MOTU UltraLite AVB 18x18 USB Audio Interface with DSP Mixing, Wi-Fi Control and Audio Networking

The latest in MOTU's popular, award-winning UltraLite interface series, the UltraLite AVB is an 18-input, 18-output audio interface with DSP mixing, Wi-Fi control, AVB audio networking and best-in-class analog audio quality for on-the-go mobile audio recording.

36 simultaneous audio channels
The most I/O ever offered in the UltraLite series. You get 2 mic inputs, 2 guitar inputs, 6 line inputs, 8 line outputs, headphone out and 8-channel optical I/O for a total of 18 inputs and 18 outputs, simultaneously. The optical ports also support stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF).

Best-in-class analog audio quality
Performance suitable for the most demanding situations. The UltraLite AVB sets a new standard for analog audio performance in a mobile audio interface. The eight balanced analog outputs deliver a stunning 117 dB dynamic range. This level of measured performance had previously only been available in audio interfaces that cost thousands of dollars.

Universal connectivity
Class compliant USB 2.0 plus audio over Ethernet. The UltraLite AVB connects to your computer with audio class compliant hi-speed USB 2.0 (compatible with USB 3.0 and iOS) for across-the-board compatibility now and in the future. Alternately, if you have a Mac running OS X Yosemite (10.10) or later, you can use a standard Ethernet cable for operation as an audio interface. Either way, the UltraLite AVB is compatible with all audio software.

DSP-powered mixing
Console-style mixing with 48 channels and 12 busses. The mixer in the UltraLite AVB is a complete departure from earlier models. In fact, it's identical to the mixer found in MOTU's flagship 1248 and 16A interfaces. If you know your way around a large-format mixing console, you'll feel right at home. If you've ever wished to mix on a large console, the driver's seat is now yours.

Modeled analog EQ and compression
Vintage processing with 32-bit float precision. British analog mixing consoles are renowned for their musical EQ profiles. The UltraLite AVB meticulously models these classic EQs to give you the very same, magical EQ response found on these coveted desks. Each input channel also provides a classic compressor with peak/RMS operation. Groups and the Main Mix bus are equipped with MOTU's Leveler, an accurate model of the legendary Teletronix LA-2A optical leveling amplifier, known for its highly sought-after Automatic Gain Control (AGC) characteristics.

Web app control
Control everything from your laptop, tablet and smartphone. The software that you use to control the UltraLite doesn't reside on your hard drive. It's a web app served from the hardware itself. This means you can control the UltraLite's on-board DSP, mixing, device settings and network audio routing from the web app software running in your favorite web browser on a laptop, tablet or smartphone connected by wire or Wi-Fi to your local area network. Use any web client on any platform - Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android - as long as it shares the same network.

Stand-alone mixing with wireless control
Connect an Apple Airport or other Wi-Fi router directly to the UltraLite with a standard Ethernet cable and control the UltraLite AVB's powerful mixing and DSP effects from your smartphone or tablet, without a computer. Great for live sound mixing!

System expansion and audio networking
Expand your system with more I/O and Wi-Fi control. The UltraLite AVB network port introduces AVB Ethernet, the new industry standard developed by the IEEE for professional audio networking. Add a second MOTU AVB interface (1248, 8M or 16A) with a simple Cat-5e or CAT-6 ethernet cable. Connect up to five MOTU interfaces using a MOTU AVB Switch (sold separately). Build a network with multiple interfaces, computers and AVB switches using standard network cabling, with ultra-low network latency, even over long cable runs (100 meters point to point). Stream hundreds of audio channels among devices and computers on the network.

Comprehensive metering
View all I/O activity at a glance. The large backlit 128 x 48 pixel LCD lets you view all signal activity at a glance with detailed metering for all analog and digital I/O. Access hardware settings from a simple and convenient menu.

Quick Setup presets
Completely transform your MOTU interface with one click. The UltraLite AVB is so flexible, it can serve many roles - in the studio, on stage and throughout an installation. The Quick Setup menu lets you instantly reconfigure the UltraLite AVB for many common situations, from operation as a standard audio interface to serving as a network "snake" from one location to another. Once a preset is chosen, you can easily customize the routing grid and mixer settings to further suit your specific needs - and then save your own custom presets.

The UltraLite AVB Mixer
Large console style mixing from your laptop, tablet or smartphone. If you know your way around a mixing console, you'll feel right at home. If you've ever wished to mix on a large console, the driver's seat is now yours.

48 channel mixing
A flexible, dynamic, scalable mixing experience With almost twice the DSP power of MOTU's award-winning line of "mk3" audio interfaces, the UltraLite AVB mixer provides up to 48 assignable input channels. Seamlessly mix live audio signals from UltraLite AVB's physical inputs with computer disk tracks and audio streams coming from other networked MOTU AVB interfaces. Make input and output assignments in the Routing grid easily with one click. Instantly show and hide sections of the mixer with convenient sidebar controls. Each input channel strip provides a high-pass filter, gate, 4-band parametric EQ and compressor.

7 stereo aux busses and 4 groups
Control up to 12 independent stereo mixes. Create up to seven stereo aux mixes for monitor mixes and other sub-mixing tasks. Four independent mix groups let you control drum stems, background vocals or other input groups on a single channel strip with 4-band EQ and UltraLite AVB's MasterWorks Leveler modeled after the LA-2A optical compressor. The fourth group includes UltraLite AVB's reverb processor. Through Wi-Fi, multiple engineers - or even musicians - can control their own monitor mixes simultaneously from their iPhone or iPad.

Aux bus mixing
Long-throw faders for aux sends. The Aux Mixing tab lets you zero in on a single aux bus and control send levels with long-throw faders, just like hardware consoles that let you temporarily "flip" aux sends to the channel faders. Perfect for detailed mixing on any aux bus.

Monitor Mix/Solo Bus
Convenient dedicated monitoring. The Monitor Mix is specifically designed for monitoring. It can mirror any other bus or act as a solo bus for isolating all currently soloed inputs, aux busses or groups. You can, of course, create additional monitor mixes with the seven available aux busses.

32-bit floating point processing
Virtually infinite headroom. UltraLite AVB's mixing and DSP effects engine employs 32-bit floating point processing, which produces virtually infinite headroom for complex mixing and processing calculations, along with an infinitesimally low noise floor.

Modeled analog EQ
Precise and musical equalization. British analog mixing consoles are renowned for their musical EQ profiles. UltraLite AVB meticulously models these classic EQ curves to give you the very same, magical EQ settings found on these coveted desks. Four separate filters are available on every input, including optional low-shelf and high-shelf.

Classic reverb
An all-around verb with tails up to 60 seconds. UltraLite AVB's Classic Reverb provides three frequency bands with adjustable crossover points, predelay, spread and reverb lengths up to 60 seconds. Perfect for monitor mixes when tracking in the studio or for treating vocals during a live show.

Leveler
Finely crafted vintage compression. The Leveler is an accurate model of the legendary Teletronix LA-2A optical leveling amplifier, known for its unique and highly sought-after Automatic Gain Control (AGC) characteristics. The heart of the LA-2A is the T4 opto-coupler, a photoelectric device with almost magical (signal dependent) self-adjusting behavior that makes optical compressors the tool of choice for smoothing out just about any audio material, from vocals to bass guitar to full-program mixes, without destroying perceived dynamics. The Leveler's controls match the front panel of the original LA-2A: Gain Reduction and Makeup Gain knobs, along with limiter/Compressor buttons.

Gate and HPF
Gating and high-pass filtering on every input. Each input is equipped with a standard high-pass filter and gate module for removing rumble, environmental noise and other signal clean-up tasks.