Apple has announced macOS® Big Sur (version 11.x) and a new line of Apple silicon Macs.

Most of the MOTU products listed below are qualified for use with the new Apple silicon Macs. Please check back here for future announcements regarding further compatibility.

Please carefully read the compatibility information below before you upgrade your Intel-based Mac to macOS Big Sur. If you have any questions, please contact MOTU customer service or technical support.

We appreciate your continued patience while we are working closely with Apple to ensure full compatibility with macOS Big Sur.

Last updated September 17, 2021

UltraLite-mk5

The new UltraLite-mk5 is fully compatible with Apple silicon Macs and macOS Big Sur. It is USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation with no driver installation needed. However, a new Gen5 installer is available that provides ultra low latency driver performance under macOS Big Sur, plus the all-new CueMix 5 app. Use CueMix 5 to quickly access basic device settings or to monitor live inputs directly on any analog output pair with the unit's on-board DSP-driven mixing. Create a separate, unique monitor mix for each output (monitor outs, phones, etc.) Apply on-board effects, including reverb, 4-channel parametric EQ and dynamics processing to inputs and mix busses. 

PLEASE NOTE: Before installing the Gen5 driver on your macOS Big Sur system (Intel or Apple silicon Mac), please read this tech note for important information about enabling the driver in your system's security settings. This procedure is not necessary if the Gen5 driver has already been installed in your macOS Big Sur system and you are merely updating it.

M2 and M4

M2 and M4 bus-powered USB audio interfaces are fully compatible with Apple silicon Macs and macOS Big Sur. They are USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation with no driver installation needed. However, a driver is available that provides lower latency performance and loopback channels under macOS Big Sur. Be sure to download and install the very latest M series driver. You must install the latest driver before you can use your M2 or M4 with macOS Big Sur.

PLEASE NOTE: if you are installing the M series driver on your macOS Big Sur system (Intel or Apple silicon Mac) for the first time, please read this tech note for important information about enabling the driver in your system's security settings. This procedure is not necessary if the driver has already been installed in your macOS Big Sur system and you are merely updating it.

Digital Performer

Digital Performer Version 11 is fully compatible with (and qualified for) macOS Big Sur and Apple silicon Macs. For information about upgrading to DP 11, visit the MOTU web store. 

Performer Lite

Performer Lite (any version) is not yet compatible with macOS Big Sur. Please continue to check this web page for late-breaking information regarding Performer Lite compatibility with macOS Big Sur.

MOTU virtual instruments (MachFive, etc.)

MachFive, Ethno Instrument, BPM, Electric Keys and Symphonic Instrument (any version) are not yet compatible with macOS Big Sur. Please continue to check this web page for late-breaking information regarding versions of these MOTU apps that will be compatible with macOS Big Sur.

PLEASE NOTE: as a workaround, the UVI Workstation instrument (free) can read the soundbank libraries from all of these products and can be installed on macOS Big Sur. Please refer to this tech note for more information.