfaces with all three USB, Thunderbolt and AVB. Same as RME. Would be interesting to know how they compare in terms of latency and stability. RME is priced higher and I think a lot of people would like to know if there's a reason to pay more for RME.
@@cuba1956 I own a MOTU 828ES AVB myself so I should know. AVB wasn't meant to be a protocol as a computer interface connection. It's like Dante designed for interconnecting audio interfaces together on a Network with an Ethernet cable when deploying in large scalability. The Focusrite RedNet and Red Dante interfaces aren't all the different than MOTUs high end line of AVB Pro Audio interfaces.
@@cuba1956 MOTU offers better vaule. I personally don't think its worth paying 200% mark up on something that does the same thing. Both MOTU and RME support their drivers long term as well. If you look back at many of MOTUs hardware you will see that the original 828 firewire interface drivers were supported over a 17 year long period from the early 2000s.
Love my little m2 this looks interesting!
I’d like to see a review of the IK multimedia AXE I/O. It’s an interface with input ohm controls and a built in reamp box!
Nice. Thanks Julian. I have been using my MixPre 10 II as an interface and am switching it out for something that can handle surround channels. I would love to see how the headphone output of the MixPre compares.
Hi Julian, love your videos. Would you consider testing the inbuild interfaces on analog mixers like Tascam, Zoom, SSL...
Great Review!!! When to review the Apollo Solo?????
Great to see another review Julian.
Also when AXR4?
32/384
Rupert Neve Designs preamp simulations
Hybrid Micpres (found in Yamaha RIVAGE series)
Lokos like one of the best interfaces if you look at the graphs.
Did you test how this intergace behave when using a keyboard controller playing a VST like Kontakt? How should be latency with MIDI? Can you play a grand piano without clicks, noises or delays playing notes?
Audio latency is not the problem. But MIDI latency is more inconvenient when uing VSTs instruments. Excellent review!
I find that using usb midi is better when using my drum module over cable midi hook up. It maybe a option for u 👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾
@@dub-funkmusicnation7366 yes. I suppose that would be a goog solution. But I use MOTU MIDI EXPRESS with lots of stuffs plugged in. So using multiple midi to usb devices is not the best solution. Maybe in the future with the new MIDI 2 standard.
This is so helpful thank you!
just like interesting fact, at least in microbook II, the crosstalk issue is caused by sharing the same opamps for more than one signal at the same time :)
Motu makes great gear. I love my M4.
Hello,
Can you tell me what you think of the Arturia Audiofuze which seems to have similar specs?
thank you for your work friend
now we need a review of the scarlett 18i8
please!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Short of a few idiosyncrasies, this interface is absolutely perfect. The numbers are ridiculous, from measured results to connectivity to price, even the size is perfect. MOTU really hit it out of the park here. RME and Apollo and Antelope and Prism Sound can go eat dycks. This is the interface to get.
I wouldn't say that. I had the option of choosing this and the Antelope Zen Q, which is $350 more. I went with the Zen Q. Why? Well the Zen Q current promotion has better AFX (over 90 real time effects for free), a free IMHO very nice mic (Edge Solo Large Condenser MIC $600), a free case and the full blown Bitwig Studio ($399) for free. In terms of value the Zen Q, if you're just getting into the game, is pretty unbeatable and really unbelievable. Now if you have a DAW and have no interest in Bitwig, don't need a mic and could care less about real time effects for live streaming then MOTU is the winner. For me the Zen Q was the clear winner.
Thoughts on replacing my RME Fireface 800 with this?
Hi.. Is Motu Ultralite mk5 significantly better than Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Gen 2 on the basis of Audio recording quality only?
Way better than the Scarlett!
Excellent review as usual
Please review Apogee Symphony Desktop and Merging Anubis Pro, thank you
I love your reviews! I wish you would do the Arturia Audiofuse Rev2
Great videos, Julian, thank you! I’m curious about the headphone power of the MOTU UltraLight-mk5 versus the M2. At 300 ohms, you measured very close (0.3dB higher) to the MOTU spec of +14dBu, but for the M2, you got about 1.9dB under their +12.5dBu spec currently on their website for the M2, M4 and M6. I know manufacturer’s specs aren’t always perfect, but I noticed there was a small update to the M line since you tested the M2. It seems outside your approach to disassemble them, but I wonder if they made any changes to the power supplies in the M models, and if the UltraLight-mk5 is using a different headphone amp and/or higher voltage. How about testing the latest MOTU M2 and M6 (which has an extra power connector)? Just per the numbers, I think the M models will drive my 150 ohm 94dB sensitive headphones well enough at the moderate levels I prefer but since I’d like to do a lot of listening, not just recording, it’s a bit of a concern, as are some negative impressions some have posted regarding using budget audio interfaces such as the M2 as a headphone amp. I’m on the side of the fence of just getting it, but am also considering if I need more than two mic preamps.
Do you think this is a step up from Audient ID14 MK2 when it comes to what I hear on the outputs, especially when we’re talking about mixing? Talking about Resolution, depth, stereo separation.
"they chose xxxxxxx for digital to analog converter, and it does not surprise me a BIT"! HAHAHAHA! That was fun!
A desktop version would be nice (and certainly a bit of a departure for MOTU).
Hi Julian. Thanks so much for the video, very useful. There is one thing I need to know but I can't see from the video: what opamps are there on the analog outputs?Because I need to see their specification to know what is the minimum impedance that can be connected.
5:27 "It's not the fastest that I measure yet..." So which one is the fastest?
Hi! thnx you for the incredible and professional review!!! My measured value of headphones crosstalk is -92dB (in RMAA) Why is that? Also you can get many more loopback channels if you connect the input and output ADAT (loopback for loopback )))
What's the best way to add a second headphone since there's only 1 headphone jack( for the singer while I'm recording )
Thank you for the kind sharing.
Could you do a review of the Audiofuse Rev2
5:40 why not show also 96kHz values? don't remember last time I used 48kHz
6:22 this would be great to show measured with different sample rates, as the top end looks very theoretical
6:34 no RME interfaces? hope not just me would be interested, Audient Evo and Motu M series are quite noisy, so these numbers do not help anyway
8:07 if only Audient iD range had a (half) rack shaped interface :D
12:24 again, would be cool to see it measured with different sample rates, to see the effect of the AD low pass filter
thanks for the video!
Hi, your reviews are terrific, thank you for all the hard work you put into them. Regarding the huge spike at 1000 KHZ shown at 10:30 of the video, is that something to be concerned about and can you hear it?
Hey, the huge spike is the 1 kHz test signal, that's supposed to be audible ;) The other peaks are harmonics caused by distortion but they are most definitely at an inaudible level.
@@JulianKrause Hi, thanks for the quick answer. :-)