MOTU 10pre 26×28 Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 Audio Interface
The MOTU 10pre is a professional 26-input/28-output Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 audio interface that delivers world-class sound quality, ultra-low latency, and complete AVB-network integration for studios and live setups. Connecting easily to any Mac, PC, or iOS device, the 10pre combines pristine 118 dB-dynamic-range mic preamps, ESS Sabre32 DAC technology, flexible DSP mixing, and advanced routing — all in a compact 1U rack-mount chassis.
Connectivity and Performance
Featuring Thunderbolt-compatible USB4 C-to-C connectivity (backward compatible with USB 3 and USB 2), the 10pre supports up to 256 audio channels (128 in / 128 out). Class-compliant firmware ensures plug-and-play operation with all major DAWs, delivering sub-1.9 ms round-trip latency (96 kHz, 32-sample buffer). A second Thunderbolt port allows you to connect additional peripherals such as drives, monitors, or docks.
Mic/Line/Instrument Inputs
The ten XLR/TRS combo inputs feature high-performance mic preamps offering 118 dB dynamic range, –129 dBu EIN, –114 THD+N, and up to +74 dB of gain for ultra-clean recording.
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Rear panel: Eight inputs (1–8) for permanent studio wiring
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Front panel: Two inputs (9–10) for quick session access
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Dedicated inserts on channels 1–2 enable outboard processing integration
Front-Panel Control and Monitoring
A bright 3.9-inch full-color TFT display provides high-resolution metering for every analog and digital I/O. Two independent headphone outputs feature assignable source selection and volume control. Front-panel controls let you adjust input gain, engage 48 V phantom power, apply –20 dB pads, and toggle monitoring modes.
Additional control-room tools include talkback, A/B/C monitor select, mute, and mono sum buttons. All functions are remotely controllable via computer or mobile device.
Rear-Panel I/O
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8 x Mic/Line/Instrument Inputs (Combo XLR/TRS)
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2 x TRS Send/Return Inserts (for Inputs 1–2)
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8 x Balanced TRS Line Outputs with ESS Sabre32 32-bit DACs (125 dB dynamic range, –114 THD+N)
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Dual ADAT Optical I/O (switchable to S/PDIF)
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BNC Word Clock In/Out/Thru
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2 x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 Ports
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2 x AVB Ethernet Ports for networking
All analog I/O can be calibrated in 1 dB steps, and all line outputs are DC-coupled, perfect for controlling modular synths directly from your DAW.
AVB Networking
The built-in AVB switch allows up to eight MOTU interfaces (10pre, 848, 16A, etc.) to be networked via standard Ethernet cabling. Each 10pre can transmit and receive 128 audio channels over the network, with ultra-low latency across multiple devices and computers. Expand effortlessly with external AVB switches for larger systems — even over cable runs of hundreds of meters.
Mixing and DSP Effects
Powered by MOTU’s 32-bit floating-point DSP engine, the 10pre delivers 64-channel mixing from any input source — interface channels, computer streams, network audio, or bus returns.
Using the included CueMix Pro software, you get:
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26 aux buses, plus main, monitor, reverb, and solo buses
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4-band double-precision parametric EQ and compression on all channels
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High-Pass Filter and Gate on every input
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Built-in reverb and Wi-Fi remote mixing from an iPad or iPhone
Comprehensive Routing
CueMix Pro provides drag-and-drop patching or a matrix view for routing any source to any destination — including DAW I/O, mixer channels, hardware outs, and AVB network streams. Split or duplicate any signal across multiple outputs with total flexibility.
Included Software
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CueMix Pro App (macOS, Windows, iOS)
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Low-latency Thunderbolt/USB drivers
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MOTU Performer Lite DAW
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6 GB of loops and samples from Big Fish Audio, LucidSamples, LoopCloud, and MOTU
MOTU 10pre Specifications
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Computer Connection | Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 Type-C (USB 3 & 2 compatible) |
| Analog I/O | 10 x Mic/Line/Instrument Inputs (XLR/TRS Combo), 8 x TRS Outputs |
| Digital I/O | 2 x ADAT Optical I/O (S/PDIF switchable) |
| Headphones | 2 x Independent ¼-inch Outputs |
| Networking | 2 x Gigabit AVB Ethernet Ports |
| Word Clock | In / Out / Thru (BNC) |
| Mic Preamps | 10 with +74 dB gain, 118 dB dynamic range, –129 dBu EIN |
| Dynamic Range (Outputs) | 125 dB (ESS Sabre32 DACs) |
| Total I/O Channels | 26 in / 28 out |
| Maximum Sample Rate | 192 kHz |
| Rack Mount | 19-inch, 1U |
| Clock I/O | Word Clock In / Out |
| Digital Format | ADAT / S/PDIF |
Key Features
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26×28 Thunderbolt / USB4 interface with integrated DSP mixing and AVB networking
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10 studio-grade mic/line/instrument inputs with transparent preamps
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Dual headphone outputs with independent mix control
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ESS Sabre32 DAC technology for pristine audio conversion
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3.9-inch full-color TFT meter display
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Ultra-low latency (< 1.9 ms) performance
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Full CueMix Pro software suite included
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Expandable networking for multi-device AVB systems
SEO Meta Description
MOTU 10pre — 26×28 Thunderbolt / USB4 audio interface with 10 premium mic preamps, AVB networking, 32-bit DSP mixing, and ultra-low latency performance for studio and live sound.










