MOTU M2 Review
2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
- Musicians, Podcasters, and Producers
- USB Type-C / Type-A Connectivity
- 2 Mic/Line/Instrument Preamps
- 1 Headphone Out, 2 RCA & 1/4" Line Outs
- High-Performance 32-Bit / 192 kHz AD/DA
- Bus Powered / Mac, Windows, iOS
- Phantom Power, Direct Monitor, MIDI I/O
- Full-Color LCD with I/O Metering
- Virtual Loopback for Mix-Minus Setup
- DAWs, VIs, Loops, and Samples
Introduction
In this article, we delve into a detailed analysis of 22,384 user reviews from various languages worldwide to examine the MOTU M2. This analysis is performed by the RR artificial intelligence and updated daily with newly submitted reviews. The RR AI utilizes a complex algorithm to first scrutinize user reviews for credibility, filtering out unreliable ones. It then proceeds to dissect and evaluate the valuable insights within these reviews, providing users with ratings regarding the features of this product. Based on these assessments, users can make informed decisions about whether this product is suitable for them or not.
Ratings Based on Features
These results are a summary of user reviews of the MOTU M2. For example, 93% of 8,031 users who have commented on the Sound quality of the MOTU M2 have given positive feedback.
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 138 Reviews
Found my dream audio interface
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Raizuly on B&H Photo Video
Hi, I'm from Singapore. Been looking around for something that fits my needs. Finally, i found it. First of all, I am impressed by the shipping method B&H used. Got it in less than a week. That was really fast! Shipping rate offered is also affordable unlike other online shopping websites. B&H website design gives me smooth shopping experience. Easy to navigate, uncluttered and concise, which is important. Ok, about the product. Good call for MOTU to implement USB-C on the M2. It is the way to go. I'm using Linux Mint 19.2 with Bitwig 3.1 on my Thinkpad X230 and it detected the M2. However no sound. I think it's got something to do with appropiate drivers. Sadly, it's non-existent for the M2 in the linux world. I wished MOTU would have some solution to this. If anyone reading this get to work it in Linux, let me know. Well, i got to switch to Windows 10, installed the driver and it works. Nice touch having the on/off switch at the rear panel. Audio meter display is pretty to look at. Solidly built sturdy metal chassis. Just loved the looks of it. The sound? It's impeccable. Now i'm thinking i should have gotten the M4. Haha. Thanks B&H! ... More
Almost ideal
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed by James on B&H Photo Video
Simple, straight forward design. Both frontal inputs are highly versatile accepting TRS & XLR line level, instrument and mic inputs. The manual on/off button in the back is a plus although some that may not know why. Both jacks should be capable of powering a guitar pickup or Mic. Obviously MIDI in the back but I would have preferred SPDIF/ADAT coaxial and optical in/out instead of MIDI. I suspect it's a feature that i'll never use. Very compact unit, it's small enough to slip into the pocket of a backpack and powered by a USB3 jack that can be used purely as a power source or run both power and data through it. You could carry most of a studio's worth of digital gear (mic, DAC etc) in a backpack. If you plan to do a remote somewhere with minimal gear, these are a solid choice. I feed two powered studio monitors with the line outs. It has enough power to passively power or actively power most mics, and probably instruments as well. It should auto detect that you have an instrument plugged in. I think I would have preferred an m4 but budget was too tight for that. My preferred choice was a RME Babyface Pro, which is a substantial upgrade in every way from that but if you can't afford that, this unit or the m4 will do just fine (I lean towards the M4). Audio review snobs that ran it through its paces had good things to say about the quality of the DAC on the Motu M2/M4, pitting it against units priced in the 1k+ range. I was expecting a software key or something for Ableton, but the unit comes as is with USB cables. ... More
Best experience
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Yuichi on B&H Photo Video
from Japan. I was very surprised because the time between BackOrder and shipping was much shorter than I had imagined in a situation where inventory was hard to find. Overseas shipping is very reasonably priced, and in addition, the Japanese shipping company was in charge from the middle in this time. I think that the arrangement of B&H is wonderful because I have a bitter experience that the purchase I ordered at eBay was broken by the carelessness of the shipping company. There is also an iOS app, and I'm grateful to be able to check the status of the order. It's good for me where I don't have to open the PC and log in with a browser to see it in many times. The arrived MOTU M2 is connected to macOS 10.15 and used. I like it very much because it goes well with the Blue Spark SL microphone I'm using. It's compact and light anyway. The touch of the switches is comfortable. Compared to other products, having an LED indicator is very convenient. Low latency is also a good point. The appearance is simple and neatly organized, giving a clean impression. But you can do exactly what you need to do. With B&H, I suppose I can still get the MOTU M2 in a shorter period than anywhere else in the world in now. ... More
Stopped Working After Eight Months
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Brian on B&H Photo Video
I cannot take seriously any company that makes equipment which dies in less than a year. Heck- if it dies in TEN years, you should be ashamed of yourselves. I purchased the MOTU M2 for my highschool aged daughter, for pandemic remote learning classes. She doesn't abuse her equipment, and it has never left her desk. It simply stopped turning on. We swapped cords, checked the switch, checked her laptop output- it's definitely a MOTU quality issue. It got her through lockdown, but if schools go into lockdown again, then she cannot attend- until and IF MOTU replaces a defective piece of equipment in a TIMELY fashion. Or we have to pay for someone else's product. Bought on Dec. 5th, 2020. She registered it today. The registration was accepted -as it should be for equipment less than a year old- and she has contacted MOTU for help. Let's see if MOTU stands by their product. I had misgivings about an interface powered by only USB C: it's a flimsy choice. Is there no room in the case for USB A, or did the accountants decide that 60 pennies saved is better for their own pocketbooks? I think we know the answer to that question. How about if everybody stops squandering our ONE Earth's limited resources by designing garbage, and build equipment that can stand the test of time? ... More
Working well for my home workstation!
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Avery on B&H Photo Video
Bought it to replace an old first-gen Focusrite solo, so far it's absolutely solid. Feels well built and looks fantastic imo. Drivers on Windows are stable and easy to use, and so far has worked flawlessly with Pro tools. The LED screen meters are really nice to have when recording or monitoring. Loopback functionality is a godsend for me, especially when conversing with clients via Zoom, I can easily route audio to them from my computer or Pro tools. I've only done simple foley and vocal recordings on it, so I can't really comment on the preamp's quality, but it works well for me. My only minor issue is that it can't quite drive my 600ohm DT880 headphones to the levels I need (which is unreasonable since it's USB powered and I need them very loud) but that's more of unrealistic expectations on my end. The unit has an RCA out for me to run my audio to an external headphone amp so no issues there. Overall a great entry level audio interface and perfect for my simple home workstation. ... More
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Powerful and Handsome!
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Yuki on B&H Photo Video
The Motu M2 is a great little Audio Interface for a very reasonable price. Take this with a grain of salt, as this is the first home audio set-up I have, but I looked around comparing it to different models such as the Focusrite Scarlett, Presonus, and Steinberg. If you are a novice, like myself, then any one of these will honestly get you by. However, I personally love having the display on the M2, as it lets me know what's being converted, and if it's making it to my recording software. The phantom power works great, and the buttons are pleasant to the touch (again, just preference). For the price, this one is also competitive with the Steinberg since it has 2 inputs instead of only one. My friend purchased a Scarlett at the same time, and they seem to be comparable. The M2/M4 series was backordered for a while, but I was willing to wait a bit longer for the Motu as it had very good reviews. I even asked their Customer Support if the model was out of production (due to Covid), and they got back to me quickly, which is always good to have in a CS. I feel confident about the price and quality of this purchase, only time will tell now for its longevity. ... More
Not only the sound but also the interior
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Makifumi on B&H Photo Video
I used the first overseas mail order and the first B & H. I was worried, but there was no particular problem and I am very satisfied with the shipping. I was able to connect to the PC and set it up immediately. Until now, I used to connect headphones directly to the earphone jack of my PC, but I changed to M2 and the noise was clearly reduced. The sound is also clear. It doesn't feel awkward, it's not unsatisfactory, and it sounds really straightforward and flat. (In my ears) What I like most is the design. The housing is covered with jet-black metal and is sturdy. It's nice that the four corners are rounded. The scaffold has two rubber rods labeled MOTU, each with two round feet to stabilize the scaffold. The knob is also non-slip, and the texture is really high. The color of the LCD meter of the sound is good, the movement is very smooth, and the visibility is also good. If you are looking for an interface that is sophisticated not only in functionality but also in appearance, I would recommend it. ... More
Biggest bang for the buck
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Chad on B&H Photo Video
Note I am far from a professional, but here's my 2 cents. It has just about all you could want for a first USB interface, dual input, pretty high gain for the price, and monitoring with a screen to show levels. It's not enough for an SM7B without some boost in post or elsewhere. The direct monitoring picked up a lot that was not present with the windows listen to this device selected. Direct monitoring picking up more mouth noise, and windows being more bass heavy and generally what I would want to hear(almost no extra saliva-y mouth noises). The biggest nitpick I've heard of from multiple sources are the gain knobs which aren't that loose or bad, you'd have to be quite rough with your equipment in my opinion for this to cause issues. Generally I would say the build quality feels pretty solid. ... More
Works (mostly) as intended
MOTU M2 Home Recording Kit with Audio-Technica AT2020 Condenser Mic
Reviewed by Andrew on B&H Photo Video
I bought this hoping to pair audio of a grand piano from two AKG microphones with video from my phone. I couldn't get that to work and ended up buying a 1080p webcam, which has worked fine, though the video quality isn't as good as the phone would have been (still, the audio is the point). As advertised, the meters are clear and precise, much more so than my portable digital recorder, which has been helpful for tweaking not just the levels but mic placement. Big downside: when I downloaded the driver, it also installed a program that ran constantly, even when the Motu wasn't installed, and ate some battery power, and I eventually had to uninstall it. That's something that needs to be fixed--the whole point of this thing is that it's portable so you can run it straight off a laptop, so you're going to want to be conserving battery power. Otherwise, I don't have major complaints. One thing I like a lot about it is that its RCA outputs can be used not just for monitoring but for outputting computer audio, so you can use it to play computer audio on a stereo system. ... More
World-Class Audio Interface
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Terry on B&H Photo Video
Using this in combination with a FetHead Pre-amp and Heil PR 77D Dynamic Mic connected via USB-C to my 2018 MacBook Air. You can tell the quality of the M2 simply by it's build: All metal, with very high quality knobs and meters. In my job, I am on calls a majority of every working day talking with people around the world using WebEx, Skype, BlueJeans, etc. Since upgrading to this setup, everyone tells me my sound quality is excellent - that I sound every bit as good as someone in a radio studio: crystal clear, great tone, no extraneous noise or feedback. Without the FetHead, the M2 has plenty of power to drive the Heil (gain turned up to approx 75% of it's range. Adding the FetHead allows me to keep the gain turned up to only 20%, therefore giving me a lot more flexibility with the gain adjustment. I love the M2 and highly recommend it! ... More
Reliable gear whenever you need a quality recording
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Matthew on B&H Photo Video
Excellent audio interface with a lot of great features such as, LCD display for I/O level, quality mic pre-amp, MONO/STERO monitoring, etc. No complain at all at this price point for the recording and playback quality (I do enjoy iTunes music from it). Build quality is far exceed its price, and more important it's assembled in USA, giving high confidence to use it in various situation (including outdoor). Bundled softwares are sufficient for casual recording & mixing. The Ableton Lite license is eligible for 2 machines, MAC OS or Windows10, This is just great for my case using two laptops (one for vocals, one for voice-over inside Da-Vincci). I don't mind if priced bit higher if (1) the LCD can also display current recording / playback sample rate (2) 2nd headphone output, which is great for recording 2 MICs with 2 person Happy recording, and enjoy using it everyday as a casual / dummy home user ... More
Solved So Many OBS to ZOOM Audio Problems
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Howard on B&H Photo Video
I've been using a Behringer UMC 202HD for years and have been very happy with it, but I sometimes clip and wanted to the Meters on the Motu to help me monitor & adjust levels better while live. The M2 does that just fine but here's the problem it really solved. I construct scenes in OBS for various scenarios and use OBS as a virtual camera into zoom, meet, teams etc.... as well as for recording training videos. OBS does a great job at that, but getting audio out of OBS over to Zoom and others is a complicated affair even with the new plugins. The Motu has a self installed Loopback feature and now I can do anything I want in OBS and virtual camera will take the video over and for Microphone setting I just select Motu M2 Loop Back, and it broadcasts my mic, desktop or any other audio I might be playing. I fought with Zoom OBS for years and the answer was right here with the M2. It sounds great, is feature packed and simply works as advertised. ... More
This Motu M2 has been amazing so far!
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Josh on B&H Photo Video
First of all, the shipping from B&H was super quick. Basically received it within one business day. Once I got it, it was super easy to set up, just took a bit to find the right gain setting an adjusting settings within Discord. I use this with an Audio Technica AT2020 and everybody that I have talked to with it so far on Discord, have said that it sounds super clean and crisp. Once I get some amp simulators figured out (came from a 9 year old Line 6 POD UX2), I'll start using it with my electric guitar as well and I'm excited to hear the quality of it! It's also super convenient having the on/off switch in the back, so it's not powered on all the time when I'm not using it and I'm really enjoying the super low round trip latency :) ... More
Audio dropouts
MOTU M2 USB-C Audio Interface
Reviewed by Eugene P. on Reverb
I can't solve intermittent and sporadic audio dropout using this interface with Windows 10. I have latest driver version, all OS patches/updates, latest BIOS, original (very short) USB-C cable, I use different USB ports on my PC (tried different USB hubs of the motherboard to avoid internal bandwidth bottlenecks), I've completed all steps recommended by MOTU tech support (including tweaking USB power options) - to no avail. Looks like the problem is in the buggy USB driver which is a shame, cause I do like the interface (when it does work). But when it starts to behave weird - it drives me crazy. I have old Behringer U204HD and it NEVER had such issues in my environment. Alas, I can't recommend MOTU M2 to anyone who intends to hook it up to Windows PC. Don't know about Macs, maybe it has better driver there... ... More
Outstanding product
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Margaret on B&H Photo Video
I purchased this interface to replace an aging Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 1st gen. The feature set of the MOTU is really excellent. The meters are so nice and useful to set levels and the individual phantom power switches are much appreciated. I also like the feel of the knobs, very solid. As for the sound quality, in the headphones and with my Yamaha HS5 speakers, both are superb, low noise and clear sound. The FocusRite had a dodgy USB connection that would unload the driver if the unit was jostled but this new one uses USB-C and it is solid. The specs of this device are definitely class leading as well so I rate the product as top notch. ... More
Probably the best starter audio interface you could buy
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Brian on B&H Photo Video
I power an Electro-Voice RE 11 with mine which isn't the easiest dynamic mic to drive and requires quite a bit of power. The Motu M2 does great with no added noise that I can detect, extremely clean output. But I mean you could get cheaper interfaces and get most of the way there, but the real benefit of this device over the competition is in the DAC and headphone amp. They sound absolutely amazing! The headphone amp is extremely powerful being able to drive anything I've thrown at it, and connecting the rca outputs into my small onkyo amp which is driving my NHT bookshelf speakers has already replaced my old DAC. I think for the person starting from square one with not only producing audio but consuming it should be absolutely looking at this interface. ... More
Works well until it doesn't
MOTU M2 Home Recording Kit with Audio-Technica AT2020 Condenser Mic
Reviewed by Daniel on B&H Photo Video
I bought this device to replace an old presonus interface I've had for years. Figured it would be nice to treat myself to something more modern with nicer preamps and a clean design. Out of the blue after about a year of ownership it refused to be noticed by my ipad pro. Ok, time to check the firmware/drivers. I plug into my PC and even it won't recognize it. This is apparently not an uncommon issue after some google searches. They are just liable to die after a number of months apparently. I've tried all the troubleshooting available on their site (which is very sparse and not easy to find information). Now it's just a $200 2 channel mixer. ... More
Best in Class
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed by James on B&H Photo Video
Very solid and well built feel to this product. Definite improvement in the depth of the audio compared to just using the 1/8th inch stereo jack out of the motherboard. I know it's a simple thing, but having an actual on/off switch really is nice. The LCD screen is super nice and almost reason enough to purchase this over the competitors, as most don't have a display even close to this at this price point. Can't comment on the midi or the headphone jacks (although other reviews have had great things to say about the Headphone output). For under $180 I believe this is definitely the best Audio Interface out there. ... More
Flawless
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Dex on B&H Photo Video
I waited a while for this AI as it was on back order and am very glad I didn't cave to a need for instant gratification and get a focusrite or some such, because the MOTU M2 was well worth waiting for. I'm using it with both a Windows 10 desktop and a MacbookPro, with Rode and Deity shotguns and lavs, and Avantone CK-6 mics. It powers all effortlessly and gives incredibly clean sound. I especially love the tone of the Avantones, which is warm, rich and deep. Have yet to try with guitar and keyboard, sorry. But I certainly don't regret this purchase and would definitely buy again. ... More
Good product, but doesn't work well with some processors.
MOTU M2 Desktop 2x2 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I like it, good quality, good features, but I bought it to record music on my iMAC and didn't work well with the drivers I downloaded from MOTU. So I contacted their support and they told me their drivers doesn't work with the processor my iMAC has. So I had to uninstall the MOTU drivers and to use the M2 with the native MacOs drivers. So now I can't use the Loopback features. Just the normal recording function. I bought it precisely because the advantage of Loopback and I will not be able to use it. =(
