Neumann MT 48

[Music1969]

I really cannot understand why they limit MT48 features compared to Anubis - it is more expensive too

 

[PureLIN]

I really cannot understand why they limit MT48 features compared to Anubis - it is more expensive too

The Monitor mission is just as same as Anubis from my experice by now. (MT48 add support for USB and ADAT/SPDIF of course).

1. EQ is not available through webpage and no preset, so can't be imported, precision is limited to the touch screen input.
2. Fine precision is not available, so you can only adjust volume by 0.5 dB.
3. No Reverb and Dynamics processing.

These limit is compare to Music Mission, so no complains to Neumann here.

Anubis pro sps is expensive much more than MT48 from my local dealers, the old single port version is discontiuned, so I think MT48 is worthwhile before July 1 (after that, it depends on the price of Monitor Mission).

 

[ENDzZ]

Has anyone tried using a subwoofer in the monitor mission? I have met an issue that LFE channel is literally not operatable. For example, when I press Mute on LFE channel, audio was still playing through the subwoofer; when I press Solo on LFE channel, audio was not playing through either the subwoofer or anywhere else; when I turn off Bass Management, audio was not playing through the subwoofer. My setup environment is Stereo 2.1, Left for Output 1 (XLR), Right for Output 2 (XLR), LFE for Output 3 (TRS), with Bass Management on.

 

[ENDzZ]

Has anyone tried using a subwoofer in the monitor mission? I have met an issue that LFE channel is literally not operatable. For example, when I press Mute on LFE channel, audio was still playing through the subwoofer; when I press Solo on LFE channel, audio was not playing through either the subwoofer or anywhere else; when I turn off Bass Management, audio was not playing through the subwoofer. My setup environment is Stereo 2.1, Left for Output 1 (XLR), Right for Output 2 (XLR), LFE for Output 3 (TRS), with Bass Management on.

Here's the response I got, hope they could fix this later:
thanks for your mail to us. Reagrding your question about the monitoring mission from the MT48.

This is a known restriction today.

Today the LFE Solo & Mute LFE is only considered at the level of the LFE Monitor channels setup.

So the workaround is to go to the Monitor and under LFE use the Solo there.

We’ll see what can be done in the future.


Best regards,

Holger Hausdorf

Neumann Customer Support

 

[Ciobi69]

Hello guys between this and the merging Anubis what would you buy? In my country the price as new are similiar

 

[Drew456]

Quick question: Can you EQ left and right channels independently on the MT48 (on all outputs), as can be done with RME Room EQ?

 

[OMas]

Hello guys between this and the merging Anubis what would you buy? In my country the price as new are similiar

Given that this isn’t a pro audio discussion, I have to guess that the MT 48 would be a better match, software functionality–wise.

 

[Watsonian]

Unless you have to have a specific feature that the Anubis has, the MT48 looks to be more stable.
Note: I own an Anubis but have not used an MT48.

 

[PureLIN]

Hello guys between this and the merging Anubis what would you buy? In my country the price as new are similiar

MT48 have:
1. USB and ADAT/SPDIF
2. USBC pd power input (power bank frendly)
3. Music mission mixer is less than Anubis (but should be enough for most usage).
4. After July 1, the monitor mission on MT48 will need pay (for each device, so buy a new MT48 need pay again).
Anubis have:
1. Premium version (higher sample rate but cost more)
2. Two net port sps version (single port version is out of production now).
3. Some special Mission (not useful for most user and need pay).
4. soundId calibartion support (2ch free, multi channel need pay).

Quick question: Can you EQ left and right channels independently on the MT48 (on all outputs), as can be done with RME Room EQ?

Monitor misson yes for every channel (24 band for one output, total around 300 band) , Music mission no (only 4 band each mixer output).

I use MT48, buy a used Anubis pro sps before (so have a short time hand on), but return it due to bad condition.

 

[PureLIN]

MT48 have:
1. USB and ADAT/SPDIF

This is important, if you not fimilar with AoIP and don't want to learn how to troubleshooting it, get MT48 and use USB. AoIP is much more often to having small issues.
But for a only USB DAC, I think MOTU UltraLite mk5 is much afforable option, much more analog port but less price.
MT48 and Anubis 's core advantage is the AoIP.

 

[Ifrit]

Unless you have to have a specific feature that the Anubis has, the MT48 looks to be more stable.
Note: I own an Anubis but have not used an MT48.

I own both, didn't notice any difference in stability. Why do you think MT48 is more stable? What makes it 'look' that way?

 

[Joel Foust]

So I feel like my preamps are noisy on my MT48. I have UFXIII and MT48 and when I disconnect any source, turn on phantom power and set gain to 75dB on both interfaces the MT48 input meter shows noise floor at -36dB. The UFXIII shows noise floor at -50dB.... I've had some trouble with the mic input channels and am curious if these noise numbers are expected or abnormal for MT48... I wouldn't expect them to be 14dB apart in same condition?!

 

[Blumlein 88]

So I feel like my preamps are noisy on my MT48. I have UFXIII and MT48 and when I disconnect any source, turn on phantom power and set gain to 75dB on both interfaces the MT48 input meter shows noise floor at -36dB. The UFXIII shows noise floor at -50dB.... I've had some trouble with the mic input channels and am curious if these noise numbers are expected or abnormal for MT48... I wouldn't expect them to be 14dB apart in same condition?!

That is a bad way to compare. Maybe make an xlr with a resistor between the pin 2 and pin 3 using 100 to 220 ohms. See if the difference is still there. What you are seeing with an open connection is probably related to the circuit topology, but that goes away with a resistive load in the range of microphones.

 

[Drew456]

Good news for anyone thinking of getting a MT48, Neumann have just extended the deadline for obtaining Monitor Mission free of charge on the MT48 product page.

The Monitor Mission license code is available free of charge until January 1, 2025 in our product registration after successful MT 48 registration.

 

[tyanlion]

Just wondering if the MT48 has an auto standby mode like the Toppings, where they will go to standby if the computer goes to standby.

 

[Ifrit]

as I doubt anyone uses GPIO type I/O as they would 2 extra outs or ins)

I use GPIO all the time, for foot switch to open up the mic that goes on air, and for the "Mic Live"/red light sign that tells me that the mic is, in fact, open. Could have used another GPO to have "Recording" or "On Air" sign. But that is solved the other way.

One thing to keep in mind is AES67 to Dante: for example using a Dante Avio https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...avio-review-streaming-audio-interfaces.19062/. Only allows for up to 48khz sample rates.

Yes. Long standing statement from Merging insists on it being the Dante limitation. New versions of interfaces (last quarter of 2024 and later) are "Dante Ready", so one might as well just make it a Dante interface, if that's the preference. Still need to pay to Audinate, though.

 

[Michel Forbes]

No, it doesn't. Some people have issues with Neumann speakers going to sleep/standby and getting them to wake up - so having a similar function in the interface seems like it would cause more problems than not. Many pro studios just leave all their rackmount gear on all the time during a session.

The screen doesn't dim or turn off either. I just keep mine at the lowest brightness setting and mostly use the 'remote control' aka in computer software controller. (Wouldn't mind screen timeout though to prevent screenburn and possibly reduce heat which causes the fan to turn on - which isn't terrible but at times can be more annoying than something that's 100% fanless)

For anyone interested in surround sound: as long as you have the monitor mission: you can get 5.1.4 out of the MT-48 as you can use the 2 XLR outs,(18/24dBu) 2TRS outs(18/24dBu), 2 headphone outs (4 channels in high mode - 16dBu with TRS to dual XLR cable) and using the optical output with cheap DAC or ADAT to S/PDIF converter to digital speakers like Neumann KH120ii's - all controlled by the volume control. You can add or subtract volume trim on any of the outputs also. *I do wish the GPIO jacks were outputs or inputs though as I doubt anyone uses GPIO type I/O as they would 2 extra outs or ins)

One thing to keep in mind is AES67 to Dante: for example using a Dante Avio https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...avio-review-streaming-audio-interfaces.19062/. Only allows for up to 48khz sample rates. If you open up for example a pro tools session at 96khz ... you'll get nothing from the AVIO and need to go in and reset it in Dante software to get it to work again. - I think if you have the Dante version you could do 96khz with a Dante AVIO: but if you switch sample rates - it won't automatically switch - as you'll still need to open up the Dante software to get it to switch as Audio over Ethernet doesn't automatically switch like most ADAT/ S/PDIF does.

AES67/Dante can be complicated too: it took me forever to figure out: https://ravenna-network.com/wp-cont...AVENNA-_-AES67-Source-to-Dante-Receiver-1.pdf that you need to change the 2nd IP number to .67. or it wouldn't work for audio output from the AVIO. I don't think that info was listed in any Neumann Manual that I found.

Overall I like the MT-48 - it's not the best measuring interface, but it's not bad either: but the amount of I/O and monitoring control (with monitor mission) is quite nice. It's one of the few interfaces you can run on a power bank too on the go if need be. You need a decent power bank/usb power supply though - I've only found some that work as a head's up as they need a decent amount of output.

In windows you can play back 5.1 or 7.1 easily without any additional software/drivers, whereas a Motu MK5 or Motu 828 requires a in-between driver like Dirac that utilizes the ASIO outputs of the MOTU - so that's nice too. I'd say if you don't need portability or monitor mission functions and are fine with analog outputs: a Motu MK5 or 828 may be a smarter choice though.

Concerning Surround Sound:

We used thise interface from JustAddPower to connect the Gaming Console output to the Anubis ( and eventually the MT48):

UL-767AES - Just Add Power

3G+ AES767 Transmitter with HDMI loopout and AES67 audio. Input LPCM audio up to 8 channels.

www.justaddpower.com

The gaming console could output 8 LPCM channels trough the HDMI connector , the box convert the HDMI LPCM audio to Dante (AoIP) and we activate the AES67 option in the DANTE software to catch it after on Ravenna.

We configure the gaming console AES67 stream in Aneman as a 8 multi-channel source.
It works very well and kind of cool to switch AoIP signal cleanly between the DAW and the Gaming Console.

 

[Ifrit]

The Hapi also has GPIO. And a set of other options that ‘nobody uses’.

 

[dasein_geist]

Given the conversation about EQ Q-Values earlier in the thread, I reached out to Customer Support asking for the official formula to convert REW Q-Values to Neumann/Anubis Q-Values. I received the following response:

Be aware our Q setting is not necessary upon the EQ mainstream norms, we are closer to the analog domain Q interpretation.
We do have a formula to calculate it and it is relation with the Gain.

Gain = linear gain as float factor
Q-Anubis = 11.208807727707793 * Q-World / sqrt( 2^( log(Gain) / log(2) - 1) )
Q-World = Q-Anubis * 0.089215554793400 * sqrt( 2^( log(Gain) / log(2) - 1) )

Additionally, the support agent also stated that Neumann is constantly monitoring customer requests for new features, and he logged my request for the ability to directly import REW EQ files into the MT 48, like Merging's ability to directly import SoundID files. While who knows if/when they would implement such a feature, if enough people requested this feature, they a least seem open to the possibility. The agent did express reluctance to outright change the (non-standard) Q-Value algorithm, out of concern for breaking backwards compatibility for existing Pyramix (from which the current EQ formula is derived) customers.

EDIT: There are some questions as to the accuracy of this conversion formula (see Music 1969's response below).
I have sent a followup email to customer support for clarification (see below)
I sincerely apologize if it turns out I posted incorrect information

 

[Music1969]

Given the conversation about EQ Q-Values earlier in the thread, I reached out to Customer Support asking for the official formula to convert REW Q-Values to Neumann/Anubis Q-Values. I received the following response:



Additionally, the support agent also stated that Neumann is constantly monitoring customer requests for new features, and he logged my request for the ability to directly import REW EQ files into the MT 48, like Merging's ability to directly import SoundID files. While who knows if/when they would implement such a feature, if enough people requested this feature, they a least seem open to the possibility. The agent did express reluctance to outright change the (non-standard) Q-Value algorithm, out of concern for breaking backwards compatibility for existing Pyramix (from which the current EQ formula is derived) customers.

If you cross-check, this formula is wrong.

I compared PEQ for my Hifiman Sundara using Amir's measurement and EQ here and the shape of the curves didn't look like what shows in REQ (same as Amir's curves).

I tried to tell them it is wrong. Seems nobody there checked.