MOTU 828es 28x32 Thunderbolt/USB-2 Audio Interface

This is one versatile box. On the surface it looks similar to it's older firewire predecessor, but it can do so much more. The onboard digital mixer, the ethernet-based networking and audio transport, and the absolutely amazing routing flexibility between all of the ins and outs AND other devices makes the es ultra flexible and expandable. Also, it's connectivity capabilities with not only their latest units, but with their legacy units and even other brands make it essential and flexible for so many different uses. I look forward to using these units in lots of different applications over many years!

This unit rocks, very clean/open sound. Handles all frequencies well with a solid top end. They make it easy to make good mix decisions with this. However in my last review I mentioned all the work-arounds I had to jimmyrig.. those were all due to me having bought a faulty unit. I exchanged it and haven't had a problem since! The new unit came with updated drivers out of the box. I highly recommend the 828es, just check to see if your comes with the latest updates when you plug it in for the first time🤞🏾

Had a Apogee Ensemble and it stopped working, thought I had great sound until I got the Audient ID44... the overall sound was clearer, but a little brittle on the top end. Next day I took it back and got the MOTU, and dang. This thing sounds great, and makes mix decisions much easier. Also the inputs make everything sound more well rounded, less brittle. The inputs are similar to the Apogee but I like the way they sit in the beat better with the MOTU. Also again, better top end on the MOTU. I like it, been having trouble with the USB connection tho. So you have to buy a Thunderbolt 2 Cable, since its not included. could knock off a star for that, but its still one of the best out. F it, buy it... just order your own wire on B&H

I really liked that this unit has so many ins and outs. Instead of pairing the main LR output with outputs 1 and 2, the numbered outputs are separate, giving you two more outputs separate outputs. The problem came when I tried to use it via Thuderbolt. For some reason it would never stay connected consistently longer than an hour, after which it would no longer be recognized by either of my Mac computers. This, combined with the fact that it is limited in a way that running all input channels with all onboard DSP at 96 KHz is simply impossible. I ended up returning it and getting something less expensive with more inputs and more consistent experience between CD-quality and high sample rates. Limitations are to be expected at say 192 KHz, but at the price-point I think more should be expected.