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MicroBook II — Studio-grade audio interface for personal recording

MicroBook Overview


Small in size. Huge in sound.

A complete solution

Everything you need to make world-class recordings

The MicroBook II provides simultaneous inputs for a microphone, a guitar, and a keyboard or other stereo line level device. The mic preamp delivers neutral coloration and pristine sound, with 20 dB pad and 48V phantom power for condenser mics. Programmable outputs provide flexible monitoring options.



Ultra-compact size

Take it with you anywhere

The MicroBook II is an impressively small 5.5 by 3.6 by 1.25 inches, which means that it slides easily into your backpack — or a large pocket.
It also sits nicely next to your laptop
or desktop computer.

Studio-grade sound

Engineered for the discriminating ear

The MicroBook II has been engineered with MOTU’s renowned, award-winning audio interface technology, which delivers the uncompromising audio quality and rock-solid performance MOTU interfaces are known for worldwide. You can always record and mix with confidence, even in most demanding professional recording situations, knowing that decades of engineering experience are behind you, every step of the way. The MicroBook II delivers measured audio specs that rival interfaces costing hundreds more.

High-speed USB 2.0

High bandwidth and low latency

The MicroBook II can record and play all channels simultaneously, and high-speed USB 2.0 provides plenty of bandwidth, even at 96 kHz.




Flexible volume control

Digital encoders push and turn

The two digital rotary encoders not only look good, they feel good, too. Push the volume knob repeatedly to cycle among the main outs, headphones, or both, as indicated by the LEDs. For the mic input, adjust trim and toggle 48V phantom power or the -20 dB pad. Hands-on control is immediate and intuitive.

Professional I/O

Personal recording with no-compromise, professional I/O connections

XLR mic input

Go ahead: connect your $5000 mic. This preamp is worthy of the best you've got.

Hi-Z guitar in

Proper impedance delivers totally authentic guitar tones that feel right as you play.

Line in

Add a keyboard or other line level input on balanced connectors for pristine sound.

Multiple independent outputs

Feed independent audio to each output pair: main out, line out, and phones.

Balanced line level connectors

Protect your mix from AC hum and RF noise with balanced connections.

Digital controlled analog trim

You get the best of both worlds: analog sound quality with digital precision.


Mixing and effects

It's an 8-bus digital mixer, too

The MicroBook is an 8-bus digital mixer that lets you mix live inputs with each other — with or without host software tracks. With CueMix FX running on your computer, you can create separate mixes of live audio from your mic, guitar, and keyboard, and send each mix to separate outputs (main out, line out, and phones out) or any combination of all three.

Solid metal chassis

MOTU interfaces are built to last

The MicroBook aluminum alloy chassis is lightweight, yet incredibly sturdy and durable, and designed to withstand the rigors of the studio, stage, and tour bus. In a world awash with cheap plastic, the cool touch of the MicroBook II's metal exterior in your hands is a reassuring reminder that you are holding quality engineering and construction built to last.


"The MicroBook II is an ideal choice for the mobile musician
in need of an affordable and simple but flexible I/O.
If you need to record stereo keys, guitar or bass, and vocals,
along with hearing your soft synths,
this unit will handle the job with ease."

— Keyboard Magazine


Advanced extras

The engineering behind the MicroBook II runs deep,
to give your audio recordings the depth of quality they deserve

Six simultaneous outputs

Output three stereo pairs simultaneously. They can match or be completely independent.

HD audio

Record your projects at 88.2 or 96 kHz for true HD audio resolution.

Instrument tuner

Tune your guitar or other instrument to within a hundredth of a cent with this easy-to-read meter.

Signal Generator

Generate sine waves and white or pink noise to calibrate and fine-tune your entire studio.

Analysis tools

Visualize the harmonic content of your mix with dynamic animation and vivid color.

Oscilloscope

Turn your computer into a sophisticated oscilloscope with digital precision.

AudioDesk®

Workstation software for Mac OS X

The MicroBook II includes AudioDesk, the workstation software for Mac OS X, which provides advanced recording, editing, mixing, processing, and mastering. AudioDesk delivers the power of modern digital audio workstation technology in an easy-to-use, inspiring multitrack recording experience. Together, AudioDesk and the MicroBook II transform your computer desktop into a complete, professional recording studio.

CueMix FX Software

On-screen mixing and control

The included CueMix FX software for Mac OS X and Windows gives you graphic, on-screen control of the MicroBook II's on-board audio mixer, with up to four separate stereo mixes (a separate mix for each output pair). For example, you can mix all the inputs to the main outs, but also mix them to the line outs with completely different levels than the main outs. Advanced features include a tuner, oscilloscope, FFT/spectrogram, and phase analysis tools.


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