The Traveler-mk3 is equally well-suited for studio, stage and remote locations, with or without a computer. As an interface or stand-alone mixer, the Traveler-mk3 provides 28 separate inputs and 30 separate outputs, including four XLR/quarter-inch “combo” mic/instrument analog inputs equipped with pre-amps, individual 48V phantom power switches and Digital Precision Trim™ controls conveniently adjusted from the front panel or CueMix FX™ software.

Connect all of your audio instruments and gear, including mics, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines and even effects processors. Record, monitor, route and process all of these live inputs using the professional on-board CueMix FX digital mixer with no latency and no processor strain on your computer. Apply hardware DSP-driven effects processing to inputs, outputs, and busses independent of your host computer.

Add Classic Reverb™ with lengths up to 60 seconds. Further sculpt your sound with 7-band parametric EQ featuring filter types carefully modeled after British analog console EQs. Choose between two forms of compression: a conventional compressor and the Leveler™, an accurate model of the legendary LA-2A™ optical compressor that provides vintage, musical automatic gain control. When recording from the four mic/guitar inputs, the Traveler-mk3’s signal overload protection gives you an extra 12 dB of headroom above zero with no clipping or harsh artifacts.

After programming the on-board mixing in the studio, unplug the Traveler-mk3, remove the rack brackets, and take it on the road for operation as a portable, bus-powered audio interface for a laptop or battery-operated stand-alone mixer with effects. The Traveler slides easily into your backpack and fits neatly beneath your laptop. All mixing and effects parameters are adjustable using the front panel backlit LCD. Record extended sessions even in the most remote locations with the complete freedom of field battery power.

The Traveler-mk3 provides cross-platform compatibility with Mac and Windows and all of your favorite audio software and host-based effects via WDM/ASIO/Core Audio drivers. Or you can use the included AudioDesk workstation software for Mac, with 24-bit recording/editing and 32-bit mixing/processing/mastering.

Four 24-bit 192 kHz mic/guitar inputs are equipped with high quality preamps, plus overload protection and all the features you need to record any mic or guitar with excellent sound quality.

Each input provides both a low-impedance XLR mic input and a true high-impedance quarter-inch guitar input jack. For condenser mics, each input is equipped with its own 48V phantom power switch.

Precision digital trim with pad

The preamps provide 53 dB of gain, which you can adjust in precise 1 dB increments using the detented digital rotary encoders on the front panel. As you turn the encoder, you see graphic and numeric feedback in the front panel LCD, so you know exactly how much gain you are applying. Push the encoder to engage or disengage the 20 dB pad. These digital controls give you both precision and the ability to save and recall trim settings.

V-Limit™ hardware limiter

All four mic/guitar inputs are equipped with V-Limit™, a hardware limiter that helps prevent digital clipping from overloaded input signals. With V-Limit enabled, signals can go above zero dB (where limiting kicks in) to as high as +12 dB above zero with no distortion due to digital clipping.

Soft Clip™

Additional protection can be applied to the mic/guitar inputs by enabling the Traveler-mk3's Soft Clip™ feature, which engages just before clipping occurs and helps reduce perceptible distortion.

The Traveler-mk3 allows you to connect a wide variety of studio gear, including microphones, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines, effects processors and more.

In addition to an independent +4/-10 reference level switch, each balanced quarter-inch (TRS) analog input on the rear panel is also equipped with 12 dB of additional Precision Digital Trim.

Level matching analog inputs has never been easier or more convenient. You can carefully tune the balance among your analog inputs using the CueMix FX software (or front panel LCD menus) and then save the entire configuration on disk for instant recall. You can create and save as many trim configurations as you need.

Rear panel I/O

Eight balanced (TRS) 24-bit analog outputs, four analog inputs and four preamp inputs all operate at sample rates up to 192 kHz. Two optical banks provide 16 channels of ADAT optical at 48 kHz, 8 channels of S/MUX optical I/O at 96 kHz or two banks of stereo TOSLink at rates up to 96 kHz. The banks operate independently, allowing you to mix and match any optical formats. RCA S/PDIF and XLR AES/EBU connectors also supply independent stereo digital I/O.

Control room monitoring

Powered monitors can be plugged directly into the outputs of the Traveler-mk3 and you can attenuate the output from the software or the front-panel MASTER VOL control. Main out volume is not limited to stereo operation: quad, 5.1, 7.1 and even user-defined configurations are available. You can even program the Traveler-mk3 to control all 30 outputs with the MASTER VOL knob.

The Traveler-mk3 is an audio interface, but it's also a 16-bus digital mixer, complete with EQ, compression and reverb.

The Traveler-mk3 is really two devices in one: an audio interface plus a 28 x 16 digital mixer. In fact, you could even think of the Traveler-mk3 as a portable digital mixer in a compact, mobile form factor.

A 28 input by 16 bus digital mixer with effects

Operating as either a computer interface or stand-alone, the Traveler-mk3 provides DSP-driven digital mixing with effects processing (reverb, EQ and compression) for all 28 inputs. You can connect all your gear and then mix, process and monitor everything from the Traveler-mk3’s main outs or headphone jacks.

All I/O is routed to the on-board 16-bus (8 stereo) digital mixer driven by hardware-based DSP with 32-bit floating point precision. The mixer allows you to apply no-latency effects processing to inputs, outputs or busses directly in the Traveler-mk3 hardware, independent of the computer. Effects can be applied when the Traveler-mk3 is operating stand-alone (without a computer) as a mobile digital mixer. Input signals to the computer can be recorded wet, dry, or dry with a wet monitor mix (for musicians during recording, for example).

All of the mixer settings in the Traveler-mk3 are accessible from the programmable front-panel backlit LCD. You can also launch the CueMix FX™ control software for Mac OS X, Windows XP and Windows Vista. CueMix FX provides complete on-screen access to the Traveler-mk3's on-board, hardware-based mixing environment.

CueMix Effects
CueMix FX software
Classic reverb
7-band parameteric EQ
Vintage compression

The Traveler-mk3 uses extremely accurate Direct Digital Synthesis™ for internal clocking and for resolving to external word clock or SMPTE time code sources. The Traveler-mk3 can resolve directly to time code, with no additional sychronizer required.
Direct Digital Synthesis™ clock

The Traveler-mk3 is equipped with Direct Digital Synthesis™ (DDS), a DSP-driven phase lock engine and very high frequency digital clock source that produces imperceptibly low jitter characteristics (well below the overall noise floor), even when the Traveler-mk3 is resolved to an external clock source via either word clock or SMPTE time code. This technology represents the very latest in extremely high-performance, yet cost-effective digital audio clocking. DDS also allows the Traveler-mk3 to maintain an extremely stable clock while resolved to incoming clock sources that have substantially more jitter than the Traveler-mk3 itself.
On-board SMPTE time code synchronization

You can slave your Traveler-mk3 system directly to longitudinal SMPTE time code (LTC), without a dedicated synchronizer, via any analog input. The Traveler-mk3 provides a DSP-driven phase-lock engine with sophisticated filtering that provides fast lockup times and sub-frame accuracy. MIDI Time Code (MTC) support allows Apple Logic Pro and other MTC-compatible Mac software to resolve to time code via MTC with no additional synchronizer needed. Mac or Windows hosts that support the Core Audio or ASIO2 sample-accurate sync protocols can resolve to time code via the Traveler-mk3 with near-sample accurate precision.
MOTU SMPTE Console

SMPTE Console software

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

MIDI input and output

The Traveler-mk3 includes a 16-channel MIDI interface that provides sample-accurate timing with supporting software.

Connect a MIDI keyboard, sound module or control surface, and you are ready to go. The FireWire cable carries both MIDI and audio so you don't need to connect an additional USB cable for MIDI.
Traveler-mk3 MIDI connections

MIDI devices

The Traveler-mk3 provides several power options for remote recording and mixing.

After programming the on-board mixing in the studio, you can unplug the Traveler-mk3 from the computer, remove the rack brackets, and take it on the road for operation as a portable, bus-powered audio interface for a laptop or battery-operated stand-alone mixer with effects.

FireWire bus power

The Traveler-mk3 can be fully powered by its FireWire connection to your desktop or laptop computer. No AC power is required. Slide the Traveler-mk3 into your backpack with your laptop, mic and guitar and head for your favorite remote location for some inspired recording.

Battery power

If you don't want to drain the battery in your laptop, the Traveler-m3 can alternately be powered by a standard field battery pack. These products (sold separately) can provide many hours of recording time for extended sessions even in the most remote locations. Field battery power provides the ultimate freedom to record just about anywhere on the globe.

DC power

The Traveler-mk3 includes a DC power supply. Why would you ever need it? There are many practical situations in which AC power is available and you might wish to power your Traveler-mk3 via the DC power supply. For example, you could bring the Traveler-mk3 to a live performance and use it as a stand-alone mixer for you and your band. Regardless of the circumstances, the Traveler-mk3 has the flexible power options you need.

Traveler-mk3 expansion & drivers

Expand your Traveler-mk3 system and run it with all your favorite audio software.

Adding more I/O to your Traveler-mk3 system

As with other MOTU FireWire interfaces, the Traveler-mk3 supplies two FireWire jacks so it can be daisy-chained with additional MOTU FireWire audio interfaces or other devices.

The Traveler-mk3 is also fully compatible with the 8pre, a single rack MOTU interface that adds 8 mic preamp inputs to the Traveler-mk3. Because the 8pre connects to the Traveler-mk3 via ADAT optical, its mic inputs are fully integrated into the Traveler-mk3's on-board CueMix FX digital mixer.

Drivers and AudioDesk workstation software

The Traveler-mk3 provides CueMix FX and drivers for Mac (OS X) and Windows (XP and Vista) for cross-platform compatibility with virtually all audio software via WDM/ASIO/Core Audio drivers.

The Traveler-mk3 includes AudioDesk®, the advanced workstation software for Mac OS X with 24-bit recording and editing, along with 32-bit mixing, processing and mastering.

• Sturdy lightweight construction — ready to travel with you anywhere.
  
• Compact size (14.75 x 9 inches) — fits easily into a napsack, briefcase or computer bag and sits perfectly under any laptop.
  
• Powered by computer* — no additional power supply necessary for complete recording freedom.
  
• Optional battery power — standard field battery pack (sold separately) can be used for extended remote recording sessions and stand-alone operation as a complete digital mixer.
  
• 28 inputs / 30 outputs (at 44.1/48 kHz) — there's no channel sharing in the Traveler-mk3. Mic inputs, TRS analog, AES/EBU, RCA S/PDIF and phones are all handled as separate channels.
  
• Four combo jacks provide hi-Z 1/4” guitar input or low-Z XLR mic input with transparent preamps, phantom power, pad and plenty of gain.
  
• Clip protection — Mic/guitar input limiter prevents digital clipping and distortion from overloaded signal levels up to +12 dB over zero.
  
• Individual 48V phantom power on each mic input — mix and match microphones.
  
• Four 24-bit 192kHz analog inputs and eight analog outputs on balanced/unbalanced 1/4" TRS jacks.
  
• Digital Precision Trim™ — adjust input gain in 1dB increments on all analog inputs (mic/guitar inputs + quarter-inch TRS inputs). Fine-tune the balance of your analog inputs. Save and recall multiple trim setups.
  
• High-resolution recording — The Traveler-mk3 can operate all analog I/O at sample rates up to 192kHz.
  
• Flexible optical I/O — 16 channels of ADAT lightpipe, 8 channels of SMUX (96 kHz) or two pairs of stereo TOSLink. Mix and match formats between the two banks.
  
• CueMix FX™ — flexible 28 input/16 bus mixer with on-board DSP effects, including classic reverb with sends/returns, plus modeled EQ and vintage compression on every input and output.
  
• Multiple CueMix FX mixes — for example, create different monitor mixes for the main outs and headphones. Or add send/return loops for outboard gear with no latency.
  
• Advanced audio signal analysis — CueMix FX software provides real-time FFT and spectrogram "waterfall" displays for visual analysis of individual signals and entire mixes.
  
• Front-panel control — access your entire mix, or any Traveler-mk3 setting, directly from the front panel.
  
• Stand-alone operation — program your mixes at the studio and then bring the Traveler-mk3 to your gig — no computer needed. Just plug in the included DC power adapter. Tweak settings using the back-lit LCD.
  
• Sample-accurate MIDI — connect a MIDI controller and/or sound module with no separate interface needed. MIDI I/O is sample-accurate with supporting software.
  
• Expandable — add additional interfaces for more I/O as your needs grow.
  
• Compatible with the 8pre mic input expander — connect the 8pre via optical for 8 more mic inputs at sample rates up to 96 kHz fully integrated into the Traveler-mk3's CueMix FX mixing environment.
  
• Eight 24-bit 192kHz outputs on balanced/unbalanced 1/4" TRS jacks.
  
• Phone jack with front panel volume control.
  
• Stereo 24-bit 96kHz AES/EBU in/out.
  
• Stereo 24-bit 96kHz S/PDIF in/out.
  
• Word clock in and out.
  
• Built-in SMPTE time code sync — resolves to and generates time code. Allows you to directly resolve Digital Performer, Logic, Cubase, Nuendo and other compatible host software to time code with no additional synchronizer needed.
  
• Plug-and-play operation with your Mac or PC via FireWire.
  
• Includes drivers for Mac OS X and Windows XP/Vista, including ASIO, WDM, Core Audio, and Core MIDI.
  
• Supports all popular Mac and Windows audio software.
  
• 100% compatible with all host-based effects processing in today's popular audio programs.
  
• Includes AudioDesk 3 full-featured sample-accurate workstation software for the Mac OS X with recording, editing, mixing, real-time 32-bit effects processing & sample-accurate sync.
  
• 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.
  
• Front panel volume control for monitoring. Stereo, Quad, 5.1, 7.1 and user-defined surround monitoring setups available.
  
• Front panel meters or activity LEDs for all analog, digital and MIDI I/O, plus SMPTE sync, tach and lock LEDs.
  
• Comprehensive level metering — Front panel LCD provides vertical meters for entire banks (8 channels at once) or horizontal long-throw metering for individual channels. Meter banks are quickly accessible via the dedicated METERS rotary encoder on the front panel.
  
• Dedicated front panel clock status LEDs.

*Bus power requires a non-adapted 6-pin FireWire port