neumann mt 48
The MT 48 could be the audio interface of the future, and has a futuristic price to match, but will it set a new recording standard, asks Andy Jones?
Neumann doesn’t do things by halves. Its microphones are studio standards, with the U87 in particular being a legendary vocal and instrument recorder that has been used on countless recordings. Then there are the company’s studio monitors. The KH range basically provides the same kind of audio quality at the other end of the recording chain – you’re hearing your mixes as well as they were recorded with those mics. But there’s something in the middle linking the mics and monitors that Neumann hadn’t done – the audio interface.
With the MT 48, the missing link is here. And it could be the best audio interface ever made. But for its asking price, it bloody well should be.
It’s a big four figures
When we heard about the MT48, we knew it would come with a ‘Neumann’ price tag but this is a company that delivers the specs to back up the high asking prices. So what can the MT 48 possibly be offering to demand the better part of two grand?
The big claim made by Neumann is that this is the first interface “to unlock the full potential of Neumann microphones and monitors”. In other words, up until now you weren’t actually hearing how good either end of your signal chain could be because your old interface simply didn’t cut the mustard.
To back this up, MT 48 features a dynamic range of 136dB. As Neumann point out, this is four times the resolution of competing devices. This means the interface will handle a huge audio range when recording, and minimise clipping. Other interfaces typically boast figures between 115 and 125dB.
You get to control everything by selecting a Menu page with main options via the touchscreen
The MT48’s preamps also have 78dB of gain so will work with ultra sensitive condenser mics and low output ribbons. Neumann has also given as much thought to the headphone and monitor outs; the former have low impedance and high enough power to drive any phones.
The interface’s interface
Aside from the specs, the standout feature on the MT 48 is the touch interface – we really are talking futuristic. You get to control everything by selecting a Menu page with main options via the touchscreen. These then show various onscreen parameters which can be selected by touch, and you edit these with the dial. Do everything from adding reverb to a headphone mix or changing EQ pointers and values on analogue or digital channels. It’s a very quick process and simple to step in and out of areas; in fact it’s easier than it should be given that what you get access to is impressively vast.
There is a very slight lag when touching certain options but the large and smooth-feeling rotary allows any fine movements to be made wit
