MOTU 24AiFrom real comments

Name: MOTU 24Ai
Rating: 3 (11 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 11 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment55%

PROS 55%

CONS 45%

Rank based on 11 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You need compact, upgradable AVB I/O expansion for an existing mixer
You want to connect gear across multiple brands via AVB or optical
You're building a serious studio setup and can absorb a premium price

What users love

Channel expansion for existing mixers0 mentions

Widely praised

Compact size vs competitors0 mentions

Widely praised

Future upgradability0 mentions

Widely praised

Cross-brand AVB interoperability0 mentions

Widely praised

Flexible control software access0 mentions

Generally positive

Skip this if...

You're not comfortable with a complex control software ecosystem
You need guaranteed rock-solid interoperability with Presonus AVB gear
You're on a tight budget, since the interface isn't cheap

What users complain about

Complex control software0 mentions

Generally negative

Limited cross-brand gain control0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Reported dropout concerns0 mentions

Generally negative

Premium pricing0 mentions

Generally negative

No USB 3.1 for Windows0 mentions

Generally negative

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31Premium

MOTU 24Ai

Channel expansion for existing mixersCompact size vs competitorsCross-brand AVB interoperabilityComplex control softwareLimited cross-brand gain controlNo USB 3.1 for Windows

MOTU 24Ai

Channel expansion for existing mixers

Compact size vs competitors

Cross-brand AVB interoperability

Complex control software

Limited cross-brand gain control

No USB 3.1 for Windows

Driver stability
1. RME Babyfacearrow_upward10
2. RME Fireface UFXarrow_upward10
3. RME Fireface UCX IIarrow_upward9
Low latency
1. RME Babyfacearrow_upward8
2. RME Babyface Pro FSarrow_upward7
3. PreSonus Quantum 2arrow_upward4
Long term support
1. RME Fireface UCX IIarrow_upward9
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Totalmix fx
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Totalmix routing
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Channel expansion
1. RME Digifacearrow_upward8
2. RME Digiface USBarrow_upward4

Overall Impression

Compact size and upgradability stand out versus bulkier alternatives. One user directly compared the 24Ai/24Ao favorably to Presonus NSB stageboxes, noting the NSB units are huge while the 24Ai and 24Ao are much smaller and future-upgradable. This compactness combined with AVB expansion made it attractive for adding outboard gear like preamps and compressors to an existing large-format mixer without a bulky footprint.

Cross-brand AVB networking works but isn't officially smooth. A user successfully ran the MOTU alongside a Presonus console and a Prism card over optical, proving multi-vendor AVB setups are achievable. However, another commenter struggled to control trim on a Presonus NSB168 because Presonus software doesn't support third-party AVB devices, and others mentioned hearing about dropouts when mixing MOTU with Presonus gear.

Control software is powerful but has a learning curve. Users mentioned MOTU Pro Audio Control as browser-based and accessible from mobile or tablet, while the newer CueMix Pro app has a dedicated iOS version. Despite this flexibility, one commenter called the software daunting during deep research into its advanced mixing capabilities, and another said they still prefer controlling everything from a main computer screen.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

add_circleChannel expansion for existing mixers

2 mentions

Widely praised

Commenters used or considered the 24Ai to add extra input channels to mixers like a Presonus 32r once they ran out of native channels, leveraging AVB networking for expansion.

@adanhernandez7850

We have a 32r in our church and we're almost out of channels. Can I use a 24Ai to add inputs through AVB?

smart_display

October 17, 2023

@Jim_McGhee

Thanks for these videos. Quick question if you don’t mind, what’s the 24ao actuaaly for? I have a 24ai and a monitor 8, and the so, but don’t use it, where would it go in the signal path, and for what? Cheers

smart_display

June 10, 2022

straightenCompact size vs competitors

1 mentions

Widely praised

Users compared the 24Ai/24Ao favorably to Presonus NSB stageboxes, noting the NSB units are huge while MOTU's units are much smaller. This made them attractive for adding outboard gear without excessive rack space.

@Steviee8

Excellent! I know this was made a year ago and perhaps you've learned new things and maybe expanded on this idea. I for one was thinking on trying this but first wanted to google and see if anyone was successful. I assume you were after this video was made. \nI have a SL32 series III mixer with 32 channels of 2x NSB 8.8 and 1 NSB16.8. Using it as a way to use outboard gear i.e preamps and 500 series compressors etc. It works but the NSBs are huge. I like the 24Ao and Ai for their size. I know they make a 16A with both in and out I was thinking of using but like the future upgradability with the Ai and Ao. (even though they aren't cheap)\nThanks for the video Billy.

smart_display

January 5, 2024

upgradeFuture upgradability

1 mentions

Widely praised

A commenter specifically chose the 24Ai and 24Ao over an all-in-one 16A unit because of the upgrade path they offer, valuing long-term flexibility in their AVB setup.

@Steviee8

smart_display

January 5, 2024

hubCross-brand AVB interoperability

1 mentions

Widely praised

Users successfully connected the MOTU interface to Presonus consoles and even a Prism card simultaneously via AVB and optical, demonstrating it can bridge multiple manufacturers in one signal chain.

@findJLF

Great video - yes I've trodden the path you are on also.... We're on parallel paths / worlds. Had my 2012 MacBook Pro just upgraded to a 2022 also. To the point though, I have my MOTU 24Ao hooked up to a Prosonus NSB168. Similarly to you I have my 24Ao hooked up to a large format console. \nMy challenge is that Prosonus don't support control of the NSB168 other than through a Prosonus console which I have no interest in (Universal Control software - doesn't work with just the NSB!). I need to reduce the trim on the Prosonus somehow .- enquiries with Prosonus support gave no answer for this . . . I'll have a look at the Hive AVB that Greg Simpson has mentioned, as I think that could solve my clipping issues when I use hefty tube compressors in my live room.\nFun fact, I have the MOTU, working with the Prosonus but I also have the MOTU working with a Prism card via the optical interface . . . so three manufacturers hooked up.

smart_display

March 31, 2022

phone_iphoneFlexible control software access

1 mentions

Generally positive

Pro Audio Control is browser-based and can run from mobile or tablet devices, while CueMix Pro offers a dedicated iOS app, giving users multiple ways to manage the interface.

@synthshed

Also didn’t mention in the vid but being browser based, Pro Audio Control can be run from mobile/tablet, while CueMix Pro (the newer control app) has a dedicated iOS app. I thought that would be handy but in reality I prefer controlling everything from my main computer screen.

smart_display

September 7, 2026

warningComplex control software

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user doing deep research into MOTU Pro Audio Control described it as quite daunting, indicating a steep learning curve for advanced mixing features.

@GeoffBosco

Doing some research into AVB gear for when I need to upgrade to adding AVB in/outs. Digging real deep into the MOTU pro audio control and it’s quite daunting. Current project: doing entire mix through the MOTU mixer. \n\nAnyway, it’s good to connect with other people who are also doing deep dives into MOTU advanced capabilities. I’m sure I’ll need to come back to this video at some point. lol

smart_display

May 7, 2022

tuneLimited cross-brand gain control

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A user with a 24Ao paired to a Presonus NSB168 found Presonus software doesn't support controlling third-party AVB devices, leaving them unable to reduce trim and risking clipping with outboard compressors.

@findJLF

smart_display

March 31, 2022

signal_wifi_offReported dropout concerns

1 mentions

Generally negative

One commenter asked about drop-outs or sudden connection loss after hearing this was a common issue when hooking up Presonus and MOTU devices together, though it's unclear if this is firsthand experience.

@woodyturner1741

Great video, thanks for that! :) \nHave you experienced any drop outs or sudden loss of connection so far while running the system for more than a few minutes? Cause that's what I'm hearing a lot about as the main issue when hooking up Presonus and MOTU devices.

smart_display

July 4, 2022

attach_moneyPremium pricing

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user noted the 24Ai and 24Ao 'aren't cheap' despite liking their form factor, positioning the interface as a costlier investment within its category.

@Steviee8

smart_display

January 5, 2024

usbNo USB 3.1 for Windows

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter expressed frustration that MOTU didn't implement USB 3.1 support for Windows users, suggesting a missed connectivity feature.

@PainStruckStanleyDumb

for the life of me, I can't understand why they didn't do USB 3.1 for Windows....

smart_display

December 4, 2022

MOTU 24Aichat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Driver stability

Low latency

Long term support

Totalmix fx

Totalmix routing

Channel expansion

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

MOTU 24AiFrom real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression