MOTU M2.
MOTU's ESS Sabre DAC delivers reference-grade monitoring quality with real-time LCD metering for visual level confirmation.
The Verdict.
Gavler Meta-Score
“The M2 is the monitoring champion at its price. The ESS Sabre DAC delivers a transparency and detail that transforms how you hear your mixes, and MOTU's legendary driver stability means you will never fight with your interface during a session. The LCD metering is a practical bonus. For producers who listen critically, the M2 is essential.”
The Gavler Verdict
Precision Engineering
ESS Sabre DAC
The same ES9018 DAC found in high-end audiophile equipment delivers reference-grade monitoring transparency at $199.
Full-Color LCD Metering
Real-time input and output metering with peak hold — large enough to read at arm's length and responsive enough for transients.
Loopback Recording
Routes computer audio back into the interface as a virtual input for podcast recording with remote guests and multi-source streaming.
Technical Specifications
The Scoreboard
Both experts and community highlight the monitoring quality as the M2's defining feature. Some note the preamps, while clean, lack the character of the Audient iD14 MkII or SSL 2+.
Cast Your Vote
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Best Price Availability.
Prices checked April 2026
Price History
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Global Critique
“MOTU haven't just dropped a pair of decent audio interfaces into this entry-level market, they've raised the bar by quite some distance, with bags of headroom on these devices whether you are plugging in dynamic or condenser mics or guitars with active pickups, and in all cases when monitoring or recording they're very quiet and the quality is superb.”
“The converter technology is the same ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC that's found in many of MOTU's more high-end audio interfaces and extends to the headphones as well as the main outputs.”
“The M2 and M4 promise best-in-class performance — MOTU has long been a major player in the high-end audio interface market, but with these models is offering two much more affordable 2-in/2-out and 4-in/4-out devices.”
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