Martin Audio MLA MINI, Advanced User'S Manual

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MLA Mini Advanced User Guide V1.0
36
MLA MINI
ADVANCED USER GUIDE
This method is of particular relevance to systems with flown MSX subs, as it is the height of the
sub that causes the USB cable length problem. Ground-stacked MSX subs can be interfaced
directly to a laptop with standard length USB cables.
Industry-standard USB extenders may alternatively be used to implement a simpler solution if
the maximum overall USB cable run is less than 20 m; this option is illustrated above.
PC to MSX via Extended USB
MINI
USB
USB
USB (5m Maximum)
USB Extender (20m+)
Using Merlin
Merlin provides MLA Mini systems with a control network interface, allowing a U-Net network
to interconnect system elements, and to monitor and control them from a PC connected via
Ethernet to the Merlin.
NOTE: Merlin also incorporates a powerful and versatile DSP based audio processor, which
was developed for use with Martin Audio or third-party speaker systems. This functionality is
not required when Merlin is used with MLA Mini systems, as all necessary DSP is contained
within the MSX power plant. This MLA Mini Advanced User Guide ignores the audio I/O and
DSP aspects of Merlin; these topics are fully covered in the separate MLA System User Guide
document.
When used with MLA Mini systems, Merlin acts as a full U-NET interface allowing digital audio*
and control over Cat 5 cable using a redundant ring fault tolerant topology.
* Multichannel digital audio transmission via U-Net will be implemented in a future system update.
Using MLA Master Rack
Using an MLA Master Rack simplifies network connections and enables configuration and
control of the system to be carried out from a wireless-enabled laptop or tablet device. This is
particularly beneficial in a touring situation. It does not affect the range of U-Net topologies that
may be employed, and any of the network options described below may be implemented with
an MLA Master Rack instead of just a Merlin, and the system controlled wirelessly. Two specific
examples (Options 7 and 8) are illustrated on page 40 and page 41.
For installed systems, a Merlin processor is likely to be sufficient, as the flightcase, patch panel
and Wi-fi router will generally be superfluous.