NEUMANN MT 48 U

Product overview

The NEUMANN MT 48 U is an audio interface without compromise: class-leading AD/DA converters with enormous dynamic range, superb preamps and headphone amplifiers, DSP processing and an intuitive touchscreen, in the version with universal power supply.

With a dynamic range of 136 dB, analogue-to-digital conversion in the MT 48 sets a new benchmark, and the microphone preamps offer up to 78 dB of clean gain for anything from high-sensitivity condensers to low-output ribbons. The MT 48 comes fully equipped for the reference-class personal studio: two extremely low-noise mic/line preamps, two line/instrument inputs, four monitor/line outputs and two superb headphone outputs. Connectivity expands via ADAT / S/PDIF and AES67, and a MIDI interface is integrated. Four separate monitor mixes with EQ, dynamics and reverb are controlled directly on the unit via touchscreen.

Key features

• Class-leading AD converter resolution with a dynamic range of 136 dB
• 2 premium-quality mic/line preamps with up to 78 dB gain, 2 pristine line/instrument inputs
• 4 line/monitor outputs
• 2 ultra-low impedance headphone outputs with adjustable crossfeed
• ADAT / S/PDIF optical I/O, AES67, MIDI/GPIO
• Two driver outputs per input channel for pre-FX and/or post-FX recording
• 4 independent mixers with integrated talkback
• DSP processing: 4-band EQ, gate / compressor / limiter, reverb
• Intuitive touchscreen user interface; stand-alone operation as a mixing console

Record with or without effects, or both

The MT 48 is an audio interface and digital mixing desk in one. Use its DSP for monitoring only, print effects while recording, or both at the same time: thanks to Dual Output Technology, wet and dry signals are recorded simultaneously via separate driver channels, so you can always fall back on an unprocessed backup.

A new user experience

All settings can be made on the device itself via the built-in touchscreen. Use your fingers to adjust pan pots, channel faders and much more, without switching to mixer software on your computer. Each of the four output pairs (Speakers A, Speakers B, Headphones 1 and 2) has its own mix, selected with a hardware button.

Headphone outputs

Two independent stereo headphone outputs combine high power with an ultra-low output impedance of 0.035 Ω to drive any headphones to their absolute best. The maximum level is switchable per output between +16 dBu and +8 dBu, polarity can be reversed per ear cup, and adjustable crossfeed makes headphone listening more like listening on loudspeakers.

Monitor Mission

Dedicated Missions configure the MT 48 for different applications. The free Monitor Mission turns it into a comprehensively equipped monitor controller for mixing and mastering in mono, stereo, surround and immersive formats, with trim and delay per output, EQs with up to 24 bands per output channel, flexible bass management and downmix.

Connectivity and powering

USB-C to the computer (up to 32 inputs and 16 outputs at 48 kHz), ADAT with up to eight channels or S/PDIF, AES67 networked audio over Gigabit Ethernet, and two GPIO/MIDI connectors. The MT 48 is powered from the supplied universal power supply via USB-C, or via Power over Ethernet (IEEE 802.3at, PoE+).

In the box

• MT 48 audio interface
• Softcase
• Universal power supply incl. USB-C connection cable (with country adapters)
• USB-A data cable
• USB-C data cable
• Quick guide
• Safety guide

NEUMANN MT 48 U: frequently asked questions

What does the U in MT 48 U stand for?

Universal Power Supply: the MT 48 U (Cat. No. 700260) is supplied with a universal power supply including a USB-C connection cable and adapters for different countries.

How many channels go to the computer?

Up to 32 inputs and 16 outputs at sampling rates up to 48 kHz, 16 in / 16 out up to 96 kHz and 8 in / 16 out up to 192 kHz.

Can I record with and without effects at the same time?

Yes. Every input can be recorded pre-FX and post-FX on separate driver channels (Dual Output Technology). The reverb is for monitoring only and is not recorded.

Does the MT 48 have MIDI?

Yes: the two GPIO/MIDI TRS connectors work as MIDI in and out with the optional MIDI Adapter Set (MT 48).

Where can I buy the NEUMANN MT 48 U in India?

The NEUMANN MT 48 U is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Singer-songwriter recording

Self-recording musicians.

Connections

Setup

1. Install the MT 48 Toolkit and connect power and the DATA USB-C port.
2. Set gain on the preamp page, leaving about 10 dB headroom.
3. Add EQ, dynamics and reverb for an inspiring headphone mix.
4. Record dry and post-FX at the same time.

Tip: The reverb is for monitoring only and never ends up in the recording.

Workflow 2: Band tracking with separate headphone mixes

Engineers recording musicians in a live room.

Connections

Setup

1. Build a separate mix per output on the touchscreen.
2. Route talkback to the musicians' mixes.
3. Let mixes follow Mix 1 where separate mixes are not needed.
4. Adjust each output level with its hardware button and the rotary control.

Tip: Talkback is controlled with its own button on the unit.

Workflow 3: Expanding with ADAT

Studios needing more inputs.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the converter's optical outputs and inputs.
2. Activate the optical inputs in SETTINGS → USB I/O.
3. Set the clock source if needed.
4. Record up to eight extra channels at 48 kHz.

Tip: Channel count drops to 4 at 96 kHz and 2 at 192 kHz.

Workflow 4: Networked audio with AES67

Broadcast and larger studio setups.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the MT 48 to the network switch.
2. Set the clock to follow the external PTP master if required.
3. Set frame mode and latency.
4. Route network channels in the mixer and to the computer.

Tip: Power over Ethernet (PoE+) can also power the MT 48.

Workflow 5: Monitor controller for immersive mixing

Mixing and mastering engineers.

Connections

Setup

1. Activate the free Monitor Mission (Toolkit and firmware 1.9.0 or later).
2. Configure the speaker sets and formats.
3. Set trim, delay and output EQ per loudspeaker.
4. Switch between formats, solo and mute speakers while mixing.

Tip: Bass management and downmix are part of the Monitor Mission.

Workflow 6: Streaming with a full mix

Streamers and podcasters.

Connections

Setup

1. Apply EQ, dynamics and reverb to the performance.
2. Add a host microphone without reverb.
3. Route a Bus Return Mix to the streaming application.
4. Listeners hear the entire mix including effects.

Tip: Bus Return Mix 1-4 records or sends the output of an internal mixer.