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Why does NOBODY have MOTU M2 or M4?

vindibona1

vindibona1

Apr 18, 2015
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#1
Are these new models that haven't been released yet? Some retailers are offering "pre-ordering", but I've come across nobody with either of these units. Are they that popular that they've just sold out completely or, as I said, a new release that hasn't hit the retailers yet?

Also, the M2 would probably meet my needs TODAY... But what does the M4 have for the additional $50?
 
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#2
Well, M4 = 4 in/4 out versus the M2 = 2 in/2 out. Having 2 more line inputs is rarely a bad thing.

The only other difference I see has to do with direct/hardware monitoring (i.e. zero latency) while tracking. The M4 has a knob on the front to quickly set a blend between the computer's audio output (playback) with the live inputs. This "more track vs. more me" control seems like a great idea and a real time saver compared to fussing with faders in your DAW and/or the MOTU software.
 
#4
Thanks. I'm leaning toward the M4 though at this point I don't see having a use for the extra inputs. However I've often gone by the saying "It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it".

But still, there doesn't seem to be either unit anywhere to be found, at least in the US.
 
#6
seamonkey said:
They're popular and sell out!
I got an M4 by the time I decided I wanted one they sold out.
They sold out a few times now.

M4 is 4x4 - you can leave things plugged in, less cable swapping. And more of the great looking meters
Click to expand...

You got me turned onto these... And now as I look at some of the comparably priced Focusrite models, there are just a few key features that MOTU has that don't come on the Scarletts.
 
#7
I "bought" an M4 from Sweetwater, about a month ago, eagerly awaiting a shipping notification. It was down to the M4, SSL2+ and Audient ID14. Decent metering is a must for me. The two-color led for "got a signal/too hot" indication just doesn't work for me. Several of the Presonus units have decent looking meters, but my OCD can't handle the fact that the input gain knobs are stacked vertically, while the inputs and meters are arranged horizontally.

The SSL and Audient are very attractive, but neither has midi, and the M4 has more I/O (well the ID14 DOES have ADAT, which I'd likely never use). It's not a deal breaker, but given the price differential, it's a win for the Motu. With all three in pre-order status just about everywhere, the Motu wins for me on features, clean layout, reputation and price. Oh and that it apparently works well with an iPad pro (powered through a usb hub and usb CCK; Mine's a gen 2 lightning model).
 
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#8
One of the often overlooked features of the small Motu interfaces is loopback. So you can easily route computer output back to the computer. Most comparable interfaces don't have this feature.
Simple user-case: you want to use Spotify as a backing track and play along with it and record both to separate channels of your daw.
 
#9
DirkP said:
One of the often overlooked features of the small Motu interfaces is loopback. So you can easily route computer output back to the computer. Most comparable interfaces don't have this feature.
Simple user-case: you want to use Spotify as a backing track and play along with it and record both to separate channels of your daw.
Click to expand...

This is all going to be another learning curve for me.

JdoubleH said:
I "bought" an M4 from Sweetwater, about a month ago, eagerly awaiting a shipping notification. It was down to the M4, SSL2+ and Audient ID14. Decent metering is a must for me. The two-color led for "got a signal/too hot" indication just doesn't work for me. Several of the Presonus units have decent looking meters, but my OCD can't handle the fact that the input gain knobs are stacked vertically, while the inputs and meters are arranged horizontally.

The SSL and Audient are very attractive, but neither has midi, and the M4 has more I/O (well the ID14 DOES have ADAT, which I'd likely never use). It's not a deal breaker, but given the price differential, it's a win for the Motu. With all three in pre-order status just about everywhere, the Motu wins for me on features, clean layout, reputation and price. Oh and that it apparently works well with an iPad pro (powered through a usb hub and usb CCK; Mine's a gen 2 lightning model).
Click to expand...

Sweetwater has SSL2's in stock right now (but no SSL2+ yet), but I'm holding out for a M4.
 
#10
I finally received my M4 from Sweetwater Wednesday. I haven't had much time with it, but I'm really impressed so far. My first impression out of the box was that it was much more substantial in weight and materials than I anticipated for the price. I've only used it with Garage Band on my iPad pro so far, which is a 10.5" lightning model with the Apple cck USB dongle and a powered usb hub. everything works flawlessly, including midi. The metering is fantastic. Latency seems just about nonexistent, but it's still nice to be able to mix my dry input signal. Hopefully I'll get a chance to meet around with it and Reaper on a PC this week.
 
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#11
JdoubleH said:
I finally received my M4 from Sweetwater Wednesday. I haven't had much time with it, but I'm really impressed so far. My first impression out of the box was that it was much more substantial in weight and materials than I anticipated for the price. I've only used it with Garage Band on my iPad pro so far, which is a 10.5" lightning model with the Apple cck USB dongle and a powered usb hub. everything works flawlessly, including midi. The metering is fantastic. Latency seems just about nonexistent, but it's still nice to be able to mix my dry input signal. Hopefully I'll get a chance to meet around with it and Reaper on a PC this week.
Click to expand...

You got yours? They haven't shipped mine yet :bored:. They're saying May 28th. I'm going to send my rep a note.

Mixing the dry input signal is one of the main reasons I opted for the M4 instead of the M2. It just didn't make sense to save the $40 or so on a long term investment if I grow into this stuff.
 
#13
I've got a mail from MOTU:
"Thank you for your interest in our products! Since their release, the M2 and M4 have been in high demand. MOTU is working hard to meet this demand, but since the COVID-19 pandemic began, production of new units has slowed. We are fulfilling these backorders as fast as possible, so your order will be fulfilled as soon as stock is made available. We appreciate your patience!"
 
#15
jsixties said:
I've got a mail from MOTU:
"Thank you for your interest in our products! Since their release, the M2 and M4 have been in high demand. MOTU is working hard to meet this demand, but since the COVID-19 pandemic began, production of new units has slowed. We are fulfilling these backorders as fast as possible, so your order will be fulfilled as soon as stock is made available. We appreciate your patience!"
Click to expand...

Tosh said:
order now and it should ship to you next week!

MOTU M4 4x4 USB-C Audio Interface
Click to expand...

I just got a notice this afternoon... SWEETWATER HAS THEM IN STOCK. Thought you should know. Don't wait.
 
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#17
jsixties said:
I'm in Spain mate, with overseas shipping + VAT + customs taxes the final price is insane. Anyway I have found a couple of stores in my country with spare units. Thanks anyway!
Click to expand...

Sorry.. I missed that. FWIW, Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in the whole world and if I could I'd move there.

IMO sales/VAT taxes are evil. If you're like here in the US, YOU HAVE ALREADY PAID TAX ON THE MONEY THAT YOU'RE USING TO PAY THE VAT TAX so essentially you're taxed double on the same money!! IMO sales taxes are the most insidious taxes that exist. Politicians are too afraid to hike income taxes to raise the same amount of revenue because it becomes evident how much they're gouging their constituents. But layering different types of taxes helps them hide what percentage of your income they're confiscating. [No activists were harmed in this publication].
 

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