MOTU UltraLite-mk5 18x22 USB Audio Interface 3 for Mac, Windows and iOS with mixing and effects

I have two of these, and they have been rock solid performers. I use them for audio-reactive visuals in VJ gigs to intercept an audio feed from a DJ, OR an audio feed from my computer using the mk5's loopback feature. Latency for the audio inputs is super important to me and the latency on this unit is extremely low.The digital loopback feature is a godsend. And aside from the analog outputs, you can freely route audio how you like, with a similar number of digital outputs (to be made available to local apps of yours). Sound quality is great too, on a wide range of speakers.On Windows 11, this thing "just works". I really can't recall a time when windows didn't recognize this, or when anything else misbehaved.CueMix5 is superb, and the load/save preset feature is a godsend. The unit can function as a standalone digital mixer without a computer too, once it is set up from a computer or iOS device (via CueMix5 on either of those). Apparently MOTU is going to roll out a CueMix update with an API, opening the door to controlling this from scripts or 3rd party software, but that hasn't happened yet and I am eagerly awaiting that :)The mk5 is basically all I will ever need, in terms of an audio interface. Would highly recommend this one.

Check out the videos that Julian Krause has done of this audio interface. It's pretty incredible what this unit can do.It has the highest gain of any audio interface that he has reviewed, and is one of just two units that has more than 60db of max gain. It also has some of the lowest pre-amp noise out of dozens of units that he has reviewed. (Amir at AudioScienceReview also took measurements and came to similar conclusions).All of this means that is a technically excellent unit. Almost "lab perfect" performance. And that means it is great for very "gain hungry" mics such as the Shure SM7B.I've used it with the Shure SM7B, and my co-workers said "wow when did you get a broadcast recording studio in your house" when they heard it.The software is also excellent (especially on MacOS).The overall build quality is also top notch -- lots of metal in the construction, and nothing that seems like it will break off easily.

I've been looking to upgrade my home 5.1 surround sound system DAC with a macOS interface that didn't exceed four figures, had a solid history of brand performance, and utilized one of the better chips available. This is it. Initial hook-up was incredibly frustrating, as I wasn't able to generate any sound from any outputs other than phones. After reinstalling the software including drivers, I am pleased to say the unit is performing flawlessly. The clarity of sound is wonderful. What's most intriguing about the unit are the endless possibilities it opens up in regards to input and output diversity. Looking forward to seeing how this unit performs on ASR.4/29/2023 - The best return on investment that I've enjoyed in the realm of hi-fi. Love this unit!

Great equipment !

Unfortunately, the item arrived in used condition. The factory seal had been broken & a piece of tape had been placed over the factory seal. There were grease marks resembling fingerprints on the item’s black outer case. There was a hair inside the item. I returned it. I chose not to replace the item because I was not confident that it would not happen again. This was for me a high ticket item & I am very disappointed.

I’m reviewing this unit as a type of person who isn’t an audio engineer, sound producer, musician, nor audiophile. I’m a computer person who loves music and wants to have ways to connect audio components together but using an M1 Pro 16.2” Mac, however.So this is my take on this MK5 unit: It has 18 inputs, 22 outputs. Simply speaking using my Mac, I’m able to output 5.1, 7.1 surround or 10 channel surround if I choose (that’s also depending on the source material used.) It has SPDIF/ADAT inputs and outputs. It also has COAXIAL DIGITAL in/out. Before doing any research I didn’t even know what to expect in an audio interface but I did know I wanted high end audio sound output and I wanted to be able to connect an XLR microphone of my choice. This Mk5 can do it all.Examples of what I use it for:I have a PS5 connected via a USB DAC1 coaxial output to the MK5 coaxial input. I have SPDIF output from the MK5 to my Logitech Z625 speakers. I also have some Yamaha monitor speakers I use via TRS outputs from MK5 to the monitor speaker’s TRS inputs. I can play lossless quality audio via iTunes now just simply enabling higher audio bitrates and resolutions via the MK5.I use this with Discord chat, FaceTime, and any other social/meeting apps available. It works with everything - but I’ll tell you how I was able to do all this a little later. Since I’m not sound engineer, I cannot give you specific harmonic distortion values measured, etc. because those are all analytical values that I do not really have the technical expertise/background education to explain in detail - but what I do understand is that I can record and playback at higher than 48KHz resolution and I can use any core logic digital DAW to record microphone audio easily and be able to mix all of it together. You can’t do it without an audio digital interface and this mk5 can bring in so many inputs at once and record so many tracks at once. I use Logic Pro to record my voice in real time, apply affects, send it to discord chat while playing my PS5 at the same time. I can play music while I play a game like GT7 driving mundanely around the tracks (the music playlist from that game I find atrocious). You can do this with a PS5’s built in music player but it’s just not the same as having full control of audio channels using like using the Mk5. You can even send audio from iTunes while on a chat with someone or you can bring in multiple microphones and mix that into your chat sessions along with any other music source, sound source you want. You can mix discord user audio and FaceTime user audio together via this MK5 but external software is required. The possibilities are only available if you use this MK5 with so many different input options.Build quality:This MK5 chassis is made of metal and knobs and other parts all plastic. On my specific unit, the audio knobs are rotary encoder knobs that offer multi-functions. The knobs are fine, but when you press them in to select a menu item, it pushes the display panel as well. I think this is a QC issue on my specific unit for the display would move every time I press the knobs inwards. Not a deal breaker, but definitely some strange quality issue. I do not use the knobs at all, however, I am a fan of the CUEMIX software that allows you to mix all the channels via software. I can also do this via an iPad/mini/iPhone connected to the mk5. The iOS app you can get from the store and basically allows you to control the audio channels via those devices.The TRS inputs/outputs are solid in the rear and I’m going to just say you can really expand this MK5 - it includes ADAT as well so you can get more microphone preamp inputs via another brand name that supports ADAT. The possibilities are great with this MK5 due to the fact it has 18 inputs, and 22 outputs! Also there is no heat issue - it does get WARM to touch, but never burning hot. It’s working as intended and I do not have an issue with thermals. And my ambient temperature around the home during the time I was using this MK5 was around 83F! (No AC).There is another slight issue that I did encounter and that was turning off the unit - when using TRS output to my Yamaha speakers (when they are ON) - when I shut off the MK5 it makes a loud POP sound on my Yamaha speakers. I guess you have to turn off the speakers then turn off the MK5. In that order. BUT when using my Logitech Z625 (SPDIF input) - I have ZERO issues. No popping, none at all. I think it has to do with the electrical nature of the monitor output ports. But then again using when using my Volt 2/476 units, I NEVER encountered any popping noise when I shut those interfaces off. It only happens with this MK5.I did not encounter any hissing or strange noises when using this MK5 in any applications. Overall it is a solidly built metal chassis audio interface. As for the OLED display panel, it’s monochrome and looks very sharp and bright. There’s no way to adjust brightness but they’ve included a “screensaver” function now in the latest firmware.The included usb cable is short - I used another usb-c to usb-a cable to connect this to a hub. I have a ferrite/filter on the cable and it’s a superior cable compared to the included one. I also got another 15v/5A power adapter instead of the included wall wart one. Nothing wrong with the included adapter it’s just that I had a more robust one available to use. Most importantly this MK5 did not produce any audible hiss/whine when idle and when outputting audio. That was very important to me for I do not like electrical noises such as coil whine, etc. and thankfully none of it was present in my MK5 unit.Usability/software:Now to do what I wanted it to do on the MK5 on a Mac in particular (because PC’s don’t have this issue) - MacOS does not allow me to route app audio - I would either use this loopback function built into the MK5 or I would have to buy software such as LoopBack 2 (amoeba software) - and I ultimately purchased it because I needed macOS to be able to route microphone output from the MK5 so that FaceTime and other apps like discord can use it properly. Even OBS works with the MK5 but you’re gonna need help on the Mac (using free stuff like Blackhole - which is limited in functionality compared to Loopback2). What is astonishing is that the Mac is tailor designed for audio users yet lack simple audio routing via software internally. On a PC, you have no such limitations with Windows 10/11.The firmware/software upgrade is also painless and can be done on a Mac easily. I’ve encountered no issues and I’m on firmware: 1.1.9+2466:23 and with this firmware the OLED display can be timed out (you get 30sec/30min) and some pong style screen saver will be running. I’ve not encountered any technical issues recording via Logic Pro thus far, no metallic audio sounds/drop outs, nothing. It uses usb-c but is limited to usb2.0 data speeds (which has sufficient bandwidth at 480mb/s) - I’m not doing anything in the DAW to require ultra low latencies and I’ve not had any issues recording anything so far. I’m not a musician and I do not use this for recording instruments but microphone audio only.Using a combination of external software (loopback 2) and this MK5, the possibilities are so great you can really control which audio you want to hear and mix different channels together. It’s really overkill for my application usages but like I said I want to play my PS5 and record audio from different devices all connected together using just this one unit. As for XLR microphone gain, noise floor measurements, etc, you can look all that up on YouTube and get all that tech info yourself. I also am able to use this to add a Topping L50 headphone amp, add some old record player via one of the six TRS inputs in the back easily.If you need something to record audio and mix channels together, this MK5 is just a beast. It gives you that superb digital to analog quality with so many inputs available and so many outputs for the price tag it can’t be beat. I’ve used Volt 2/476 audio interfaces and those are just so limited in function compared to the mk5. There is no loopback function built into those units either. You can get an RME babyface but those are way out of my budget and just seems too limited in inputs/output ports.The cuemix software allows you to change settings on the MK5. I’m a software guy so I enjoy using software based controls - there are limited settings you can change using the MK5 knobs but I just don’t have the need for that since I have this thing hooked up to my laptop all the time. It does have a loopback feature built (if you use the motu drivers) in for those that don’t know about loop ack functionality you can record what your computer is playing and use that loopback channel to play it back while you are streaming, online chatting, etc. Other software will be able to “see” that channel your computer is playing music/YouTube on. But it’s limited and it doesn’t work for FaceTime/OBS/discord easily. Just save yourself the headache and use this in combination with LoopBack2 - which is much more superior to Blackhole.Conclusion:This isn’t a comprehensive tech review but a general idea of what you can expect if you are a Mac user who wants to be able to have a nice quality external DAC/interface that can really do it all. For nearly 4 months of continuous use, I will conclude I really enjoy this MK5. I may not use all the inputs/outputs to the max but it’s all available if I want to expand or be creative with ways to connect things together on my Mac. Best thing about this unit is that it remembers all your settings when you unplug and plug into an iPad/iPhone and use it mobile. The settings are saved in the device. It’s small enough to carry anywhere with you and with a laptop, it’s like a mobile DJ station. I also am able to drive my Sennheiser HD650S headphones; The headphone amp built in is plenty but I now use an L50 instead (connected to the MK5 outputs). Bottom line is if you want ports to expand and have the budget, this is the endgame digital audio interface.If you just want to record your voice via XLR inputs and say a guitar, you’re better off just getting a cheap audio interface. But if you ultimately want to mix in external audio sources (gaming consoles, record players, etc) - and have the flexibility of having multi-channel output, this MK5 is really superior to anything else on the market at this price budget. I’d give it a solid 5-star rating if not for the slight build quality issue (my OLED display panel moving a bit when pressing the 2 microphone rotary knobs). The main power rotary knob does not have this effect on the display panel. And lastly if I were to ask for something to be added/changed in this MK5, I’d really like a better display - that is one in COLOR and have the software ability to shut off the display at will. Perhaps an auto-off function too (which can be done via software I’m sure of it.) Another option perhaps is a different color chassis/different material. It’s cold metal and it’s intimidating for non-tech users. But then again if you’re in the market for this MK5, you have an idea of what you are getting into.