MOTU vs Universal Audio:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Universal Audio had more branded searches than MOTU among audio interface brands in New Zealand. Universal Audio had about 220 branded searches, while MOTU had 170. Universal Audio made up 22.9% of all audio interface brand searches we track, and MOTU accounted for 17.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about audio interface brands, MOTU appeared in four of the five answers and Universal Audio in three. MOTU was mentioned before Universal Audio in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Universal Audio, about 29% more searches than MOTU
Who does AI mention more?
MOTU, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Universal Audio in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
MOTU, named ahead of Universal Audio in every answer
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Top audio interface brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, MOTU was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Universal Audio was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. MOTU was listed before Universal Audio in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Focusrite1st- MOTU2nd
Audient3rd- Universal Audio4th
PreSonus4th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Focusrite5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- MOTU4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Universal Audio3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Audient3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- PreSonus1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about audio interface brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which audio interface brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best audio interface brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best audio interface brand in New Zealand for home recording?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“audio interface nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“usb audio interface”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Is MOTU or Universal Audio more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for MOTU and Universal Audio by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five audio interface brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Universal Audio, MOTU. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Focusrite | Universal Audio | MOTU | PreSonus | Audient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 39.3% | 30.7% | 10% | 16.4% | 3.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 37.9% | 31.4% | 14.3% | 11.4% | 5% |
| Jan 2026 | 39.6% | 26.9% | 12.7% | 17.2% | 3.7% |
| Feb 2026 | 44.4% | 21.2% | 13.1% | 16.2% | 5.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 45.5% | 20.8% | 11.9% | 14.9% | 6.9% |
| Apr 2026 | 47.7% | 22.9% | 12.8% | 11.9% | 4.6% |
| May 2026 | 46.5% | 21.1% | 17.5% | 10.5% | 4.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 46.2% | 21.8% | 17.6% | 10.1% | 4.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 43.4% | 21.2% | 20.2% | 10.1% | 5.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 46.1% | 19.1% | 17.4% | 13% | 4.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 41.5% | 23.6% | 17% | 11.3% | 6.6% |
| Oct 2026 | 44.8% | 22.9% | 17.7% | 10.4% | 4.2% |
How has branded search for MOTU and Universal Audio changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Universal Audio was ahead of MOTU in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, MOTU’s share of searches among audio interface brands in New Zealand moved from 10% to 17.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 140 to 170.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Universal Audio’s share of searches among audio interface brands in New Zealand moved from 30.7% to 22.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 430 to 220.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand audio interface brands in October 2026?
2 changes
In October 2026, MOTU gained share of searches among audio interface brands in New Zealand, from 17% to 17.7%.
In October 2026, Universal Audio lost share of searches among audio interface brands in New Zealand, from 23.6% to 22.9%.
How are MOTU’s and Universal Audio’s branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MOTU’s and Universal Audio’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
MOTU
3 branded search terms
- motu audio
- motu interface
- motu m2
Universal Audio
2 branded search terms
- universal audio
- universal audio interface
Other head-to-heads among audio interface brands
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