Neumann launches MA 1 v2.0 with Multichannel Extension

Neumann is proud to release a major update to MA 1 in terms of functionality and workflow! MA 1 for Windows and macOS now supports reference automatic alignment for multichannel systems, which is unlocked via the Multichannel Extension license, sold separately.

This extension, called MULTICHANNEL EXTENSION MA 1 is available for download now

Please read below for additional details! Immersive formats have become extremely popular in film, music, and other applications, yet few control rooms are optimally suited to multichannel playback.

MA 1 Multichannel Extension is thus an indispensable tool for precise room correction, realizing reference quality monitoring in surround and immersive setups with Neumann studio monitors. Traditionally, control rooms have been designed for stereo playback. Adding additional speakers for immersive formats, however, creates a whole new set of challenges. Many of the additional loudspeaker positions may be in acoustically unfavorable locations.

Due to spatial constraints, it is often necessary to deviate from the intended positioning. MA 1 with the Multichannel Extension is therefore an essential tool for achieving optimal sound under real-world conditions. But even in an audio control room designed specifically for immersive formats, precise alignment improves monitoring accuracy audibly. MA 1 not only linearizes the frequency response of the entire system, but it also corrects differences in level and time-of-arrival to realize a truly immersive listening experience with precise three-dimensional localization.

WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

Beyond Multichannel Extension, MA 1 v2.0 contains many improvements for stereo systems as well. Below, you will find a list of feature adds, improvements, changes, and a high-level summary of the software’s functionality.

FEATURE UPDATES & IMPROVEMENTS

• Alignment of Multichannel system via the Multichannel Extension, supporting network- enabled monitors exclusively, in quad, 5.1, 7.1, 5.1.4, 7.1.4 layouts
• Smoother updates via new version notification. Download and update from within the app
• Introduction of licensing infrastructure to unlock feature extensions
• More targeted future development via analytics about speaker setup and app usage

FEATURE UPDATES & IMPROVEMENTS (CONTINUED)

• Easier troubleshooting when failing Output Leveling via display of problematic level readings
• Better overview via simultaneous display of Before and After Frequency responses • Increased speed of measurement preparation and alignment saving
• More responsive Activate Alignment Checkbox on Chart Screen
• Help-Button: link changed to instruction manual hosted on website
• Improved workflow via greyed out Restart button after successful Output Leveling • Improved backwards compatibility to setups and alignments created before MA 1 v1.5
• Additional user guidance introduced, including the following prompts:
• not to change the monitoring level after Output Leveling
• to disable Direct Monitoring in audio device
• to enable P48 if very low mic signal is detected
• how to change Auto StandBy settings for KH 750
• when exceeding Delay capabilities in correction for time of arrival FIXES
• Offset of level reading with KH 120 II and KH 150 when using SPDIF • Under MacOS only one device is discovered
• Level slider settings is not applied in bass managed stereo systems with AES input and analog satellites
• Reading wrong input channel for AES67 devices during Output Leveling • Deleted Setups are still shown in Drop Down list
• Auto Standby tickbox doesn’t work reliably FIRMWARE UPDATES
• Version 1.2.4 for KH 750 DSP and KH 750 AES67: Resolving occasional pop noise during power down KNOWN ISSUES & WORK AROUNDS
• Neumann Control and MA 1 are not compatible, running either of the apps will overwrite previously made setting of the other app.
• If multiple instances of MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment application are active in parallel, the applications may not work as intended. Please make sure that only one instance is running at a time.

SOFTWARE FUNCTIONALITY

The MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment software is a tool to automatically align stereo and multichannel setups to the listening environment for the best possible monitoring result. For Stereo, the software supports systems with or without Bass Management, using Neumann network-enabled loudspeakers or Neumann analog loudspeakers in combination with a KH 750 DSP or KH 750 AES67 subwoofer.

For Multichannel, the software supports Quad, 5.1, 7.1, 5.1.4 and,7.1.4, speaker layouts, employing network-enabled monitors exclusively (KH 80, KH 120 II, KH 150 and KH 750 DSP incl. AES67 versions) with up to four subwoofers. Aligning and controlling Multichannel system requires the Multichannel Extension which is sold separately as a license.

For more details, please refer to the MA 1 user manual that can be accessed via the “?” button in the app or here: https://ma1.neumann.com/manual

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

• MA 1 measurement microphone

• Multichannel Extension license for multichannel features

• Computer with network interface

• Operating Systems: • PC: Windows 10/11 64 Bit • Mac: macOS 10.15, 11, 12, 13 • Network switch

• Audio interface with:

• Balanced microphone input with 48 V phantom power

• Balanced analog outputs, S/PDIF outputs (only with KH 120 II / KH 150), AES3 output (only with KH 750) or AES67 for AES67-enabled models • ASIO driver (for Windows)

• Supported stereo setups by MA 1: • A pair of network-enabled KH loudspeakers • 1 or 2 KH 750 DSP/AES67 in combination with a pair of network-enabled KH loudspeakers or with a pair of analog KH loudspeakers

• Multichannel setups supported by Multichannel Extension; license sold separately: • Quad, 5.1, 7.1, 5.1.4 and,7.1.4; with up to four subwoofers • Network-enabled monitors (KH 80, KH 120 II, KH 150 and KH 750 DSP incl. AES67 versions)