16A (2025) /32 x 34 Thunderbolt/USB audio interface for Mac, Windows and iOS with mixing, effects and networking.
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.
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.
