The UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid from MOTU is a hybrid FireWire and USB 2.0 audio and MIDI interface for Windows and Mac computers with built-in DSP processing that also offers powerful stand-alone mixer functionality. It connects to both Mac and Windows computers through either a FireWire or USB port and provides high-resolution audio inputs and outputs for the connected computer. The option of computer connections provides a welcome level of future-proof usage.

Built-in DSP processing gives you the ability to add reverbs, compressors, and EQ to all input and output channels of the UltraLite-mk3, without taxing the host computer's processors. Additionally, when the UltraLite-mk3 is configured for stand-alone use, the DSP processing can be used without being attached to a computer. You can even call up the effects and tweak their parameters to your liking by utilizing the LCD display, all without a computer. Among the included effects are a vintage LA-2A compression emulation, and a range of reverbs and EQs.

A rich assortment of inputs and outputs are provided on the UltraLite-mk3, and controlling their gain settings is easy. You can make fine adjustments to the microphone preamps, as well as the input and output trims of all of the 1/4" jacks. Mac and Windows compatible CueMix FX software is included which enables you to create and save elaborate mixing and routing setups for the UltraLite-mk3. You can even slave to external SMPTE time code source through any of its quarter-inch inputs or outputs. MOTU SMPTE Console software is included to generate, regenerate, or slave other devices to your computer.

Hybrid FireWire & USB 2.0 Connectivity    On Board DSP Processor    Classic Reverb, LA-2A Compressors, EQ    10 Inputs, 14 Outputs    Mic, Line, Guitar, & Instrument Inputs    Generates & Slaves to SMPTE Time Code    Windows & Mac Compatible

Hybrid FireWire/USB2 connectivity, connect to your computer via either bus-powered FireWire or hi-speed USB 2.0

Includes CueMix FX, a flexible 10 input/14 bus mixer with on-board DSP effects, including reverb with sends/returns, plus EQ and compression on every input and output

No channel sharing on the 10 inputs and 14 outputs of the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid; the mic inputs, S/PDIF I/O, headphone out, and main outs are all handled as separate channels

Classic Reverb provides five different room types, three frequency shelves with adjustable crossover points, shelf filtering, and reverb lengths up to 60 seconds

Two forms of compression, a standard compressor with conventional threshold/ratio/attack/release/gain controls and the Leveler, an accurate model of the legendary LA-2A optical compressor, which provides vintage, musical automatic gain control

Modeled EQ provides 7-band parametric EQ modeled after British analog console EQs, featuring 4 filter styles (gain/Q profiles) to effectively cover a wide range of audio material. LP and HP filters are also supplied with slopes that range from 6 to 36 dB.

CueMix FX cross-platform mixing software, attractive graphic mixing, graphic editing of parametric EQ and a convenient tabbed interface for quick access to all features in one window. Also provides full-screen real-time FFT display, spectrogram "waterfall" display, oscilloscope, X-Y plot and linear or polar phase analysis.

Front-panel control, access any setting in your entire UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid mix directly from the front panel

"Reverb return" stream allows users to record or mix UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid reverb output separately in their DAW. Effects can also be applied when the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid is operating stand-alone (without a computer) as a complete stand-alone mixer.

Stand-alone operation, program your mixes at the studio and then bring the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid to your gig with no computer needed. Just plug in the included power adapter and you are ready to go. Tweak the mix on site using the back-lit LCD and front-panel controls.

Multiple CueMix FX mixes, create different monitor mixes for the main outs and headphones. Or add send/return loops for outboard gear with no latency.

Two combo jacks provide hi-Z 1/4" guitar input or low-Z XLR mic input with phantom power, pad, and plenty of gain

Eight 24-bit 192 kHz analog inputs and outputs on balanced/unbalanced 1/4" TRS jacks

Digitally controlled analog trims on all analog inputs (mic/guitar inputs & quarter-inch TRS inputs) provides accurate adjustments in 1 dB increments. Fine-tune the balance of your analog inputs and then save/recall trim configurations.

Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) is a DSP-driven phase lock engine and internal clock source that produces imperceptibly low jitter characteristics (below the noise floor), even when the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid is resolved to an external clock source via SMPTE time code

Time code support directly resolves to (or generates) time code via any quarter-inch input or output, without the need for an extra synchronizer

Sample-accurate MIDI, connect a MIDI controller and/or sound module with no separate interface needed. MIDI I/O is sample-accurate with supporting software.

Expandable, you can add additional interfaces for more I/O as your needs grow

Separate TRS main outs with front panel volume control

Stereo 24-bit 96 kHz S/PDIF in/out

Includes drivers for Mac & PC, including ASIO, WDM, Wave, Core Audio, and Core MIDI

100% compatible with all host-based effects processing in today's popular audio programs

Includes AudioDesk full-featured sample-accurate workstation software for the Mac with recording, editing, mixing, real-time 32-bit effects processing & sample-accurate sync

Plug-and-play operation with your Mac or PC via FireWire or USB 2.0

Front panel volume control for monitoring. Stereo, Quad, 6.1, 7.1 and user-defined surround monitoring setups available.

Front panel headphone jack with volume control

Bus-powered FireWire operation. No need for external power when operating as a FireWire interface connected to a computer. A power supply is included for stand-alone operation.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Is it possible to install two 8TB drives in RAID 0 on this unit ? What's the max storage capacity on RAID 0 ? Thanks a lot in advance. Roberto.

A: I just installed 2 8tb seagate enterprise drives 2 days ago in a raid 1 setup. Only issue was connecting through USB instead of FireWire to get the drives into that configuration. Company walked me through it. They have great support. This is my second raid setup after buying the empty units. Very pleased.

Q: 2. Will JBOD work over FireWire 800?

A: Yes, the Oyen Digital Mobius 5-Bay FireWire 800/eSATA/USB 3.0 RAID Enclosure can be used in JBOD over FireWire 800.

Q: 3. Hi. I have 5 pieces WD Green 6Tb from the old DAS. What will happen if I install them in the Oyen Digital Mobius 5-Bay? It just won't start or what? These disks are not enterprise class.

A: None of the drives in my box are enterprise class and the largest individual drive is 2Tb. Running it as JBOD. Drives that were iffy in the G5 are still iffy in the Mobius. The biggest challenge in my setup is keeping the eSATA ExpressCard/34 in the slot. Not sure if thatll help you out but just give it a try.

Q: 4. Can this device support two RAID 1 arrays, each being used on a different operating system(Mac & Win)

A: I use mine as JBOD. Has worked great for around a year so far. Very quiet. I use Mac.

Q: 5. If this is setup as JBOD, would my computer see it as two separate drives? I have two 4tb Seagate hard drives and would like to use them as individual drives (no raid).

A: Yes, your computer will see the two drives separately. This will work if you are using USB to connect the enclosure to your computer, but if you're using eSATA you'll need to make sure that your computer's eSATA port (and BIOS) is port-multiplier capable.

Q: 6. Can 5 (WD Red) 6TB be used fully successfully, or is it limited to 4th drives?

A: From the manufacturer website, there is no mention of a limit on the site, nor in the manual. They sell a 40TB version which would use 8TB drives, and a 30TB version which would use 6TB drives. So, it would make sense that WD Red 6TB drives would be find. I have submitted the question to the manufacturer.

Q: 7. If 1 drive of a raid 5 fails, and replace the bad drive with a new drive- will this mobius rebuild the raid automatically- or is there software involved?

A: Yes it will rebuild itself although it takes awhiledepending on the size of the raid. Mine is 20TB and took nearly 2 days to rebuild.

Q: 8. What is the maximum capacity disk size per drive?

A: Current qualified drives are 12TB disks (5x 12TB).

Q: 9. Is port multiplier required on USB 3 port for this to work?

A: No, the Oyen Digital Mobius 5-Bay FireWire 800/eSATA/USB 3.0 RAID Enclosure BH #OY3R5EB3M does not require a port multiplier, it will work as it should with a single USB 3.0 port.

Q: 10. Is this a shared drive that can facilitate multiple users at one time?

A: This is not a networked device. It could be accessed if the computer to which it is attached has file sharing enabled. Mac systems do allow this if you enable it and allow remote login.