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8pre USB

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Overview

Optical converter, USB 2.0 interface and preamp bank in one.

The one rack-space 8pre 16x12 USB audio interface turns a laptop or desktop Mac or PC into a 24-bit 96kHz recording studio with eight mic inputs, 8-channel ADAT optical digital I/O and MIDI I/O. When not connected to a computer, the 8pre can function as an 8-channel analog-to-digital converter, making it two products in one. The 8pre front panel provides a five-segment level meter, 48V phantom power button, 20 dB pad button and trim knob for all 8 mic inputs. Two banks of ADAT optical provide 8 channels digital I/O, even when recording in high definition at 88.2 or 96 kHz. The TRS main outs can be connected directly to powered studio monitors with front panel volume control. Connect the 8pre via ADAT optical to another optical-equipped interface or mixer to add 8 mic inputs, seamlessly integrated into the other device's mixing environment. If you already own an optical-equipped MOTU audio interface, the 8pre is the perfect way to add 8 mic inputs directly to your system.

The 8pre as your primary audio interface
Use the included CueMix software to mix all 16 inputs from your computer. Eight channels of ADAT optical I/O make the 8pre an ideal companion for a digital mixer. Two ADAT lightpipe connections work together to support a full 8 channels of optical digital I/O at any sample rate up to 96kHz.

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 8pre's main outs or headphone jack - with virtually no monitoring latency and no processor drain on your computer. You can even create separate monitor mixes for the main outs and headphones. Control everything, including talk-back and listen-back, from the included CueMix Console software, just like a large studio console.

The 8pre includes a 16-channel MIDI interface. Simply connect the 8pre to your computer with any USB 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 8pre provides cross-platform compatibility with Mac OS X (10.6 or higher), Windows (8/7/Vista) 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 Mac OS, with 24-bit recording/editing and 32-bit mixing/processing/mastering.

The 8pre as a microphone preamp expansion interface
The 8pre is really two products in one. When it is not connected to a computer via USB, the 8pre functions as an eight-channel analog to digital (optical) converter. Connect the 8pre to your MOTU 828, 896, Traveler or even another 8pre via the optical "lightpipe" connection to add eight high-quality microphone pre-amps to your system. Since the connection is digital, 100% pristine sound is maintained, down to the very last sample.

The 8pre is the perfect way to instantly add eight more mic inputs to any audio interface or digital mixer with optical I/O. If you have a MOTU interface with on-board CueMix DSP mixing, such as the 828 (mkII or mk3), 896 (HD or mk3) or Traveler (original or mk3), the 8pre inputs appear directly in the host interface's CueMix mixer to becomes a transparent extension of your system, operating together with your primary interface as a single, integrated unit - even when the host interface is not connected to a computer and is instead operating as a stand-alone mixer.

If you have an 828mk3, 896mk3, 2408mk3, digital mixer or other audio device that supports 96kHz optical and also has two optical inputs, the 8pre connects to it via both optical ports to provide a full eight channels of analog to optical conversion at the 88.2 or 96kHz sample rates.

Features

  • Hi-speed USB 2.0 audio interface for Mac and Windows ” provides 16 inputs with 8 mic preamps and 12 outputs including separate phone and main outs for all the basic I/O you need for a powerful desktop studio.
  • Eight XLR/TRS "combo jack" mic inputs ” connect up to eight mics, or mix and match mics with guitars, synths, drum machines and other analog input signals.
  • Flexible analog inputs ” each provides a crystal-clear preamp (for both the XLR and TRS input), 24-bit 96 kHz converters, individually switchable 48-volt phantom power, 20 dB pad and front-panel trim controls. Mix and match condenser and dynamic microphones as your needs require.
  • Eight channels of ADAT optical I/O ” provides two sets of optical connectors to provide eight channels of optical digital I/O even at high samples rates (88.2 or 96 kHz).
  • Operates as an optical expander ” connect the 8pre to any ADAT optical compatible device (another audio interface, a digital mixer, etc.) to add 8 additional mic inputs seamlessly integrated into the mixing environment of the host device.
  • Discrete ins/outs ” there's no channel sharing in the 8pre; the mic inputs, ADAT optical I/O, headphone out and main outs are all handled as separate channels.
  • CueMix DSP near-zero monitoring system.
  • Multiple CueMix DSP mixes ” create up to eight different monitor mixes for the main outs and headphones. Add send/return loops for outboard gear with no latency.
  • Front-panel metering ” five-segment meters for all analog inputs, plus status lights for clock and interface/expander mode.
  • 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 MOTU 8pre, UltraLite, 828, 828, 896, or Traveler interfaces for additional I/O. Or connect the 8pre optically to any audio interface or mixer that supports ADAT optical I/O.
  • Separate TRS main outs and front-panel headphone jack, each with independent volume control.
  • SMPTE time code sync via any analog input.
  • SMPTE time code generation to any analog output.
  • Includes native 32- and 64-bit drivers for Mac OS X (10.6 or higher) and Windows (8/7/Vista), including ASIO, WDM, Wave, Core Audio, and Core MIDI. Supports all popular Mac and Windows 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.
  • Plug-and-play operation with your Mac or PC via USB.
  • Chassis dimensions, excluding rack ears and front and back panel knobs and connectors: 19 — 7 — 1.75 inches (48.26 — 17.78 — 4.45 cm). Knobs and connectors extend up to 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) from front and back panels, adding 1 inch (2.54 cm) to depth. With rack ears attached, fits standard 19 inch (48.26 cm) rack at 1U high.

Whether it is going to be at the heart of your system or as a bank of additional pres, the 8pre will be a welcome addition to your studio. Order today.

Specs

8pre USB Specifications:

Inputs
  • Mic preamps 24-bit 96-kHz on XLR/TRS combo: 8
  • ADAT optical 24-bit 96-kHz (digital) 8
Outputs
  • main outputs 24-bit 96kHz on bal/unbal TRS - stereo
  • headphone output - stereo
  • ADAT optical 24-bit 96-kHz (digital) 8
System requirements
    Mac
    • The 8pre system requires the following Macintosh system:
    • A G3/300Mhz Power Macintosh or faster equipped with at least one FireWire port
    • At least 256 MB (megabytes) of RAM (512 MB or more is recommended)
    • Mac OS X (version 10.3.9 or later)
    • A large hard drive (preferably at least 20 GB)
    Windows
    • A 1 GHz Pentium-based PC compatible or faster equipped with at least one FireWire por
    • A Pentium III processor or faster is recommended
    • At least 256 MB (megabytes) of RAM (512 MB or more is recommended)
    • Windows XP
    • A large hard drive (preferably at least 20 GB)
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