# Are there any Thunderbolt audio interfaces that support MIDI and USB connectivity as well? — Verified Specification Comparison

> All specification data verified from official manufacturer documentation.

Are there any Thunderbolt audio interfaces that support MIDI and USB connectivity as well?

## Products

### MOTU 8pre-es
```yaml
product: motu-8pre-es
brand: MOTU
price_gbp: 882.21
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
latency: 1.6 ms round-trip at 96 kHz over Thunderbolt
bit_depth: 32-bit
i_o_count: 24 in / 28 out (52 total)
sample_rate: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
power_supply: 100-240V autoswitching, 50-60 Hz, 0.5A max
number_of_channels: 52 simultaneous audio channels
thunderbolt_version: Thunderbolt 1, compatible with Thunderbolt 2 and 3
```

- **Price:** £882.21 [^1]
- **Summary:** The MOTU 8pre-es is a rackmount audio interface with eight mic, line, and instrument inputs, eight balanced analog outputs, 16 channels of ADAT optical I/O, and AVB networking. It supports Thunderbolt and USB connectivity, includes onboard DSP mixing and effects, and suits recording studios, bands, drummers, and producers needing many simultaneous inputs.
- **Ideal For:** It suits users seeking a Thunderbolt audio interface with MIDI and USB connectivity because it provides Thunderbolt 1, USB 2.0, MIDI I/O, 52 simultaneous audio channels, and eight mic, line, and instrument inputs.

### MOTU 16A
```yaml
product: motu-16a
brand: MOTU
price_gbp: 1147.09
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
latency: 1.8 ms at 96 kHz
bit_depth: 32-bit
i_o_count: 32 inputs / 34 outputs
sample_rate: 44.1 to 192 kHz
power_supply: Internal 100-240V autoswitching supply
number_of_channels: 66 total channels
thunderbolt_version: Thunderbolt 4
```

- **Price:** £1147.09 [^2]
- **Summary:** The MOTU 16A is a professional 32-in/34-out Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 audio interface with AVB networking, onboard DSP mixing, effects, ADAT optical I/O, and flexible routing. It suits recording studios, live sound systems, broadcast setups, and users who need extensive line-level connectivity and low latency.
- **Ideal For:** It supports USB connectivity through USB4, USB3, and USB2-compatible USB-C, but it has no built-in MIDI interface, so it does not fully meet a requirement for both MIDI and USB connectivity.
- **Additional Sources:** [^3], [^4]

### MOTU 24Ai
```yaml
product: motu-24ai
brand: MOTU
price_gbp: 743.86
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
latency: 0.625 ms
bit_depth: 24-bit
i_o_count: 24 analog inputs, 48 digital I/O, 72 total
sample_rate: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
power_supply: 100-240V autoswitching, 50-60 Hz, 0.5A max
number_of_channels: 72
```

- **Price:** £743.86 [^5]
- **Summary:** The MOTU 24Ai is a rackmount audio interface with 24 balanced analog inputs, three ADAT optical banks, USB 2.0 connectivity, AVB networking, and a built-in 48-channel mixer with DSP effects. It suits professional studios, live sound systems, and installations that need many line-level inputs and expandable digital or networked audio.
- **Ideal For:** It suits users seeking a Thunderbolt-compatible system with MIDI and USB connectivity because it provides USB 2.0 audio and can expand through AVB when connected to a separate Thunderbolt-equipped MOTU interface, but it has no built-in MIDI ports.
- **Additional Sources:** [^6], [^7]

### Universal Audio Apollo Twin X QUAD Gen 2 Thunderbolt Audio Interface
```yaml
product: universal-audio-apollo-twin-x-quad-gen-2-thunderbolt-audio-interface
brand: Universal Audio
price_gbp: 914.69
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
latency: 1.1 ms at 96 kHz
bit_depth: 24
i_o_count: 10
sample_rate: 192
power_supply: 12 VDC, Center Positive
number_of_channels: 8
thunderbolt_version: 3
```

- **Price:** £914.69 [^8]
- **Summary:** Apollo Twin X QUAD Gen 2 is a 10x6 Thunderbolt desktop audio interface with QUAD Core DSP for real-time UAD plug-in processing. It includes two Unison mic preamps, a Hi-Z instrument input, and optical Toslink (ADAT or S/PDIF) digital input, letting you record through DSP effects while monitoring. It's designed for musicians, producers, and project studios that want low-latency tracking and studio-quality conversion in a compact setup.
- **Ideal For:** It connects to computers over Thunderbolt 3 (UA lists the Thunderbolt host connection), but it does not list any MIDI connectivity (so it does not specifically provide MIDI plus USB connectivity as built-in features).
- **Additional Sources:** [^9], [^10]

---
## References & Sources
[^1]: Perfect Circuit, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.perfectcircuit.com/8pre-es-audio-interface.html
[^2]: B&H Photo Video, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1887078-REG/motu_9321_16a_32_x_34.html
[^3]: Thomann, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.thomannmusic.com/motu_16a_2025.htm
[^4]: Music Store Professional, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.musicstore.com/en_OT/EUR/MOTU-16A-2025-/art-PCM0018416-000
[^5]: Music Store Professional, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.musicstore.com/en_OT/EUR/MOTU-24Ai-/art-PCM0013488-000
[^6]: Galaxus, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.galaxus.de/en/s1/product/motu-24ai-usb-audio-interfaces-6215415
[^7]: Fafmúsica, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.kuantokusta.pt/p/10424224/motu-24ai-avb
[^8]: B&H Photo Video, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1852560-REG/universal_audio_aptxqg2_ess_apollo_twin_x_quad.html
[^9]: Guitar Center, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Universal-Audio/Apollo-Twin-X-QUAD-10x6-Gen-2-Thunderbolt-3-Audio-Interface-Essentials-1500000440824.gc
[^10]: Thomann, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.thomannmusic.com/universal_audio_apollo_twin_x_quad_gen2_ess.htm