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Neumann MA 1 Monitor Alignment Microphone and Calibration System

Automatic Monitor Alignment System for KH DSP Loudspeakers/Subwoofers with Calibration Software and Measurement Microphone - macOS/Windows
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Neumann MA 1 Monitor Alignment Microphone and Calibration System
Price:$299 and 00 cents
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Neumann MA 1 Monitor Alignment Microphone and Calibration System
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Optimize Your Neumann KH DSP Studio Monitors

One of our mantras here at Sweetwater is "If you can’t hear it, you can’t mix it." That’s why Neumann KH series loudspeaker owners owe it to themselves to add the Neumann MA 1 to their monitoring chain. This cutting-edge automatic monitor alignment system employs advanced speaker calibration algorithms developed in cooperation with Fraunhofer IIS, along with an individually calibrated measurement microphone, to optimize the frequency curve, amplitude, and phase of your monitors. This streamlined speaker optimization system stores its calibration data directly in your DSP-powered KH series studio monitors, so you won’t need to futz around with a clunky plug-in to make it work. For those who demand optimal sound quality in every mixing environment, the Neumann MA 1 automatic monitor alignment system delivers, with convenient, set-it-and-forget-it simplicity.

Note: The Neumann MA 1 automatic alignment system requires a stereo set of KH 80 DSP studio monitors or a KH 750 DSP subwoofer to operate. An audio interface with a balanced analog input, +48-volt phantom power, and two balanced analog outputs are required. The KH 750 DSP subwoofer also accepts AES3. For more information, please call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer.

Provides streamlined monitor optimization with minimal fuss

The MA 1 is a grade-A optimization tool for a stereo set of Neumann’s KH 80 DSP monitors. It’s also compatible with stereo setups containing non-DSP KH series Neumann monitors and a KH 750 DSP subwoofer. This powerful automatic monitor alignment system is a breeze to use. You simply connect your loudspeakers to your audio interface’s balanced analog outputs — you can also connect them to a monitor controller’s balanced analog outputs. If your interface has an AES3 port, you can alternatively hook your KH 750 DSP sub to that. Your DSP-powered monitors or subwoofer also need to be connected to your computer’s Ethernet port (use a standard Ethernet switch for multiple connections). Next, you plug the included measurement microphone into your audio interface’s microphone input (+48-volt phantom power is required). Finally, fire up the software, and Fraunhofer-developed calibration algorithms will optimize the frequency curve of your DSP-powered monitors, along with the amplitude response and phase of all the speakers in your setup. Best of all, your calibration data is stored directly inside your DSP-powered monitors. That means you won’t accidentally leave a plug-in instantiated on your mix bus during rendering — a common frustration with many software-based room-correction solutions. Plus, your alignment settings will remain consistent across all your sessions, even if they use different applications.

Neumann MA 1 Monitor Alignment Microphone Features:

  • Provides automatic monitor alignment for KH 80 DSP loudspeakers or non-DSP KH monitors via a KH 750 DSP subwoofer
  • Employs calibration algorithms developed in cooperation with Fraunhofer IIS
  • Comes with an individually calibrated measurement microphone
  • Adjusts the frequency curve of your DSP-powered monitors
  • Optimizes the amplitude response and phase of all the speakers in your setup
  • Calibration settings stored directly inside your DSP-powered monitors — no plug-in required
  • Ethernet connections may be disconnected after optimization has been completed

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Tech Specs

  • Microphone Type: Pressure Transducer
  • Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
  • Max SPL: 132dB
  • Output Impedance: 50 ohms
  • Signal to Noise Ratio: 67dB (A weighted)
  • Self Noise: 27dB (A weighted)
  • Sensitivity: 30mV/Pa (-30 dB)
  • Connector: XLR
  • Dimensions: 4.60" x 0.90"
  • Weight: 0.08 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 508972

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Reviews

Unnecessarily complicated
We bought a Neumann package for my work studio late last year which has been excellent so far. I admit to having Genelec monitors at home and have used GLM/SAM for many years. It's a great system. I can set up for and run a whole calibration inside of 15 minutes. Neumann took a different tack than the proprietary interface box, allowing you to use any off-the-shelf USB interface. You'd think that's great. But in fact, it's a major liability. My main audio system is AoIP-based (Ravenna), so that's out. So, I tried a Presonus Audiobox 96 I use for Zoom calls. The control between direct and playback is faulty, causing the microphone to feed back into the monitors. The poor build quality is not Neumann's fault, I realize. Then I tried a Zoom F8n, which did not work because the USB interface only works at 44.1kHz. I also tried a 2-channel portable recorder, but that was not seen by the software. Instead, we had to buy a low-end Focusrite Solo interface to get MA 1 to run. And 1/4" to XLR adapters to get out of the interface. On top of all that, I needed to bring an ethernet switch from home and supply a USB to ethernet adapter.

The GLM/SAM calibration box that Genelec offers is a MUCH simpler solution. The calibration microphone connects to the box, which then connects to USB to the computer AND ethernet to the monitors. Remember how long GLM takes me to run? MA 1 takes me at least an hour to set up and run. I suspect MA 1 is more thorough, but I just sent feedback to Neumann, urging them to consider manufacturing an interface specifically for MA 1. Genelec's speakers are quite a bit more expensive, but the GLM kit with mic sells for less than MA 1, with built-in multichannel support! You'd have to double the cost of MA 1 to get more than stereo.

As the other reviewers pointed out, the software is buggy and instructions a bit unclear. That can (and I trust will) be improved. But the backbone of the system is the real weakness here. Here's a pic of all the stuff you'll need for a successful calibration. Don't forget to leave yourself sufficient time, and patience for when it doesn't work the first, second, or even third time!
Music background: musician, professional audio engineer for 25+ years
Borderline necessary if your speakers are directly on your desk
I mix in a project studio with room treatment. Due to some size constraints I've had to make some concessions, which has resulted in me putting a pair of KH120 II's on isopods, on 5" decoupling speaker stands, directly on the desk. In a year of using the speakers this way, I would tend to get mixes that had overall good balance, but would always have clouding and masking issues in the low-mids and mids.

When I finally caved in and got the MA-1, it completely cleaned up the KH120 II's low frequencies, which were being obscured by desk reflections and some minor room modes. It also showed me (after some tests) that there was a more balanced mix position about a foot or so behind where I was originally sitting. Since moving my chair back there and getting a small table to put my mouse and keyboard on, mixes have been translating MUCH much faster.

The improvements haven't been completely automatic though; since I'm finally able to hear all that 200-500hz info, I've had to relearn how to mix a little bit!
Music background: concert recording, some media composition
German Engineering
Invaluable calibration tool for your compatible Neumann monitoring system. This adds an incredible new layer of sophistication to an already amazing set of speakers. If you plan on buying any of the compatible Neumann monitors, the MA1 should be considered a mandatory add-on as it will completely refine and enhance the experience.
Perfect companion for a pair of Neumann KH 120 II’s
This calibrated microphone allows you to adjust the frequency response of your Neumann monitors so that their response is flat in your particular room. Works great with the accompanying Neumann MA 1 software.

The only problem with the software is that the first thing you have to do is click on a very small orange greater than sign on the right side of the window, which is quite easy to miss. Both I and a member of Sweetwater Tech Support didn't manage to see it, and as a result it seemed like the software would just hang and not do anything. It wasn't till I ran the software on my wife's larger monitor that I spotted it.

Other than this example of over-elegant user interface design, the software worked fine.
Measurement Mic
I got this with the M1 software It seemed to take good measurements and now my room sounds great !
Music background: Sound recording degree (a long time ago) and work in IT . I only recently am tryiing to figure the digital stuff out at my home studio