UltraLite-mk5
5th-generation engineering delivers unprecedented sound quality, ultra-low latency and proven performance.
Product Highlights
- 18 x 22 USB audio interface with DSP, mixing and effects
- Superb analog audio performance driven by ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC Technology
- Ultra-low latency for host software processing
- Precision front-panel metering for all analog I/O with high-resolution OLED display
- 2x mic/line/hi-Z guitar inputs on combo XLR/TRS
- Individual preamp gain and 48V phantom power for each mic input
- Measured -129 dB EIN on mic inputs
- 10x balanced, DC-coupled 1/4-inch TRS analog outputs with 125 dB dynamic range
- Hardware (direct) monitor mixing for each analog output pair (6 mix busses)
- 6x balanced 1/4-inch TRS analog inputs with measured 120 dB dynamic range
- 1x optical digital I/O (8-channel optical or 2-channel TOSLink)
- 2x RCA S/PDIF digital I/O
- 1x headphone out (driven by ESS converters) with independent volume control
- MIDI in/out
- Support for 44.1 to 192 kHz sample rates
- USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac (no driver required)
- Windows driver with 2.4 ms Round Trip Latency (32 sample buffer at 96 kHz)
- Mac driver (optional, for 2.4 ms RTL@32/96 kHz and loopback feature)
- iOS compatible (USB audio class compliant)
- Driver loopback for capturing host output, live streaming and podcasting
- DSP-driven 22 x 6 monitor mixer (separate monitor mix for each analog output pair)
- On-board effects including reverb, 4-band parametric EQ and dynamics
- Rugged steel construction
- CueMix 5 app to control mixing and settings from your Mac, PC or iOS device
- MOTU Performer Lite 10 workstation software included
- 100+ instruments (in Performer Lite)
- Over 6 GB of included free loops, samples and one-shots
- Rack-mountable as a single unit or side by side (mounting kits sold separately)
- Overview
- Tech Specs
Sound
Best-in-class audio quality
The UltraLite-mk5 includes renowned ESS Sabre32™ DAC technology, featuring the ES9026PRO DAC, to deliver measured 125 dB dynamic range and -114 dB THD+N. Renowned drivers deliver rock-solid performance and industry-leading low latency.
Optimized drivers for both Mac and PC deliver ultra-low latency performance. With a high-performance DAW such as Digital Performer, the UltraLite-mk5 delivers an astonishing round trip latency (RTL) of 2.4 ms (milliseconds) over USB (at 96 kHz with a 32-sample host buffer).
Versatility
Built for studio and stage
Housed in a compact, steel enclosure you can take anywhere, the UltraLite-mk5 is equally well-suited for studio and stage, with or without a computer. Connect all your personal studio gear for state-of-the art computer-based recording and production, or take it to your next gig to mix live, without a computer.
Connectivity
40 simultaneous audio channels
As an interface or mixer, the UltraLite-mk5 provides 18 inputs and 22 outputs, for a total of 40 simultaneous, independent I/O channels. You get 2 mic/line/instrument inputs, 6 line inputs, 10 line outputs, headphone out and 8-channel optical I/O. The optical ports alternatively support stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF).
All the I/O you need
Connect all of your audio gear, including speakers, headphones, mics, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines, effects processors and even MIDI devices.
USB Class Compliance
iOS compatibility
The UltraLite-mk5 is USB audio class compliant, giving you plug-and-play compatibility with iPad® and other Apple® iOS devices. Record on-the-go, directly to your iPad, or play backing tracks during a gig, mixed with your live inputs with the UltraLite-mk5's built-in mixing. Control everything from the CueMix 5™ mixing app on your iPad or iPhone.
Live Streaming
Loopback
The UltraLite-mk5 provides convenient loopback channels to your host computer or iOS device, so you can easily route computer output, along with a mix of live inputs from the UltraLite-mk5 itself, back to the computer, where you can record it back into your podcasting host software or stream it live to the internet. Streaming and podcasting has never been easier and better-sounding!
Mobile recording and mixing
After recording and mixing in the studio, take the UltraLite-mk5 on the road with your laptop for mobile recording and live mixing.
| Sample Rates | 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz |
| Mic/line/guitar inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS "combo" jacks 1 MΩ impedance on the line/instr inputs |
| Analog inputs | 6 x 1/4" TRS line in (balanced) |
| Analog outputs | 10 x 1/4" TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled) |
| Digital I/O | 1 bank (8 ch) of ADAT optical at 1x sample rates 1 bank (4 ch) of SMUX optical at 2x sample rates Switchable to stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF) 1 x stereo S/PDIF on RCA (up to 96 kHz) |
| Computer I/O | 1 x USB-C 2.0 audio class compliant Compatible with USB Type A (with adapter or C-to-A cable) |
| Total audio I/O | 18 in / 22 out (40 total) at 1x sample rates 14 in / 18 out (32 total) at 2x sample rates 8 in / 12 out (20 total) at 4x sample rates |
| MIDI I/O | 1 x MIDI IN 1 x MIDI OUT 16 MIDI channels to/from computer host |
| Headphone | 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone |
| Phantom power | 2 x individual +48V |
| Front panel | 2 x XLR/TRS combo inputs 1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output 1 x potentiometer • phone/monitor vol 2 x potentiometer • mic/instr input gain 4 x switches • (2) 48V and (2) pad 1x high-resolution white OLED display for metering/status |
| Power | External 12-18V DC power supply 1.0A max • tip pos or neg |
| Dimensions and weight | (width x depth x height, enclosure only) 8.6 x 6.9 x 1.75 inches 22 x 17.5 x 4.5 cm 2.875 lbs / 1.31 kg |
| System Requirements | |
| Mac System Requirements | Intel Core i3 Mac or faster (including the new M1 Macs) 4 GB RAM; 8 GB or more recommended macOS version 10.11 or later (Optional driver requires 10.13 or later) Available USB port A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording) |
| Windows System Requirements | Intel Core i3 PC (or AMD equivalent) 4 GB RAM; 8 GB or more recommended Windows 10 Available USB port A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording) |
| Class-Compliant Support | USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac or iOS (no driver required) |
| Included Software | CueMix 5 MOTU Performer Lite 6GB of loops and sounds from Big Fish Audio, LucidSamples, Loopmasters and MOTU |
The UltraLite-mk5 ships with standard Core Audio drivers for macOS for compatibility with virtually all Core Audio-compatible apps, including:
- MOTU Performer Lite
- MOTU Digital Performer
- Avid Pro Tools (version 9 or later)
- Apple Logic Pro
- Apple Logic Express
- Apple Garage Band
- Apple SoundTrack Pro
- Ableton Live
- Presonus Studio One
- Propellerhead Record & Reason
- Steinberg Cubase
- Cockos Reaper
- Native Instruments Kontakt
- Waves stand-alone apps (and plug-ins, via compatible host)
The UltraLite-mk5 ships with standard ASIO and Wave drivers for Windows 10 for compatibility with virtually all ASIO- and Wave-compatible audio apps, including:
- MOTU Performer Lite
- MOTU Digital Performer
- Avid Pro Tools (version 9 or later)
- Ableton Live
- Cakewalk Sonar
- Cockos Reaper
- Image Line FL Studio
- Native Instruments Kontakt
- Presonus Studio One
- Propellerhead Record & Reason
- Sony Vegas Pro
- Sony Sound Forge
- Sony Acid
- Steinberg Cubase
- Waves stand-alone apps (and plug-ins, via compatible host)
