MOTU 896mk3 Hybrid audio interface now shipping

MOTU has announced it is now shipping the 896mk3 Hybrid, an enhanced version of the 896 audio interface that now provides flexible connectivity to Mac or Windows computers via Firewire or high-speed USB 2.0.

Features include eight XLR/TRS “combo” style analog inputs with high-quality preamps, ten XLR analog outputs, a total of 28 inputs and 32 outputs, 192 kHz analog operation, signal overload protection, a 32-bit floating point DSP for digital mixing and effects processing, two banks of configurable optical I/O, and support for time code synchronization.
The rear panel of the 896mk3 Hybrid provides both Firewire A (400 Mbps) and hi-speed USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) ports. Users can connect the 896mk3 Hybrid to their computer using either format for full-featured operation and ultra-low bus latency. The Firewire jacks on the 896mk3 are 9-pin Type B jacks, but they can be connected to any Firewire jack on the computer (6-pin Type A, 4-pin Type A “mini”, or Type B) using any standard Firewire cable that has the necessary connectors on it.
Other feature updates include computer-controllable pad and 48V phantom power switches for the eight mic inputs. The 896mk3 Hybrid includes all the features from the earlier award-winning Firewire-only mk3

896mk3 Hybrid features

CueMix FX™ — flexible 28 input/16 bus mixer with on-board DSP effects, including reverb with sends/returns, plus EQ and compression on every input and output.
28 inputs / 32 outputs (at 44.1/48 kHz) — there’s no channel sharing in the 896mk3; the mic inputs, AES/EBU I/O, S/PDIF I/O, headphone out and main outs are all handled as separate channels.
Front-panel control — access any setting in your entire 896mk3 mix directly from the front panel.
Stand-alone operation — users can program mixes at the studio and then bring the 896mk3 to a gig — no computer needed. If they need to tweak the mix, they can do it on site using the back-lit LCD and front-panel controls.
Multiple CueMix FX mixes — for example, users can create different monitor mixes for the main outs and headphones. Or add send/return loops for outboard gear — with no latency.
Eight rear panel combo jacks provide 1/4” guitar/line input or XLR mic input with phantom power, pad and plenty of gain.
Clip protection — input limiter prevents digital clipping and distortion from overloaded signal levels up to +12 dB over zero.
Eight 24-bit 192 kHz analog inputs and outputs on XLR jacks.
Precision Digital Trim™ — Digitally controlled analog trim on all analog inputs provides accurate adjustments in 1 dB increments. Users can fine-tune the balance of the analog inputs and then save/recall trim configurations.
Flexible optical I/O — 16 channels of ADAT lightpipe, 8 channels of SMUX (96 kHz) or two pairs of stereo TOSLink. Mix and match formats between the two banks.
Expandable — add additional interfaces for more I/O as connectivity needs grow.
Separate XLR main outs and front-panel headphone jacks, each with independent volume control.
Stereo 24-bit 96 kHz AES/EBU in/out.
Stereo 24-bit 96 kHz S/PDIF in/out.
Word clock in and out.
Foot switch input — conveniently located on the front panel; connect a standard foot pedal switch (sold separately) for hands-free punch-in and punch-out while recording. Or map the pedal to any keystroke function in your host software.
Includes native 32- and 64-bit drivers for Mac OS X and Windows 7/Vista, including ASIO, WDM, Wave, and Core Audio. Supports all popular Mac and Windows audio software.
100% compatible with all host-based effects processing in today’s popular audio programs.
Includes AudioDesk full-featured sample-accurate workstation software for the Mac with recording, editing, mixing, real-time 32-bit effects processing & sample-accurate sync.
Front panel volume control for monitoring. Stereo, Quad, 5.1, 7.1 and user-defined surround monitoring setups available.
Two front panel headphone jacks with independent volume controls.
Comprehensive front panel metering for all analog and digital audio I/O.
Dedicated front panel clock status LEDs.
International 100-240V, 50-60 Hz auto-switching power supply.