This is the Motu M2! I've been dying to test this audio interface for
so long! And it just hasn't been available it's
sold out everywhere! but I finally found one and I have to
say it's got some impressive features
including excellent preamps low latency and the
screen.
Today I'm going to share all the features of the Motu M2
audio interface and what makes it a worthy competitor
to the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 under $200 these are two interfaces you should
definitely be checking out. I'll also include
some audio samples spoken word and guitar at the end of the video
if you're interested in buying the M2 or the Scarlet 2i2
I'll add links to the best prices in the video description.
If you're new around here I'm Sanjay C I've got lots of videos about music
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The Motu M2 is a $170, 2 channel audio
interface and it's just $10 more expensive than the
super popular Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. Like the Scarlett 2i2 the Motu M2 has
XLR and quarter inch combo inputs which I
really love. You never know when you're going to need
to input a stereo source and this will let you do it.
The two XLR inputs are great for vocal plus acoustic guitar recordings
and there are independent phantom power and
direct monitoring buttons for each of the inputs.
This is usually hard to find in small audio interfaces.
If you use a dynamic mic and condenser mic at the same time
this will be useful. But why didn't they include a direct
monitoring balance knob? That knob is great when you want to
adjust the volume of your input source and the music coming from your DAW.
At this price point it should have been included it's got a headphone output in
the front with a headphone volume knob and the
larger volume knob is for your monitors. On the back you've got balanced quarter
inch and RCA outputs which can be used at the same time.
It's got the USB port that connects to your computer
MIDI ins and outs for your older keyboards and
a power button. So what does the Focusrite 2i2 have in the back
well just your basic quarter inch balanced outputs.
Here are some additional specs on the Moto M2 and the Focusrite 2i2. The Moto
M2 also has a loopback feature which allows you to
combine a sound source from your computer
plus a mic. Which is great for live streaming and podcasting with music
and your voice. This is becoming a much more popular feature
on lots of interfaces these days. The Audient EVO
has it as well. But the Scarlett 2i2 does not.
The preamps on the Motu M2 sound excellent
I've got the gain knob set at 12 o'clock and I'm using the AKGP120
microphone and it drives the mic very well
while keeping its own noise very low.
( Sanjay C singing in his angelic and smooth voice) ...Only in the silence do we hear the sound
...rumble of a whisper getting clear and loud....
Here they are compared to the 2i2. I used similar settings on the Focusrite
(Again Sanjay C singing in his beautiful voice) only in the silence do we hear the sound....rumble of a whisper getting clear and loud....
Latency on the Motu M2 interface is
worth talking about. It's extremely low as low as 2.5
milliseconds at 24 bit 96 kilohertz with a 32
sample buffer. That's better performance compared with the Focusrite 2i2
which gives you around 2.74 milliseconds. Of course you can record at zero latency
with the M2 as well as the 2i2 with the direct monitoring feature. Hey! If you're
finding this information useful don't forget to hit the LIKE button and
SUBSCRIBE and if your budget is only a $100
I've rounded up the best audio interfaces in a video here. (Check it out!)
Now like most audio interfaces $100 and above you have sample rates up to
192 kilohertz but most people will be fine with 44.1
or 48 kilohertz. Okay the screen is
very attractive in pictures and it doesn't disappoint in person either. The
screen is color and the resolution is decent
much better than Blinky Lights on budget interfaces
and even on the Scarlet 2i2. You can actually see decent meters that help you
set gain and monitor output. This looks
and feels like a premium feature and it's super useful as well.
But the Scarlet does have one feature you don't get
on the Motu M2. I'll talk about that in a second. Hey, if you're looking for some
inspiring chord progressions to boost your creativity
check out my 'Aurora sample pack' on my site WWW.SANJAYC.COM
and while you're there, take a look at my new virtual instrument Sanjay's Rhodes,
an authentic gorgeous virtual instrument,
I created myself from my original Rhodes Mark 1 stage piano.
Links are in the description. All right! Let's talk about build quality.
Both of these interfaces have a metal body and they feel
and look high quality. The knobs on the M2 are smooth and solid feeling.
They have a nice textured finish which makes moving them with one finger
possible too. The Scarlet interface has a rubber
feeling knob and the volume knob is just kind of
smooth. If there's one thing the 2i2 gives you that the M2 does not,
it's the air feature. The third generation Scarlett interfaces give you
the option of using the air setting on the preamps which mimic
the sound of Focusrite's more expensive preamps.
Some people love it and I think it's a nice option to have.
(Sanjay C sings <3 )
So what about software? Well the Motu M2 comes with performer light
Ableton LIVE light and some samples from Lucid samples and
Loopmaster samples. I don't feel it's as competitive as the Focusrite software
package. Focusrite even gives you free plugins on
a regular basis with their Focusrite collective program
so you keep evolving your collection as time goes by
it keeps things fresh. All right so the Motu M2 is more expensive than other
audio interfaces this size. But it does offer some better features
and of course that impressive latency. It's almost a no-brainer when comparing
it to the Focusrite 2i2. But, we need to test this for a longer
period of time to know if its durability matches the
tried and tested Scarlet interfaces. Both of these interfaces are great.
If you can find a Motu M2 I think it's an excellent interface
and an excellent value. Even if you have more expensive
interfaces in your studio I think both of these are great as travel interfaces
and I would highly recommend both of them.
But the Moto M2 has a slight edge over the 2i2. Coming up next in the video I'll
include some audio samples so you can listen to the comparison between the two.
Keep Making The Music You Love
and I'll see you guys in my next video! :)
(Audio samples: Spoken word) The M2 provides best-in-class speed for monitoring live inputs through your
computer thanks to motu's expertly engineered USB drivers
which deliver class-leading ultra-low 2.5 millisecond round-trip latency.
The M2 provides best-in-class speed for monitoring live inputs through your
computer thanks to Motu's expertly engineered USB
drivers which deliver class-leading ultra-low
2.5 millisecond round trip latency.
...only in the silence do we hear the sound rumble of a whisper getting clear and loud...