MOTU 10pre 28x30 Hybrid FireWire/USB Audio Interface with DSP

The MOTU 10pre stands apart from typical rackmount interfaces by combining a hybrid FireWire/USB connection with an unusually high analogue I/O count and onboard DSP effects. While many competitors in this class rely on a single connection protocol or external processing, the 10pre delivers 28 inputs and 30 outputs at 44.1/48 kHz, making it a flexible hub for studios that need to route multiple sources and monitor mixes with zero-latency effects.

Highlights

• Hybrid FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 connectivity for broad compatibility with Mac and Windows systems.
• 28 simultaneous inputs and 30 outputs at standard sample rates, including 8 channels of ADAT optical I/O and stereo S/PDIF.
• Two high-quality microphone preamps with V-Limit overload protection, +48V phantom power, and 110 dB dynamic range.
• Onboard CueMix FX DSP provides reverb, EQ, and compression on every mix bus, eliminating the need for external processing during monitoring.
• 1U rackmount steel chassis with front-panel controls for main volume, headphone volume, input gain, phantom power, pad, and metering.

In daily use

In a project studio or live rack, the 10pre simplifies complex routing. Connect up to eight line-level sources via the rear-panel TRS inputs, use the combi jacks for microphones or instruments, and expand with ADAT or S/PDIF devices. The two independent headphone outputs allow separate cue mixes for engineer and artist, each with its own volume control. CueMix FX lets you add reverb or compression to the monitor path without taxing your computer, while the internal power supply keeps cabling tidy.

Full specifications

• Connection type: FireWire 400 / USB 2.0
• Simultaneous I/O: 28 inputs / 30 outputs at 44.1/48 kHz
• Analogue inputs: 2 x XLR/TRS combo (mic/instrument), 8 x 1/4" TRS line
• Analogue outputs: 2 x XLR main, 8 x 1/4" TRS line, 2 x 1/4" TRS headphone
• Digital I/O: 1 x ADAT optical in/out (8 channels), 1 x S/PDIF coaxial in/out
• Microphone preamps: 2, with V-Limit overload protection and +48V phantom power
• Maximum sample rate/resolution: 192 kHz / 24-bit
• Onboard DSP: CueMix FX with reverb, EQ, and compression
• MIDI I/O: 1 x MIDI in, 1 x MIDI out
• Word clock: In and Out on BNC connectors
• Dynamic range: 110 dB A-weighted (main output and mic input)
• Form factor: 1U rackmount, steel chassis
• Compatibility: macOS (Intel/Apple Silicon), Windows 7/8/10/11
• Power supply: Internal AC
• Included software: MOTU Audio Console, CueMix FX

Final note

For engineers who need a dependable, expandable interface with integrated monitoring effects, the MOTU 10pre offers a rare combination of high channel count, hybrid connectivity, and onboard DSP in a single rack space.