If you're after stunning sound, massive I/O, and rock-solid performance, the MOTU 16A delivers power, precision, and more connectivity than a backstage mixer at a festival. Built around ESS Sabre32 DAC technology, it offers a whopping 125 dB of dynamic range with the kind of analog clarity only gained by decades of interface design experience. This is MOTU’s first interface to support both Thunderbolt 4 and USB4, meaning you can hook it up to just about anything—Mac, PC, iPad—you name it. And with support for up to 256 audio channels at once (128 in, 128 out), it's safe to say you won't run out of lanes anytime soon.

Sixteen balanced TRS ins and outs, ADAT I/O, and a dedicated headphone jack round out the hardware, but the real magic is inside. The onboard 64-channel mixer is modeled after high-end consoles and handles sources from your hardware, your computer, or even over the network. It comes stocked with parametric EQ, compression, gating, and high-pass filters on every input, plus aux buses, solo/mute control, and sweet-sounding reverb. You can route signals like a patchbay, dial in cue mixes with the CueMix Pro app over Wi-Fi, and even monitor on three sets of speakers with front-panel A/B/C switching. Loopback support makes streaming a breeze, while DC-coupled outputs let you get wild with modular gear. If you’re building a hybrid rig, need tons of I/O, or just want your interface to be smarter than your average mixer, the MOTU 16A checks all the boxes you require, and probably a few you didn’t even know existed.

MOTU 16A Features

• 32-in/34-out Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 audio interface with class-leading MOTU sound and ultra-low latency, compatible with macOS, Windows, and iOS.
• Two high-res 3.9" LCDs provide metering, system status, and easy hardware control right from the front panel.
• Built with ESS Sabre32™ DACs for 125 dB dynamic range and superb analog clarity up to 192 kHz.
• Connect up to 256 audio channels (128 in/128 out) via Thunderbolt or USB-C, plus 16 analog TRS, optical I/O, and dedicated headphone output.
• Onboard 64-channel DSP mixer with EQ, reverb, dynamics, and cue mixes at up to 96 kHz sample rate.
• Route and split signals easily using the virtual patchbay or AVB networking with ultra-low latency across multiple devices.
• Built-in Wi-Fi control via CueMix Pro app and front-panel buttons for talkback, monitor switching, and more.
• Includes loopback for livestreaming/podcasting, DC-coupled outputs for modular synths, word clock I/O, and ADAT/SMUX support.
• Comes with Performer Lite software, 100+ virtual instruments, effects, and 6 GB of loops to get started right away.

MOTU 16A Specifications

• Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
• Analog inputs
  • 16 x 1/4-inch TRS line in (balanced/unbalanced)
  • Max level: +21 dBu
  • +20 dB digital gain on each input
• Analog outputs >
  • 16 x 1/4-inch TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled)
  • Max level: +21 dBu
  • -99 dB digital trim on each output
  • 1 x 1/4-inch TRS stereo headphone (see below)
• Digital I/O
  • 2 banks (16 ch) of ADAT optical I/O at 1x sample rates
  • 2 banks (8 ch) of S/MUX optical I/O at 2x sample rates
  • Bank A switchable to stereo TOSLink I/O (optical S/PDIF)
• Computer I/O
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4.1 (40 Gbps) Type C
  • USB3 / USB2 compatible
  • USB audio class compliant (no driver needed)
  • 1 x Thunderbolt-compatible / USB4 GEN3 C-to-C cable
  • 40Gpbs / 240W
  • Length = 2 meters
  • Cable included
  • Provides 15W power downstream / 0W upstream
  • Compatible with USB2 Type A with a C-to-A cable
  • (sold separately)
  • Round Trip Latency (RTL): ~1.8 ms
  • (32 sample buffer at 96K)
  • Total audio channels: see "Total Audio I/O" below
• Total audio I/O
  • 32 in / 34 out (66 total channels) at 1x sample rates
  • 24 in / 26 out (50 total channels) at 2x sample rates
  • 16 in / 18 out (34 total channels) at 4x sample rates
• Headphone
  • 1 x 1/4-inch TRS stereo headphone with channel select
  • Output impedance:<1Ω
  • Max output: 13.3 dBu
• Networking
  • 2x Gigabit AVB Ethernet ports
  • 16 AVB streams in/out at sample rates up to 96 kHz
  • 8 AVB streams in/out at 176.4 or 192 kHz
  • 1-8 audio channels configurable per stream
  • Up to 128 audio channels in & out (up to 96 kHz)
  • Supports 1722.1 for Connection Management and Control
  • Supports AAF stream formats & legacy AM8-24 format
  • Stream format configurable per stream
• Sync I/O
  • 1 x BNC Word Clock In
  • 1 x BNC Word Clock Out/Thru
  • Sample rates: all (from 44.1 to 192 kHz)
• Front panel
  • 1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output
  • 1 x encoder • headphone volume
  • 1 x encoder • headphone channel select
  • 1 x encoder • menu navigation
  • 1 x large encoder • main volume
  • 3 x switches • (1) headphone mono, (2) menu nav
  • 2 x 3.9-inch 480 x 128 pixel 24-bit RGB TFT display
  • 1 x latching power button
• Power
  • Internal 100-240V autoswitching supply
  • 50-60 Hz • 1.0A max
• Dimensions and weight
  • (width x depth x height, enclosure only): 19 x 12.25 x 1.75 inches / 48.26 x 31.1 x 4.44 cm
  • 11 lbs / 5 kgs
• Mac System Requirements
  • Intel Core i3 Mac or faster (including Apple silicon Macs)
  • 4 GB RAM; 8 GB or more recommended
  • macOS 12 or later (with driver or USB class compliant)
  • Available Thunderbolt 3+ or USB port
  • A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
• Windows System Requirements
  • Intel Core i3 PC (or AMD equivalent)
  • 4 GB RAM; 8 GB or more recommended
  • Windows 10 22H2 or later (x64 AMD/Intel only)
  • Windows 11 23H2 or later (x64 AMD/Intel only)
  • Available Thunderbolt 3+ or USB port
  • A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
• iOS System Requirements: iOS 17.5 or later*
• Class-Compliant Support: USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on macOS or iOS (no driver required)
• Included Software
  • CueMix Pro for macOS, Windows and iOS
  • Drivers for macOS, Windows and iOS**
  • MOTU Performer Lite for macOS and Windows
  • 6GB of loops and sounds from Big Fish Audio,
  • LucidSamples, Loopmasters and MOTU
• *iPhone models and iPad models compatible with iOS 17.
• **Low-latency Thunderbolt driver support available only for
• iPad models with an M series processor.