Very good price for an excellent small audio interface for those that don't need lots of i/o. See the following review from Julian Krause.
CamelCamelCamel.
I think it requires a computer. Anyway, what would be the use case without a computer in your case?
I've had one of these since launch. They have absolutely fantastic quality pre-amps and DAC. Not even just for the price. It rivals (and surpasses) some gear I've tried that retails in the thousands.
The balanced output makes my Yamaha HS8's sound noticeably better than the Focusrite Gen 2 2i2 I owned before it.
The driver is also much more stable than Focusrite's on Windows.
Thanks for the feedback. Good to hear about the windows driver stability improvements. I assume you are referring to ASIO performance. In the past MOTU was a bit hit and miss on Windows in that aspect.
Just all round. Focusrite drivers crashed my whole system regularly even when I wasn't using it for sound input, only output browsing the internet or playing games (narrowed it down with crash logs and disabling things one by one, it was definitely Focusrite). I even re-installed Windows at the peak of my frustration and only installed the Focusrite driver and it started crashing on a clean install almost instantly. Nothing to do with the PC either as its definitely on the higher end with a 9900K, 32GB RAM and an expensive ROG motherboard. I put up with it for months and multiple driver updates before I gave up and found this M2 that had just launched, and it all worked out for the best for me in the end as I got a better unit as well as no freezing.
ASIO has never dropped out or anything for me if that's what you specifically want to know. I had digital popping on a recording once but that turned out to be malware on my machine taking away cycles from my CPU. Easily fixed and not the device's fault.
It should be worth noting there has only been one firmware update for this device since launch. I'm not sure if that's a negative though, because as I say; it's just been 100% working as expected.
Interesting, I've found the opposite. I'm using a 2i4 2nd gen though, might be a 1st gen issue?
@boredofficeworker: Nah, I had the second gen.
I also know many people with no driver issues on Focusrite gear (which is why I got one in the first place). Just didn't turn out that way for me.
Damn, saw the MOTU and thought it was "Masters of The Universe" action figures… :(
Lol
I saw it as Murder of the Universe haha.
I see this as specialised kit because of its mic features - cheaper dacs and headphone amps that give similar quality but they lack the extra features these line s possess.
I’m interested in getting something like this and a decent mic for streaming, producing occasional video content and lots of video conferencing as I’ll be working remotely from now on, even post-covid.
I’m considering the Rode Studio Kit http://www.rode.com/ai1 which includes an AL-1 Audio Interface, NT1 Condenser Mic, pop filter, shock mount and cables.
I’m techy but a newbie in audio.
How does the MOTU M2 compare to the AL-1?
If I was to get the AL-1, what’s a decent mic to pair it with? I think I want a condenser rather than dynamic as I’d like to be able to have the mic slightly more than a couple of inches from my mouth (ie. mostly out of frame). Would the NT1 still be a good pick or should I look elsewhere?
My budget is hundreds rather than thousands. Within that, I don’t mind too much as long as it’s worth it (subjective I know). I will be using this stuff for multiple hours every day so don’t mind investing for something that will last.
Thanks.
MOTU is arguably a higher end interface. Howeve, given your use case, Rode would most likely meet your needs.
Back in stock from 2nd April 2021.
Can I use this stand alone without a computer? Power of course.