MOTU this sping will be introducing the MicroBook II which promises to be an updated version of the original compact, studio-grade audio interface. The MOTU Microbook II turns your Mac or PC into a personal 4 x 6 recording studio with professional I/O and monitor mixing.
MOTU Microbook II Hardware:
The MicroBook II is a highly portable unit and comes in a small, rugged cast metal case suitable for on-the-go recording & laptop-based DJ-ing as well as many other recording and playback activities.
The four inputs (mic, hi-Z guitar, and stereo balanced line in) can be recorded simultaneously. The mic preamp delivers neutral coloration and pristine sound, with 20 dB pad and 48V phantom power for condenser mics. The MicroBook II also includes balanced analog connectors and digitally controlled analog trim. Input trim is controlled separately from input mix volume, so that users never have to sacrifice sound quality for a balanced mix.
On the output side of things the MOTU MicroBook II provides six channels of computer output on eight physical outputs (four pairs) with balanced TRS quarter-inch main outs, stereo “mini” line out, S/PDIF digital out, and phones (on a stereo quarter-inch jack). The S/PDIF digital output always mirrors the main outs.
MOTU Microbook II Software:
Internal CueMix™ mixing and routing features let users program a different stereo mix for each output pair, consisting of any combination of live inputs and host audio tracks. Alternately, users can send the same mix to multiple outputs, or choose a separate output for the MicroBook’s built-in test tone generator or white and pink noise generator.
The driver provides an extra input and output pair for routing complete mixes back to the computer host, for scoping audio streams with the analysis tools in the included CueMix FX software, and for routing virtual instrument (or other host) output to the MicroBook II mixer.
On-board effects include modeled analog EQ and compression, which can be applied with near-zero latency (in the hardware) to live inputs.
At only 5.5 x 3.5 x 1.25 inches, the bus-powered MicroBook II has all the great features of the original model, plus hands-on volume control and USB 2.0 connectivity for low-latency performance.
The MOTU Microbook II
MOTU MicroBook II feature highlights:
- 4-input, 6-output bus-powered “plug-and-play” USB 2.0 audio interface for Mac and Windows.
- 6 x 8 physical input/output channels.
- 8-bus digital mixer to route and mix live inputs with computer tracks.
- Pre-amp equipped mic input with Precision Digital Trim™ 48V phantom power, and 20 dB pad.
- Hi-Z guitar input with Precision Digital Trim.
- Stereo line level analog input (balanced TRS quarter-inch or stereo mini).
- Stereo balanced TRS quarter-inch line level main outs.
- Stereo eighth-inch “mini” line level out.
- S/PDIF digital out (duplicates main out).
- Headphones output on quarter-inch stereo jack with independent volume control.
- Digitally controlled analog trim for all analog inputs.
- Digital trim for all outputs.
- Output volume digital rotary encoder. Push to cycle among three modes: main out, phones, or both.
- Mic input digital rotary encoder for adjusting trim level, 48V and pad.
- Dedicated 3- or 4-segment LED meters for all inputs and outputs.
- CueMix™ FX no-latency mixing and monitoring with EQ and dynamics processing.
- 7-band parametric EQ and compression.
- Test tone and white/pink noise generator.
- Support for recording and playback at 2x sample rates (88.2 and 96 kHz).
- Advanced audio analysis software tools, including FFT display, spectrogram “waterfall” display, oscilloscope, X-Y plot, and phase torch.
- Industry standard Mac and Windows audio drivers (Core Audio, Wave, and ASIO) for across-the-board compatibility.
- Compatible with all current and recent generation Macs and PCs.
- Includes AudioDesk DAW software, USB cable, and mic cable adapter.
MOTU Microbook II Availability:
The MicroBook should ship in the spring of 2012 and will be priced around £195