Motu M4 Audio Interface Review

[zachary80]

Does it make sense to pair this with a regular headphone amp to the line out for both its intended purpose or use as just a audiophile DAC? Like a THX789, A50iii etc.? Is there a 0-latency way to add crossfeed?

 

[SLAS]

I like the Motu M4 card, I'm considering buying it, please make measurements of the outputs to the speakers and headphones with an oscilloscope. I hope it doesn't have high frequency noise like in the
BEHRINGER UMC204HD

Behringer UMC204 HD Audio Interface Review

Use the inserts on the back and not the inputs on the front. The front inputs go through their special preamps (adding a bunch of distortion.) Using the inserts will bypass those preamps. Note the gain controls on the front will no longer function so you will need to manage the input gain some...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[harrisonjr98]

Actually there are three versions.
v1 XMOS controller+ES9016S DAC+AK5554 ADC
v2 NXP controller+ES9026pro DAC+AK5554 ADC
v3 Atmel controller+ES9026pro DAC+ES9840 ADC
v2&v3 both have 2.xx firmware

View attachment 191711

Have the three revisions (maybe more now, that was as of two years ago) been measured head to head at any point? Curious how they stack up, if any are better or worse and if the IMD hump was resolved after v1.

 

[pompete2]

Did someone noticed that in tech specs document says that if recording instrument with TRS cable frecuency response is 70 Hz - 20 kHz ?? So if I want to record my bass would I need a DI box?

 

[dasdoing]

Did someone noticed that in tech specs document says that if recording instrument with TRS cable frecuency response is 70 Hz - 20 kHz ?? So if I want to record my bass would I need a DI box?

oh wow, that sucks

looks like the answer is yes since you would have to use the line ins

 

[charlielaub]

MFG @pompete2 and @dasdoing there is no need to go overboard about it... The spec says 70-20k Hz +/- 0.15dB. All that is (probably) happening at 70 Hz is the very beginning of a slow rolloff due to an RC highpass filter lower in frequency. At 40 Hz the response might be down 0.5dB to 1dB. So you "bass" is going to be recorded just fine. MOTU probably is just using a cap to AC couple the input. This will roll off very slowly.

It's as if you two think that frequencies below 70 Hz are blocked or something ???

 

[antcollinet]

MFG @pompete2 and @dasdoing there is no need to go overboard about it... The spec says 70-20k Hz +/- 0.15dB. All that is (probably) happening at 70 Hz is the very beginning of a slow rolloff due to an RC highpass filter lower in frequency. At 40 Hz the response might be down 0.5dB to 1dB. So you "bass" is going to be recorded just fine. MOTU probably is just using a cap to AC couple the input. This will roll off very slowly.

It's as if you two think that frequencies below 70 Hz are blocked or something ???

And, note that:
The TRS inputs are optimised as high impedance instrument / mic inputs.

you also have 2 balanced line inputs (TRS) rated down to 20Hz in the specs. And they are +/- 0.07dB

 

[Pancreas]

time to step up to motu mk5 fellas lol

 

[Cbdb2]

Did someone noticed that in tech specs document says that if recording instrument with TRS cable frecuency response is 70 Hz - 20 kHz ?? So if I want to record my bass would I need a DI box?

That must be a typo. I just tested my M4 trs input 1 with a unbalance cable (like a bass) and line input 3 and there both flat 20 to 20khz as far as I can tell with the meters.

 

[Cbdb2]

And, note that:
The TRS inputs are optimised as high impedance instrument / mic inputs.

you also have 2 balanced line inputs (TRS) rated down to 20Hz in the specs. And they are +/- 0.07dB

He wants to use it for his bass guitar so the trs of inputs 1 or 2.

 

[asphaltradler]

Hi there, has someone managed to use the M4 with an android phone?
Motu doesn't support Android but some interfaces work with android nevertheless.
With a M6 I could use its inputs with Universal USB Recorder app but didn't get any sound out its output then.
Thought that could be different with an M4 or M2 with less IO ports.

 

[harrisonjr98]

Anyone else get a pretty loud pop/snap sound through the monitor outs when flicking the power switch on the M4 to the off position? I thought it had relay muting...

 

[Ktacos]

Anyone else get a pretty loud pop/snap sound through the monitor outs when flicking the power switch on the M4 to the off position? I thought it had relay muting...

rca or 1/4 outs? I get no pops on 1/4" out but the rca have a minor pop.

 

[harrisonjr98]

rca or 1/4 outs? I get no pops on 1/4" out but the rca have a minor pop.

RCA yeah! Sorry, should have specified

 

[phoenixsong]

Anyone else get a pretty loud pop/snap sound through the monitor outs when flicking the power switch on the M4 to the off position? I thought it had relay muting...

I use iems and my M2 has a small pop. Haven't tried monitors tho

 

[gordinho]

Did someone noticed that in tech specs document says that if recording instrument with TRS cable frecuency response is 70 Hz - 20 kHz ?? So if I want to record my bass would I need a DI box?

A DI would open up possibilities in coloring the sound but to record clean you probably don't need it. That said, most musicians have a DI they use that they bring everywhere to keep their sound reproducible and not rely on other's DIs or inputs.

 

[Ktacos]

I've recorded bass guitar and some synth bass lines via 1/4" and did not notice any issues there, didn't need a DI.

 

[jazzboy]

Been using it to drive my zero baffle, fully active speakers through EKIO and Banana. Very happy.

 

[jazzboy]

More M4 adventures.