The Neumann MT 48 is without doubt one of the newest choices from Neumann Berlin. A reputation synonymous with high quality, the German heavyweights have remained on the prime of the audio trade for nearly a century. The model has been lengthy related to the event of stellar high-end condenser microphones such because the U 47, U 67 and U 87.
With mother or father firm Sennheiser buying Merging Applied sciences and integrating them with Neumann in mid-2022, many contemplated the probabilities that this unification would possibly result in. Quick ahead to 2023 and the reply may be discovered within the Neumann MT 48, a high-end 4-in and 8-out audio interface primarily based on the muse beforehand laid by the Anubis from Merging Applied sciences. Constructing upon this substructure, Neumann have carried out quite a few tweaks to the unit’s {hardware}, UI and software program design to make it their very own.
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The very first thing I observed whereas unboxing the Neumann MT 48 was its sturdy zip case, different equipment embody the unit’s energy provide “with useful wall adapters for the US, EU, Asia and fortunately Australia”. Along with this, two USB C cables for Information and Energy are included in addition to an additional USB C to USB A cable for these requiring this technique of connectivity.
Audio interface
The Neumann MT 48 itself leaves a implausible first impression with its sturdy metallic casing and substantial rotary dial. The dial itself manages to keep away from the “plasticky” and fragile feeling that such {hardware} controls can generally be bothered with, as a substitute providing a agency and satisfying flip throughout its whole rotation. The extra buttons on the face of the unit do really feel clean and “spongey” when pressed, however in the end do nothing to detract from the air of high quality that exudes from the unit itself.
Talking of buttons, the highest of the Neumann MT 48 encompasses a monitor mute management, two buttons devoted to speaker and blend set choice, and two extra buttons used as headphone selectors “all configurable natively or through Neumann’s desktop utility”. A built-in microphone can also be located on the unit’s face which may be engaged by a useful talkback button. Lastly, a house button and generously sized LCD contact show are carried out within the design of the unit, rounding out its {hardware} UI.
The MT 48’s rear panel boasts separate USB C plugs for energy and information as for cellular use, the MT 48 could also be used with an influence financial institution (with an influence supply of a minimum of 25 W) Accompanying these are Optical In and Out for ADAT or S/PDIF connectivity, an RJ-45 socket for AES67 connectivity or Ethernet energy, and two extra TRS connectors for MIDI I/O or use as general-purpose I/O. Two male XLRs make up the unit’s principal L/R outputs, and two TRS sockets type the secondary outputs for a further set of audio system or line gadgets. Two feminine Neutrik XLR/1/4” TRS combo sockets present the primary two inputs into the interface, rounding out the again panel as a complete. The entrance panel of the Neumann MT 48 is refreshingly easy providing two extra ¼” TRS Hello-Z or line inputs, and two balanced outputs for headphone monitoring.
The very first thing I did upon connecting the MT 48 to my pc and monitor array was take heed to some music via it. Biking via a variety of genres I used to be instantly impressed with the unit’s headphone amplifiers. Testing a wide range of headphones I discovered that the MT 48’s headphone amps introduced forth a sure diploma of separation and readability that made them a pleasure to make use of. Outdoors of the cans the MT 48 in contrast favourably in opposition to the resident audio interface in my challenge studio, popping out on prime whereas referencing acquainted materials inside my standard listening house.
Pre amps
The subsequent factor on the agenda was to check the unit’s mic preamps which I did with a wide range of supply materials together with voice, direct guitar, mic’d guitar cupboard and a few primary percussion. In all cases, the Neumann MT 48 left a glowing impression on me offering a transparent and correct copy of the supply. Boasting as much as 78dB of acquire per channel, I used to be very happy to notice that there was subsequent to no noise emanating from the unit for the length wherein I used to be utilizing it, even with the preamp acquire cranked or phantom energy engaged.
Throughout my time with the Neumann MT 48, I did discover that the unit tends to get moderately heat. Nevertheless, not as soon as did I discover the unit’s inbuilt cooling followers kick into gear to cut back the temperature of the unit, so it’s secure to imagine that that is regular, particularly because the aluminium enclosure will act as a heatsink for the inner DSP. Regardless, that is value noting that the fan operation is but one other tweakable characteristic inside the unit settings so if a consumer have been to come across warmth issues with their unit this could possibly be simply addressed.
Specifically, I need to give reward to how intuitive the Neumann MT 48 is to make use of, I used to be in a position to find and utilise any perform I desired rapidly and effectively from adjusting the pattern charge via to tweaking every parameter on the unit’s DSP results or altering combine controls. This enabled me to right away set about making music as a substitute of losing time thumbing via PDF information and web boards. I might even go so far as saying I discovered myself having enjoyable with the MT 48 inside a really brief interval, impressed to be inventive as a substitute of being slowed down by pointless complexities or pressured studying curves.
Utility features such because the adjustment of acquire pots, and tweaking of different parameters are accessed through the contact display screen which then offers finite adjustment through the rotary management on the face of the unit. The unit’s LCD show is straightforward to learn and the UI gained’t have you ever scratching your head whereas scrambling to seek out what you want throughout your session.
The MT 48’s 4 onboard mixers present a plethora of choices for each monitoring and output routing, combining this performance with a bundle of onboard DSP results together with EQ, Dynamic Management and Reverb. Most of those results may be utilised for monitoring or in monitoring, printed onto your recorded tracks (or each concurrently) and sound implausible. As a novel characteristic, additionally it is attainable to report the dry sign and the processed sign on the similar time. In USB I/O Settings you possibly can specify separate driver output channels for the dry and the processed sign. I really feel that the one obvious omission from the unit’s mainstay perform is the inclusion of transport controls, nevertheless, many customers would choose to take care of such issues inside their DAW of alternative regardless.
All in all, the MT 48 is a stellar debut for Neumann inside the pro-level Audio Interface market, if this can be a signal of issues to come back from the Berlin greats I’m very desirous to see the place they go from right here.
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