Portable audio interfaces are all over the place, but MOTU's now-shipping UltraLite (under $600) FireWire box shows just how serious these devices have become. The 10-in, 14-out jacks are enough for surround setups (plugging straight into speakers, that is), and an independent headphone jack lets musicians and DJs cue. Among many pro-friendly features, there's even SMPTE sync slaving for video production junkies, something you rarely see on a portable interface. Now if someone will just take advantage of all this power. Note to clubs: we fully expect to be deafened in 7.1 surround, not just stereo, for an extra special hangover the following morning.

MOTU Shipping FireWire UltraLite: Tons of Audio I/O, Tiny Package [Create Digital Music]

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