MOTU
MOTU 828 28x32 USB3 Audio Interface with Mixing/Effects
★★★★★
480 x 128USB-CXLR48Vphantom power
125 dB dynamic range, 2 ms round-trip latency, and 28 inputs in a single rack unit — the MOTU 828 is a professional studio hub that earns its place in the signal chain.
$1,095.00*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.
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Overview
Key Features
Next-gen 28 x 32 USB3 audio interface — Builds on 22 years of proven success as an industry-leading audio interface brand.
New 3.9-inch TFT display — The bright, 24-bit RGB LCD provides 480 x 128 pixel high-resolution metering for all analog and digital I/O, plus detailed status info and access to hardware settings from a simple and convenient menu.
Superb analog audio quality and high-end converters — Renowned ESS Sabre32 DAC technology delivers 125 dB dynamic range. Support for all standard sample rates up to 192 kHz.
Ultra-low latency and proven, high-performance MOTU drivers — Round-trip latency (RTL) performance as low as 2 ms at 96kHz with high-performance DAW hosts.
Universal connectivity — Connects to your computer with 5 Gbps USB3 (compatible with USB2) for up to 60 audio channels. Class-compliant firmware and industry standard drivers work with any audio apps. Connects to an iPad with USB-C or a Lightning adapter kit (sold separately).
60 simultaneous audio channels — 28 inputs and 32 outputs, including two combo XLR/TRS mic/line/hi-Z guitar inputs with send/return inserts, 8 TRS analog (line-level) in/out, separate main outs on XLR jacks, two banks of 8-channel optical I/O, stereo RCA S/PDIF digital I/O, and two front-panel headphone outputs.
Advanced mic channels — Cutting-edge components deliver ultra-transparent sound with -114 dB THD+N, 118 dB dynamic range and -129 dBu EIN. Each mic channel provides individual controls for +74 dB of preamp gain, -20 dB pad, 48V phantom power, and phase invert. All settings can be controlled remotely from a computer or iOS device. Each mic channel includes a dedicated send/return insert for outboard gear processing.
Flexible insert returns — When nothing is connected to the front-panel mic inputs, the two rear-panel returns function as additional line inputs with identical signal path characteristics as the other eight line inputs.
DSP mixing and effects processing — Flexible 24-input digital mixer with 8 stereo busses and DSP effects, including reverb, 4-band EQ, gate and compression.
Wi-Fi control — If the 828 is connected to a computer on your Wi-Fi network, you can control everything wirelessly from the CueMix 5 app running on mobile devices or other computers on the same network — even multiple devices at the same time. Manage access to the 828 with network discovery and password protection.
Specifications
Brand
MOTU
Model
828
Connectivity
USB3 (compatible with USB2)
Interface Type
Audio Interface with Mixing/Effects
Display Type
3.9-inch TFT (480 x 128 pixel, 24-bit RGB LCD)
Analog Audio Quality
ESS Sabre32 DAC, 125 dB dynamic range
Sample Rate Support
Up to 192 kHz
Round-Trip Latency (RTL)
As low as 2 ms at 96kHz
Total Audio Channels
60 simultaneous (28 inputs, 32 outputs)
Mic Inputs
2 combo XLR/TRS with send/return inserts
Mic Preamp Gain
+74 dB
Mic Preamp THD+N
-114 dB
Mic Preamp Dynamic Range
118 dB
Mic Preamp EIN
-129 dBu
Analog Line Inputs
8 TRS
Main Outputs
XLR jacks
Optical I/O
Two banks of 8-channel
Digital I/O
Stereo RCA S/PDIF
Headphone Outputs
2 front-panel
Digital Mixer
24-input with 8 stereo busses
DSP Effects
Reverb, 4-band EQ, gate, compression
Wireless Control
Wi-Fi control via CueMix 5 app
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- 129 dBu EIN on the mic preamps means ribbons and low-output dynamics can be pushed to working levels without audible noise contaminating the recording — critical for quiet acoustic sources.
- 2 ms round-trip latency at 96 kHz enables zero-latency-feel monitoring through the hardware DSP mixer, keeping tracking sessions flowing without the constant buffer-size compromise.
- ESS Sabre32 DAC technology at 125 dB dynamic range means the output stage doesn't become the weak link when feeding high-end studio monitors or headphone amplifiers.
- The dedicated send/return insert on each mic channel lets you patch outboard hardware — compressors, EQs, preamps — into the signal chain without consuming additional I/O.
- Two banks of 8-channel optical I/O plus stereo S/PDIF provides deep digital expansion for connecting ADAT-equipped preamps, converters, and effects processors as a session scales up.
👎 Cons
- Only two combo XLR/TRS mic preamp inputs — a large ensemble session or multi-room recording setup will require external preamps connected via the line or optical inputs, adding cost and complexity.
- The 3.9-inch front-panel TFT display, while functional for metering and settings access, is small enough that detailed gain staging at a distance requires squinting or reliance on the remote app.
- USB3 connectivity, while fast, lacks Thunderbolt — in dense sessions at 192 kHz, engineers accustomed to Thunderbolt interfaces may notice higher CPU overhead compared to competing units.
- CueMix 5 Wi-Fi control depends on the 828 being connected to a networked computer — the wireless control workflow adds a dependency that can complicate setups in isolated studio environments without network infrastructure.
- The front-panel headphone outputs are useful for tracking and monitoring, but there are only two — a larger session with multiple performers in separate rooms requires additional headphone distribution hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
How low does the round-trip latency actually get, and what does that mean for tracking live instruments?
At 96 kHz with a compatible high-performance DAW host, the 828 achieves round-trip latency as low as 2 ms. In practical terms, that's below the perceptual threshold where musicians begin noticing delay in their headphone mix — you can track guitars, vocals, and live instruments through the hardware DSP mixer without the "late" feeling that plagues interfaces running at higher latency.
What is the noise floor on the mic preamps, and how does it hold up at high gain?
The 828's mic preamps specify -129 dBu EIN (equivalent input noise) with -114 dB THD+N and 118 dB dynamic range. In session use, that translates to a very quiet noise floor even at high gain settings — ribbon microphones and low-output dynamics can be driven without introducing audible hiss into the signal chain. The +74 dB of available gain is substantial.
Can the 828 run standalone as a DSP mixer without a connected computer?
The built-in 24-input DSP mixer with 8 stereo busses, reverb, EQ, gate, and compression all run on the device itself. However, the 828 is designed as a computer-connected interface and is not documented as a fully standalone mixer — it benefits from being tethered to a host machine or controlled via the CueMix 5 app over Wi-Fi.
How does the Wi-Fi control work, and can multiple engineers control it simultaneously?
If the 828 is connected to a computer on your Wi-Fi network, the CueMix 5 app running on any mobile device or computer on the same network can control the interface — including multiple devices simultaneously. MOTU includes network discovery and password protection to manage access.
Is the 828 backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports, and does that affect channel count?
Yes — the 828's USB3 connection is backward compatible with USB2. The full 28-input/32-output channel count is supported over USB2; you won't lose I/O by connecting to an older port. USB3 provides headroom for additional bandwidth demands at higher sample rates.
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