The M2 is a 2-in/2-out USB-C audio interface for Mac, Windows and iOS that offers
best-in-class audio quality, best-in-class speed (ultra-low latency) and best-in-class
metering with a full-color LCD. Record vocals, instruments or other audio sources
quickly and easily. The M2 includes MOTU Performer Lite and Ableton Live Lite
production software, 100+ instruments, dozens of plug-ins, and over 6 GB of loops and
samples to start making music right away. Additional features include two mic/line/hi-Z
instrument XLR combo inputs, individual preamp gain and 48V phantom power,
one-touch hardware monitoring, support for stereo monitoring, balanced 1/4-inch
DC-coupled outputs, unbalanced RCA outputs (mirrored), ESS-driven headphone
output with independent volume control, MIDI in/out, driver "loopback" channels for
live-streaming and podcasting, and USB bus power with power switch (USB cable
included).
Feature highlights:
• 2-in / 2-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
• 2x mic/line/hi-Z guitar inputs on combo XLR/TRS
• Individual preamp gain and 48V phantom power for each input
• Hardware (direct) monitoring for each input (mono or stereo)
• Measured -129 dB EIN on mic inputs
• 2x balanced, DC-coupled 1/4-inch TRS outputs
• Measured 120 dB dynamic range on outputs
• 2x RCA (unbalanced) analog out (mirrored)
• 1x headphone out (driven by ESS converters) with independent volume control
• MIDI in/out
• 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 cable
included)
• Rugged metal construction
• Workstation software included (MOTU Performer Lite 10 and Ableton Live Lite 10)
• 100+ instruments (in Performer Lite)
• Over 6 GB of included free loops, samples and one-shots from industry leading
libraries
• Kensington security slot
• Made in USA
• Two-year warranty
Technical Specifications
| Sample rates | 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz |
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| Mic/line/guitar inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS "combo jack" mic/line/Hi-Z guitar inputs Independent preamp gain, 48V phantom power and monitor switch for each input |
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| Analog outputs | 2 x 1/4" TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled) 2 x RCA (unbalanced) analog out (mirrored) 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo headphone |
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| Computer I/O | 1 x USB-C (compatible with USB Type A) 2.0 audio class compliant |
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| MIDI I/O | 1 x MIDI IN 1 x MIDI OUT 16 MIDI channels to/from computer host |
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| Headphone | 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone |
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| Phantom power | 2 x individual +48V |
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| Front panel | 1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output 2 x XLR/TRS combo inputs 1 x potentiometer • monitor vol 1 x potentiometer • phone vol 2 x potentiometer • mic/instr input gain 4 x switches • (2) 48V and (2) MON 160 x 120 pixel full-colored LCD with input and output level meters |
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| Power | Bus-powered through USB |
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| Dimensions and weight | (width x depth x height, enclosure only) 7.5 x 4.25 x 1.75 inches 19.05 x 10.8 x 4.5 cm 1.35 lbs / 0.61 kg |
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System Requirements
| Mac System Requirements | 1 GHz Intel-based Mac or faster 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended macOS version 10.11 or later Available USB port A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording) |
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| Windows System Requirements | 1 GHz Pentium-based PC compatible or faster 2 GB RAM; 4 GB or more recommended Windows 7, 8 or 10 Available USB port A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording) |
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| Class-Compliant Support | USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac or iOS (no driver required) |
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| Included Software | MOTU Performer Lite Ableton Live 10 Lite 6GB of loops and sounds from Big Fish Audio, LucidSamples, Loopmasters and MOTU |
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| Operating Systems | macOS 10.11 or later; Windows 7 or later |
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Analog I/O
| Connector type | Dynamic range (A-weighted) | THD+N (unweighted) | Max level |
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| Line Output | 1/4" TRS, balanced, tip hot | 120dB | -110dB | +16dBu |
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| Mic input | XLR, balanced, pin 2 hot | 115dB | -129dBu EIN | +10dBu (at minimum gain) |
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| Phones | 1/4", TRS stereo | 115dB | -110dB | +12.5dBu |
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Compatible Mac Software
The M2 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 M2 ships with standard ASIO and Wave drivers for Windows 7, 8 and 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)
