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Neumann MA 1 Monitor Alignment Microphone and Calibration System Demo

Automatic Monitor Alignment System for KH DSP Loudspeakers/Subwoofers with Calibration Software and Measurement Microphone - Mac/PC

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Optimize Your Neumann KH DSP Studio Monitors

If you can’t hear it, you can’t mix it. We say that a lot here at Sweetwater. We repeat it like a mantra. 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. If you 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, +48V phantom power, and two balanced analog outputs are required. The KH 750 DSP subwoofer also accepts AES3. For more information, 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 (+48V 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 of 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 of your sessions, even if they use different applications.

Neumann MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment 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 of 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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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

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.
Rated 5/5

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
Rated 5/5

Wow

Was already in love with my KH80's and 750 but this thing made them spectacular. The setup process is a little tedious but once it was done mixing has become a dream. Mixes and finished tracks translate so true to what was done in my projects now without having to go back and forth to try different playback medium tests.
Music background: Music Producer
Rated 4/5

Final result, GREAT!

Having had a SonarWorks setup before, I expected something at least that good. The software on this feels pretty rough and was a bit cumbersome getting it all started but once I did, the result was what I would've expected and perhaps even a bit better.

Pros: the system saves it internally without software running in the background, it works well with Neumann gear
Cons: the software provided plenty of frustration before finally providing me results! It would be nice to offer support to other speakers or visa-versa.
Music background: Advanced Hobbyist
Rated 2.5/5

Lazy effort from Neumann, needs major improvements.

This product is nowhere near ready for release. So far I've found the correction to be very transparent, but heavy handed. It makes your in room response flat but doesn't take into account that you need a downward slope. My results are almost always very sterile and over-corrected. The mic itself has a much higher noise floor then the dayton Emm6 I have.

The setup process has some annoying quirks. When identifying monitors the monitor that is flashing the muted one, not the identified one. The output gain calibration needs clarification. There are a lot of UI bugs that I ran into as well.

After measurements are taken, you can alter the target curve to your liking. You'll want to make sure you get it how you want here because if you want to change anything you have to do everything over again. Theres no way to adjust anything once the application is closed.

After effectively waiting 2 years for Neumann to release the app, I have to wonder what it is they were even working on? I don't find the correction to sound pleasing despite several attempts and I don't feel its very automatic as it requires the user to fine tune the target afterwards.

They need to add the following

1. Allow you to limit the correction range.
2. Let you adjust the led logos.
3. Alow users to adjust the eq after without having to remeasure.
4. Fix the dumb monitor identifying process, as in the flashing monitor is the identified one.
5. Let users set a custom hi pass to integrate the monitors with 3rd party subwoofers.

So far I'm getting much better results with my own eq correction and feel this product is just way overpriced considering how limited it is at the moment. Hopefully future updates bring the package to where it needs to be.
Music background: Live engineer, musician
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