Neumann MT 48: What’s it?
Neumann doesn’t do issues by halves. Its microphones are studio requirements, with the U87 particularly being a legendary vocal and instrument recorder that has been used on numerous recordings. Then there are the corporate’s studio displays. The KH vary principally offers the identical form of audio high quality on the different finish of the recording chain – you’re listening to your mixes in addition to they had been recorded with these mics. However there’s one thing within the center linking the mics and displays that Neumann hadn’t executed – the audio interface. With the MT 48, the lacking hyperlink is right here. And it may very well be the perfect audio interface ever made. However for its asking worth, it bloody effectively ought to be.
After we heard concerning the MT48, we knew it will include a ‘Neumann’ price ticket however this can be a firm that delivers the specs to again up the excessive asking costs. So what can the MT 48 probably offer to demand the higher a part of two grand?
The large declare made by Neumann is that that is the primary interface “to unlock the total potential of Neumann microphones and displays”. In different phrases, up till now you weren’t truly listening to how good both finish of your sign chain may very well be as a result of your previous interface merely didn’t minimize the mustard.
To again this up, MT 48 encompasses a dynamic vary of 136dB. As Neumann level out, that is 4 occasions the decision of competing units. This implies the interface will deal with an enormous audio vary when recording, and minimise clipping. Different interfaces sometimes boast figures between 115 and 125dB.
The MT48’s preamps even have 78dB of acquire so will work with extremely delicate condenser mics and low output ribbons. Neumann has additionally given as a lot thought to the headphone and monitor outs; the previous have low impedance and excessive sufficient energy to drive any telephones.
Neumann MT 48: Efficiency and verdict
Except for the specs, the standout function on the MT 48 is the contact interface – we actually are speaking futuristic.
Additionally take into account…
• Stable State Logic SSL 12
You don’t get the flamboyant display screen and mixing however this can be a great-sounding interface with versatile connectivity.
• They’ll take heed to iD44
Once more you’re lacking out on the touchscreen and mixing options however you get a superb vary of I/O.
You get to manage every thing by deciding on a Menu web page with fundamental choices through the touchscreen. These then present numerous onscreen parameters which will be chosen by contact, and also you edit these with the dial. Do every thing from including reverb to a headphone combine or altering EQ pointers and values on analogue or digital channels.
It’s a really fast course of and easy to step out and in of areas; the truth is it’s simpler than it ought to be on condition that what you get entry to is impressively huge.
There’s a very slight lag when touching sure choices however the massive and smooth-feeling rotary permits any positive actions to be made with ease. Utilizing the display screen not solely shortly turns into second nature however virtually appears like an extension of your pc – a substitute even, as you may be utilizing your PC or Mac much less as a result of it acts like a mixer too.
The MT 48 would possibly seem like a primary interface however the specs and contact interface have already proven it’s not. The opposite bonus ‘we didn’t know we needed till now’ function is the unit’s potential to work as a standalone mixer with out your pc. And with as much as 4 customized mixes potential, and simply selectable, that’s lots this interface can do away out of your DAW.
You possibly can add onboard dynamic processing and reverb to each channel, and the specs of those channels imply you’re successfully speaking about probably large mixes. It’s because whilst you could be beginning with the 4 analogue ins and eights outs (two units of displays and two headphones) the MT 48 is expandable by ADAT so as to add one other eight digital enter and output channels.
It additionally has AES67 ethernet enlargement which is used within the broadcast business however may actually ramp up that digital channel depend. These additional mixing choices are extra options to assist justify that huge price ticket.
The way forward for interfacing?
There’s clearly a heck of lots to like right here. The audio specs are staggeringly spectacular, as is the ensuing sound high quality, and the extra mixing options and DSP are a mind-bogglingly sensible addition. All of those lengthen this interface’s capabilities means past our regular expectations – it left ‘regular’ behind simply with the dynamic vary determine alone – virtually to the purpose the place we’re now feeling paranoid about our present interface.
The associated fee is clearly prohibitive, however, what Neumann has executed right here is let different interface firms do the laborious slog, waited and are available late within the day with a product that exhibits all of them tips on how to do it. It actually may very well be the way forward for interfacing – the touchscreen and mixing ought to be one thing all of us aspire to make use of. Some day, we may all be recording with interfaces like this, however whether or not that day is at present very a lot relies on your financial institution steadiness.
MusicRadar verdict: When you’ve bought costly microphones and displays, MT 48 is one – albeit costly – lacking hyperlink that can allow you to hear them in all their glory.
Neumann MT 48: The net says
“My recordings, each of miked and DI sources, had been amazingly clear and crisp. The headphone amps sound wonderful and have loads of energy. The general sound high quality is phenomenal.”
Combine On-line
Neumann MT 48: Fingers-on demos
Georg Neumann GmbH
Get.Stunning.Recordings
Sweetwater
Alec Brits
Neumann MT 48: Specs
- Dimensions: (W x H x D): 370 x 100 x 170mm.
- Weight: 1.58kg.
- CONTACT: Neumann
