In this video review I put a MOTU AVB system consisting of a MOTU 1248, MOTU Ultralite AVB and MOTU AVB Switch through a post production orientated stress test at my facility 8dB Sound, even ADR'ing fellow PTE Team Member Mike Aiton, with revealing results!

Update 6th February 2016

We have been in discussions with MOTU regarding the audio break up issues that we experienced during this review. MOTU are working closely with us to get to the bottom of these issues. Even though in general it was a positive review, whilst we investigate the cause of the audio break up we have taken down the video review. Once we have established the issues we will bring you an update.

More About The MOTU AVB System

The MOTU AVB system is a layer 2 ethernet network audio routing system, capable of sending up to 128 channels of audio over standard Cat5e or Cat6 ethernet cables. The system is also fully remote controllable from a standard browser or iPad app.

PTE team member Julian Rodgers covered the background of the MOTU AVB and reviewed a number of the units in a music context. Here is a summary of his articles...

MOTU AVB Interfaces Review - System Overview  If this rapidly developing area of audio is unfamiliar to you then take a few minutes to read the 2 part primer on Audio over Cat 5 Julian wrote last year Part 1, Part 2. Of the various available technologies MOTU have implemented AVB in their latest range of interfaces. AVB stands for Audio Video Bridging and it is an open, non-proprietary extension of Ethernet which allows the distribution of audio across gigabit Ethernet with the proviso that all switches on the network meet a minimum spec and are classed as AVB compliant.

MOTU AVB Interfaces Review - 1248 The 1248 is the flagship interface in the range, it offers the broadest range of I/O with a complement loosely equivalent to the many 8 analogue plus ADAT firewire interfaces which have become so common.

MOTU AVB Interfaces Review - Ultralite AVB The Ultralite AVB is the replacement for the very popular Ultralite Hybrid. Offering a similar half-rack format and cast, all metal construction. Of the three units Julian had on test, this has surprised him by being the one he has used the most. 

MOTU AVB Interfaces Review - Monitor 8 The Monitor 8 is a product designed to complement other units in the AVB range. Its primary purpose is as a USB/AVB headphone amplifier. Having used it a few times Julian found it is more than that. It is a capable audio interface with monitor control, as a line level audio interface it would be perfectly useable but this is the first of the products he has looked at which only really makes sense when viewed as part of a larger AVB system.

MOTU AVB Interfaces Review - Web Control Application  Julian takes a tour of the web app used to control the MOTU AVB interfaces. This clever system uses a web app served by the hardware itself. If you connect a WiFi router to your interface you can control it from a tablet or phone with no computers at all. From this app you can control everything from routing to the built in DSP mixer.