MOTU Introduces 308 24-Channel Digital Audio
InterfaceCompatible with both MacOS and Windows computers
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August 9, 1999
Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. (MOTU) has announced the 308, a one rack-space 24-channel
audio interface for computers that will be sold as an expansion I/O for MOTU’s
2408 and 1224 hard disk recording systems for Mac OS and Windows 95/98. The 308
adds 8 channels of AES/EBU digital I/O, 8 channels of RCA (coax) S/PDIF digital
I/O, and 8 channels of optical (TOSLink) S/PDIF digital I/O for a list price of
$695. The 308 can also be used as a stand-alone format converter.
"When it comes to getting audio in and out of a computer, in any form,
you simply can't beat MOTU's price, quality and flexibility," commented Jim
Cooper, MOTU Marketing Director. "The 2408 offers 24 channels of ADAT optical
and Tascam TDIF I/O for under a thousand bucks. Add a 1224,
and you've got stunning 24-bit analog recording with 116 dB dynamic range. The
308 tops things off with an 8-channel bank of AES/EBU and two additional banks
of S/PDIF - in both coax and optical format - for connecting effects processors,
DAT machines, speakers, or anything with digital I/O."
A 308 interface connects to one of the two extra "Audio Wire" jacks
on the MOTU PCI-324 card in a core 2408 or 1224 system. All twenty four of the
308's digital inputs and outputs immediately become available to all compatible
host audio software, including all major audio software on both Macintosh and
Windows. The 308 provides 24-bit digital I/O for all three formats at both 44.1
and 48 kHz. Users can connect up to three MOTU audio interfaces to a PCI-324,
mixing and matching 2408, 1224, and 308 rack I/Os to suit their needs.
For synchronization, the 308 provides word clock input and output on standard
BNC connectors. It can be clocked from the PCI-324 card, a 2408 or 1224 interface
connected to the card, or from its own word clock input.
The rear panel of the 308, from left to right, has a power cord receptacle,
vertically stacked BNC connectors for word clock in/out, four pairs of optical
S/PDIF "TOSLink"-style jacks, four vertical pairs of RCA (coax) S/PDIF
connectors, and, finally, four horizontal pairs of AES/EBU input/output on XLR
connectors.
The front panel of the 308 provides a signal-present LED for every digital
input and output, along with sample rate indicators (44.1 or 48 kHz). On the right-hand
side are two buttons with accompanying LEDs for programming the 308 as a stand-alone
format converter. With the computer turned off, or with the 308 disconnected entirely
from a computer, users can transfer audio from any input or input pair on the
308 to any other output pair, in any format. For example, they could convert 8
channels of AES/EBU audio to 8 channels of optical S/PDIF.
MOTU expects the 308 to ship Fall, 1999. The 308's list price is $695.
Visit Mark of the Unicorn on the web at www.motu.com.
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