Motu 1248

Essential Information About the MOTU 1248 Audio Interface

• Thunderbolt, USB, and AVB Audio Interface: universal connectivity for studio, stage, and hybrid setups.
• Up to 66 simultaneous audio channels with ultra-flexible routing and a matrix designed for complex setups.
• Built-in DSP mixing and effects: 32-bit floating-point processing and vintage effect modeling for comfortable monitoring.
• True audio network hub: system expansion and up to 256 networked audio input/output channels with the computer, plus control via Internet application.

The 1248: MOTU's Turning Point Toward AVB Networked Studios

With the 1248, MOTU delivers an interface designed as an audio hub capable of centralizing microphone inputs, line inputs, monitoring, headphones, and digital audio, while integrating into modern AVB network configurations. This approach places it at the pinnacle of an ecosystem focused on expansion (adding inputs/outputs via ADAT and network) and remote control, to build a scalable studio without rethinking the entire chain for every new need.

Who Is It For? From Ambitious Home Studios to Multi-Room Studios

The MOTU 1248 targets producers, engineers, and musicians who want an audio interface capable of handling dense sessions: multi-source recording, reamping, stereo synths, electronic drums, vocals, and guitars, while maintaining stable monitoring. Thanks to its Thunderbolt and USB connections, it adapts equally well to fixed workstations or mobile systems, while AVB allows extending the rig to a control room, booth, or another room, maintaining smooth mix control.

DSP, Routing, and Control: An Interface Designed Like a Console

Standalone Mixing and Stress-Free Monitoring

The built-in DSP enables standalone mixing with wireless control, convenient for managing musician monitors without monopolizing the session. The 32-bit floating-point processing provides ample headroom, and the vintage effect modeling allows crafting inspiring monitoring during tracking.

Routing Matrix and "System" Architecture

The 1248 stands out with its routing matrix: you freely organize sources (analog, ADAT, S/PDIF, computer) to outputs (monitoring, headphones, outboard gear, monitors), without being limited to a fixed scheme. Additionally, system expansion and the AVB network allow increasing input/output capacity and distributing audio across multiple studio locations.

Control via Internet Application

Control through an Internet application turns the interface into a "connected" device: settings, navigation, monitoring, and mix management from a browser on a computer or mobile device, provided they are on the same network as the interface. The result is a faster workflow, especially useful when the interface is rack-mounted or distant from the workstation.

Technical Specifications

Audio and Conversion

• Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz

Microphone Inputs

• 4 XLR inputs
• Preamp gain: 0 to +63 dB (digitally controlled)

Analog Inputs

• 2 high-impedance guitar jacks on the front panel
• 8 TRS line jacks (balanced/unbalanced)
• Maximum level: +24 dBu (digitally adjustable from +2 to +24)

Analog Outputs and Headphones

• 12 TRS line jacks (balanced, DC coupled)
• Maximum level: +20 dBu (digitally adjustable from -4 to +20)
• 2 stereo TRS headphone jacks
• Headphones: 2 assignable stereo TRS jacks

Digital Inputs / Outputs

• 2 banks (16 channels) of ADAT optical at sample-accurate timing
• 1 bank (8 channels) of SMUX optical at 2-sample timing
• Stereo RCA S/PDIF up to 96 kHz (with SRC on input)
• TOSLink stereo (optical S/PDIF) on bank A (optional)

Total Inputs and Outputs

• 32 inputs and 34 outputs (66 total) at sample-accurate timing
• 24 inputs and 26 outputs (50 total) at 2-sample timing
• 14 inputs and 16 outputs (30 total) at 4-sample timing

Computer and Network Connections

• 1 Thunderbolt port (compatible with versions 1 and 2)
• 1 USB 2.0 port compatible with audio, USB 3.0, and iOS
• 1 AVB Ethernet port (requires OS X Yosemite)
• 256 networked audio input/output channels with your computer

Synchronization

• 1 Word Clock input
• 1 Word Clock output

Phantom Power

• 4 individual +48 Volt phantom power supplies

Front Panel Controls and Connectivity

• 2 headphone outputs on TRS jacks
• 2 high-impedance guitar inputs
• 2 digital rotary encoders for monitor/main volume
• 2 digital rotary encoders for headphone volume
• 2 digital rotary encoders for guitar input gain
• 4 digital rotary encoders for mic preamp gain
• 8 switches: 4 Pad and 4 phantom power 48V
• 324 x 24 pixel LCD screen with VU meters and navigation menu
• 1 AC power switch
• VU meters

Power Supply

• International (100-240 V) with automatic interface voltage switching between 110 V and 220 V
• 50-60 Hz
• Maximum consumption 0.5A

System Requirements (Mac)

• Intel Mac 1GHz or higher
• 2 GB RAM, 4 GB or more recommended
• Mac OS X version 10.8 or higher
• Thunderbolt, USB 2.0, or AVB Ethernet port available
• Minimum 500GB hard drive for recording
• AVB Ethernet interface operations require OS X Yosemite

System Requirements (Windows)

• Pentium PC or compatible, 1 GHz or higher
• 2 GB RAM, 4 GB or more recommended
• Windows 7 or higher
• USB 2.0 or 3.0 port available
• Ethernet port available for firmware updates
• Minimum 500GB hard drive for recording

System Requirements (Internet)

• Any client platform: Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
• Any browser: Safari, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Explorer, etc.
• Internet clients must be connected to the same network as the MOTU AVB interface via cable or WiFi

Included Software

• Thunderbolt and USB 2.0 drivers
• MOTU AVB Discovery App for Mac (to identify connected MOTU interfaces)
• MOTU AVB Discovery App for iOS (available on the Apple App Store)
• MOTU AVB Control Internet application (accessible from the interface itself)
• AudioDesk 4.0 for Mac and Windows (separate downloads) digital audio software
• AudioDesk

Systems (Computer Audio and Control)

• For computer audio I/O: Mac OS X 10.8 or higher, Windows 7 or higher
• For Internet control applications: Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android

Compatible Software on Mac

• MOTU Digital Performer
• Avid Pro Tools (version 9 or higher)
• Apple Logic Pro
• Apple Logic Express
• Apple GarageBand
• Apple SoundTrack Pro
• Ableton Live
• Prop