Modular Audio Tools MAT 16X8 is a new super portable 16×8 audio and MIDI interface designed for mobile setups like iPads.
Making music with iPads, or using them as part of a hardware setup, is still unfamiliar to many. For me, it’s the heart of my setup. It’s a compact all-rounder that you can also easily connect audio and MIDI peripherals to. Thanks to USB-C, it works like a breeze.
The Munich-based company Modular Audio Tools first presented the MAT 16X8 at Superbooth a few years ago. It’s an audio and MIDI interface that offers a great deal of connectivity in a super compact form factor. Good things take time. Indeed, it took a while, but now it’s officially available.
Modular Audio Tools MAT 16X8
The new MAT 16X8 is a new 16X8 audio and MIDI interface designed for mobile setups, and according to Modular Audio Tools, it’s the world’s most portable one.
If you’re using an iPad and want a lot of channels, you’ll likely need a larger audio interface. Compared to your super-slim iPad, it looks bulky and inflexible, especially if you’re on the road. This is where the new Modular Audio Tools interface comes in.
It has a super compact and small footprint of 222 x 60 x 11 mm and weighs only 135g. Yes, it’s feather-light and so small you can even put it in your pocket. You might think it’s small, so it probably has few connections. The MAT 16×8 is different.
It’s a fully-fledged 24-bit, up to 96kHz audio interface that is bus-powered and offers plenty of connections. They say it uses high-quality ADCs with up to 110dB signal-to-noise ratio, giving you a very low noise floor in the direct ins with no preamps.
You get eight inputs on stereo mini jacks, giving you 16 channels in total, and four DC-coupled outputs on stereo as well, giving you 8 output channels. XLR connectors with preamps, etc., are, of course, not a topic on an interface of this compact size.
This rich configuration allows for the creation of larger, more complex setups involving many hardware instruments, with the signals ultimately outputting in a multi-track configuration.
In direct comparison, many compact interfaces only offer a single stereo output alongside a headphone output. Modular Audio Tools says that the latency is down to 3.7 ms round trip, 1ms input, and 1.5ms output.
MIDI As Well
Alongside the stereo inputs and outputs, it also comes with a headphone socket with amplification and allows you to pre-listen to channels 1/2 or 3/4.
If the 16×8 isn’t enough for your mobile setup, you can expand the Modular Audio Tools MAT 16X8 with an additional board to 32 ins and 24 outs. This is not yet out and will have a lower sampling rate of 48kHz.
Audio is one thing in the MAT 16X8. It also houses a MIDI interface with a single TRS MIDI input with auto-sense (A/B) and two dedicated TRS-A MIDI outputs. Classic 5-pin MIDI connectors would be better, but they don’t fit the form factor.
And don’t get me wrong. The MAT 16×8 isn’t an iPad-exclusive interface. It works like a traditional audio interface with macOS, Windows, Android, and Linux systems as well.
First Impression
First things first: it’s finally here! I’ve been following this project for a long time, and I’m happy for the young Munich company and for the product that it’s now available from retailers.
As you know, the Zoom LiveTrak L6 is currently the audio mothership of my live system. I like it because it gives me many ins, internal recording, and iPad connectivity. But the MAT16x8 appeals to me even more because it offers greater audio flexibility through more channels, while also having a significantly smaller footprint.
Stereo mini jacks aren’t my favorite, and I’d have to get used to them. I’d also miss the internal hardware recording function, but I can replace that with it in the AUM Mixer app.
For those who value high connectivity and a very compact design, this interface now offers just that.
Modular Audio Tools MAT 16X8 is available now for 479€. It ships with a carrying bag.
More information here: Modular Audio Tools
Available from my partner
Cool, finally it’s here, was already wondering, what happened to them.
Can you also connect it with Eurorack gear? Like to send Gate and Pitch?
I think DC is the keyword here …
no info sorry
Yes the outputs are DC coupled. It’s written in the manual.
Somebody needs to tell the guy to emphasize it more in the advertising 🙂
that’s good news 🙂
The outs are DC coupled but only in a range of +/- 2.5V. It’s more a benefit than an intended usecase. It is made for audio signals. But you can amplify the voltage with e.g. a Befaco A*b+C to get +/- 5V.