Overview - Martin Audio MLA MINI Advanced User's Manual

MLA MINI
ADVANCED USER GUIDE

OVERVIEW

Like the MLA and MLA Compact systems from which it is derived, the MLA Mini is a precision
multicellular loudspeaker array designed to accurately deliver a required SPL (acoustic loudness)
within a defined area. Smaller and lighter than the MLA and MLA Compact systems, the MLA
Mini will reproduce high quality sound in smaller venues, as either a fixed or portable installation.
All MLA Mini systems consist of multiples of four MLA Mini full-range cabinets (individually
referred to throughout this User Guide simply as 'Minis') used in conjunction with a single MSX
sub-woofer. This '4+1' combination constitutes the basic "building block" element of all MLA
Mini system configurations and is also the minimum configuration in which the system can be
used. The MSX incorporates all the power amplification and other electronics for the 4 Minis
as well as the sub-woofer. The power amplification and electronics is also available as a rack
mounting unit for installation elsewhere.
Used in stereo pairs, this minimum configuration will be adequate for many outdoor and indoor
venues with a capacity of up to approximately 250 people. Additional Minis can be added, in
sets of four, plus additional MSXs, to create more powerful systems.
Each cabinet is a two-way cellular-drive loudspeaker array element, comprising two 6.5"
(165 mm) dia. LF drivers and three 1.4" (35 mm) dia. HF compression drivers. Each MSX
contains a 15" (380 mm) dia. reflex loaded LF driver, a 9-channel Class D power amplifier and
a powerful, programmable DSP processor.
The MSX electronics rack has audio inputs which can accept either standard balanced analogue
audio, or an AES3 (AES/EBU) digital audio signal. A parallel connection is available to daisy-
chain between cabinets. The MSX features network control via a U-Net™ interface, which
carries all control and configuration data for the on-board DSP. U-Net connections are made via
a pair of very high quality, rugged 8-way push-pull latching connectors rated for high speed data
applications.
Mains connection is via a Neutrik® powerCON TRUE1 connector. Various adaptor cables are
available as accessories: to distribute AC mains to multiple MSXs, and to interface with Ceeform
power connectors.
Each of the nine channels of DSP (four two-way MLA Mini cabinets plus the MSX itself) provides
extensive software-controlled processing optimised for the driver being controlled; this includes
delay, parametric EQ, high- and low-pass filters, IIR all-pass filters, FIR low pass filter and EQ,
gain, phase and limiting. In addition, user-definable processing is available through the U-Net
software application: delay, 10-band parametric EQ, high-pass filtering, gain, phase and muting.
MLA Mini Advanced User Guide V1.0
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