Welcome to Metric Halo 3d!
21
Many thanks to the hyper-talented and immensely diverse Metric Halo beta team for helping us to compile
this pre-emptive FAQ.
Decoding 3d: Important Terms and Concepts
Part 1: Hooking things up
•
MHLink
- “MHLink” is the proprietary state-of-the-art Metric Halo technology which uses Gigabit
Ethernet as a communications backplane to automatically synchronize and unify multiple 3d boxes
and present them to the computer as a single audio device. Unlike AVB and AES-67, MHLink is not an
IP-based network protocol, so your computer will not see MHLink boxes as typical network devices.
•
Daisy-chain
- Each 3d box has two MHLink ports on the rear panel. The correct method for con-
necting multiple boxes is in series, or “daisy-chained”. This is essential for the proper inter-commu-
nication and synchronization of all the connected boxes. Adding boxes to the chain does
not
add
latency to the signal path.
MHLink is a fully dynamic protocol, specifically designed for 3d boxes to be added and removed at
the end of the chain while the system is live and in use, with no interruption to existing audio paths.
•
MHLinkDriver
- This software driver is required for your computer to recognize, synchronize and
communicate with MHLink boxes connected to your Gigabit Ethernet port. This is a standard driver
installation requiring a reboot of the computer to complete the installation. From the MIOConsole3d
application “I/O” menu, the MHLinkDriver can be set to allocate 8, 16, 32, 64 or 128 channels into
and out of the computer at all sample rates up to 192kHz. The default setting is 32 channels of I/O.
•
USB
- A single USB-C port is provided on all 3d devices as a secondary, cross-platform compatible
alternative computer connection port. This port supports the UAC2 class audio driver built into all
USB2-compliant devices.
3d USB connections can provide up to 48 channels of I/O at 44.1 and 48kHz, 24 channels at 88.2 and
96kHz and 12 channels at 176.4 and 192kHz, user-configurable within the MIOConsole3d software.
Most modern macOS, Windows 10, Linux, iOS and Android devices are capable of hosting a 3d USB
connection. The current 3d USB interface is limited to single-box operation only.
Please note:
Connecting a host computer to a 3d device by both USB and Ethernet is not currently
supported. Also note, the 3d USB-C connector will
not
host or power storage or other USB periph-
erals.
•
MHLink and shared IP networks
- MHLink requires a minimum of Gigabit Ethernet over CAT5e,
CAT6, or CAT7 ethernet cable. 10/100Base-T Ethernet is not supported. The preferred method of
connection to a computer is to dedicate a Gigabit Ethernet port exclusively for MHLink (ie. not on a
shared network). While not every Gigabit Ethernet adapter on the market has been tested, generally
the current crop of USB3 and Thunderbolt Gigabit Ethernet adapters work well.
That said, MHLink should work just fine on a basic high-quality Gigabit Ethernet switch alongside
common IP (Internet Protocol)-based network traffic. As you might expect, this configuration intro-
duces a lot of extra variables, and is discouraged for critical audio workflows demanding high chan-
nel counts and/or high sample rates.
MHLink will not pass through Ethernet routers or WiFi.
