MOTU has introduced the Traveler-mk3, a mobile Firewire audio interface for Mac and Windows personal computers that provides eight channels of pristine 192kHz analog recording and playback combined with twenty channels of digital I/O in ADAT optical, AES/EBU and S/PDIF formats.
Engineered for portable recording situations with either desktop or laptop computers, the Traveler-mk3 draws power from its Firewire connection to the computer. For extended remote sessions, the Traveler can be powered by an industry-standard field battery pack.
As a complete audio recording system with 28 inputs and 30 outputs operating simultaneously, including four XLR/TRS “combo” style mic inputs equipped with high-quality preamps, the Traveler-mk3 inherits many features from MOTU’s award-winning Traveler interface and adds many additional significant new features, including V-Limit™ signal overload protection, true hi-Z guitar inputs, a 32-bit floating point DSP for on-board effects and mixing, two banks of configurable optical I/O and much more.
“The V-Limit hardware limiters we’ve added to all four mic inputs make the Traveler-mk3 even more versatile, especially for remote sessions in non-studio recording environments,” said Jim Cooper, Director of Marketing at MOTU. “The new reverb, modeled EQ and vintage compression sound absolutely superb and add a whole new dimension to recording sessions and stand-alone operation as a digital mixer.”
Additional Traveler MK3 features:
– Powered by computer — no additional power supply necessary for complete recording freedom.
– Optional battery power — standard field battery pack (sold separately) can be used for extended remote recording sessions and stand-alone operation as a complete digital mixer.
– Individual 48V phantom power on each mic input — mix and match condenser and dynamic microphones.
– Quarter-inch analog I/O — Provides four 24-bit 192kHz analog inputs and eight analog outputs on balanced/unbalanced 1/4″ TRS jacks.
– Stand-alone operation — Users can program mixes at the studio and then take the Traveler-mk3 on the road without a computer. Power is supplied by the included DC power adapter or a field battery pack.
– Users can adjust settings using the back-lit front-panel LCD.
– Sample-accurate MIDI — Users can connect a MIDI controller and/or sound module with no separate interface needed. MIDI I/O is sample-accurate with supporting software.
– Word clock input/output — Allows the Traveler-mk3 to be synchronized with any digital audio clock source.
– Plug-and-play operation with your Mac or PC via Firewire — Two Firewire 400 ports allow for daisy-chaining without a hub. Works with a Firewire 800 connection via a simple adapter or FW400-to-800 cable.
– Includes drivers for Mac OS X and Windows XP/Vista, including ASIO, WDM, Core Audio, and Core MIDI.
– Front panel volume control for monitoring. Stereo, Quad, 5.1, 7.1 and user-defined surround monitoring setups are available.
The Traveler MK3 is expected to ship Q1 of 2009 at the same price as the original award-winning Traveler.