MOTU has officially released the 10pre, a high-performance 1U rack-mounted audio interface designed for professional recording setups using macOS, Windows, iOS, and iPadOS. With 10 high-quality mic inputs, Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 compatibility, and powerful AVB networking capabilities, the 10pre is built for modern studios needing serious I/O in a compact format.
Key Features at a Glance
- 10 Mic/Line/Instrument Inputs: Includes 8 rear combo jacks for rack setups and 2 additional front-panel inputs for quick access. Advanced preamps deliver 118 dB dynamic range and ultra-low noise.
- Universal Connectivity: Supports Thunderbolt 4, USB4, USB3, and USB2. Ships with a USB4 C-to-C cable for direct connection to Mac, PC, or iPad.
- 54 Channels of I/O: Offers 26 inputs and 28 outputs total, plus 128 AVB network I/O channels.
- Low Latency: Class-compliant firmware and drivers provide sub-2ms roundtrip latency at 96 kHz.
- High-Quality Converters: ESS Sabre32 DACs power eight balanced TRS outputs with 125 dB dynamic range.
- CueMix Pro Mixing Engine: Offers 64-channel mixing with built-in DSP for EQ, compression, high-pass filters, gates, and reverb.
Front and Rear Panel Highlights
On the front panel, users get two quick-access mic/line/instrument inputs, dual headphone outs with independent volume and routing, and a vivid 3.9” color display with metering and control. The rear panel houses the remaining eight analog inputs, eight analog outputs, optical ADAT I/O, word clock I/O, and two Thunderbolt/USB4 ports alongside dual AVB Ethernet ports.
Inputs 1–2 also feature send/return inserts for connecting outboard gear, offering even more flexibility in a professional setup.
AVB Networking for Scalable Systems
With built-in AVB and two Gigabit Ethernet ports, the 10pre can be daisy-chained with up to seven additional AVB-equipped MOTU interfaces like the 16A and 848. It supports up to 128 channels of audio over AVB, enabling users to build powerful distributed systems across multiple rooms or long distances.
Studio and Live Sound Ready
Thanks to its onboard 64-channel mixer with DSP effects and Wi-Fi control via iOS, the 10pre suits both studio and live applications. The CueMix Pro app provides total control over routing, mixing, and signal processing, including monitor mixing and talkback features.
Bonus Software Bundle
Each 10pre includes:
- CueMix Pro App (macOS, Windows, iOS)
- Performer Lite DAW
- 6GB of loops and samples from Big Fish Audio, LucidSamples, LoopCloud, and MOTU
What You Need to Know
The MOTU 10pre brings high-end audio quality and versatile connectivity to studios needing a robust yet space-efficient solution. Its combination of flexible mic inputs, powerful mixing features, and network scalability makes it a standout choice for engineers and musicians working across multiple platforms.