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Home » Computer Music » Audio Interfaces » Firewire » MOTU UltraLite FireWire Audio Interface Mk 2

MOTU UltraLite FireWire Audio Interface Mk 2

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10064
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UltraLite

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The UltraLite bus-powered FireWire audio interface

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CHECK OUT THE NEW MOTU ULTRALITE HYBRID - CLICK HERE TO VIEW IT

UltraLite Overview

Your compact bus-powered portable studio is ready to go

The UltraLite bus-powered FireWire audio interface delivers everything you need to turn your laptop or desktop Mac or PC into a mobile 24-bit, 96kHz recording studio with 10 inputs and 14 outputs. And because it's bus-powered, the UltraLite gives you the ultimate freedom to make music anywhere, anytime.

Housed in sturdy yet lightweight aluminum alloy, the UltraLite provides 2 mic/instrument inputs with preamps, 48V phantom power, front-panel gain adjust and three-way pad switch. There is plenty of additional analog I/O via 6 balanced line-level quarter-inch (TRS) inputs and ten analog TRS outputs for a total of 8 analog ins and 10 analog outs. You also get stereo S/PDIF digital I/O, a dedicated stereo headphone output and MIDI I/O for your controller keyboard and other gear.

Connect all of your studio gear, including microphones, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines and even effects processors. Then monitor all of these live inputs via the UltraLite’s main outs, headphone jack or any other output — with virtually no monitoring latency and no processor drain on your computer. You can even create separate monitor mixes for the main outs, headphones and other outputs. Control everything, including talk-back and listen-back, from the included CueMix Console™ software, just like a large studio console. If you’re using the UltraLite to mix without a computer, you can control CueMix directly from the UltraLite’s front-panel.

The UltraLite includes a 16-channel MIDI interface. Simply plug in your FireWire cable, and both MIDI and audio are ready to go. Connect any MIDI device, such as a controller keyboard, synth module, automated control surface or drum machine. Timing is sample-accurate with supporting software.

The UltraLite provides cross-platform compatibility with Mac OS X 10.3 or higher, Windows XP and all of your favorite audio software and host-based effects via WDM/ASIO/Core Audio drivers. Or you can use the included AudioDesk workstation software for Macintosh, with 24-bit recording/editing and 32-bit mixing/processing/mastering.


UltraLite Inputs and Outputs

All inputs and outputs are independent and available at all times.
For example, using a mic-preamp input does not 'steal' an input from the TRS analog input bank. As another example, the headphones and main outputs are available as separate mix destinations. In addition, CueMix DSP gives you all the flexibility you need. For example, you can configure CueMix DSP to mirror an existing mix bus to the headphones.


UltraLite MIDI

The UltraLite includes a 16-channel MIDI interface that provides sample-accurate timing with supporting software.
Connect a MIDI keyboard, sound module or control surface, and you are ready to go. The FireWire cable carries both MIDI and audio so you don't need to connect an additional USB cable for MIDI.


UltraLite CueMix DSP™

The UltraLite provides DSP-driven digital mixing and monitoring for all 10 inputs.
You can connect mics, guitars, synths and effects processors, and monitor everything from the UltraLite’s main outs or headphone jack with no separate mixer needed and no latency.

The UltraLite supports up to four separate stereo monitor mixes assigned to any digital or analog output pairs. For example, you could set up separate monitor mixes for the main outs and headphone outs, while two additional stereo buses could be used for send/return loops to reverb units or other outboard gear. Each mix can support all 10 inputs (6 TRS analog, 2 mic, and stereo S/PDIF digital).

Bounce BackThe "CueMix Bounce Back" feature lets you route one of the four CueMix DSP mixes back to the computer. This allows you to record, for example, your entire mix - including monitored inputs - back into the computer.

TalkbackCueMix Console provides Talkback and Listenback buttons. Talkback allows an engineer in the control room to temporarily dim all audio and talk to musicians in the live room. Conversely, Listenback allows musicians to talk to the control room. For Talkback, you can set up a dedicated mic in your control room and connect it to a mic input on your UltraLite. For Listenback, you can set up a dedicated listenback mic in the live room for the musicians and connect it to another mic input.

Stand-alone mixingThe UltraLite can function as a stand-alone digital mixer. Create up to four independent stereo mixes and adjust them on the fly with the front panel display.


UltraLite SMPTE

The UltraLite provides on-board SMPTE time code synchronization features.
These features allow you to slave your UltraLite system to SMPTE time code without a synchronizer via any analog input. Any analog output can be used for time code generation. The UltraLite provides a DSP-driven phase-lock engine with sophisticated filtering that provides fast lockup times and sub-frame accuracy.

The UltraLite provides a DSP-driven phase-lock engine with sophisticated filtering that provides fast lockup times and sub-frame accuracy.

The included MOTU SMPTE Console™ software provides a complete set of tools to generate SMPTE for striping, regenerating or slaving other devices to the computer. These synchronization features are cross-platform and compatible with all audio sequencer software that supports the ASIO2 sample-accurate sync protocol.


UltraLite Feature Summary

  • Sturdy lightweight construction - ready to travel with you anywhere.
  • Compact size (8.5" wide x 7" deep) - fits easily into a napsack, briefcase or computer bag and sits perfectly beside any laptop.
  • Bus powered (requires a non-adapted 6-pin FireWire port on the computer) - no additional power supply necessary for complete recording freedom. Includes power supply for stand-alone operation (without a computer).
  • Multiple CueMix DSP mixes - create different monitor mixes for the main outs and headphones. Add send/return loops for outboard gear with no latency.
  • 10 inputs with 2 mic preamps and 14 outputs including separate mains - all the I/O you need.
  • Discrete ins/outs - there's no channel sharing in the UltraLite; the analog I/O, mic inputs, S/PDIF I/O, headphone out and main outs are all handled as separate channels.
  • Individual 48V phantom power - mix and match condenser and dynamic microphones.
  • CueMix DSP™ near-zero monitoring system.
  • Front-panel control - access your entire mix, or any UltraLite setting, directly from the front panel.
  • Stand-alone operation - program your mixes at the studio and then bring the UltraLite to your gig. No computer needed.
  • Just plug in any DC power adapter (10-24 volts, tip positive or negative). Need to tweak the mix? Do it on site using the back-lit LCD and front-panel controls.
  • Two mic pre-amps with switchable 48-volt phantom power and front-panel trim controls.
  • Three-way pad switch (0, 18 & 36dB) plus 24dB of adjustable trim (in 1dB increments) - provides 60dB gain range.
  • 18dB of extra gain for the six TRS inputs.
  • Sample-accurate MIDI - connect a MIDI controller and/or sound module with no separate interface needed. MIDI I/O is sample-accurate with supporting software.
  • Expandable - add additional UltraLite, 828, 828mkII, 896, 896HD or Traveler FireWire interfaces for additional I/O.
  • Six 24-bit 96kHz analog inputs and eight outputs on balanced/unbalanced 1/4" TRS jacks.
  • Separate TRS main outs and front-panel headphone jack, each with independent volume control.
  • Stereo 24-bit 96kHz S/PDIF in/out.
  • SMPTE sync and striping via any analog input/output.
  • Includes drivers for Mac & PC, including ASIO, WDM, Wave, GSIF, Core Audio, and Core MIDI. Supports all popular
    Macintosh and PC audio software.
  • 100% compatible with all host-based effects processing in today's popular audio programs.
  • Includes AudioDesk full-featured sample-accurate workstation software for Mac with recording, editing, mixing, real-time 32-bit effects processing & sample-accurate sync.
  • Two FireWire ports - daisy-chain up to four units on a single FireWire bus without a hub.
  • Plug-and-play operation with your Mac or PC via FireWire.
  • Separate main outs with independent front panel volume control.
  • Front panel headphone jack with independent volume control.
  • Front panel LCD metering for all audio inputs and outpus.
Image: MOTU UltraLite FireWire Audio Interface Mk 2

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MOTU UltraLite FireWire Audio Interface Mk 2 Reviews

9/10

Motu Ultalite

— Ciff Jasper December 2, 2008

Very nice unit! Well designed for the consumer and avid home studio guru.Has excellent a/d-d/a converters as well as powerful trim in pad (+60 db)for those passive outs.Solid 48v phantom unlike some of those cheezy cheap pre-amps (beringer).Simple design and well thought out to make opperations a cakewalk.
What I like is that they didn\'t include a bunch of bells and wistles with this unit.Just very good converters.No need for eq here just a well converted signal to Digital with low signal noise.
What I don\'t like are the tiny pots bunched together together on the front face.
In all for the price($600)You can,t go wrong unless your a child of pro tools.Even the software (Cuemix fx)which come with it is really sweet.
No Brainer this is a very NICE unit and worth every penny!

6/10

motu ultralite

— Kevin Dwyer April 22, 2008

Hi, I've just bought one of these and the honest truth is that the firewire cable falls out way too easily which is going to be a bit of an issue for gigs and live venues. The mini jack to my laptop falls out even more so on this count the click in usb would be better. Also, only Mac laptops usually have the 6 pin socket so on a pc laptop no power is being supplied and this again is going to restrict live recordings.
Also, DV village sold me a Mac version so I have no software. On the plus side it's very portable and the sound is flawless. Kevin Dwyer. see kdwyermedia on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/user/kdwyermedia

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10/10

awesome soundcard!!!

— Stathis Lazarides September 14, 2007

I was at my summer residency last month in Greece,and my m-audio audiophile soundcard packed up after a years use.I was gutted,i had to go back playing with cd's and i hated it!!

But now,looking back,i have to say that it was a marvelous blessing from the gods that my soundcard did pack up on me.Why?Because i got my self the motu ultralite after reccomodation from dolphin music and it was the best buy i have ever done!!

First and most noticeable difference with my old one,was the sound quality and output.Before,i had to crank up the gains on the dj mixer,the levels of the audiophile where much lower than for example the cd players.Now,the output of the ultralite,i have to say that it's even stronger than the cdj's!!I am so pleased with the sound quality,it's untrue!!

Let's not forget,the amazing choice of in's and out's for such a compact soundcard,and also the accesibillity of all the functions form the front panel,you can record a whole bloody band if you want to with ease!!

finally,the machine is STABLE,much more than the m-audio i had before.

My word of advise for someone looking to buy an external compact soundcard is LOOK NO FURTHER,and if you think you can't stretch to 360 quid,sell your playstation or your sister or your dads camels and get one.I did the mistake of thinking that a cheap option would do me just fine (by the way,i use ableton live with a mac book pro and coming out from my ultralite on to 4 channels on pioneer djm 800 mixer),and maybe i was unlucky that my m-audio card packed up after a year,but u can't beat motu's tradition on sound quality!!!


10/10

Breath of Fresh Air...

— Stefan August 13, 2007

After having used M-Audio Delta 410 and Focusrite Saffire on both Mac and PC, my return to MOTU hardware has been a breath of fresh air. Simply put, MOTU know what they're doing, and this interface shows it; it's physically rugged, operationally rock-solid, and the interfaces are intuitive extensions of well-established audio hardware interfaces. Above all, the sound quality is superb.

Having suffered the torture of Focusrite's and M-Audio's "innovative" attempts at on-screen hardware mixers, MOTU's CueMix Application is reassuringly familiar, like sitting behind a bog-standard mixing panel.

This interface deserves best-in-class honors, as I've tried others like it, and MOTU wins, hands-down, regardless of price. Can't praise the Ultralite highly enough.

10/10

£495 of shear bliss.

— Peter Crosby May 20, 2006

Over the years I have worked my way up through different makes and models of soundcard from M-Audio, Behringer to RME.

RME to me is one of those company's you can rely on for quality so when I was upgrading from a PC to a MAC I wanted a fireface until I seen the MOTU Ultralite.

As being religiously RME over the years I was unsure if the quality was going to be the same with MOTU. However this system far surpassed even my wildest expectations.

This system is perfect for studio work or on the road. Check www.motu.com for full specs.

So a low down on the MOTU Ultralite (Out of 10)

Sound Quality - 9 (24bit/96Khz) Some may want 192Khz.

Build Quality - 10 Solid metal unit would survive years of abuse.

Portability - 10 Its light, small enough to fit in a laptop bag.

Connectivity - 10 (8 Balanced analogue inputs, Digital S/PDIF in and out, 10 balanced outputs supporting upto 7.1 surround sound. plus headphone socket)

Compatibility 10 - Windows XP 32bit/64bit drivers, MAC OS 9 and X support plus natively supports Intel based MAC.

longevity 10 - The MOTU Ultralite has the driver support for all current systems and MOTU will support future OS's. With the possibility of daisy chaining as many MOTU units the possibilities are endless.

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