MOTU UltraLite-mk5 Audio Interface - REVIEW (audio performance tested)

[@rcytray]

Incredibly in-depth and objective as always. Still the best audio interface reviewer on KZbin.

[@JTCPingas]

The audio interface review king is back!

[@emceeunderdogrising]

This review is superior to all others by far. Doesn't feel like a sales pitch. He gets right down to showing actually useful data instead of sales jargon. Good stuff.

[@mitkothemacedonian]

Great one Julian. Maybe it's time for some Apogees, Prisms or RMEs to see if their high price matches the performance.

[@matiascastrocomposer]

+1

[@cuba1956]

Agreed!

[@Saintknick]

I agree, because I suspect that most of the more expensive interfaces sell their brand. 0 distortion is 0 distortion

[@wwlittlejOfficial]

I just commented the same thing essentially, lol

[@sonosenseproducciones9545]

Agreed. Totally

[@cliph6068]

Hi Julian, You don't need to use Loopback to add processing on recording. You can change the setting "To USB host" to "Post FX" on the Input tab and it will apply all effects before sending to the computer.

[@melodychest9020]

Wow thats good to know!

[@Skoora]

I think he was inferring if you wanted to add the Motu input fX to your entire mix. Using loopback to bring the whole mix through two inputs stereo linked.

[@CSVO138]

Do you know if I can record a wet signal with one set of fx while monitoring with a different set of fx? (ex: recording wet with eq only while monitoring with eq, compression, and reverb)

[@d7r_tv]

Damn the MOTU-Mxxx line seem to be killing it. Got M2 and I am very very happy.

[@Scott__C]

MOTU has always been on it.

[@monkeyxx]

Watched this one with my Ultralite MK 5 providing audio, haha, love this thing

[@wwlittlejOfficial]

LUCKY! lol. I'm really wanting to sell my M4 because my fav interface of all time has been the Ultralite line. But I have to be honest, I don't need the extras the UL gives me ( but I want it sooooo bad!)

[@cfibanez]

I just ordered this interface, essentially based on this review. Thanks for your work. It's excellent.

[@jonathanjacobs1525]

May I ask where you ordered it from, how, and how it worked out? Can't find any in stock.

[@tuneunleashed]

@@jonathanjacobs1525 They're now in stock

[@yourforeignlocal]

YESS been waiting for this!

[@justindpeak]

I was so waiting for you to do this review. As always, top notch. You definitely are the best audio interface reviewer out there and I know I have to enjoy you now before one of these big companies comes and scoops you up. Keep up the awesome work Mr. Julian Krause!!

[@MikaelNitscheDrums]

Probably the best audio interface for running backtracks live!

[@QBellowMusic]

That safety offset tip at 5:48 saved me so much time, thank you.

[@FaithfulGuitarTutorials]

I own the Ultralite Mk5. Happy to watch your review becasuse it gives me assurance in my decision to buy.

[@asmr6773]

MOTU is superb. Even the carton box were they come in like the vast majority of products (if not all) seems to be highly designed. For example I purchased the Strymond Big Sky reverb pedal, wich is great, and it came practically inside an unprotected box. It looked like a sandwich. I bet a lot of products start malfunctioning due to a carton box that does not protect well the item during shipping. It can also fell in the store from the display etc. So my experience with MOTU is that right from the unboxing you can identify without being an expert the quality of MOTU products. Is like a diamond inside some fancy case. And like if that was not enough they cost a lot less than other products than can not even match the quality of MOTU. 👍👍🏻👍🏼👍🏽👍🏾👍🏿

[@paulerrico3144]

A thoroughly super in-depth review Julian!! You helped me make my decision on this device, hands down!! I'm getting it!!

[@melodychest9020]

Loved this review from the Starship Enterprise! Looks like this puppy is killin it! Wow!

[@axel_rfr]

Such a good review. All your videos are excellent man! Would love to see your review of the Apogee Symphony Desktop 🙏🏽

[@ee1yd]

the back of this device is insane

[@aaronazz]

Excellent review. I'm still using an old MOTU 828 mk3 and love it. With the exception of channels of IO, it's probably all I'll ever need.

[@joelonsdale]

What a great video - technically confident, nicely delivered and nice and short! Liked and subscribed. This looks like an excellent replacement for my RME Fireface which is sadly FireWire only and so won't work with my new Mac :(

[@pearsonart]

Please review and compare the new Motu 828 (2024)

[@KaOblast]

Love your Videos Man, you're definitely the best audio interface reviewer on KZbin

[@adrianl5899]

Thank you for another excellent review, Julian. I listened to this one on my Motu 2, an interface which is excellent value for money (as your review of it showed).

[@SoundSnakeStudio]

Wow, what a refreshingly detailed review, thank you! subscribed!

[@arcticfoxstudios2018]

This is just an incredible product and another great review Julian! I'm glad I waited and didn't get the M4. Pretty sure this will be my next interface.

[@bangubw736]

Did you get it? I want to upgrade my interface and I was thinking about the M4 or ID14. Now I think this is what I have been looking for

[@kodemasterx]

Another outstanding review... Keep up the good work my friend.

[@onocoffee]

Wow. Thanks Julian. Looking at your table, the MOTU seems to demonstrate the best performance with no pink or red cells. This is exactly the review I needed to see.

[@jdg1279]

Great review, as usual; it'd be interesting to see the results of your preamp testing methodology on classic mic preamps like a Neve 1073 or API 312 (or clones/repackaging thereof).

[@xrxFreemanxcx]

lo mejor en análisis de interfaces!!! 🤘🤯

[@che-babyface9960]

This is for me the best audio interface for a home studio amazing preamp quality

[@beyondmywildestdreams6942]

I really thank you for amazing reviews you make, I always learn a lot from your videos, thank you so much again and good luck

[@BananasananaB]

CueMix 5 definitely needs some feature enhancements on the EQ and Compressor side imo. And, for a portable device, should include the guitar tuner of the previous CueMix software too. I'm hoping MOTU will be working to enhance and build upon version 5 a lot more in the very near future.

[@joelonsdale]

And the ommision of a red clip light on the preamps is a real oversight.

[@ar_xiv]

@@joelonsdale you can see if it's clipping on the OLED display

[@tuneunleashed]

@@ar_xiv No you can't.....you can't see it.

[@AGVersace100]

Any update so far?

[@peccotunity]

Mega geil danke für dieses Review und einen schönen Dezember gewünscht ❤

[@abusama6159]

Thank you so much for this. Superb analyses. My favourite is the headphones comparison table. Nothing speaks louder than facts and figures! Well done!

[@massivebeatzz]

especially since the manufacturers always HIDE their true stats on HP outs!

[@owlmostdead9492]

This Ultralite Mk5 with the DSP of the Antelope ZenGo along with the mixing capabilities of RME‘s TotalMix would be endgame audio interface level.

[@massivebeatzz]

you mean Versus or OR? no point in having 3...lol...

[@owlmostdead9492]

@@massivebeatzz combined.....

[@jonwatte4293]

I love all the numbers :-)

[@LucianTeo]

Love the dry humour and delivery!

[@positronicbrains]

Awesome review, thank you for the detail. I had it for few weeks, and yes the EQ is very limited, DSP is lacking and I wish they had a 2nd headphone output on it. Great sounding unit.

[@gurindersallanzerodb1802]

That's what I want to see ,,a close up look of inside the interface, thanks bro ,I love to see, actual chips and so on,. Great video

[@victor.ivanov]

This is a great review of what looks like a great device. Thanks again, Julian! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@redmin]

Very helpful as always. Please do Apollo Twin MkII!

[@rjb7569]

Was waiting for this one, Julian. Good review, as we've come to expect. Wondering which of the interfaces you've reviewed is your best overall pick. Have a feeling this one would be near the top. The Motu is a finalist for me, along with the Antelope GO. However, the number of ins/outs on the Motu is key as I have external equipment to patch in and this will probably be the deciding point, since Julian's check of the audio specs paint it as a top choice.

[@AGVersace100]

Cuemix5 updated. You don't need to loopback to have the fx printed on the way in. You just press a button on the mixer. Cool🎉

[@sunshineunderground6293]

wow thank you for rhis review ...amazing man !

[@FoiMal123]

Probably the best interface right now

[@kamilslaby_]

Best channel for making good buying decisions!

[@sholeetunes]

Great review! But I would still like to see a comparison to some RME interfaces, e.g. Babyface. Or are these above a certain price range and that's why you don't take them to the test bench? 🤔

[@cuba1956]

I'd love to see some RME reviews. Also, comparing AVB connection to USB would be very interesting to see.

[@ACDevastation]

I second this

[@eman0828]

AVB is not the same as Thunderbolt or USB that you connect to your computer. It's a Networking protocol for connecting multiple interfaces on a network similar to Dante. It's for large scale deployment applications which is only relevant to high enf gear. The Ultralite Mk5 also has nothing to do with the MOTU AVB Pro Audio line up. Different market.

[@cuba1956]

@@eman0828 Not sure I understand your point. MOTU has interfaces with all three USB, Thunderbolt and AVB. Same as RME. Would be interesting to know how they compare in terms of latency and stability. RME is priced higher and I think a lot of people would like to know if there's a reason to pay more for RME.

[@eman0828]

@@cuba1956 I own a MOTU 828ES AVB myself so I should know. AVB wasn't meant to be a protocol as a computer interface connection. It's like Dante designed for interconnecting audio interfaces together on a Network with an Ethernet cable when deploying in large scalability. The Focusrite RedNet and Red Dante interfaces aren't all the different than MOTUs high end line of AVB Pro Audio interfaces.

[@eman0828]

@@cuba1956 MOTU offers better vaule. I personally don't think its worth paying 200% mark up on something that does the same thing. Both MOTU and RME support their drivers long term as well. If you look back at many of MOTUs hardware you will see that the original 828 firewire interface drivers were supported over a 17 year long period from the early 2000s.

[@Nemesi]

Thank you a lot for this review! I'm really searching for alternatives to the Focusrite Clarett line since they're out of stock almost everywhere, and this new product really caught my attention!

[@aloneinthedev]

Excellent review as usual

[@AaronFerenc]

This is so helpful thank you!

[@MichaelW.1980]

I so thought and thought about biting the bullet in getting this one. And seeing your review of it gave me all the missing information that kept me from going for it. It would have been my dream interface. But it’s so much money just for a hobby. 😳 I ended up buying the MOTU M4 instead. And judging by my measurement of the dynamic range (~108.5dB) it turns out to be roughly the same as the M2, you did. test before, not counting production variances. And listening back and forth between the noise 8:13 (Ultralite Mk 5)and 8:19 (M2) the noise monk in me is the only one to react. 🤣

[@JulianKrause]

Nice, enjoy your M4!

[@artysanmobile]

MOTU is building outstanding sounding and performing interfaces. However, they seem to have completely forgotten how to design a meter. 15 years ago they had no such issues.

[@ybyap]

Great review! Thanks!

[@nistakmahmud]

Best review ever

[@JulianKrause]

Thank you!!!

[@PedalScience]

I would spend a bit more for an RME UCX II over this. Nice review!

[@Javiermorenomusic]

Excellent review

[@jonljacobi]

Been eyeing this interface for a while. Now I'm convinced of its quality. That's the respect I have for your journalism. Keep it up! Love the quality of the rear line inputs.

[@sorenrichenberg3313]

FINALLY got mine after 8 months of waiting in line on back-order. Sniped it in mint condition off a Reverb seller who didn't know what they had. Paid MSRP.

[@tuneunleashed]

How’s the latency though with virtual instruments?!

[@Standoffmuffin]

Love my little m2 this looks interesting!

[@CaleMcCollough]

Excellent review.

[@prabe]

Awesome - I was thinking about lending you a 624 before, but this does the trick :D

[@Kolin4556]

I have 624. Can you test balanced and unbalanced output-input for distortion? Balanced with 2 stereo TRS and mic cable. In an unbalanced one, there are also 2 stereo TRS and a mono cable. I have ~ 40 times more distortion in unbalanced 0.00013% versus 0.00633%. The Motu 624 output has Hot and Cold phase distortion. On balance, they are compensated. No balance does not compensate for them.

[@prabe]

@@Kolin4556 I don't have any measuring equipment, sorry

[@DroneFarmer]

Thanks Julian! You’re an awesome presenter. I enjoy having the meanings explained to me as it helps me understand better. Keep up the great work. I just bought one of these but was looking for your review first. I’m nowhere near a professional or even need anything this fancy but I’m super happy with it. The UI program is a bit much for me to get used to though.

[@ronmaison8690]

Thanks Julian we wanted to see some rme products please.

[@saardean4481]

Really enjoying your channel. Without being an expert i feel like the most important thing is the peripheral build (like the analog stage-line in and output etc ect) and not the converters themselves. Having said that i was surprised by the noise on the Antelope interface. Jesus… Cant wait for 1) Spl Marc One, 2) Merging Technologies ANUBIS test

[@saardean4481]

Thank you for the in depth reviews. Very good work. Great interface. I miss a dedicated (bigger) Volume knob for the Monitors. I hate these tiny multifunction endless turning encoders. I prefer an analog Volume knob „with a start and an end of turning“ even if it means channel volume discrepancies. and am a bit dissapointed by the headphone amp values but you cant have it all. Still very good interface.

[@saardean4481]

Ps: The Mk5 you cant buy in Germany right now. Not for 10+ weeks. I guess it is cause of the Chip shortage crisis ?

[@schellstede]

Hi Julian, love your videos. Would you consider testing the inbuild interfaces on analog mixers like Tascam, Zoom, SSL...

[@pml394]

Thanks a lot Julian! could you please review the new “RME UCX 2 “which in some ways is comparabel to Motu mk 5 .just a lot more expensive

[@ACDevastation]

also I'd like to see one for the Babyface Pro FS

[@eranddroory9987]

@@ACDevastation I have it.. Awesome little interface :-)

[@eman0828]

The RME is very over priced by today's standards.

[@eranddroory9987]

@@eman0828 in terms of stability and low latency its unrivaled. Did you ever own any rme stuff?

[@eman0828]

@@eranddroory9987 owned a Babyface in the past but the new MOTU stuff has improved over the years that you longer need to over pay for an RME. They make the same stuff. I have a MOTU 828ES in my rack that I use for my Hybrid mixing rig. You can sort of see it in My profile aviator picture on here. And guess what? I use Windows 10 and it's the most rock solid interface I've used to date. Focusrite was the worst in terms of driver stability.

[@xrxFreemanxcx]

now we need a review of the scarlett 18i8 please!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@Ygnr22]

Thank you for your reviews! I hope you reach 100k soon, earn more with this channel and review the top ones. Meanwhile you can review IK Multimedia I/O that was "made for guitarists". You could record a basic course about mixing! I would buy it!

[@DragonboltBlastter]

Great to see another review Julian. Also when AXR4? 32/384 Rupert Neve Designs preamp simulations Hybrid Micpres (found in Yamaha RIVAGE series)

[@Nicksperiments]

I just got this interface last week. Glad to hear the numbers are as good as it sounds. The motu is to much easier to use than my RME but I am curious how the numbers compare

[@damithrijenkins8999]

www.soundonsound.com/reviews/rme-babyface-pro-fs RME is beating the Motu even at higher sample rate. Motu is really good though.

[@levondarratt787]

@@damithrijenkins8999 beating an old Motu maybe. This just came out, so you might have posted false info!

[@gigiborza1151]

A desktop version would be nice (and certainly a bit of a departure for MOTU).

[@jakbo_]

Dammit .. I'm buying one now haha great video

[@jakubzbroda]

Lokos like one of the best interfaces if you look at the graphs.

[@fishtage]

Incredible reviews!! Crazy to see the RME babyface ;) thanks!!

[@WildEarthPhoto]

Great channel and great reviews for beginning creators needing to make the best buying choice. Pretty much makes every other review out there superfluous.

[@coloaten6682]

Another very thorough review, thanks Julian!

[@jbaranowski1990]

I love your reviews! You show everything like it was not because somebody pays you for review. I really appreciate that people like you exist and shows the truth about products. My question is: So is this the best interface you review by so far then? And is this appropriate for pro qualisty recording, mixing and monitoring sound? Thank you in advance and thanks for great work! :)

[@JulianKrause]

Is it the best interface? Well, depends on what you understand under "best". In terms of sound quality the UltraLite-mk5 is definitely top notch and it is absolutely appropriate for professional recording, mixing and monitoring.

[@mathiasjohannesson9833]

"they chose xxxxxxx for digital to analog converter, and it does not surprise me a BIT"! HAHAHAHA! That was fun!

[@harvesteroftone5473]

Motu makes great gear. I love my M4.

[@wwlittlejOfficial]

Short of a few idiosyncrasies, this interface is absolutely perfect. The numbers are ridiculous, from measured results to connectivity to price, even the size is perfect. MOTU really hit it out of the park here. RME and Apollo and Antelope and Prism Sound can go eat dycks. This is the interface to get.

[@danieljung2810]

I wouldn't say that. I had the option of choosing this and the Antelope Zen Q, which is $350 more. I went with the Zen Q. Why? Well the Zen Q current promotion has better AFX (over 90 real time effects for free), a free IMHO very nice mic (Edge Solo Large Condenser MIC $600), a free case and the full blown Bitwig Studio ($399) for free. In terms of value the Zen Q, if you're just getting into the game, is pretty unbeatable and really unbelievable. Now if you have a DAW and have no interest in Bitwig, don't need a mic and could care less about real time effects for live streaming then MOTU is the winner. For me the Zen Q was the clear winner.

[@maca20e1]

Just discovered your channel and was suprised at the professional and detailed reviews! I have a suggestion for an upcoming video. In you interface comparison table, you are missing the RTL and it would be interesting to see all the interfaces RTL performance side by side! Also, I noticed you have not yet tested any UAD products, which many consider the gold standard. It would be interesting to see how they compare given your test methodology. Finally, I have a question. Your headphone compairisons for pre-amp output is based on a model for dynamic speakers right? As planars are getting more and more popular, would the results translate 1-1 to them or are they to different and need other tests? The Audeze LCD-XC for instance, have an impedance of 20 Ohms, but recommended power level of >250mW. Looking at your comparison table, only the Rode AI-1 would provide enough current to power them, or am I reading the table incorrectly?

[@elvisripley]

Nice. Thanks Julian. I have been using my MixPre 10 II as an interface and am switching it out for something that can handle surround channels. I would love to see how the headphone output of the MixPre compares.

[@liambriggs4547]

I’d like to see a review of the IK multimedia AXE I/O. It’s an interface with input ohm controls and a built in reamp box!

[@fast-red3590]

Great videos, Julian, thank you! I’m curious about the headphone power of the MOTU UltraLight-mk5 versus the M2. At 300 ohms, you measured very close (0.3dB higher) to the MOTU spec of +14dBu, but for the M2, you got about 1.9dB under their +12.5dBu spec currently on their website for the M2, M4 and M6. I know manufacturer’s specs aren’t always perfect, but I noticed there was a small update to the M line since you tested the M2. It seems outside your approach to disassemble them, but I wonder if they made any changes to the power supplies in the M models, and if the UltraLight-mk5 is using a different headphone amp and/or higher voltage. How about testing the latest MOTU M2 and M6 (which has an extra power connector)? Just per the numbers, I think the M models will drive my 150 ohm 94dB sensitive headphones well enough at the moderate levels I prefer but since I’d like to do a lot of listening, not just recording, it’s a bit of a concern, as are some negative impressions some have posted regarding using budget audio interfaces such as the M2 as a headphone amp. I’m on the side of the fence of just getting it, but am also considering if I need more than two mic preamps.

[@brianfortier324]

I love your reviews! I wish you would do the Arturia Audiofuse Rev2

[@geralbrod]

Great Review!!! When to review the Apollo Solo?????

[@deaddoomed2380]

just like interesting fact, at least in microbook II, the crosstalk issue is caused by sharing the same opamps for more than one signal at the same time :)

[@turistaengracado5083]

Please review Apogee Symphony Desktop and Merging Anubis Pro, thank you

[@csbluechip]

"Getting loud again in ..." **A*D*V*E*R*T** ... Every time! Lol

[@ydonl]

I'm not sure I understand. Are you suggesting it's a bad box, and people shouldn't buy it?

[@csbluechip]

@@ydonl Not at all. KZbin put an advert on just after I turned up the volume ... AGAIN 🤣

[@ydonl]

@@csbluechip Oh! Yes. I see. Totally understand. Now. :)

[@evgenioni]

Hi! thnx you for the incredible and professional review!!! My measured value of headphones crosstalk is -92dB (in RMAA) Why is that? Also you can get many more loopback channels if you connect the input and output ADAT (loopback for loopback )))

[@lillehammerexperimental]

Thank you , this interface looks great !! What alternative interface would be a good contender for it?

[@rocxNroll]

As always Good job my friend! Waht speaker arre you using in the background on your pc?

[@juliustucker1766]

Awesome review! Thanks for the help. Is this the interface you currently use?

[@fabianmartin665]

watched all your stuff and it's great and really precise work! could you tell what's the fastest RTL you measured and with which interface?

[@Sylvain_de_Boscherville]

Hello, Can you tell me what you think of the Arturia Audiofuze which seems to have similar specs? thank you for your work friend

[@thomasowens3135]

Epic!

[@shannonadkinsmusic5767]

Hi Julian. Thank you for all these tests you do! After doing my due diligence, I have an Ultralite mk5 on the way, but now people on forums are telling me that Motu doesn't report RTL correctly, and I'll have to manually adjust for this in the DAW, or get an RME and not worry about it. I'm not sure what to think. Is there truth to this?

[@MikeG-js1jt]

Well I was totally wrong you do need to enable loopback to record your voice or an instrument with the real-time processing but I have to say the gate the Reverb and the EQ are really really good I'm just not too crazy about the way the compressor works the gate works just as good as having a 286s which I no longer need to use now that I have this amazing piece of gear and it sounds fantastic