MOTU has announced the MicroBook, a USB bus-powered audio interface that delivers studio-grade audio performance in a compact size small enough to fit in your pocket. The MicroBook turns a Mac or PC computer into a personal 4x2 recording studio with all the audio I/O and mixing needed to make professional-quality recordings.
The MicroBook gives users a complete personal recording solution for a Mac or PC laptop or desktop computer, with four simultaneous inputs for a microphone, a guitar, and a keyboard or other stereo line level device. The mic preamp delivers neutral coloration and pristine sound, with 20 dB pad and 48V phantom power for condenser mics. Programmable analog, digital, and headphone outputs provide flexible monitoring options. The guitar input provides the proper impedance loads for guitars, so users can play through guitar processing plug-ins in their host software with confidence, knowing that they are getting natural feel and response.
The MicroBook provides four pairs of outputs: balanced TRS quarter-inch main outs, stereo "mini" line out, S/PDIF digital out, and phones. With its internal mixing and routing features, the MicroBook lets users program up to five different stereo mixes consisting of any combination of inputs and host audio tracks. So the main outs, stereo "mini" out, and phones can each produce an independent output mix. The S/PDIF digital output mirrors the main outs.
Seven separate filters are available on every input and output, including low-shelf and high-shelf, with intuitive graphic control of each EQ parameter via the CueMix FX software. Classic compression is also available, with individual settings for each input and output. The MicroBook also provides a wealth of tools including real-time FFT, spectrogram waterfall, oscilloscope, X-Y plot, and phase analysis, plus a test tone and noise generator that can be independently assigned to any output.
MicroBook features:
- 4-input, 2-output bus-powered "plug-and-play" USB audio interface for Mac and Windows.
- 4 x 8 physical input/output channels.
- 10-bus digital mixer to route and mix live inputs with live computer tracks.
- Pre-amp equipped mic input with Precision Digital Trim , 48V phantom power, and 20 dB pad.
- Guitar input with Precision Digital Trim.
- Stereo line level analog input (balanced TRS quarter-inch or stereo mini).
- Stereo balanced TRS quarter-inch line level main outs.
- Stereo eighth-inch "mini" line level out.
- S/PDIF digital out (duplicates main out).
- Headphones output on eighth-inch stereo "mini" jack with independent volume control.
- Digitally controlled analog trim for all analog inputs.
- Digital trim for all outputs.
- CueMix FX no-latency mixing and monitoring with EQ and dynamics processing.
- 7-band parametric EQ and compression.
- Test tone and white/pink noise generator.
- Advanced audio analysis software tools, including FFT display, spectrogram "waterfall" display, oscilloscope, X-Y plot, and phase torch.
- Industry standard Mac and Windows audio drivers (Core Audio, Wave, and ASIO) for across-the-board compatibility.
- Compatible with all current and recent generation Macs and PCs.
- Includes AudioDesk DAW software for Mac, USB cable, and mic cable adapter.
The MicroBook will ship in July, 2010. Price is $269 USD.
