MOTU 16A (2025 Version) 32 x 34 Thunderbolt/USB audio interface for Mac, Windows and iOS

The completely redesigned 16A delivers everything you need to turn your computer into a powerful 24-bit/192 kHz digital audio workstation.

The 16A connects to a Mac, PC or iOS device with the included 40 Gbps USB-C cable (compatible with Thunderbolt 3/4, USB4, USB3 and USB2) for up to 256 audio channels (128 in and 128 out), depending on the host computer connection. Class-compliant firmware and reputable MOTU drivers work with all your favorite audio apps, delivering industry-leading, ultra-low round trip latency (RTL) performance less than 2 ms at 96 kHz with high-performance DAW hosts. USB audio class-compliant firmware allows connection to your iPad™ or any iOS™ device via USB-C or a standard camera connection kit (Lightning adapter, sold separately).

The 16A is equally well-suited for studio and stage. As an interface or standalone mixer, the 16A provides 32 separate inputs and 34 separate outputs, including 16 balanced 1/4-inch TRS analog (line-level) in/out, two banks of 8-channel optical I/O, and a front-panel headphone output. Renowned ESS Sabre32™ DAC technology delivers superb analog performance.

Connect all of your studio gear, including microphones, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines and effects processors. Record, monitor, and process all of these live inputs with no latency and no processor strain on your computer. Powerful 32-bit floating point DSP delivers 64-channel mixing with 64 inputs, 32 busses, and effects processing, including reverb, 4-band EQ, high-pass filter, gate and compression at all sample rates up to 96 kHz.

Use two Gigabit network ports to daisy-chain multiple units using standard network cabling, or add an AVB switch to build a network with multiple interfaces and computers with ultra-low network latency, even over long cable runs (hundreds of meters). Stream hundreds of audio channels among devices and computers on the network. The 16A is compatible with previous-generation MOTU AVB devices.

Take control of your recording sessions with talkback. Connect up to three sets of speakers and check your mixes instantly with A/B/C speaker select switching. Stream your sessions to the web with loopback channels and your customized mix of any 16A inputs.

After recording and mixing in the studio, take the 16A on stage for operation as a stand-alone mixer with effects. Control everything over Wi-Fi from the CueMix Pro™ app running on your laptop, tablet and smartphone.

From studio to stage, the 16A delivers exceptional sound quality, state-of-the-art operation and rock-solid performance.

Next-gen 32 x 34 Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 audio interface
The world's first Thunderbolt 4 audio interface built on 30 years of proven success as an industry-leading audio interface brand.

New 3.9-inch TFT displays
Two bright, 24-bit RGB LCDs provide 480 x 128 pixel high-resolution metering for all analog and digital I/O, plus detailed status info and access to hardware settings from a simple and convenient menu.

Superb analog audio quality and high-end converters
Renowned ESS Sabre32™ DAC technology delivers 125 dB dynamic range. Support for all standard sample rates up to 192 kHz.

Ultra-low latency and proven, high-performance MOTU drivers
Round-trip latency (RTL) performance as low as 1.8 ms at 96kHz with high-performance DAW hosts.

Universal Thunderbolt/USB-C connectivity
Connect to any computer with the included 40 Gbps Thunderbolt-compatible USB4 cable (compatible with USB3 and USB2) for up to 256 audio channels (128 in and 128 out), depending on the host computer connection. Class-compliant firmware and industry standard drivers work with any audio apps. Connects to an iPad™ with USB-C or a Lightning adapter kit (sold separately). Use an additional Thunderbolt port to connect additional computer peripherals, a USB hub or Thunderbolt dock.

66 simultaneous audio channels
32 inputs and 34 outputs, including 16 TRS analog (line-level) in/out, two banks of 8-channel optical I/O, and a front-panel headphone output.

64-channel mixing with effects
Powerful 32-bit floating point DSP delivers 64-channel mixing with 64 inputs, 32 busses, and effects processing, including reverb, 4-band double-precision EQ, high-pass filter, gate and compression at all sample rates up to 96 kHz.

Patchbay routing and splitting
Using intuitive, virtual patch cords, easily route any source signal to any destination. Split any source to multiple destinations.

AVB Networking
Use two Gigabit network ports to daisy-chain multiple units using standard network cabling, or add an AVB switch to build a network with multiple interfaces and computers with ultra-low network latency, even over long cable runs (hundreds of meters). Stream hundreds of audio channels among devices and computers on the network. Compatible with previous-generation MOTU AVB devices.

Wi-Fi control
Control everything wirelessly over Wi-Fi from the CueMix Pro app running on mobile devices or other computers on the same network - even multiple devices at the same time.

Precision boost/trim for analog I/O
Calibrate analog input and output signals in precise 1 dB increments. Apply phase invert individually to analog inputs.

Control room features
Control your sessions with "talk" button and "A/B/C" speaker select buttons to quickly compare your mixes on three sets of studio monitors.

Flexible headphone output
With independent volume control and front panel source select knob, the headphone output can mirror any output pair, any CueMix bus, or any Thunderbolt/USB channels. Or create a completely customized mix that includes live 16A inputs and built-in reverb.

Two banks of optical I/O
Connect outboard digital processors, digital mixers or other gear with 16 channels of ADAT at 44.1/48 kHz or 8 channels of S/MUX at 88.2/96 kHz. Bank A can optionally provide stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF) I/O up to 96 kHz.

Word clock in/out/thru
Supports all sample rates up to 192 kHz.

DC-coupled TRS outputs
Use the 16A to manipulate and sequence voltage-controlled modular synthesizers from a host DAW.

Loopback for live streaming and podcasting
Easily route computer output back to the computer, where you can mix it with live inputs from the 16A in your host software for live streaming or podcasting.

Flexible front-panel metering
Choose customized meter views for analog I/O only, digital I/O only and other combinations to best support your workflow.

CueMix Pro app
Control mixing and settings from your Mac, PC or iOS device. Note: iOS app coming soon to the Apple App Store.

Performer Lite
Workstation software with over 100 included instruments, dozens of effects and 6 GB of included loops to make music right away.

Features

• The world's first Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 audio interface.
• 32 x 34 full-rack unit with DSP, mixing, effects, and networking.
• Luxurious metering with two 3.9-inch 24-bit RGB LCD with precision metering for all I/O.
• Superb analog audio performance driven by ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC Technology.
• Ultra-low latency and proven, high-performance MOTU drivers (~2 ms RTL with a 32 sample buffer @ 96 kHz).
• Universal connectivity with included 40 Gbps USB-C cable (compatible with Thunderbolt 3/4, USB4, USB3 and USB2).
• 66 simultaneous audio channels (32 inputs and 34 outputs).
• DSP-driven 64-input digital mixer with 32 busses and DSP effects (reverb, 4-band EQ, gate, compressor & HPF).
• Patchbay routing and splitting with intuitive, virtual patch cords to easily route any source signal to any destination.
• 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports support AVB daisy-chaining and networking with standard CAT-5/6 cables.
• 16x 8-channel AVB streams in/out (128 audio channels in/out) with variable stream size (1-8 channels) per stream.
• Wi-Fi control from CueMix Pro™ app on multiple mobile devices.
• Network management features (discovery and control for multiple devices on the network).
• Precision boost for all analog inputs and trim (cut) for all analog outputs in 1 dB increments.
• Control room features include Talkback and A/B/C monitor select via CueMix Pro™ software.
• Flexible headphone output with independent volume control and source select knob.
• 16x balanced, DC-coupled 1/4-inch TRS analog outputs with measured 125 dB dynamic range.
• 16x balanced 1/4-inch TRS analog inputs with measured 120 dB dynamic range.
• 2x banks of optical digital I/O (16 ADAT channels at 1x sample rates) with optional stereo TOSLink on Bank A.
• Word clock in/out/thru.
• DC-coupled TRS outputs can be used to control modular synthesizers from a host DAW using control voltage (CV).
• Support for 44.1 to 192 kHz sample rates.
• 1-rack U form factor built with rugged steel construction.
• USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on macOS and iOS (no driver required).
• Loopback for mixing host software output with live 16A inputs for streaming and podcasting.
• Flexible front-panel metering with meter views for analog I/O only, digital I/O only and all channels.
• CueMix Pro™ app to control mixing and settings from your Mac, PC or iOS device.
• MOTU Performer Lite workstation software included.
• 100+ instruments (in Performer Lite).
• Over 6 GB of included free loops, samples and one-shots from industry leading libraries.
• Two-year warranty.