From Motu:

The 828mkII contains everything you need to turn your computer into a powerful 24-bit, 96kHz digital audio workstation. The 828mkII provides 20 inputs and 22 outputs, including 10 channels of pristine 96kHz analog recording and playback, combined with 8 channels of ADAT digital I/O and stereo S/PDIF. Expand your system by connecting additional 828 or 896 FireWire audio interfaces.

The 828mkII is equally well-suited for studio and stage, with or without a computer. As a computer interface, the 828mkII provides 20 separate inputs and 22 outputs, including separate main outs and headphone out. The two mic/guitar/instrument inputs feature analog, pre-amplified sends which allow you to insert your favorite outboard EQ, compressor, guitar amp, reverb or other effects processor before the signal goes digital. Use any input as a return.

You can add additional send/return loops using the 828mkII’s new CueMix DSP™ on-board mixing feature, a flexible DSP-driven 20-input/8-bus mixing and monitoring matrix that eliminates the need for an external mixer or patchbay. Connect all of your studio gear, including microphones, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines and even effects processors. Then monitor all of these live inputs via the 828mkII’s main outs, headphone jack or any other output — with virtually no monitoring latency and no processor drain on your computer. You can even create separate monitor mixes for the main outs, headphones and other outputs. Control everything from the included CueMix Console™ software or directly from the 828mkII’s front-panel.

Need to hit the road? The 828mkII operates as a stand-alone mixer, with no computer required. Need to tweak your mix? Do it on the spot with the 828mII’s backlit LCD and front-panel controls. Every 828mkII setting can be accessed from the front panel.

Back in the studio, 8 channels of ADAT optical digital I/O, plus stereo S/PDIF, make the 828mkII an ideal companion for a digital mixer. All digital I/O connections support standard sample rates up to 96kHz.

The 828mkII includes 16-channels of MIDI input and output via the FireWire connection to the computer. Simply plug in your FireWire cable, and both MIDI and audio are ready to go. Connect any MIDI device, such as a controller keyboard, synth module, automated control surface or drum machine. Timing is sample-accurate with supporting software.

The 828mkII provides cross-platform compatibility with Mac OS 9, Mac OS X (version 10.2 or later) , Windows Me/2000/XP and all of your favorite audio software and host-based effects via WDM/ASIO/Core Audio/Sound Manager drivers. Or you can use the included AudioDesk workstation software for Macintosh, with 24-bit recording/editing and 32-bit mixing/processing/mastering.

MOTU 828mkII CueMix DSP™
The 828mkII provides DSP-driven digital mixing and monitoring for all 20 inputs. You can connect mics, guitars, synths and effects processors, and monitor everything from the 828mkII’s main outs or headphone jack with no separate mixer needed and no latency.

The 828mkII supports up to four separate stereo monitor mixes assigned to any four digital or analog output pairs. For example, you could set up separate monitor mixes for the main outs and headphone outs, while two additional stereo buses could be used for send/return loops to reverb units or other outboard gear. Each mix can support all 20 inputs (8 TRS analog, 2 mic, 8 ADAT optical digital and stereo SPDIF digital).

A new "CueMix Bounce Back" feature lets you route one of the four CueMix DSP mixes back to the computer. This allows you to record, for example, your entire mix - including monitored inputs - back into the computer.

CueMix Console provides Talkback and Listenback buttons. Talkback allows an engineer in the control room to temporarily dim all audio and talk to musicians in the live room. Conversely, Listenback allows musicians to talk to the control room. For Talkback, you can set up a dedicated mic in your control room and connect it to a mic input on your 828mkII. For Listenback, you can set up a dedicated listenback mic in the live room for the musicians and connect it to another mic input.

Stand-alone mixing The 828mkII can function as a stand-alone digital mixer. Create up to four independent stereo mixes and adjust them on the fly with the front panel display.

MOTU 828mkII SMPTE
The 828mkII is the first FireWire audio interface to provide on-board SMPTE time code synchronization features. These features allow you to slave your 828mkII system to SMPTE time code without a synchronizer via a dedicated quarter-inch SMPTE input jack. A SMPTE out jack is also provided for time code generation.

The 828mkII provides a DSP-driven phase-lock engine with sophisticated filtering that provides fast lockup times and sub-frame accuracy.

The included MOTU SMPTE Console™ software provides a complete set of tools to generate SMPTE for striping, regenerating or slaving other devices to the computer. Like CueMix DSP, the synchronization features are cross-platform and compatible with all audio sequencer software that supports the ASIO2 sample-accurate sync protocol.

Front and Rear Panel Description:

1 - CueMix DSP mixer controls
Create up to four stereo monitor mixes with 20 inputs each using these front-panel controls. Mix to any four output pairs you wish. Because the mixing takes place in the 828mkII itself, your computer’s processor is free for other tasks.

2 - Volume control
Dual function knob provides separate volume control over main outputs and headphones.

3 - Front-panel mic/guitar inputs
Two front-panel inputs accept either high impedance quarter-inch inputs or low impedance XLR microphone inputs. The microphone preamplifers provide plenty of gain and individually switchable phantom power. Use the rear-panel sends to insert an outboard EQ, compressor, reverb or other processor before the signal goes digital.

4 - S/PDIF I/O
Stereo 24-bit, 96kHz S/PDIF digital I/O. Connect a DAT machine or effects processor.

5 - ADAT sync port
Provides sample-accurate sync for compatible devices. Transfer multiple passes of ADAT via lightpipe with single-sample accuracy every time.

6 - ADAT optical I/O
Eight channels of ADAT optical (lightpipe) input and output. Connect a digital mixer, ADAT or additional A/D/A converter. Also supports four channels of 88.2 or 96kHz audio.

7 - International power supply
Built-in international power supply accepts 110-220v on a standard IEC cable so your 828mkII can follow you wherever your music takes you.

8 - Word clock
Word clock input and output for synchronization with a wide variety of digital devices — or a centralized word clock source.

9 - Standard 1394 ‘FireWire’ ports
Connect your FireWire-equipped computer here. No PCI or PC cards to install — just plug in and go. MOTU FireWire interfaces are expandable; the second FireWire port allows you to daisy-chain more devices without the need for a FireWire hub.

10 - Backlit LCD display
The 828mkII can be used as a stand-alone mixer. The front-panel display allows you to configure your system using an intuitive interface. Every setting is available from the LCD.

11 - Level meters / status indicators
Dedicated LEDs display audio levels, tach and lock status, and clock rate.

12 - MIDI input and output
No need to carry an additional MIDI interface. Connect a MIDI controller, keyboard, sound module, control surface or any other MIDI device.

13 - Eight balanced TRS analog ins/outs
24-bit 96kHz analog inputs and outputs on balanced/unbalanced quarter-inch connectors. Input level can be switched between +4/-10 for each input via software.

14 - Sends
These pre-amplified analog outputs from the two front-panel inputs allow you to insert a compressor or effects processor before the signal goes digital. Use any input as a return.

15 - Main outputs
Connect powered monitors directly to these jacks and separately control your main mix and monitor levels with convenient, front-panel knobs.

16 - Hands-free punch in/out
Connect a pedal for hands-free punch in and out.

17 - SMPTE I/O
Resolve the 828mkII directly to an external analog tape deck or video source. No extra synchronizer needed.