MOTU M2 Audio Interface Review – Is It Right for You?

If you’re looking for a solid, budget-friendly audio interface with great sound quality, ultra-low latency, and premium features, the MOTU M2 might be the perfect fit. In this review, I’ll break down everything you need to know, from build quality to real-world performance, to help you decide if this is the right interface for your home studio.

Build Quality & First Impressions

Right out of the box, the MOTU M2 feels sturdy and professional. It has a metal frame, making it durable yet lightweight. The knobs are solid, with smooth movement, and don’t feel flimsy at all.

One of the standout features is the LCD meters on the front panel—something rarely seen in audio interfaces at this price point. These meters make it easy to dial in preamp gain without even opening your DAW, allowing for more accurate recording levels.

Installation & Driver Support

If you’re a Mac user, you don’t necessarily need drivers, but I highly recommend installing them for better stability. PC users will need to download the drivers from MOTU’s website.

One of the things I love about MOTU is their long-term driver support. I’ve used several older MOTU interfaces, including the MOTU 8Pre and MOTU 896, and they are still supported today. This gives me confidence that the M2 will remain compatible with future operating system updates—something many other brands fail to offer.

Inputs, Outputs & Key Features

The MOTU M2 includes:
✔ 2 XLR/TRS combo inputs (for mics, instruments, or line-level sources)
✔ Independent phantom power for each input (perfect for condenser mics)
✔ Direct monitoring button (for zero-latency monitoring)
✔ High-powered headphone output (with separate volume control)
✔ Balanced TRS and RCA outputs for speakers
✔ MIDI I/O for connecting external synths and controllers
✔ USB-C bus power (no external power needed!)

One thing missing is a monitor blend knob, which is included in the MOTU M4 and M6. If you need to blend the direct and DAW signals manually, you might want to look at those models instead.

Bundled Software & Sounds

The MOTU M2 comes with a software bundle to help you get started, including:
✔ MOTU Performer Lite & Ableton Live Lite
✔ Virtual instruments and loop collections from Big Fish Audio, Lucidsamples, and Loopmasters

If you already use Logic Pro, these extras might not be necessary, but they’re great for beginners who need additional sounds.

Latency & Performance

One of the biggest selling points of the M2 is its ultra-low latency. At a 32 buffer size, the roundtrip latency is just 2.3ms, making it one of the fastest interfaces in its class. Even at a 128 buffer size, latency remains extremely low at just 6.3ms, making it great for real-time monitoring.

Using the MOTU M2 with iPad & iPhone

Another huge plus is that the M2 works directly with iPads and iPhones. If you have a USB-C iPad, it’s plug-and-play. If you’re using a Lightning-based iPad or iPhone, you’ll need an adapter.

This makes the MOTU M2 a fantastic option for mobile recording, whether you’re using GarageBand or Logic Pro for iPad.

Final Thoughts – Should You Buy It?

If you need a budget-friendly, high-quality interface with low latency, great preamps, and long-term support, the MOTU M2 is a fantastic option.

💡 Who is it for?
✔ Home studio users who need clean preamps & low latency
✔ Podcasters & livestreamers who can benefit from loopback audio
✔ Musicians who want mobile recording on iPad/iPhone
✔ Beginners looking for an easy-to-use, reliable interface

If you need more inputs or multiple headphone jacks, consider the MOTU M4 or M6. But for a simple, reliable 2-in, 2-out interface, the MOTU M2 is hard to beat.

TIMECODES:
00:00 Intro
00:37 First Impression
01:32 Setup, Drivers and Support
02:47 Features and Specs
05:59 Included Software
06:53 Loopback
08:05 Audio Quality
08:54 Latency
09:52 iPhone & Ipad Compatibility
10:34 Should You Buy it?
11:09 Final Thoughts