The new audio interface combines comprehensive I/O with powerful DSP mixing and AVB networking capabilities.
MOTU is now shipping the 10pre Thunderbolt 4, a compact 1U rackmount interface that packs serious recording capability into a deceptively slim chassis.
Catch up on all the latest news here.
The main headline is ten mic/line/instrument inputs across XLR/TRS combo connectors. Eight are placed on the rear panel for your permanent studio setup, while two sit up front for any “quick, grab a mic” moments during sessions.
Impressively quiet, the preamps come with a 118 dB dynamic range, -129 dBu EIN, and a hefty 74 dB of gain when you need it. Channels 1 to 2 include send/return inserts for running signals through your favourite outboard gear.
In terms of connectivity, the 10pre Thunderbolt 4 supports up to 256 audio channels with latency under 1.9 ms round-trip at 96 kHz and works straight away with Mac, PC, and iOS devices.
Eight balanced line outputs use ESS Sabre32 32-bit DACs for 125 dB dynamic range. Digital I/O includes two banks of 8-channel ADAT optical, plus word clock on BNC. Bank A switches to S/PDIF when needed.
Line outputs are DC-coupled, so modular synth enthusiasts can sequence their Eurorack directly from their DAW.
Up front, a bright 3.9-inch colour display handles metering, with two independent headphone outputs nearby. Dedicated controls manage input selection, preamp gain, pad, and phantom power. The control room section includes talkback, A/B/C monitor switching, mute, and mono summing.
AVB networking via dual Gigabit Ethernet lets you daisy-chain up to eight MOTU interfaces using standard network cables. Each unit streams 128 channels.
With a built-in DSP engine, you’ll be able to run 64-channel mixing with 26 aux buses. Every channel gets 4-band parametric EQ, compression, high-pass filter, and gate—all controlled through the CueMix Pro app.
At a glance:
- 10 mic/line/instrument inputs (8 rear, 2 front panel)
- 8 balanced line outputs with ESS Sabre32 32-bit DACs
- Thunderbolt 4/USB4 connectivity (up to 256 channels)
- Two banks of 8-channel ADAT optical I/O
- 3.9-inch colour display with comprehensive metering
- Dual headphone outputs with independent control
- AVB networking with dual Gigabit Ethernet ports
- 64-channel DSP mixer with EQ, compression, and effects
- DC-coupled outputs for modular synth control
- CueMix Pro app for macOS, Windows, and iOS
The 10pre hits a sweet spot for studios that need more than a basic interface but don’t want to rack up multiple units. Whether you’re tracking a full band, building a hybrid setup with modular gear, or running a network of interfaces across multiple rooms, it’s built to scale with your needs without taking over your rack space.
For more on the 10pre Thunderbolt, head to MOTU. For local enquiries, head here.
