MOTU UltraLite mk5 USB C Audio interface for m1 Mac, iOS and Windows 🤓
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- Опубликовано: 5 июл 2024
- MOTU gear has always done a great job for me in the past, no matter the situation. Most recently we looked at the UltraLite mk4 on the channel, but over the years have also owned multiple 896 mk3s, 896HDs, 828 firewire systems and many years ago, a 2408 mk3 PCI system. I'm sure there are a few others I'm not remembering, but in this video you'll get my first thoughts about the UltraLite mk5 I bought recently. Unlike some of the tracking and mobile recording rigs I've built in the past, this one is for my current editing workstation, and so far it is doing a great job.
Leave any questions you have & there will be a follow up video in future after I've had a chance to really use this one. Follow Up Ultralite Mk5 Teardown - • Inside the MOTU Ultral...
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Original mk4 video - • #91 - MOTU UltraLite m...
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THtAT'S what a review video should be like! THANK you for creating and sharing.... invaluable information presented thoroughly, clearly, comprehensively. I may now actually upgrade from a mkIII to this mk5. Post-FX routing will also be wonderful as I'd love to include that in various routings, not just live streams or video conferences of any kind, but also for Audio Hijacking during writing sessions.
Thanks for the nice message Boris!
I owned the MK2 and it was hands down the absolute best interface I ever used. I only switched over to my Focusrite 18i20, as it was a USBC interface (at the time I needed that) and MOTU didn't have anything new out. IMO, I still think MOTU has the cleanest AD/DA convertors you can buy (even for the price).
I changed from motu624 model to UltraLite mk5
Line input dynamics have improved so much that i can feel it.
you are absolutely right about the streaming thing. I was disappointed to find out that my scarlett 2i2 didn't have the routing that higher end scarletts included when the solo and 2i2 are very popular for people who would like something like that as well
I've had a Mk 5 as my primary audio interface for my Mac desktop workstation (now a Mac Studio) for about a year now and it's been rock solid. I auditioned a few others and this stood apart both in terms of latency, reliability, and audio quality. Was really impressed. The onboard DSP is really nice at this price point.
That’s great to hear it has been solid for you Ian. Thanks for the message!
-Gggggyy ft
Gracias por tu valoracion ❤
Great review! im still rolling a mk3 3 hybrid model for live use and it still works as the day i bought it (though the firewire doesnt get love anymore). I think Motu have some of the best driver support i've ever seen compared to others (I've had audio interfaces newer than the mk3 that are now obsolete)
That's great to hear your mk3 is still going strong. I was using an original set of 896HD interfaces for YEARS after they were discontinued too, I think the guy I sold them to is still using them. Thanks for the message!
“Does it come in black?”… Batman’s audio interface 😃
I swear if I didn't know better I would say the town at the end is Big Stone Gap Virginia but every little town in Virginia has that same sort of look? Great review I love the MOTU interfaces I've owned over the years, rock solid and reliable. They can also double as a modular live sound rig if you chain them together.
Good guess, but not Big Stone Gap unfortunately. Thanks for checking out the video, its good to know you've also had good experiences with their gear over the years!
All I need that manufacturers should do is - place guitar and mic inputs on the back of interfaces) to get rid of cables on my desk
Do you have any recommendations for replacing the oscilloscope and signal generator?
This looks like a really nice interface. I like the amount of IO on such small unit.
Im looking at RME interfaces, but this is quite tempting.
Great video!
RME makes some great stuff! I used to use the Fireface 400 a lot at work & a few friends had the 800… I haven’t used them, but I’m sure their current stuff is fantastic as always.
RME Forever
Check out some of Julian Krause's reviews on interfaces here. He does some excellent testing of specification and performance. I was surprised to learn from his summary charts that the Mk5 is on par with RME components. It's specs are excellent. The features set on the RME Fireface UCX II is slightly better, but it's roughly 2.6x as much.
it's nice to hear you've been having good luck with motu and USB on mac. I've been plagued with USB problems on the older pro AVB line with mac. and its rated as "class compliant" but im certain it isnt as linux audio is so glitchy it's unusable. I've had to use them in true AVB-ethernet mode only with the mac because usb is so unreliable
Thanks for this - are the headphone outs separate from outputs 1 & 2 on the back of the unit?
Yes👍
I have an mk3, good tool, its hard like a tank,
I like this new
Good video. When I need to upgrade from my Evo4 someday, this is the interface I plan to get.
Good choice!
Evo 16 is a thing now.
@@mbvglider I'd prefer Audient or new Apogee Boom.
@@auramac EVO is Audient, though.
Thanks for the review. Very helpful. One quick question, though it’s not a deal breaker… wondering if the front knobs can be selected to be used to adjust input levels on all 8 of the line inputs (in back) or is it only the front 1 and 2?
No, unlike other MOTU interfaces, this one does not let you use the front controls to adjust the parameters of the other channels. Great question.
Same question I ask. Hopefully someone will reply us. Thanks
Thanks for the review. I would be interested in using this with the Muktitracker iOS app. My question is will send power delivery to the iPad Pro? TIA
No, this won't power iPads over the USB-C connection as far as I have tested. sorry for not seeing this message sooner, I'm not sure how it slipped through.
Can we use the additional ADAT output along with the physical outputs making a Dolby Atmos configuration ?
I think you'll need to look at whatever you're connecting this to for Atmos to see if that will work. The interface will let you use all of the inputs and outputs at the same time, but whatever is doing the Atmos processing and amplification is where you'll need to look for connectivity answers. Sorry I can't help more, thanks for the question though.
I've been looking hard at the ssl2+, audient id14, volt and motu m4. I only need a few channels for guitar and vocals and am wondering if this might be overkill for my needs?
Mostly just want the best conversion, preamps and headphone amp I can afford and enough Io's for outboard gear in the future and a drum controller
This is THE interface then. Great for future I/O expansion and has low latency, loopback, top of the line DACs, powerful headphone gain, and exceptional dynamic range in its I/O. The others you mentioned are great as well, but you may want to ask yourself what are THE MOST important features that your interface has to have, and go with that.
That's a fair question. These are super worth it for the money, and should get you quite far into the future with expandability. The only reason it would be overkill in my opinion, is if your setup is lacking somewhere else. If you've got a decent set of headphones to work with, and a decent mic or two, then I'd say this is a great choice. Those other interfaces work fine too though & are perfectly capable of making good recordings.
Thanks for reply. I'm going to hold off until NAAM gets a little closer to see what new interfaces are announced. I guarantee the id22 mkII will be announced and if they got it done right that's what I'll get.
The trick to the IP connect thing is that, the driver runs a bridge server on port 1281 on your mac that you can connect to. So you have to type in the IP address (or bonjour name) of your mac with port 1281 ("my-mac.local:1281"). The windows driver is supposed to do the same I think, and there is an open source project called "MOTU UltraLite mk5 WebSockets bridge" to do this forwarding on Linux. The IP address shown on the interface's screen is irrelevant as only the machine it's connected to can see this network.
Hey thanks so much for the info, that's really helpful!
nice explanations...does it work with Apple M2 as well ?
Yes, there should be no functional difference between the M1 & M2 for this type of gear. Thanks for checking out the video!
MOTU is AWESOME they just need better customer service. Thats their biggest complaint on Sweetwater. That they don't stand behind their products.
That’s interesting, I’ve always been able to get them on the phone. Even made a video like 5 yrs ago about how good their support was, wonder what has changed 🤷🏻♂️
I'm from Brazil I bought motu here from a oficial distributor and the interface was from a series that had a design problem that makes noise popping into the chanell 1 and 2, I've contacte them they just said that they were developing a fix firmware and also give me a new firmware to download but I had to wait for months and I sold the unit to the guy I bought and then bought a new version Without problem.
I didn't like because they should give me a new version because I spend great amount of money here in Brazil much more if I was In The usa they could change the unit for me and not giving "untrusted fixes"
In motu, even in modern interfaces, there are problems with stability. In general, the driver is well done. But freezing, mute, crackling, does not work on a USB cable > 1.5m long, freezing and loss of sound become very frequent, on a 2.5 cable the interface is not defined at all. Support responds through the site, with varying degrees of participation, but this does not help. By flashing the interface, they cannot fix these problems, apparently the programmers are not qualified enough. In general, everything works if you turn on the music for 10 seconds and turn it off. But if you listen all day long, use other sound programs in parallel, everything is very sad. I don't understand how to use motu interfaces live with such terrible stability.
Mantab nih. 10 out...
Terima kasih telah menonton!
What is the PAD button for? I only know that +48 is for condenser mics
On this unit the pad is a -20 dB cut that you can put in before the mic preamp. So if you've got a signal coming in super hot and spicy, you can knock it back down so it doesn't clip the input. Ideally you would just turn it down at the source a bit, but alas, we do not live in an ideal world. Thanks for the great question.
Loop back is an essential feature for me and I am never going to buy any audio interface without loop-back. Currently I am on RME Babyface.
RME is so good... how are you liking the Babyface so far? What kind of work are you using it for? Thanks for watching,!
@@DcSoundOp RME Babyface is working flawlessly its been more then 6-7 years I have it and I haven’t seen any issues except I had to change the breack-out cable two three times. I use loop back with smaart while I am doing system tuning. Without loop back I will have to waste one I/O.
On live stage performance rytham pads usefully? Sir
Hey, thanks for the message. I'm not sure I understand the question though. Maybe you could give me more details about what you're trying to do?
Did they get the ip connect working yet? This interface would be perfect if they did.
No... not yet.
how is the latency on this thing on mac m1?
I am used to 2ms roundtrip with rme raydat on windows but lately switched to mac for various reasons.
so far I have been using the audient i44mkii, which sounds absolutely wonderful but latency is not really in the professional zone.
I'm happy to measure it for you using RTL if you give me a sample rate and buffer size you're targeting. What is your i44 giving you currently? Thanks for the message!
@@DcSoundOp hey thanks! the id44mkii has a latency of 8.4ms at 48k, buffer at 64. it goes down to 7.5 at buffer 32, but it’s not stable.
48 is my usual samplerate. mac mini m1.
At 48k 64 sample buffer, I'm getting consistent 5ms measurements - 3.667 if I drop it down to 32 - measured with RTL Utility on MacOS 12.6 on an M1 mini.
@@DcSoundOp thank you. that would be a huge step up.
Can I ask what you're doing that 8.4ms causes any sort of problem?
Can you all these outputs to drive a 5.1 room?
Yes, absolutely 👍🏼
Does it make the speakers pop when you turn the computer on and off?
No, it should not make any noise when you power cycle or restart only the computer. Out of curiosity, what's the situation where you're doing this with the speakers and interface still cranked up?
Hello ...what diference has this one with Motu M6...it has the same specificattions? Thanks
No, they are not the same specifications. The internal components (PreAmps etc) are different, and the physical connectivity is much different (fewer 1/4 outputs, NO ADAT optical or S/PDIF etc.) but with that being said, the price is much less on the m6 and it is also a very nice unit. However, if you don't need the additional features (there are more than just what I mentioned) I doubt the average person, in a typical recording setting would ever tell the difference of the sound quality between the two. I hope that is helpful, thanks for the great question Jose.
@@DcSoundOp yes..is usefull...Motu and Rme are my choices...i.have a option a Rme ucxii of second hand..if i can do it...ill buy motu....thanks
You can bus power it but you'll only have 4 active ins and outs. Low current draw mode.
Can you share or link any info or instructions to how you get it into that mode? It certainly doesn't do it on its own with mine... thanks!
Do people even use S/PDIF anymore? i've never encountered it in twenty years of pro-audio work.
Oh absolutely, I use it all the time & have used it loads of places over the years in professional environments. It’s amazing how many folks will go analog, through extra conversions, to connect gear that has Spdif though. I always try to avoid that and stay digital as long as possible.
Are the drivers still having issues on Mac M1?
Mine has not had any issues now for months, but I don't know if that is because it was fixed with the last round of updates, or just coincidence.
For the three years that I bought the MOTU 624, I have been struggling with sound fading in this card. Contact with the company is difficult, it takes a long time for an answer.
How do you mean sound fading? Do you have a support ticket open with MOTU currently? Let me know more details ✌🏼
@@DcSoundOp ruclips.net/video/klkN06BLbL0/видео.html
Yes, now I am continuing the second maintenance thread on the MOTU website. In response, I was sent recommendations from the site, I followed them, but it did not work. It takes a long time for an answer. Suddenly the card loses sound, after switching frequencies the sound comes back over and over again
I confirm!!! He writes the truth, I have Motu 624 sound loss is constant, the card is not cheap and the driver is the same as 2 times expensive 1248, 8M, 16A means they have the same problems. On a cable longer than 1.5m, the card is buggy. I also wrote in support, there was almost no sense, they released the firmware 3 times, on the last one, finally, the loss of sound became a little less common, but with any heavy load (on the I7 11700K processor ???), the sound may disappear. I use only 2 channels, the rest are removed in the mixer, but the card does not work normally. It's good that I use it only for recording. It feels like all 16 channels of 192 kHz are constantly going through USB, that the card is so sensitive to the USB cable, the load on the processor, and the parallel operation of other programs. I'm not particularly upset, but motu is some strange company... The interface seems to be glassy, if she doesn’t like something, she just freezes.
Why not they develop this along with Android too Sir?
Huh?
Any buzzing sound when you have it on, feels like i can hear something
Feels like you can hear something where? On this video or on one you have? On its own this interface is dead quiet in my experience.... but the RE320 I use does pickup some noise from the lighting & other systems in the ceiling here sometimes. Maybe that's what you're hearing?
@@DcSoundOp I thought I was tripping out and was hearing something else but then I put my ear right next to the interface and i hear some sort of buzzing, does it have a fan inside? I mean it's very light but i can hear it enough that it makes me think a mic would pick it up.
Does anyone know if the driver disables the Mac volume control?
I use the system volume control daily with this unit, thankfully it works as expected!
@@DcSoundOp thank you!
Was about to go for this but I’m going to wait on the Audient ID22 Mark 2 or the Arturia Audiofuse Rev3 with USB C not a micro usb connector.
This doesn’t have a micro usb though… it is USB-C all the way.
Chose Mk5 - 100% usb c. Lots of I/O for future expansion. Been solid with no issues for a few months. Also been new firmware updates which is good to see it being supported. Audiofuse rev2 was my second pick and appears to be a good option as well. Did not hear they have a rev3 coming out? You may be waiting years unless you have some insider info.
@@ftlaud911 You would recommend it for desktop? Would you take it over the RME Babyface Pro FS
@@tuneunleashed - all great options. I am a RME fan and wanted UCXII, but wasn't available and way more expensive. Babyface has same performance, but didn't like the form factor. Didn't want cables in all directions on desk. If that isn't an issue RME drivers are second to none and is a great option (almost double the price). The mk5 on desktop works fine for me. It is larger than it looks. Not big, but not small. The software is easy to setup routing with 3 and 4 band EQ. The only two issues I have is the volume knob is small and over headphone jack. You get used to it, but not ideal. The second issue is the OLED display is all white and doesn't show red when clipping. Just have to monitor to make sure it isn't pegged at the top. As for sound (most important part) - sounds crystal clear, no coloring, and zero noise.
@@ftlaud911 Totally understandable its hard to look for the right interface. I just got myself the Focusrite Clarett+ 4Pre I think its just the right interface. Form factor, big knob, JFET Intrument inputs doesn't have DSP and it looks good in the studio.
Good morning,I have a big problem with this audio interface with the MacBook Pro M1 Sonoma. My computer recognised the audio interface but I can't use the control panel cause it does not communicate with motu mk5, and strangely, I can't update the firmware cause in the control panel I don't have the "voice" firmare, it's absurd... does anyone know what I can do?
Have you contacted MOTU? I would imagine it's an issue with the version of CueMix you are trying to run, but they'd be able to tell you really quickly. They're open Mon - Friday 9am - 6pm EST @ 1 (617) 576-2760 .
Thanks a lot for your message... I've contacted Motu, explained my problems, but nothing changes...
What was their response when you spoke with them?
They told me to control the security panel on the MacBook. But I know that the problem, the from their application...
I'm sorry I don't understand. You're saying they told you change the security settings on your Mac? That would mean going into settings, then to Security & Privacy, then you'd need to click the lock in the bottom left to make changes, and you'd then you can approve their app to have the permissions it needs to run. Did you do all of this? After, you should reboot and relaunch the app and power cycle the MOTU and see if it will connect.
Wish they hadn't ditched the AVB. Would have bought one of these in a heartbeat if it still had AVB... I know, I know, I'm super late to the networked audio party. But it feels like I might have backed the wrong horse.
Which horse did you back? They didn’t get rid of the AVB model or their other AVB interfaces… you can order them today. This is the current usb version✌🏼
@@DcSoundOp Oh I haven't been able to find the AVB Ultralite in stock anywhere. Seemed like it was discontinued and replaced by the newer model, which moved away from AVB. To be fair, AVB maybe seems less appropriate on the portable models, but for those of us who already have a primary Motu AVB setup and are in the market for a portable interface, it's exponentially more attractive if it can become an extension of the network when in the studio.
They are currently back ordered due to demand. The best way to get one is to order it and get on that list. I’d probably order from B&H or Sweetwater who’s buys are big enough to get some priority from the manufacturers / distributors.
Also, I think you made an excellent choice. AVB is already huge in broadcast and certain studio environments. If anything I think it is seeing a renewed interest now that Dante gear has been so hard to get for so long. I think the more open source nature of AVB will keep it relevant for a lot longer too into the future.
@@DcSoundOp Cool, that's great to hear. Thanks for the info!
On an unrelated note, I'm curious if you have thoughts or insights into the upcoming "GPU audio" technology. I.e. how much potential it may have to disrupt the current ecosystem of DSP-based products and platforms.
The most confusing thing about this interface for me has been MOTU's messaging around the wiring of 1/4" plugs when it comes to UNBALANCED connections. They clearly state that, for unbalanced connections to the 1/4" outputs, you must use TRS plugs with the rings disconnected/floating. For the inputs it's less clear. Apparently in older MOTU manuals they used to say the same thing about 1/4" inputs (i.e. that you must use TRS plugs with the rings disconnected), but they have since edited that out. Except they've only partially edited it out, and even in the mk5's manual there is still a reference to using floated ring TRS plugs on inputs. No explanation was ever given as to why the recommendation changed.
There is an explanation in the instructions! "Quarter-inch analog outputs are not cross-coupled. Therefore, when connecting them to an unbalanced input, use a TRS plug with the ring disconnected. Not floating the negative terminal will short it to the sleeve ground and cause distortion."
I don't see a problem. You use the TRS Balanced cable as usual, but you need to know for sure that the contact is disconnected at the unbalanced input of the Cold device.
But there is another very big problem. MOTU on all interfaces at the output uses the simplest balanced output circuit, which does not suppress DAC common-mode distortion. You cannot use the MOTU output in unbalanced mode (Hot + Gnd), in unbalanced mode the distortion is ~50 times higher than in balanced mode. It is easy to check this, measure RMAA or another spectrum analyzer in balanced mode and in unbalanced mode (with Cold turned off, as recommended), in balanced distortion will be for example 0.00014, in unbalanced 0.00635% !!! Also intermodulation. This is a problem that is not mentioned anywhere!!!
Will the USB-C power an M1 iPad?
No, unfortunately I don't believe the USB-C port provides any power to external devices on this one.
I read a comment that said the OLED has no brightness control, and that is putting me off. I didn't notice it on the hardware menu as you navigated it.
You're right, there is no way to adjust that in the current firmware. I wonder if they could add it in the future with an update. Thanks for the message.
@@DcSoundOp to be honest that would be impossible because there weren’t any components for the brightness. Motu dropped the ball with the volume knob, A monochrome Oled display with no information? Then what’s the point of the screen in the first place? they could had just went with an LCD colored display for longevity like the RME UCX 2. I’m a bit hesitant on the this and so far Audio Interfaces this year sucks. Makes me want to go for the old Apogee Quartet.
@@tuneunleashed What ‘components for the brightness’ are you saying are missing? I’m not following you there… do you have a schematic we can see?
Ip over USB 2 umm. Sounds stupid 🙄
Their is a thunderbolt ver of that device allows ip/tcp
3x as much 💸 💰 🤑
Sounds stupid? Can you expand on that at all? What is the issue you are having with it?
Mac......I just don't see how people use mac
I don't see how and why people torture themselves in a PC or Android environment. I worked for years as a tech support specialist, it is beyond me why one would willingly choose Windows platform, especially one working with music.
@@auramac Because its my choice. Keep overpaying for minimal specs.
@@bdotvisualz7461 just switched from years on a windows machine to mac m1. 24 watts power consumption vs ~300 on the old one. same, if not better performance. no fans. I work professionally in audio, these machines are reliable, stable, quiet. and cheap.
@@toslinked and so is my windows setup
@@bdotvisualz7461 I get that you don’t understand why professionals use Apple products, but why are you personally affected by it? It’s a bit weird that you’re here Stanning windows of all things. They’re just tools. Use what works for you… hike your hike.
I love this, but saying that one should buy "expensive Thunderbolt cables" to "get the most out of this interface" is plain misguided. Thunderbolt is *not* an indication of quality : it's a fancy name of a data-transfer protocol, just like USB 2.0 is another data-transfer protocol. You can have high quality, USB 2.0 cables, and bad quality Thunderbolt cables, too! Now, Thunderbolt cables *are* absolutely pricier, but a thunderbolt cable will make absolutely 0 difference whatsoever. It's NOT like analogue where the capacity matter : there is not equivalent to high or low capacity in the digital world. Yes, you could use this with a Thunderbolt cable, but no, it would not change a thing. Just a head up! Other than that, great review!
You might want to go back and listen to what I said again…