MOTU Announces Traveler-Mk3 Interface

The Traveler-mk3 provides eight channels of 192kHz analog recording and playback combined with twenty channels of digital I/O in ADAT optical, AES/EBU and S/PDIF formats.

Designed 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 an audio recording system with 28 inputs and 30 outputs operating simultaneously, including four XLR/TRS mic inputs equipped with preamps, the Traveler-mk3 inherits many features from MOTU’s Traveler interface and adds 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.

At 3.8 pounds and 14.75 inches wide by 9 inches deep, the Traveler-mk3 is housed in an aluminum alloy case that fits beneath any 15-inch laptop and slides into a backpack or computer bag. Rack ears are included for 19-inch rack mount installation.

The Traveler-mk3 provides a total of 28 inputs and 30 outputs (at 44.1/48kHz), including four XLR/TRS mic inputs, TRS analog, AES/EBU, new RCA S/PDIF jacks and phones, all simultaneously available as separate I/O channels. All analog and digital I/O channels can operate at sample rates up to 96kHz, and all eight channels of analog I/O support 192kHz operation.

Main Features

• The Traveler-mk3 analog section is equipped with A/D/A converters and mic preamps.
  
• Four combo jacks provide hi-Z 1/4" guitar input or low-Z XLR mic input.
  
• The V-Limit hardware limiter is designed to prevent digital clipping and distortion from overloaded signal levels up to +12 dB over zero.
  
• Users can adjust input gain in 1dB increments on analog inputs (mic/guitar inputs + quarter-inch TRS inputs).
  
• CueMix FX is a DSP-driven 28 input/16 bus mixer with effects processing, including classic reverb with sends/returns, plus modeled British analog console EQ and vintage compression on every input and output.
  
• Included CueMix FX software provides two new diagnostic tools: real-time FFT and spectrogram “waferfall” displays for visual analysis of individual audio signals and entire mixes.
  
• 16 channels of ADAT lightpipe, 8 channels of SMUX (96kHz) or two pairs of stereo TOSLink. Mix and match formats between the two banks.
  
• The front panel has been modified to support the new CueMix FX mixing and effects processing features directly from the LCD menus.
  
• Provides built-in SMPTE time code synchronization features.
  
• Users can connect the 8pre interface via one or two optical banks to add eight more mic inputs at sample rates up to 96kHz.
  
• AudioDesk is a workstation software for Mac OS X with recording, editing, mixing and real-time 32-bit effects processing.

Additional Traveler-mk3 Features

• Powered by computer — no additional power supply necessary.
  
• Optional battery power — standard field battery pack (sold separately) can be used for extended remote recording sessions and stand-alone operation.
  
• 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.
  
• 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 Traveler.

For more information, visit their web site at www.motu.com.