MOTU M2

The MOTU M2 is an audio interface that punches well above its price in two specific areas: converter quality and metering. At around £200 new it uses ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC technology — the same converter architecture found in high-end audiophile equipment — and ships with a full-colour LCD display showing real-time metering for all inputs and outputs. Neither is standard at this price.

The practical spec is straightforward: two combo inputs with independent 48V phantom power per channel, two balanced line outputs, one headphone output, and 5-pin MIDI in and out — the full MIDI requirement that the Audient iD14 MkII lacks. Latency is measured at under 2.5ms round-trip at 96kHz with a 32-sample buffer, which makes it viable for software instruments and real-time monitoring without noticeable delay.

A less obvious feature: the balanced line outputs are DC-coupled, meaning they can output control voltage for Eurorack modular synthesisers. With the right cable (floating-ring TRS to TS) the M2 functions as a basic CV interface, sending pitch and modulation signals directly from your DAW into a modular system. For producers working at the hardware/software boundary this is a genuine differentiator.

The main limitation is the headphone output, which shows distortion above 50% volume in measurements — audible in practice at very high levels. It is not an issue at sensible listening volumes but worth knowing. There is also no hardware monitor mix control; direct monitoring is handled in software.

Who Is This For?

• Producers who need MIDI I/O alongside audio recording at a mid-range budget
• Eurorack and modular users who want CV output directly from their DAW
• Home studio owners who want proper metering on the desk without a separate meter bridge
• Anyone who values low latency for software instrument recording