MOTU UltraLite-mk5 18x22 USB Audio Interface 3 for Mac, Windows and iOS with mixing and effects
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Availability:
Only 1 left in stock, order soon!
Arrives
Sunday, Mar 8
Features
- 18 x 22 USB audio interface 2 combo XLR/TRS mic/line/hi-Z guitar inputs, 6 analog ins, 10 analog outs, headphone out, S/PDIF digital I/O and 8-channel optical I/O for 40 simultaneous audio channels.
- Superb analog quality with ultra-low latency Analog outputs deliver 125 dB dynamic range. Optimized drivers deliver rock-solid performance and industry-leading low latency.
- DSP-driven monitor mixing Mix live inputs to any analog output pair. Create a separate, unique mix for each output pair (six separate mix busses). Include computer channels in each mix.
- On-board effects Apply reverb, 4-channel parametric EQ and dynamics processing to inputs and bus mixes.
- Universal connectivity Connects to any computer with hi-speed USB 2.0 (audio class compliant, compatible with USB 3.0 and iOS). Compatible with all audio software.
- Comprehensive metering The high-resolution OLED display lets you view all signal activity at a glance with detailed metering for all analog I/O.
- CueMix 5 app Control mixing and settings from your Mac, PC or iOS device.
- Performer Lite Workstation software with over 100 included instruments, dozens of effects and 6 GB of included loops to make music right away.
Brand: MOTU
Compatible Devices: Personal Computer
Supported Software: CueMix 5
Connectivity Technology: External Line Return, USB
Number of Channels: 22
Item Weight: 2.87 pounds
Product Dimensions: 12 x 16 x 7 inches
Item model number: 8453
Date First Available: April 6, 2021
Color Name: Black
Compatible Devices: Personal Computer
Connector Type: USB Type C
Hardware Interface: USB
Supported Software: CueMix 5
Operating System: Windows, iOS, macOS
Frequently asked questions
If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is:
Sunday, Mar 8
Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
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Top Amazon Reviews
Cons: The included usb cables are a bit short. Pros: Everything else. Using this interface to listen through my studio monitors and headphones. I have a mic connected for calls and gaming. I run a long TRS interconnect across the room from the headphone out when I play my TD30, and latency is ~3ms at 32 sample host buffer (with no underruns, stable, clean audio). That still leaves me with another combo jack for mic/hi-z, 4 balanced line inputs for my electronic drums or other gear, 8 balanced line outputs, optical adat/toslink, coaxial spdif, midi in and out. Headphone amp sounds good, although I don't have high impedance or power hungry headphones. I no longer need to use equalizerAPO because there is EQ for outputs. CueMix5 is great, especially after a few big updates. I have yet to discover a way in which it functionally limits me. I can enable/disable and set any of the inputs/outputs as windows default, and route main computer audio to any output. Using this I can play through my studio monitors and headphones at the same time. I can stream without including my friends in voice chat or soundboard playback by using main out for obs and phones out for discord/soundboard. It has loopback/gate/compression/reverb/eq/panning/full mixer. Effects can be set to pre or post-send to usb host. The loopback feature is well thought out, and obsoletes the need for more finnicky and less feedback safe virtualcable solutions. Read the manual if you must, the internal and external routing capabilities are astounding for this form factor. The unit is externally powered and retains settings in memory, so I can use it without my computer being on. It can be turned off without being unplugged too. I have used monoprice unbalanced 3.5mm trs to dual 1/4" ts for aux input from phone or PC monitor, which is perhaps not ideal, but works. If you don't need AVB or motu's more versatile matrix routing and mixer, this interface is perhaps the best on the market, even now in 2025. Massive step up in quality and capability from my 2i2, which I promptly gave away.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2021 by Joshua Howard Joshua Howard
This interface is great quality. It feels sturdy, metal, heavy. The sound quality is a significant step above my previous (Scarlett focusrite solo). The included software has a small but significant learning curve. Just spend a day getting used to it and you'll be fine. Onboard DSP works well. I love being able to eq and compress my audio before it reaches my daw. It has more IO than I'll ever use, probably, and it's fit into a relatively compact form factor. I was dubious about the OLED screen on the front before I bought this. Now that I've used it for a while, I can say the front screen isn't what you'll use for regular level monitoring. It's good for a quick eyeball, but for serious monitoring of levels you'll want the included software open on your computer, and/or use the daw. The OLED screen also has a screen saver to prevent burn in. We'll see how it looks after a few years, but for now it looks flawless. Overall I'm so happy with this interface. I probably won't ever need another one.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2025 by Josh P.
Very pleased with the MOTU UltraLite-mk5. In terms of value for money, this is the best USB audio interface on the market. Sound quality and preamps are fantastic. I've connected this through a KVM to switch between a mac and PC, and have zero issues with this setup (Windows 11 and macOS Ventura). CueMix software is fairly intuitive and works well. With my previous interface (Focusrite Scarlett 2i4) I had to use an active inline preamp to boost my mic's signal, but no need for that anymore! That said, there's a few things I wish this interface had: -The digital display is all white, so it's a little hard to tell with the level metering if your signal is clipping - not the case with the M2/M4 -Wish the XLR mic/headphone I/O was at the back for a cleaner look, but that would obviously come at a cost of I/O (which this has TONS) -Wish the volume knob was bigger, and not a notchy rotary encoder - something more freely spinning to turn the volume up/down quicker Other than that this is definitely worth it!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023 by Nima Nima
I have two of these, and they have been rock solid performers. I use them for audio-reactive visuals in VJ gigs to intercept an audio feed from a DJ, OR an audio feed from my computer using the mk5's loopback feature. Latency for the audio inputs is super important to me and the latency on this unit is extremely low. The digital loopback feature is a godsend. And aside from the analog outputs, you can freely route audio how you like, with a similar number of digital outputs (to be made available to local apps of yours). Sound quality is great too, on a wide range of speakers. On Windows 11, this thing "just works". I really can't recall a time when windows didn't recognize this, or when anything else misbehaved. CueMix5 is superb, and the load/save preset feature is a godsend. The unit can function as a standalone digital mixer without a computer too, once it is set up from a computer or iOS device (via CueMix5 on either of those). Apparently MOTU is going to roll out a CueMix update with an API, opening the door to controlling this from scripts or 3rd party software, but that hasn't happened yet and I am eagerly awaiting that :) The mk5 is basically all I will ever need, in terms of an audio interface. Would highly recommend this one.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2023 by Jason Beyers