Since Sennheiser announced the acquisition of Swiss company Merging Technologies in July 2022, when it also confirmed that Merging would be working under the umbrella of the Neumann brand, it was anticipated that the first product to result of the collaboration would be a new Neumann audio recording interface. Merging Technologies is one of the world's leading manufacturers of high-resolution digital audio recording systems and a leading innovator in audio networking technology, and it wasn't a very well kept secret (it was actually shown in the photos of the acquisition announcement!) that the new product would be based on the existing Anubis programable interface and its powerful hardware platform.
The new audio interface was finally unveiled publicly in Neumann's website. The Neumann MT48 Reference Audio Interface, powered by Merging Technologies, is essentially a USB-C version of the original Merging Anubis network interface and controller, with more traditional connectivity options, such as ADAT and S/PIF. In contrast, the original Anubis, with its Music Mission software module dedicated to recording and processing features (and featuring the very unique SoundID Reference integration), relied purely on AoIP network audio integration, offering all required standards such as AES67, Ravenna, with full remote access for operation and configuration through a full featured Web Interface.
The Neumann MT 48 is intended to be a simpler proposition that maintains the AES67 network connectivity for multitrack, while adding more familiar options with additional USB and ADAT connectivity, and is described as "the first audio interface in its class that is able to capture the full dynamic range of Neumann microphones and is optimally matched to the KH-Line of studio monitors and Neumann headphones."
With mic preamps with up to 78dB of gain, the MT 48 will be able to capture the full potential of the best microphones. And it features 4 analog inputs and 8 analog output channels (4 stereo outputs), as well as MIDI I/O. The MT 48 interface also offers two powerful headphone amplifiers with ultra-low output impedance, able to drive any headphones to peak performance. In its current launch iteration, the unit offers a fully parametric 4-band EQ and a 3-way dynamics processor (gate/compressor/limiter) per channel plus a high-quality reverb, as basic onboard, low-latency DSP features. And like with the Anubis, there is still plenty of DSP power for future developments.
In fact, we wouldn't be surprised to see the Neumann MA 1 software tool for acoustic calibration and room correction for Neumann studio monitors running directly in the MT 48.
The MT 48 also benefits from the Anubis unique signal routing and mixing capabilities. The MT 48’s unique Dual Output Technology allows users to record the pre-FX and post-FX signal simultaneously, with up to four independent mixers for monitoring, one for each stereo output. All these operations can be made on the device itself via the built-in touchscreen, because the MT 48 can be operated as a stand-alone mixing console.
The touchscreen interface uses a much more skeuomorphic graphic interface than the minimalistic Anubis screens, allowing users to change mixer levels, pan positions, and other parameters as though they are touching a real audio mixer with faders and pots. Nevertheless, for users wishing to operate the MT 48 from their computer or tablet, a remote control app and browser-based web control are available.
"As a legendary microphone manufacturer, Neumann has always been synonymous with excellence in recording technology. Over the past decade, we have shown that Neumann can bring the same uncompromising quality to loudspeakers and headphones. The MT 48 completes the ideal signal chain: Finally, you can have Neumann quality throughout, from the sound source to your ear,” states Neumann’s CEO Ralf Oehl.
All this power and features don't come cheap. The MT 48 audio interface retails for EUR €1,995 or USD $1,850, which is considered affordable for Neumann standards, but will likely pose its challenges in a very competitive space. Unlike the Merging Anubis, which was essentially the most affordable of the company's recording interfaces, the Neumann MT 48 will need to be fully understood to be perceived as the high-value proposition that it truly is.
The Neumann MT 48 will be on display at NAMM 2023 (Demo room Anaheim Convention Center 17400) and will be available from Neumann dealers worldwide soon after that.
https://mt48.neumann.com
www.neumann.com
