Neumann - MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment

Reliable Monitoring Anywhere

Neumann’s Automatic Alignment software MA 1 is a dedicated tool for aligning network-enabled KH Line monitors in stereo systems and stereo systems with Bass Management via an additional subwoofer. Non-network-enabled (analog) KH Line monitors can be aligned via MA 1 when connected to a KH 750 DSP/AES67 subwoofer.

Unlike conventional correction software, MA 1 is an integrated solution with novel algorithms, specifically designed for Neumann studio monitors. No plug-in or special audio driver is required: Alignment data is stored and processed within the DSP-powered loudspeakers themselves. For analog Neumann studio monitors (i.e. without a network port) connected to a KH 750 DSP/AES67 subwoofer, MA 1 offers the added benefit of linearizing the phase response, too. This feature, which is already built into all network-enabled loudspeakers with digital electronics, is made possible for analog Neumann studio monitors by the KH 750’s DSP capabilities. The result is further increased accuracy in terms of tonality, impulse reproduction, and stereo localization.

How it works

As a first step, the performance of each monitor in the listening environment is gathered in a guided process. No special acoustics knowledge is required. Simply connect your KH line monitors to the outputs and the MA 1 microphone to the input of your audio interface. This Class I measurement microphone was specifically developed for this software and comes individually calibrated. For communication, the network-enabled KH-line monitors must also be connected to your computer via a network, a standard ethernet switch supporting IPv6 will do.

From the measurement data, the software ascertains the room’s acoustic properties. The individual correction parameters are generated according to a room-specific target curve calculated by MA 1. Decades of experience in aligning reference monitoring systems in studio control rooms has been incorporated into this process. Of course, you can modify the target curve to your needs.

When using Bass Management in stereo systems, the alignment algorithm ensures optimal summation between subwoofers and satellites. This achieves optimized time-of-arrival- and

phase-correct combination of the monitors and the subwoofer, thus preventing the subwoofer from being perceived as a separate sound source. The result is a unified playback system.

Multiple hardware systems and alignments can be conveniently saved, managed and recalled in MA 1.

All alignment parameters are stored and processed in the network-enabled monitors. So, once aligned, there is nothing to worry about anymore, no plug-ins, no driver issues.

After alignment, the ethernet connections can be removed from a technical perspective. However, keeping the network connections, the MA 1 software allows for advanced functions such as deactivating the subwoofer(s) or switching between different alignment presets (e.g. with a modified target curve).

For more information, please refer to the MA 1 user manual: https://ma1.neumann.com/manual.

Multichannel Extension

MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment delivers outstanding acoustic results for stereo setups. For aligning surround and immersive setups, Multichannel Extension for MA 1 is available as a paid extra license. For detailed information on Multichannel Extension for MA 1, go here.

Using the KH 750 DSP subwoofer, stereo sets of analog KH-Line monitors, too, can be used with the Automatic Monitor Alignment Software. The KH 750 DSP has enough processing power to align the entire system including the two analog loudspeakers connected to its outputs. Additionally, KH 120, KH 310, and KH 420 loudspeakers profit from phase linearization of their built-in crossover filters! The result is increased clarity, a dry bass, and a time-correct, more accurate depiction of reverbs and acoustic spaces.

The Future

The MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment is the beginning of a new era in monitoring. Starting with the current version, which delivers outstanding acoustic results for stereo setups, the range of software functions will be expanded step by step with updates.

Hardware requirements

Loudspeakers and subwoofers (stereo systems)

• 1 pair of KH network-enabled loudspeakers or
• 1 or 2 KH network-enabled subwoofers in combination with a pair of KH network-enabled loudspeakers or a pair of KH analog loudspeakers Note: Stereo systems may comprise Bass Management.

Peripheral Equipment

• Neumann MA 1 measurement microphone
• PC or MAC
• Screen resolution of 1280 × 720 px or higher
• Audio interface with:
  • 1x balanced analog mic input with 48 V phantom power.
  • Audio output channels equal to or greater than the number of network-enabled loudspeakers and subwoofers used in the monitoring system. Outputs may be balanced analog, S/PDIF (KH 120 II or KH 150 loudspeakers only), or AES3 (KH 750 subwoofer only).
  • Network switch offering a number of free sockets equal to or greater than the total number of loudspeakers and subwoofers employed in the monitoring system. Each loudspeaker and subwoofer should be connected from its Primary network socket to a free socket in the network switch.

Software requirements

• Operating system:
  • PC: Windows 10/11 64 Bit
  • Mac: macOS 10.15, 11, 12, 13, 14
• MA 1– Automatic Monitor Alignment software
• ASIO driver (for Windows)

Network-enabled loudspeakers (DSP loudspeakers)

The following loudspeakers and subwoofers are network-enabled and can be controlled directly by MA 1:

• KH 80 DSP
• KH 120 II, KH 120 II AES67
• KH 150, KH 150 AES67
• KH 750 DSP, KH 750 AES67

Non-network-enabled loudspeakers (Analog loudspeakers)

The following loudspeakers are not network-enabled and need to be connected via a network-enabled subwoofer in order to be included in the system setup. Please note, that each network-enabled subwoofer controls a single monitor when used in Multichannel layouts.

• KH 120 A, KH 120 D
• KH 310 A, KH 310 D
• KH 420 / KH 420 + DIM 1