MOTU M4chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Many owners describe the M4 as offering crystal-clear, honest sound that reveals detail without coloring the signal. Several long-term users say the sound quality rivals much pricier gear they previously owned.

@thorstenweimar1190

Just got a MOTU M4, absolutely fantastic interface. Chrystal clear sound, perfect for mixing. Reveals lots of detail, doesn’t color. Leans a bit more to the brighter side, that’s what I love for mixing. It makes me take care of the high end in a better way 👍!\n\nIn addition, it’s a very honest sound, it doesn’t gloss over, if there’s an issue. That’s very important. Some interfaces tend to make the sound nicer than it is in reality. \n\nVery happy 😃launch

smart_display

January 24, 2025

@jonkthompson

I got the Motu M2 when it was first released, a few years later I switch to the M4. To this day, I still love my unit. I've heard all the complaints over the years and I have never had any issues what so ever. I have my EC1 preamp running to it now or I'll run my ART Voice Channel through it but the non coloration of audio is pure and clean.launch

smart_display

December 19, 2024

@TLW4118

I’ve owned the M4 for about 6 months now and it’s incredible. I can’t believe this interface sounds so good and has all these features for such a low price. The preamps are loud and clean. Loopback feature is super useful too.launch

smart_display

March 9, 2021

@mvoproject

I have one too since the spring of 2020 and really enjoy with it! My old card E-mu 1212M just couldn't be inserted into the newest power work station due the lack of the proper slot and I`m looked for the same quality card/interface for about half of the year. I'm really glad that I discover the MOTU M2/M4 cards and my choice was the M4 of course. The sound of it is really great for the price. And yeah, the loopback feature is really cool and now helps me a lot.launch

smart_display

February 26, 2021

Commenters repeatedly call the M4 an incredible deal, offering professional-grade features and sound at a budget-friendly price point. Several say it beats other interfaces in its price range outright.

@ZheAqueenMusic

You helped make my purchase decision a lot clearer today! Thank you! I'm building a stable, pro-tier portable type studio bundle and I've been racking my brain over interfaces for the last 3-4 days. I finally settled on grabbing the AT4040 as my travel ready quality mic (debated between that and 440 pure) and decided against AUD's ecosystem and price point which I had originally budgeted for. I DO wish there were 2 headphone jacks on Motu, I do but not a deal breaker right now. The M4 packs a great sound and build for the price AND at that number (with all the convenient features plus a nice visual appeal) gives me more room to get (one of) my dream mic's, the Neumann TLM 103! Also using your link to purchase the M4!launch

smart_display

October 24, 2025

@trueneutral3092

Own the Motu M4. Buy this thing already. Insane value for the price point. It drives the infamously gain-hungry SM7B with zero problem, all while powering my headphone monitors incredibly well.launch

smart_display

April 14, 2021

@TLW4118

I’ve owned the M4 for about 6 months now and it’s incredible. I can’t believe this interface sounds so good and has all these features for such a low price. The preamps are loud and clean. Loopback feature is super useful too.launch

smart_display

March 9, 2021

@davebelknap3220

Short story: I started looking for a new interface that wouldn’t break the bank about 2 months ago. When I saw the M4 on Sweetwater’s website I knew the search was over. Thank you Mitch & team for providing a solid overview video- even if I watched it after ordering ;)\n\nWhen I was first getting into studios it was MOTU everything. Since then I have seen a lot of other companies build on massive PR campaigns and offer over hyped overpriced gear to pay for it. \nI have used a few less expensive Audio Interfaces over the past few years just as a way to get my ideas recorded, and have been underwhelmed as everyone is selling the same thing with a different coat of paint.launch

smart_display

August 22, 2020

The built-in loopback function is mentioned as a major selling point that helped convince multiple buyers to purchase the unit. Users find it genuinely useful for streaming, podcasting, or mixing workflows.

@TLW4118

I’ve owned the M4 for about 6 months now and it’s incredible. I can’t believe this interface sounds so good and has all these features for such a low price. The preamps are loud and clean. Loopback feature is super useful too.launch

smart_display

March 9, 2021

@mvoproject

I have one too since the spring of 2020 and really enjoy with it! My old card E-mu 1212M just couldn't be inserted into the newest power work station due the lack of the proper slot and I`m looked for the same quality card/interface for about half of the year. I'm really glad that I discover the MOTU M2/M4 cards and my choice was the M4 of course. The sound of it is really great for the price. And yeah, the loopback feature is really cool and now helps me a lot.launch

smart_display

February 26, 2021

@SteveSteeleMusic

The M2 is the best $150 interface by far. The ESS Sabre32 DACs are incredible! The headphone output is loud. The 5-pin MIDI connectors and the life saving Loopback feature put this interface so far ahead of the class it’s not even close. Long live MOTU!launch

smart_display

July 17, 2020

@amirgrant844

I been looking into the M2 and M4 and just found out that these things got pre amps that can even run a shure sm7b without any issues. No cloudlifter or anything necessary to assist the pre amp's gain. That is absolutely MADNESS for an interface that low of cost. Headphone amp in the interface is great too. That and the loopback function thing had me sold. I just bought a M4 today. Thanks for this video, David. It was a huge helplaunch

smart_display

May 2, 2020

Multiple users highlight the headphone amp as unusually strong for a USB-powered interface, capable of driving high-impedance or hard-to-drive headphones. This is noted as an advantage over similarly priced competitors.

@ZheAqueenMusic

You helped make my purchase decision a lot clearer today! Thank you! I'm building a stable, pro-tier portable type studio bundle and I've been racking my brain over interfaces for the last 3-4 days. I finally settled on grabbing the AT4040 as my travel ready quality mic (debated between that and 440 pure) and decided against AUD's ecosystem and price point which I had originally budgeted for. I DO wish there were 2 headphone jacks on Motu, I do but not a deal breaker right now. The M4 packs a great sound and build for the price AND at that number (with all the convenient features plus a nice visual appeal) gives me more room to get (one of) my dream mic's, the Neumann TLM 103! Also using your link to purchase the M4!launch

smart_display

October 24, 2025

@gamingmarcus

Great review! This one is definitely on my list. One positive I'd like to mention from a different review is that despite being USB powered this thing has a really impressive headphone AMP. It can drive virtually any headphone, which is often times not the case with competitors like the scarletslaunch

smart_display

June 8, 2022

@trueneutral3092

Own the Motu M4. Buy this thing already. Insane value for the price point. It drives the infamously gain-hungry SM7B with zero problem, all while powering my headphone monitors incredibly well.launch

smart_display

April 14, 2021

@amirgrant844

I been looking into the M2 and M4 and just found out that these things got pre amps that can even run a shure sm7b without any issues. No cloudlifter or anything necessary to assist the pre amp's gain. That is absolutely MADNESS for an interface that low of cost. Headphone amp in the interface is great too. That and the loopback function thing had me sold. I just bought a M4 today. Thanks for this video, David. It was a huge helplaunch

smart_display

May 2, 2020

The ESS Sabre32 DAC is called out as delivering hi-res, bit-perfect playback quality that earned praise from audiophile review circles. One user compared the DAC favorably to high-end mastering-grade converters.

@tobiasjone

So, I bought an M4 to build a portable rig for when I’m away… and was expecting it to be “very good”. I compared the DAC against my Prism Lyra and was astounded at how comparable in quality they were. I also compared it to a Lavry DA10… which was no match for the M4, which just sounded more detailed and clear (like the Prisms). It also sounded significantly better than the Chord Mojo 2, and a 2010 RME UC sounded quite woolly in comparison. \n\nThe ADC is very good indeed, but the Prism is better in this regard, mainly because it’s very forgiving when clipped, and has slightly better SNR. \n\nAnyway, I couldn’t resist plumbing my mastering chain into the loop and mastered a couple of tracks through it (no AD clipping). It performed amazingly well. The drivers are very stable too (far better than Prism). Not a fair 1:1 comparison, but when taking into account the AD/DA loop and monitor DAC quality alone…. It’s a pretty wild bit of kit for the money.launch

smart_display

July 9, 2023

@Error_4x5

The Motu M2 and M4's other gimmick is it use of a audiophile grade ESS Saber DAC. Making them the audio interface for those into hi-res audio and bit perfect digital playback. The M2 and M4 got great reviews over at Audio Science Review, home of the more zeros are the dot the better your audio will sound.launch

smart_display

February 7, 2022

@SteveSteeleMusic

The M2 is the best $150 interface by far. The ESS Sabre32 DACs are incredible! The headphone output is loud. The 5-pin MIDI connectors and the life saving Loopback feature put this interface so far ahead of the class it’s not even close. Long live MOTU!launch

smart_display

July 17, 2020

The preamps are reported to drive gain-hungry microphones like the Shure SM7B cleanly without needing a cloudlifter or similar booster. This is described as remarkable given the interface's low cost.

@trueneutral3092

Own the Motu M4. Buy this thing already. Insane value for the price point. It drives the infamously gain-hungry SM7B with zero problem, all while powering my headphone monitors incredibly well.launch

smart_display

April 14, 2021

@amirgrant844

I been looking into the M2 and M4 and just found out that these things got pre amps that can even run a shure sm7b without any issues. No cloudlifter or anything necessary to assist the pre amp's gain. That is absolutely MADNESS for an interface that low of cost. Headphone amp in the interface is great too. That and the loopback function thing had me sold. I just bought a M4 today. Thanks for this video, David. It was a huge helplaunch

smart_display

May 2, 2020

Being USB audio class compliant, the M4 works on Linux without needing MOTU-specific drivers, and users appreciate per-channel phantom power control. One user reports fantastic round-trip latency once configured.

@linuxgamecast

I like the M4. It’s well built, sounds the business, and packs a solid punch for the price. There are no drivers to install but you will need kernel 5.14 or higher. Round-trip latency is fantastic (for USB) if jack_io is being honest. More on that in the writeup https://linuxgamecast.com/2022/01/interfacing-linux-motu-m4/\n\nSupport future videos\nPatreon: https://patreon.com/linuxgamecast \nMOTU M4 on Amazon: https://amzn.to/32adWSh\nMOTU M4 on eBay: https://ebay.us/NO4H6U\n\nTimestamps\n00:00 Overview\n02:56 Jack setup\n03:41 Pulseaudio\n04:01 Checking for xruns\n04:36 Studio test\n06:01 Round-trip latency \n07:51 Microphone check\n08:49 Do you need a Cloudlifter?\n12:29 Deboxing and thoughtslaunch

smart_display

January 18, 2022

@sirnigelcogs

With these being USB audio class complaint that means they'll also work on Linux. I like being able to select phantom power on each channel.launch

smart_display

November 13, 2019