Sound Pure's Take
The MOTU 828es is an absolute workhorse for project studios, tracking spaces, and hybrid mixing setups that demand elite conversion and expansive connectivity. Built around ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC technology, it delivers pristine transparency, wide 3D depth, and an impressive 123 dB dynamic range. It turns a single rack space into a fully featured control center capable of handling complex tracking dates and multi-speaker monitoring setups with ease.
What sets the 828es apart from standard rack interfaces is its deep hardware feature set. Dual full-color LCD screens provide instant visual feedback across all 60 audio channels, while front-panel A/B speaker switching, dedicated talkback, and hardware inserts on the preamps bring console-style control directly to your fingertips. Combined with a 48-channel DSP mixer, latency-free vintage FX modeling, and AVB Ethernet expandability, it offers a level of routing horsepower and flexibility that is tough to match at this price point.
From MOTU
The MOTU 828es is a flagship 28x32 Thunderbolt and USB 2.0 audio interface designed for professional studio tracking, mixing, and live sound applications. Built on MOTU's renowned ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC technology, the 828es delivers an outstanding 123 dB dynamic range and ultra-low harmonic distortion, providing pristine audio clarity and transparent signal conversion across every input and output.
Engineered with dual high-resolution full-color LCD screens, the 828es provides real-time metering for all 60 simultaneous audio channels, along with hardware controls for quick access to essential monitoring and routing functions. Channel highlights include two transparent, front-panel mic/line/instrument preamps equipped with individual V-Limit™ overload protection, send/return inserts, and dedicated A/B speaker select switching for studio monitoring. Equipped with MOTU's powerful 48-channel DSP mixer, onboard vintage FX modeling, ultra-low latency drivers, and AVB/TSN networking capabilities, the 828es serves as a comprehensive central hub for modern hybrid studios.
Key Features
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ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC Technology: Industry-leading D/A conversion delivering 123 dB dynamic range and ultra-low noise for pristine monitoring and mixing fidelity.
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Dual Full-Color LCD Displays: Real-time visual feedback for all 28 inputs and 32 outputs, complete with comprehensive gain staging and signal routing controls.
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48-Channel DSP Digital Mixer: Onboard floating-point DSP provides a flexible 48-input mixer with 7 stereo aux buses, 3 group sends, and access to modeled 32-band parametric EQ, classic compression, and vintage reverb.
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Ultra-Low Latency & Flexible Connectivity: Thunderbolt 2 and USB 2.0 connection speeds provide sub-millisecond round-trip latency, complemented by class-compliant macOS and iOS compatibility.
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Built-in Talkback & A/B Speaker Select: Dedicated front-panel controls for control room talkback and instant switching between two pairs of studio monitors.
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AVB/TSN Network Expansion: Easily expand your I/O infrastructure using standard Ethernet networking to connect additional MOTU AVB interfaces or build complex audio networks.
- Form Factor
- 1U Rackmount
- Simultaneous I/O
- 28 Inputs / 32 Outputs
- Preamps
- 2 × Mic/Line/Instrument (Front Combi Jacks)
- Analog Inputs
- 2 × XLR/TRS Combi, 8 × 1/4" TRS Line Inputs
- Analog Outputs
- 8 × 1/4" TRS Line Outputs, 2 × XLR Main Outputs, 2 × 1/4" TRS Headphone Outputs
- Digital Inputs/Outputs
- 2 × ADAT Optical (16 ch @ 44.1/48kHz), 1 × Stereo S/PDIF (Coaxial), 1 × Word Clock I/O
- Computer Connectivity
- Thunderbolt 2, USB 2.0 (Audio Class Compliant, USB 3.0 Compatible), Ethernet (AVB/TSN)
- DSP Processing
- Modeled British Console EQ, LA-2A Style Compressor, Peak/RMS Limiter, Dynamic EQ, Reverb
- Dimensions (W × H × D)
- 19" × 1.75" × 12.25" (483 mm × 44.4 mm × 311 mm)
- Weight
- 10.0 lbs (4.5 kg)
Warranty
This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.
Returns
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Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC
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