MOTU Audio Express Review
6x6 Firewire/USB Audio Interface
- 6 Input / 6 Output
- Dual Microphone Preamps with 48V Phantom
- S/PDIF and MIDI I/O
- 8-Bus Digital Mixer
- Front Panel Controls
- Extensive Metering
- CueMix FX Software (Mac and Win)
- AudioDesk Software (Mac Only)
- Mac OS X
- Windows Vista/7
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 25 Reviews
This thing bleeds quality. Low latency, great sound.
MOTU Audio Express 6 x 6 FireWire/USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by aaron fabbri on Guitar Center
I've used about four different audio interfaces over the last 5 years, and this thing is by far the best. I'm extremely happy so far. Likes: - Low latency on my mac. First time I've been able to software monitor (with effects!) and not notice much of a delay. (I use Ableton). This opens up brand new possibilities for live performance. This is why I'm so happy. (And there is always direct monitor if your machine is not keeping up). - Solid midi support. With the very low latency, again, opens up new live performance possibilities. - Driver. Along with the hardware, the quality of the OS driver is extremely important. The performance of the Mac driver is amazing. My macbook air 13" just flies with this thing. I can run the buffer settings very low without any drops or glitches. No hangs or crashes. - Solid build. Metal case. Made in USA. - Preamps. My recordings are sounding great under a variety of conditions. Decent headroom, super low noise, good sound. - Documentation. They invested in a decent manual. - Intuitive controls. Of course the half-rack form factor makes for cramped front panel, but they did a wonderful job fitting an intuitive interface into that small space. Once I learned it, I can remember it because it just makes sense. - Lots of channels for the price and quality. 4 in, 4 out, plus 2x2 digital. I can plug my old EMU USB 0404 into this thing via the SPDIF digital inputs, and add another two quality XLR preamps, and be recording 6 channels simultaneously. Drool. So I'm using my old audio interface, which no longer was supported and thus wouldn't work on newer OSs (win 7 and OS X lion), to get another 2 channels of great analog input. - Price. Really, for the quality of the drivers, the rugged hardware build, and the number of channels, it is a screaming deal. - Lots of independent mixes. Want a four channel headphone amp so everyone in the band can have their own mix? Included! Dislikes: - No major complaints so far. - The half rack form factor makes for a cramped control panel and rear inputs, but I quickly learned the controls. ... More
Good interface, fantastic customer service!
MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I like the audio express very much. Build quality does seem solid, and for reasons I don't understand, it brought a feeling of calm and order to my work area. The multifunction knobs, like others have noted, take a while to figure out. Reading and keeping the manual handy is a must. Sound quality is good. I sent a little five track song, guitars, bass and vocals, I made with it in Logic 9 to a neighbor, a musician, and he said it sounded great! But customer service was amazing! I first ran the interface on usb 2.0, and while recording went smoothly with no crashes and no perceivable latency, cpu use went up to 50% and the cooling fan kept coming on, even when playing back a song in iTunes, or the computer was just sitting idle. I emailed Motu customer service about it on Friday, the answer arrived on Monday, and for 3 days and 14 emails the incredible tech support guy there stayed with me trying to locate the cause. He looked at activity monitor screen shots and had me try a lot of things, and even brought in an engineer to check it out. It appears to be something inside my computer. Finally I realized I could hook the audio express up to firewire using a 9-pin to 6-pin firewire cable. Immediately the problem went away. Cpu use dropped to less than 10% on iTunes and mid 30's when playing back five tracks in Logic. And now there was bus power. Motu's devotion to solving my problem definitely made me a fan! ... More
Outstanding Audio Interface for PC
MOTU Audio Express 6 x 6 FireWire/USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by MIKE HUNTINGFORD on Guitar Center
I have gone through many different audio interfaces and each of them have let me down for one reason or another... but this little sturdy box is something all together different. Different because there is no latency, different because there is no noise, different because it setup immediately without any hassels (running Pentium D 3.0MhZ, 2GB Ram, with Windows XP). It interfaces and is recognized by my Propellerhead RECORD and REASON, also by CUBASE. It is also different because it has an ON/OFF switch (right on front). It is different because you can use physical knobs to alter settings or use the software interface that easily resides with any of the DAWs I've used. My typical setup - inputs two keyboards and on sound module (via the TRS balanced inputs and SPDIF). Also, this is a solid little number with tough case and easily readable LEDs. I highly recommend this audio interface. Mike ... More
Forget the rest. If you have a Mac this is the interface for you.
MOTU Audio Express 6 x 6 FireWire/USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by David Rodriguez on Guitar Center
I've had my eye on this interface for months and finally decide to take my chances and buy it. It was a hard decision between this one and a Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 or NI Komplete Audio 6. And man, did I make the right decision. This has everything the other two lack so honestly it was worth every penny. First, it sounds great. I've tried it with Logic Pro 9 and Ableton Live 8 and set up was easy and quick. I will admit that the interface does take some getting used to since the knobs on the front share different functions, but it only took me about an hour to get used to it. It has plenty of routing options, can be used as a stand alone mixer without a computer, it's hybrid so I can use it with either USB 2.0 or firewire, it's compatible with both Mac & PC, it's portable, and as trite as it sounds it's built like a tank. If I ever got a flat tire I'm sure I could use it as a jack stand without any worries. The Focusrites and Native Instruments interfaces (although good) lacked certain features that make spending the extra cash on this unit worth it. I even feel it's a better deal than the Apogee Duet 2. If you're thinking about buying the Audio Express, stop hesitating. You won't regret it one bit. ... More
Just what I needed
MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I was looking for a small, portable, felxible, rugged and reliable interface that also sounded good and could offer firewire bus power. This box was the answer and I am very glad I went with it. It sounds great, works well and was pretty easy to set up with my laptop and Pro Tools DAW. Latency is a non issue also. Yay. Big ticks. The front controls are a little small but, it's a small portable device so...things are therefore small... A little confusion at first with the mulitple functions of each knob but once I got the hang of it, it makes great sense and provides some quick and easy options in work flow. I did a lot of research on the net about Motu equipment and to be fair, the reviews and feedback was not always so great. Despite these I decided on purchasing one as it was one of the few I/Os in it's price range to offer firewire bus power and present so many options for monitoring and recording. I looked at the Apogee and RME protable boxes but the idea of having the breakout cables looked messy. I have to say that so far I have had no issues with the device. Am really enjoying it. Thanks! S ... More
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Great sound, not easy to configure
MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface
Reviewed by Neil Fein on B&H Photo Video
The Audio Express is solid and sturdy, and comes with adapters so you can mount it on a rack shelf. I'm still learning how to configure it; my first session with the AE took a very long time, and there are still things I haven't figured out how to do (like hardware monitoring). The USB/FireWire interface works well, and the unit will power itself off bus power while on FW, but needs the included audio adapter when using USB. The front panel is difficult to figure out, and will take me some time to get used to; a lot of functions are accessed by pressing the pots in to cycle through different modes. A nice touch is the locking connectors for the combo XLR sockets; no more pulling a mic out accidentally, at least not out of the Audio Express. (This'll put my mind at ease a bit when using phantom power.) Recommended tentatively, since I'm still leraning the unit; I'm also undecided on whether I should have spent the extra $150 on the MOTU 828. ... More
Forget the Ap*gee, this is the best interface if you're on a mac!
MOTU Audio Express 6 x 6 FireWire/USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by Joshua Pacada on Guitar Center
Just got my Mark of the Unicorn Audio Express. Had the AudioFire 4 (junk) returned it and it was between this, the Focusrite Saffire 24 DSP or the Presonus FireStudio mobile. Glad I went with the MOTU. Using an early-08 Perryn MBP, driver suite is intense and integrates so perfectly with mac, the keyboard volume controls work. Audio quality is clear and performance is stable (largely dependent on your system of course) and the unit is made in USA - it is of UPMOST quality - I'd travel with this piece! Overall very pleased with purchase, audiodesk DAW software a bit outdated though. ... More
Solid build, great sound.
MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface
Reviewed by Funkmaster on B&H Photo Video
With Windows 10 go to Motu sight and download the latest driver as the one on the included disc did not work for me. Youll have to crack the manual to figure this piece out but its worth it. You have to turn unit on every time you power up. After that this little interface is rock solid, and has not crashed yet!
Impressive!
MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface
Reviewed by Pedro Rizzi on B&H Photo Video
Ive just plugged in this beauty on my PC via fireware connection and presto! Clear and loud sounds, a very very nice software to control it directly from computer and its very solid(metal heavy-duty case). My previous audio interface was fast track pro... theres no comparision at all! The only issue about this interface is that took me a while to get use to all those leds and buttons. At times gets a litlle confusing. But you ll get use to it. I definitely recommend it! (I am a professional musician and use it to do home recordings and to produce soundtrack music to short movies and commercial videos) ... More
Good product
MOTU Audio Express 6 x 6 FireWire/USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by WAYNE SOLUM on Guitar Center
I had no trouble setting this up and getting it to work. Sound quality is very good. I'm new to digital audio interfaces and don't have anything to compare it to but I'm happy with the way it's performing. I have it on a PC right now but am planning on purchasing a Mac.
A good replacement interface
MOTU Audio Express
Reviewed by Aaron J. on Reverb
no latency, high quality sound and best of all firewire and USB connections. the Saffire Pro 26 is higher quality sound/conversion still, but this isn't too bad at all. the firewire cable that came with this was dirty but i had my own brand new one so it works fine. the reason i bought this is because it had just the right amount of outputs for me and reasonable price and best of all portable size. try this interface out!
So far, so great!
MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I've used it at my home studio and house of worship, and so far it's been great. Both the USB and Firewire work well, and the sound is very clear. It works great out of an interface out of the box, but there's a lot more to it beyond that, and I'm still learning all that.
difficult but good
MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface
Reviewed by MxC on B&H Photo Video
I'm putting mic into the Motu - altering sound via Guitar Rig and Ableton Live - coming out of the Motu into amp. the 4 mic inputs is just what I need. Motu is small and portable. You can adjust both input and output levels If you're not a geek, the manual is difficult. took a while to get it running. The button/dials are multi-functional and you really got to read the manual.
Great Interface
MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface
Reviewed by Thereisnoh on B&H Photo Video
Great sounding, compact, and versatile. One of the only smaller sized interfaces that has more than 2 balanced analog outputs. Phones output can also be handled independently which can be very useful. Only downside is using the knobs to control parameters without a computer can be a little tricky at first but is on par with other interfaces in its class.
Good; no computer level to box
MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface
Reviewed by MIDI Life Crisis on B&H Photo Video
Clean sound, great features, except it does not allow the level of the audio from the computer to be attenuated. Some high and low end boxes don't allow this either. In studios dedicated to audio or with mixing consoles to do the leveling this wouldn't be a problem. In a more modest studio, controlling the computer level is critical and the ability to do so also appears in some high and low level boxes.
Motu for life
MOTU Audio Express
Reviewed by Benjamin O. on Reverb
Started with DP in the early 2000s. Tried other software but always came back. Same goes for hardware. Great sound out of this travel size IO. Minimal latency. Haven’t tried it on a PC but I don’t record on pc anyway. Motu has always been top of the line. Always will be
Great Product!
MOTU Audio Express
Reviewed by David K. on Reverb
Great and inexpensive device for recording to your your computer. Easy to set up and use. Has loads of features for more advanced users, but the basic stuff is all I need and it works exactly as it is supposed to.
Perfect mixer to work with mac
MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface
Reviewed by OSCAR RAUL on B&H Photo Video
Everything he does is good advertising audio recording for Web radio. Oscilloscope and advanced tools allow me to analyze the problems of the audio of the other teams that I am using
affordable AD/DA
MOTU Audio Express - Firewire/USB Audio Interface
Reviewed by otoole on B&H Photo Video
Installed quickly. USB works fine for most applications. One of two macs does not like to see the interface on start up so I have to unplug the USB and plug it back in. I am still trouble shooting, but it does work and sound good.
well worth it.
MOTU Audio Express 6 x 6 FireWire/USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by John B. on Guitar Center
all i can say is that it is so clean sounding little to no white noise, the setup can take awhile, but once i learned my way around understanding everything. AMAZING!
