Motu - 16A (2025)

MOTU 16A (2025) redefines the professional audio experience as the world's first Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 audio interface. Designed for Mac, PC and iOS environments, it sets a new standard for connectivity and performance. Its advanced architecture enables seamless integration into any audio workflow, delivering ultra-low latency with high-performance drivers.

For studio use, the MOTU 16A boasts the ability to handle 66 simultaneous audio channels, for unrivalled flexibility when recording complex ensembles.

Superior analogue quality, powered by ESS Sabre32™ DAC technology with a dynamic range of 125dB for analogue outputs and 120dB for inputs, ensures exceptional sonic fidelity.

Its 64-channel digital mixer with 32-bit DSP processing includes essential effects like reverb, 4-band EQ, compressor and gate, all without taxing your computer's power.

Unlike some competing interfaces that may require paid-for DSP plug-ins for advanced processing, the 16A version 2025 incorporates a powerful DSP for mixing and effects.

Intuitive virtual patchbay functionality via the CueMix Pro™ application simplifies signal routing, a significant improvement over the sometimes complex routing matrices encountered on other interfaces. In addition, A/B/C monitoring control features and talkback optimise the studio mixing process. The ability to use the DC-coupled TRS outputs to control modular synthesizers from your DAW offers unique integration into electronic production set-ups, a feature less common on competing interfaces.

On stage, MOTU 16A (2025) transforms into a stand-alone mixer with effects. Its sturdy steel casing ensures rock-solid reliability. Two Gigabit AVB network ports allow multiple units to be daisy-chained or an audio network to be built with other devices and computers via AVB switches, offering greater scalability and flexibility than many entry-level digital mixers that may have limited expansion options. In addition, Milan compatibility is planned with an upcoming update.

Full Wi-Fi control via the CueMix Pro™ app on tablet or smartphone provides essential freedom of movement for live sound engineers. The ability to stream live sessions via loopback channels is also a boon for online performances.

The new MOTU 16A (2025) features significant improvements over the previous generation. Aesthetics and robustness have been revised with a new, deeper and heavier steel case. Two high-resolution 3.9-inch TFT LCD screens provide precise metering for all inputs and outputs. The ESS DACs have been updated (ES9026PRO), improving analogue specifications including dynamic range and THD+N of line inputs and outputs. Connectivity has been upgraded with USB-C Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 universal (backwards compatible with USB 2 and 3). Two AVB network ports enable direct daisy-chaining without the need for an external AVB switch. The mixer is now much more powerful, with 64 inputs and 32 busses with 4-band EQ and compression on each channel up to 96 kHz. The CueMix Pro application is now available for macOS, Windows and iOS (rather than a web application). Finally, intuitive patchbay routing replaces the old routing matrix, and a Thunderbolt-compatible USB4 C-to-C cable is included.