Introduction

The best of everything you need, without the stuff you don't!

When we introduced the ULN-8, people raved about the sonic quality, the features, and the power of our architecture. We also heard from the people that have their own "go to" mic pres, people that use analog consoles, and those that edit but don't record. They love the ULN-8 too, but didn't need the mic pres.

We heard you. For you, we have the LIO-8.

The LIO-8 incorporates the same Metric Halo Audio technologies in the ULN-8 including:

• 192k sample rate support for both Analog and AES Inputs and Outputs
• New DC-coupled, zero phase distortion, servo balanced Line Inputs and Outputs
• Fully clickless remote controlled Monitor outputs
• All LIO-8 analog outputs incorporate Metric Halo clickless remote technology allowing for flexible monitoring applications from stereo to 7.1 surround.

Expandability

As with all Metric Halo products, the LIO-8 features an upgrade path. Or two.

While the base configuration of the LIO-8 doesn't include mic pres, you can opt to have 4 or 8 channels of the same ULN-R mic pres as the ULN-8 included in your unit. The LIO can be ordered this way from the factory, or the pres can be installed later.

You can also choose to upgrade your processing by adding the +DSP license, which adds over 100 plug-ins to your LIO and gives you the ability to create and save complex processing "graphs" as well as access to factory supplied "macros" including processors, amp simulators and more. You can find out more about +DSP here. Adding +DSP to your LIO is easy, just put the software license code into MIO Console and your box is unlocked.

LIO-8 Key Benefits at a Glance

• Exceptional, Best–In–World, Archival Grade Converter Quality
• Flexible, Integrated Analog-Domain Monitor Controller
• Universal Sample Rate SupportAnalog, AES and Firewire Interfacing
• Rock Solid Stability: Mature, Real-World-Tested Firmware, Software and Drivers
• Instant Access to Tactile ControlsFully digital control for total recall, remote control and control surface support
• Comprehensive Precision Metering — so you always know what is going on
• Works with or without a Computer
• Metric Halo's Exclusive Per-channel selectable Character — from ultra clean to nice and gooeyIntegrated ultra-low-latency instantiable processing with plenty of DSP power to run it
• Most Compact, Lowest Weight, Lowest Power and Lowest Price in its Class

Suite Solution

With everything you need to record, mix, process, and master audio (just add your DAW of choice, analog front end and transducers), the LIO-8 is your one-stop solution for recording, edit, mix and mastering suites. Even if you are using a DAW or recording system that does not support the LIO-8 Firewire interface, the unit's standalone operation and standard AES and analog interface allow you to use it as the Audio Front End and Monitor Controller for Pro Tools, standalone and PC based recording systems.

The Ultimate Digital Upgrade

The LIO-8 is a great way to upgrade your audio system. Put it between your existing gear and your DAW to get all of the benefits of our analog design, conversion technology and DSP without ripping your room apart. Adding a LIO to an analog console is like buying new converters and getting a digital mixer with total recall for free. Using our ConsoleConnect technology you can insert EQs, compressors, gates, reverbs and more into our v.5 Mixer and have all your routing and settings recalled with your DAW session.

In Depth

LIO-8 is the perfect tool for capturing audio wherever inspiration hits, in the studio or on the road. Well suited to any recording situation, you can record and edit on the road, in the hotel, on the airplane, or wherever inspiration hits. Use 3 LIO-8s chained together for 24 tracks of live concert recording with processing on all channels in 3 rack spaces. Location sound engineers can now capture the moment — anywhere, anytime.

When you’re done recording, use the LIO-8 in the studio as an extremely high quality audio interface to transfer your tracks into a DAW. You’ll be amazed at the sound of this box! And weighing only 6 pounds, and a little larger than a laptop, you can be the first one out of the gig, with no hassle.

The LIO-8’s archival grade inputs and outputs, coupled with Metric Halo’s exclusive Character processing, provide flexibility and sound quality unavailable on any other interface. You can transition from a wire-with-gain to a gooey tube pre with one click of the mouse, and every input can have the right character for the material you are recording.

The LIO-8 is the only unit in its class with an on-board processing engine that supports fully instantiable processing, allowing you to use Metric Halo’s world-renowned signal processing effects without sacrificing your computer’s processing power or introducing any additional latency in your monitor path. From MIOStrip to HaloVerb, the LIO-8 comes with the 2d plug-in package that provides basic production processing. If you need more, you can add our +DSP package. And remember, this one rack space audio interface has the ability to run entirely from any DC power source (16V-30V), making it truly and completely mobile.

Organically Scalable

A unique feature of the Mobile I/O system is that MIO’s work well individually or as a group. Mix and match LIO-8 with ULN-8, 2882 and ULN-2 units to create a system that meets your needs for track counts and number of preamps. Adding a unit to the system organically increases the DSP power of the system, so that your DSP always scales with your I/O. Break your system up for small gigs when playing out or add the units of your mates to build a huge system when required. By standardizing on the Mobile I/O platform, each member of the band can have ultimate quality while working alone, and the band can have huge track counts when playing together. You can’t lose!

Stand-alone Operation

Flexible signal routing and sophisticated patch and preset management systems as well as a comprehensive set of front panel controls are also featured in the LIO-8. The LIO-8’s front-panel controls allow the unit to function equally as well as a stand-alone Converter system. In standalone mode, the LIO-8 operates with the converters directly routed to and from the AES I/O, and the analog domain sends allow splitting or "multing" your analog inputs to other devices.

As a standalone converter, the LIO-8 provides a 24bit/192kHz eight channel front-end. It also functions seamlessly as an analog monitor controller, making it ideal as a digital headphone amp and studio monitor controller.

Applications

The LIO-8 supports a variety of applications. For studio recording, it provides a very high quality interface to a DAW, offering sound processing or simple file transfer between workstations. Its exceptional sound quality makes it perfect as any studio’s primary analog to digital conversion and monitoring chain.

The LIO-8 is suitable for broadcast applications, too. It offers instant playback of 8 individual stereo sends for music cues or sound effects, or smaller numbers of surround stems. The compact package and portable power features mean that the unit can go anywhere users need to work, and make on-site fixes or edit location recordings without the need to send files back to the studio, saving valuable time before air.

In the live performance arena, in addition to operating as a remote recorder for archiving performances or to play out backing tracks and musical cues, the LIO-8 can operate as a soft-synth mixer and I/O interface.

Full Support at All Sample Rates

The LIO-8 and v.5 support all features at all sample rates, so you are good to go at 192k. Multiple busses, Plug-ins, reverb, etc. — whatever you want to do, it works at all sample rates. Total processing is only limited by DSP power.

Mic Pre Option

Introducing the ULN-R Mic Pre option for LIO-8

Channels 1-4 Upgrade Kit: $700, Channels 5-8 Upgrade Kit: $625

Since its release in 2009, the ULN-8 has garnered rave reviews for its sonic quality.

We based the LIO-8 on this platform to provide the same sonic excellence for users that don't need 8 channels of mic pres; editing, mastering and mix suites as well as those that use analog consoles or their own mic pres.

So why add mic pres back?

You may find yourself needing pres after purchasing a LIO-8. Rather than forcing you to buy more gear (or sell your LIO to buy a ULN-8) we give you the option to upgrade. We call this "Future Proof" and it's part of the design philosophy at Metric Halo.

This also lets you build a system over time; buy a LIO-8 today to get outstanding conversion and processing. Add four channels of ULN-R mic pres later, and another four after that. You can even add a +DSP license to your LIO-8 to tap into the full capabilities of the 2d card in your LIO-8.

Another benefit of having the ULN-R mic pres onboard is that you can take advantage of the LIO's flexible signal routing to use the Mic and Line inputs with the Sends to create pre-A/D convertor insert points.

What's so great about the ULN-R pres?

The ULN-R mic pre possesses virtually every characteristic that is coveted in a Mic Preamp: exceptionally low noise at all gains, exceptionally high gain, excellent common mode and RFI rejection, incredibly flat frequency response, and ultra-low distortion. It simply increases the level of what you put into it without having to consider the nature of the source: Dynamic Mics, Phantom Powered Mics, Ribbon Mics, turntables, Instrument or line level signals are all handled with equal ease and quality.

How to get it

Installing the ULN-R option is simple- open the top casing, remove the DB25 block-off plate from the rear panel, install the mic pre(s) and riser card and replace the top casing. If you are not comfortable working with static-sensitive electronics, you can have us do the upgrade for you; when you order your upgrade, we will issue an RMA for you to send your unit into the Custom Shop and our technicians will install the option for you. Turn around time is typically 1 week from date of receipt of the unit.

If you simply want to order a new LIO-8 with the mic pre option pre-installed at the factory, you can do that as well; this version of the LIO-8 is available directly from Metric Halo via Metric Halo Direct.

Specifications

Hardware Comparison

Which interface is right for me?

While all Metric Halo interfaces are multi-purpose, each has characteristics that make it shine in one use or another:

• ULN-8: Our top of the line, archival quality unit. The ULN-8 has the quality and features to handle the most demanding jobs. Perfect for everything from classical recording to the mastering suite, or any user that needs ultimate power and flexibility.
• LIO-8: All the audio quality of the ULN-8, minus the mic pres and +DSP license. Perfect for the editing suite, recording with your own pres or interfacing your analog console. In true MH style, the mics pres and +DSP license can be added if your needs change.
• ULN-2: Two channels of boutique quality mic pres in a small package. The ULN-2 is at home in the mastering studio as well as your home studio. Perfect for the discerning recordist who doesn't require high channels counts but demands high quality and appreciates portability.
• 2882: Eight channels of analog I/O that fits in your backpack. The 2882 is clean without being pristine and packs a lot of power.

Use the following table to see the notable differences between the interfaces.

1: 4 or 8 channels of 3rd Generation ULN-R mic pres may be installed as a factory option or at a later time.
2: Switchable between AES and SPDIF. ASRC available on input.
3: ADAT does not support SMUX; operation is limited to 44.1-48 kHz
4: +DSP licence can be added for $699 at any time.
5: Firewire transport limited to 8 channels in each direction @ 176.2-192 kHz sample rate.
6: Interfaces may require a "jumpstart" to boot on some laptops. More information is available here.
7: MIDI I/O is for control surface connection, and not optimized for musical input

2d & MIO Console

The brains behind the sound...

All Metric Halo interfaces are built on the 2d DSP card and MIO Console software.

Click here to find out more about these core technologies.

System Requirements

• Computer:
  • Any Mac that supports Mac OS X
  • At least one FireWire port; one port will support 3 interfaces at 44.1 - 48 kHz, and 2 interfaces at 88.2 - 192 kHz
  • Universal Binary (native support for PPC and Intel)
  • Mac OS X 10.5.8 or newer required
• Peripheral FireWire Adaptors supported:
  • OHCI compliant PC Card, PCI card, ExpressCard or PCIe card
  • Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire adapter, Apple Thunderbolt display, Sonnet Technology Thunderbolt to Expresscard adapter with FireWire Pro 800 ExpressCard/34
• Software: All CoreAudio compliant software is compatible with Mobile I/O, including:
  • Cubase
  • Digital Performer
  • GarageBand
  • iTunes
  • Live
  • Logic
  • Nuendo
  • PreMaster CD
  • soundBlade
  • WaveBurner
  • Pro Tools
  • and hundreds more…

What's Included