Neumann MT 48 Touchscreen Interface, is it worth the money?

Looks like a great interface, but it seems like going from an M-Audio duo to one of these is like going from a Chevy Malibu to a Ferrari. There are certainly considerable improvements you can get for much less money! MOTU Ultralite or RME Babyface come to mind. Both capable of thoroughly professional results.

I think this is basically a rebranded Merging Anubis, which is an excellent, high-end piece of equipment. I'm a Neumann fan, and I think Sennheiser/Neumann is probably doing a great job with this box. Whether or not it's worth the money to anyone will be case-by-case, I think!

proggermusic said:

Looks like a great interface, but it seems like going from an M-Audio duo to one of these is like going from a Chevy Malibu to a Ferrari. There are certainly considerable improvements you can get for much less money! MOTU Ultralite or RME Babyface come to mind. Both capable of thoroughly professional results.

I think this is basically a rebranded Merging Anubis, which is an excellent, high-end piece of equipment. I'm a Neumann fan, and I think Sennheiser/Neumann is probably doing a great job with this box. Whether or not it's worth the money to anyone will be case-by-case, I think!

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ThX ! Yes i believe there is similar solution for less. For me is key good design for quick and good monitoring of everything that is on or off, the volume etc., because i always forget something, it has to be on my eyes. Also 3 inputs, and some mixing capabilities is great

Six more inputs and this would be a dream. Two thousand clams is a lot for so few channels. It's a good start, but, realistically, there are great and quiet neutral interfaces that have some history already. I just don't understand why a microphone giant needs to wade into the kiddie pool.

I’d have to hear the preamps and converters in person to really say but that’s a steep price tag, I would say save your money and get an Antelope interface

proggermusic said:

i love dLooks like a great interface, but it seems like going from an M-Audio duo to one of these is like going from a Chevy Malibu to a Ferrari. There are certainly considerable improvements you can get for much less money! MOTU Ultralite or RME Babyface come to mind. Both capable of thoroughly professional results.

I think this is basically a rebranded Merging Anubis, which is an excellent, high-end piece of equipment. I'm a Neumann fan, and I think Sennheiser/Neumann is probably doing a great job with this box. Whether or not it's worth the money to anyone will be case-by-case, I think!

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i loved the motu suggestion. But i guess i am good with the m6 for 400$ . I dont need so much outs behind.

I bought the M Audio duo more because i was not sure about my first interface than because of money. I thought 50$ is not big risk. BUt the interface sucks in the design, building and compatibility. EVen after me having some happines at the start

It does look really nice, as noted the convertors are made by Merging Tech who make amazing stuff, never had any bad experiences with MOTU myself, but Antelope is a disaster, wouldn't touch their stuff if you paid me (ex Orion owner)

If I didn't already have an interface I'd be very tempted by this!

method1 said:

It does look really nice, as noted the convertors are made by Merging Tech who make amazing stuff, never had any bad experiences with MOTU myself, but Antelope is a disaster, wouldn't touch their stuff if you paid me (ex Orion owner)

If I didn't already have an interface I'd be very tempted by this!

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Antelope is better now from what I can tell, my mixing engineer has a Discrete 4 Pro and hasn’t had any issues with it

method1 said:

It does look really nice, as noted the convertors are made by Merging Tech who make amazing stuff, never had any bad experiences with MOTU myself, but Antelope is a disaster, wouldn't touch their stuff if you paid me (ex Orion owner)

If I didn't already have an interface I'd be very tempted by this!

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What did Antelope do to you?!
I have been using my Orion + for around 5 years now and it's rock solid and sounds great...

Stringtree said:

Two thousand clams is a lot for so few channels.

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I guess most of you aren't aware of the AES67 port when saying things like "I wish it had more channels" -- y'all realize that this port gives up to 512 bi-directional digital channels, right? If you have a rack of AD/DA converters, you still need a way to bring all of the converted channels in and out to a DAW, and that specific piece of gear can cost thousands (depending on the connection) by itself.

I'm using about 108 channels right now, and have to use a series of D to D devices to get that in and out of my DAW. RME Digiface AVB via USB3 since my MOTU 1248 can't transmit enough channels over USB2.

proggermusic said:

MOTU Ultralite or RME Babyface come to mind.

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Not even close. Not by a LONG shot.

The closest thing I've seen to a device like the Neumann is the RME AVB Tool. Basically an interface with a few mic pres, and MASSIVE digital IO:




Also a hefty price tag, and nothing like an Ultralite or Babyface

EDIT: I keep forgetting, the AVB Tool isn't even an interface, either. It has USB, but its not supposed to be used as a main interface -- You'd still need to use something like a Digiface AVB to connect to your DAW. The AVB Tool is more accurately an AVB to MADI converter with four Mic Pres.

Babyface Pro FS + Behringer Ultragain gets you industry-leading stability and fantastic low latency performance with 10 in / 12 out for nearly half the price. Get a cleanbox for the unbalanced headphone output and you can easily run a 7.1.4 configuration. Totalmix makes it a piece of cake to control, bass manage and swap between setups, not to mention it's natively supported in StreamDeck for all of your macro fantasies. Also, 3-way EQ and LP directly in the interface on the inputs/outputs in TotalMix.

If you're working with a lot of VIs, I would say the priority is to have driver stability and ASIO performance.

If you fancy spending a grand on your interface and I/O, I see very little reason why it should be anything other than this. If you want all digital preamps, simply pick something other than the Ultragain, but it's gonna be more expensive.

aaronventure said:

Babyface Pro FS + Behringer Ultragain gets you industry-leading stability and fantastic low latency performance with 10 in / 12 out for nearly half the price.

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Yeah, but see above. The marketing for this device is super strange because it's made for a suuuper niche market. If cost is a factor, then this device is simply in the wrong category for most users. The AES67 port is what makes this a steal for people with RAVENNA, Livewire, QLAN, or Dante audio networks. The end point devices for these networks can cost WAY more than the Neumann and traditionally dont have their own mic inputs (much less 32-bit inputs).

Emanuel Fróes said:

Is it worth the money for pro v-orchestral composition / vocals and home studio?

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No, probably not for 99% of the users here. Unless you have a need for a super-high channel count.

FireGS said:

The marketing for this device is super strange because it's made for a suuuper niche market.

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I'm impressed with how much digital you have flying around! For sure, an advanced workflow that requires a lot of infrastructure.

I should have said analog inputs, because I have plenty of great preamps that could use high-quality A/D, and this thing is being cast as an interface. 2 mic/line and 2 line.

The mistake might be comparing it to the 8-in multiple-out boxes that are standalone interfaces. Built-in effects? And massive digital I/O? I'm not sure what character to cast this in.

FireGS said:

The marketing for this device is super strange because it's made for a suuuper niche market

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Yeah, I just replied to the first question in OP's post. The connectivity is an absolute overkill for "v-orchestral composition / vocals and home studio". It's not gonna be a factor that makes a difference in the final output at that level. Driver quality, on the other hand, absolutely will.

AudioLoco said:

What did Antelope do to you?!
I have been using my Orion + for around 5 years now and it's rock solid and sounds great...

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Not just me, lots of disgruntled users, if they've cleaned up their act then that's great.

FireGS said:

The closest thing I've seen to a device like the Neumann is the RME AVB Tool. Basically an interface with a few mic pres, and MASSIVE digital IO:

Half-rack MADI-AVB interface with outstanding analog connectivity - rme-usa.com

RME Audio Professional Live, Studio, Recording and Broadcast Solutions. Unrivalled Quality, Performance & Stability MADI Interfaces, Converters & Preamps.

www.rme-usa.com

Also a hefty price tag, and nothing like an Ultralite or Babyface

EDIT: I keep forgetting, the AVB Tool isn't even an interface, either. It has USB, but its not supposed to be used as a main interface -- You'd still need to use something like a Digiface AVB to connect to your DAW. The AVB Tool is more accurately an AVB to MADI converter with four Mic Pres.

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Looks solid! I just hate the cables in front. Because i use over the piano. IS there any good reason for the cables like this?

Well, if you have x number of ins and outs you have to put them somewhere!

But it sounds like this is nothing like what you need--are you moving from 2 channels to hundreds???

There are lots of great small interfaces out there and many don't have anything on the front. I have two Babyfaces from RME. The Babyface is tiny, has best in class drivers, lowest latency of any USB interface, and will be supported forever. The secret to the tiny part is a breakout cable in the back (which you can buy an extension for if need be) so there's nothing on the front, and just 1/4 for guitar and headphone on one side. It sits very nicely on my piano. Has two mic ins, and four outs, so you can get a separate headphone mix if you need. And an 8-channel digital connection if you need more ins and outs.

The newest software from RME still supports the multiface I bought 18(?) years ago.

The MT48 is pretty much based on the technologies found on the Merging+ Anubis, so I guess that's the closest thing competing with the MT48:
https://www.merging.com/products/interfaces/merging+anubis

Some reviews/tutorials on the Anubis:






The MT48 is priced according to it's performance, there are no cheap alternatives to these devices. I'm sure the "Babyface Pro FS + Behringer Ultragain" is a great combo but it's multiple levels below the MT48 or the Anubis (eg. the Babyface Pro FS has got less than 115dB dynamic range while the MT48 more than 135dB which is completely bonkers).

"Is it worth the money for pro v-orchestral composition / vocals and home studio?"
You mentioned that you're using now an M-Audio M-Track Duo. Assuming the other devices in your signal chain are at a similar level as the Duo than NO, absolutely not, it doesn't worth it buying the MT48. To take advantage of the MT48's full potential you need a similarly high quality signal chain at every level.