Audio Quality

Equipped with the same ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC Technology found in audio interfaces costing thousands, the M4 delivers an astonishing 120 dB Dynamic Range on its main outputs. ESS converters also drive the headphone output, which rivals dedicated headphone amplifiers costing hundreds. Ultra-clean preamp circuits produce a measured -129 dBu EIN on the mic inputs. Capture and monitor your audio with pristine clarity.

☑ ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC technology for superb analog sound

☑ The same converter technology used in audio interfaces costing thousands

☑ Measured 120 dB dynamic range on outputs

☑ Measured -129 dBu EIN on mic inputs

☑ ESS-driven headphone output

Speed

The M4 provides best-in-class speed for monitoring live inputs (mic, guitar or keyboard) through your computer, thanks to MOTU's expertly engineered USB drivers, which deliver class-leading, ultra-low 2.5 ms Round Trip Latency (at 96 kHz with a 32 sample buffer).

Metering

When recording and mixing, nothing is more critical than achieving optimum levels. The M4 is the only audio interface in its class with a full color LCD featuring clear, detailed level meters for all inputs and outputs. Enjoy professional-level volume control and feedback to get your sound just right.

Loopback

The M4 driver provides convenient loopback channels to your host computer, so you can easily route computer output back to the computer, where you can mix it with live mics and/or guitar inputs from the M4 in your host software for live streaming or podcasting. Streaming and podcasting has never been easier and better-sounding!

A tradition of engineering excellence

Decades of award-winning product engineering for hit songs, mega tours, primetime shows and blockbuster movies goes into every MOTU audio interface. 

I/O

2x mic/line/Hi-Z guitar inputs

2x balanced 1/4-inch line inputs
4x balanced 1/4-inch TRS out
4x RCA analog out (mirrored)
1x stereo headphone w/volume
1x MIDI in/out

dB RANGE

120 dB dynamic range on output

-129 dBu EIN on mic inputs

CONNECTIVITY

Bus-powered USB-C
Compatible with USB Type A
Windows driver
Mac driver (optional)
iOS compatible (with adapter kit)

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Plug-and-play operation
Hardware (direct) monitoring
Independent 48V phantom power
Rugged metal construction
44.1 to 192 kHz sample rates

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

macOS 10.11 or higher
Windows 7, 8, 10 or higher
iOS 9 or higher

Technical Specifications

System Requirements

Analog I/O

Compatible Mac Software

The M4 ships with standard Core Audio drivers for Mac OS X 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 M4 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)

M4 Feature Highlights

• 4-in / 4-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

• 2x balanced 1/4-inch line inputs

• Hardware (direct) monitoring for each input (mono or stereo for inputs 1-2, stereo for inputs 3-4)

• Monitor mix knob to balance live inputs and computer playback

• Measured -129 dB EIN on mic inputs

• 4x balanced, DC-coupled 1/4-inch TRS outputs

• Measured 120 dB dynamic range on the 1/4-inch balanced TRS outputs

• 4x 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

• Built in the USA