MOTU MicroBook II Studio Grade USB Audio Interface for Personal Recording

The MOTU MicroBook II Studio Grade USB Audio Interface is a roadworthy, pocket-sized audio interface that delivers professional quality recordings for musicians on the go. Simply plug in your microphone, guitar, keyboard or any other instrument and record up to four simultaneous tracks. You can also connect portable audio devices for rehearsing or sampling.

The bus-powered MicroBook II includes all the features of the original MicroBook and adds hands-on volume control, USB 2.0 connectivity for low-latency performance, six outputs, an XLR mic input and support for 96 kHz recording and playback. Tracks can be mixed with the included CueMix FX software and DSP-powered effects which include a multi-band EQ and compressor.

The audio mixer allows you to mix live inputs (voice, guitar, keys, etc.) with your host software playback tracks. With the 1/4" stereo outputs, 96 kHz digital S/PDIF and stereo-mini output jacks, the MicroBook II allows you to monitor live and recorded tracks in most any way you choose.

Edit and finalize your recording with the included AudioDesk software. A wealth of tools for audio analysis and diagnostics are provided along with drivers for multi-platform compatibility on both Mac and Windows. From on-the-go remote recording, to personal studio production, to laptop-based DJing and remixing, the MicroBook delivers professional quality audio and advanced features in a highly compact form factor.

A complete solution
The MicroBook II provides simultaneous inputs for a microphone, a guitar and a keyboard or other stereo line level device. The mic preamp delivers neutral coloration and pristine sound, with 20 dB pad and 48V phantom power for condenser mics. Programmable outputs provide flexible monitoring options.

Ultra-compact size
The MicroBook II is an impressively small 5.5 by 3.6 by 1.25 inches, which means that it slides easily into your backpack or a large pocket. It also sits nicely next to your laptop or desktop computer.

Studio-grade sound
The MicroBook II has been engineered with MOTU's renowned, award-winning audio interface technology, which delivers the uncompromising audio quality and rock-solid performance MOTU interfaces are known for worldwide. You can always record and mix with confidence, even in most demanding professional recording situations, knowing that decades of engineering experience are behind you, every step of the way. The MicroBook II delivers measured audio specs that rival interfaces costing hundreds more.

High-speed USB 2.0
The MicroBook II can record and play all channels simultaneously and high-speed USB 2.0 provides plenty of bandwidth, even at 96 kHz.

Flexible volume control
The two digital rotary encoders not only look good, they feel good, too. Push the volume knob repeatedly to cycle among the main outs, headphones, or both, as indicated by the LEDs. For the mic input, adjust trim and toggle 48V phantom power or the -20 dB pad. Hands-on control is immediate and intuitive.

XLR mic input
The MicroBook II's exceptionally transparent preamp faithfully preserves the characteristics and nuance of even the finest mics. Control trim, -20 dB pad and 48V phantom power from the digital rotary encoder on the top of the unit, or from the included CueMix FX software.

Hi-Z guitar input
Without proper impedance levels, direct "DI" guitar input won't sound right when you run it through your guitar amp plug-ins and virtual stomp boxes. The MicroBook II's dedicated "hi-Z" DI guitar input provides high-impedance load characteristics suitable for passive and active pickups alike, to produce authentic guitar tone and feel with your guitar processing software.

Stereo line inputs
The MicroBook II analog inputs are designed to be flexible, so that you can address a wide range of recording situations. The line inputs provide proper level matching for keyboards, analog mixers, effects processors, or other gear with either -10 dB or +4 dB reference level.

Multiple separate outputs
The MicroBook II provides three independent stereo output streams from your host software. These feed four physical output pairs: the balanced quarter-inch main outs (2 ch), stereo "mini" line outs (2 ch), phones (2 ch) and the digital S/PDIF out (2 ch), which always mirrors the main outs. Feed the main outs to a pair of powered studio monitors or the club's main system. The line outs can be used for a variety of purposes, either mirroring the main outs or, if you are DJing, perhaps to feed a monitor mixer or separate recorder.

Professional headphone jack
The MicroBook II provides a quarter-inch phone jack equipped with a high-end D/A converter for studio-grade headphones. All-around audio quality this good deserves professional headphones.

Balanced line level connectors
Other audio interface brands (even expensive ones) cut corners with unbalanced analog inputs and outputs, which can result in significantly compromised performance well below an equivalent balanced circuit. Not the MicroBook: your balanced I/O connections are well-protected against RF interference, AC hum and other noise-producing environmental factors.

Digitally controlled analog trim
The MicroBook preamp delivers clean sound, 60 dB of gain and adjustments in approximately 1 dB increments using the top-panel digital encoder or the on-screen CueMix software. The gain adjustment itself is smooth because it is analog, but the digital control gives you both precision and the ability to save and recall trim settings. So you get the best of both worlds: analog trim with digital precision and control. Trim is adjusted at the input, before the mixer, so it applies to all mixes. Mix levels are controlled separately from trim, so you never sacrifice sound quality for a balanced mix.

Mixing and effects
The MicroBook is an 8-bus digital mixer that lets you mix live inputs with each other - with or without host software tracks. With CueMix FX running on your computer, you can create separate mixes of live audio from your mic, guitar and keyboard and send each mix to separate outputs (main out, line out and phones out) or any combination of all three.

Solid metal chassis
The MicroBook aluminum alloy chassis is lightweight, yet incredibly sturdy and durable and designed to withstand the rigors of the studio, stage and tour bus. In a world awash with cheap plastic, the cool touch of the MicroBook II's metal exterior in your hands is a reassuring reminder that you are holding quality engineering and construction built to last.

CueMix FX Software
The included CueMix FX software for Mac OS X and Windows gives you graphic, on-screen control of the MicroBook II's on-board audio mixer, with up to four separate stereo mixes (a separate mix for each output pair). For example, you can mix all the inputs to the main outs, but also mix them to the line outs with completely different levels than the main outs. Advanced features include a tuner, oscilloscope, FFT/spectrogram and phase analysis tools.

AudioDesk
The MicroBook II includes AudioDesk, the workstation software for Mac OS X, which provides advanced recording, editing, mixing, processing and mastering. AudioDesk delivers the power of modern digital audio workstation technology in an easy-to-use, inspiring multitrack recording experience. Together, AudioDesk and the MicroBook II transform your computer desktop into a complete, professional recording studio.