Motu 4pre — Compact audio interface with four mic preamps and mixing

Equipped with four mic inputs and hands-on mixing, the 4pre is the ideal live-recording interface for both studio and stage.

Four mic preamps

When two mic inputs just aren’t enough

If you’ve been searching for an affordable, compact audio interface with four mic inputs, your search is over. The 4pre packs four mic inputs into an impressively small half-rack form factor, along with a healthy complement of additional professional-grade audio connections. Just think of the possibilities. You can record and mix vocals plus guitar for two musicians simultaneously. Or mic a drum kit with overheads and close-ups. Or record lead and background vocals in one take. With an interface this flexible, capable, and great-sounding, you’ll be ready for any situation your music throws at you.

Flexible combo-style inputs
Connect guitars, a keyboard, or other inputs

The four inputs are not just for mics: they are combo jacks that also accept a quarter-inch plug. Inputs 1-2 take line-level signals, such as the output from a synth or keyboard. Inputs 3-4 are “hi-Z” DI inputs with proper impedance for plugging in your electric guitar directly, without an amp or cabinet, to process your guitar sound through amp and cab simulation plug-ins in your host software.

Compact size
Designed to go with you anywhere

The 4pre is an impressively small 8.5 by 7 by 1.75 inches, which means that it slides easily into your backpack. It also sits nicely next to your laptop or desktop computer. 

Mixing made simple

Hands-on mixing for studio and stage

Quickly balance the levels of mics, guitars, a keyboard, or other inputs right from the front panel. Each input has its own volume control. Route inputs directly to any output pair, each with its own unique mix: main outs, line outs, S/PDIF out, and phones.

Studio grade sound

Your mix will be ready for prime time

The 4pre has been engineered with MOTU’s renowned, award-winning audio interface technology, which delivers the pristine audio quality and rock-solid performance that MOTU interfaces are known for worldwide. You can always record and mix with confidence, knowing that decades of engineering experience are behind you, every step of the way.

Solid metal chassis

MOTU interfaces are built to last

The 4pre aluminum alloy chassis is lightweight, yet incredibly sturdy and durable, and designed to withstand the rigors of the studio, stage, and tour bus. In a world awash with cheap plastic, the cool touch of the 4pre’s metal exterior in your hands is a reassuring reminder that you are holding quality engineering and construction built to last.

Rack mounting brackets

Mount the 4pre in a rack with your other gear

The 4pre can be joined with another MOTU half-rack interface (MIDI or audio) and together they can be mounted in a standard 19-inch equipment rack, or you can mount them on rack rails with other MOTU gear for convenient desktop operation, as shown here.

Use the included brackets and hex bolts to join the 4pre with another MOTU interface, such as the micro lite MIDI interface shown here (or a second 4pre), to mount them in a standard 19-inch equipment rack.

CueMix FX Software

On-screen mixing and control

The included CueMix FX software for Mac OS X and Windows gives you graphic, on-screen control of the 4pre’s on-board audio mixer, with up to four separate stereo mixes (a separate mix for each output pair). For example, you can mix all the inputs to the main outs, but also mix them to the line outs with completely different levels than the main outs. Advanced features include a tuner, oscilloscope, FFT/spectrogram, and phase analysis tools.

AudioDesk®

Workstation software for Mac OS X

The 4pre includes AudioDesk, the workstation software for Mac OS X, which provides advanced recording, editing, mixing, processing, and mastering. AudioDesk delivers the power of modern digital audio workstation technology in an easy-to-use, inspiring multitrack recording experience. Together, AudioDesk and the 4pre transform your computer desktop into a complete, professional recording studio.