Merlin; Introduction; Features; Front Panel Functions - Martin Audio MLA User Manual

MLA System
USER GUIDE

Merlin

Introduction

Merlin has the essential function for MLA, MLA Compact and MLA Mini systems of acting as the interface to connect a U-Net
network to enabled products and to monitor and control them from a PC connected via Ethernet to the Merlin.
The Merlin is also powerful DSP based audio processor; it is highly versatile and is suitable for a wide variety of applications from
installations to concert touring, where it combines the functions of a multitude of conventional products in a compact 1U unit.
To achieve this, the units have inputs and outputs which can be freely configured, not just internally but across a number of
Merlin's on the U-NET network.
Each input has a gain control, variable delay up to 1 second and a further eight bands of fully parametric equalisation. The
parametric filter bands have a large selection of different filter types available, including shelving.
Each output has a gain control, variable delay; high and low pass crossover filters, eight bands of fully parametric equalisation,
polarity switching and additionally, a fully featured limiter, and a final clip limiter. The crossover filters offer slopes of up to
48dB/Octave, with a comprehensive selection of responses available.
The Merlin has four inputs and ten outputs each of which may be configured as analogue or AES/EBU

Features

Superb audio quality Analogue Devices SHARC TM based DSP platform, effective 64 bit precision arithmetic signal processing
coupled with 24 bit ultra-low noise AD/DA conversion ensure a dynamic range in excess of 116dB. The high sampling rate of
96kHz means minimal filtering providing exceptional sonic purity with a bandwidth in excess of 32kHz.
Mixed Point™ processing using a mixture of floating and fixed point architecture at optimised parts of the signal path.
Fixed analogue in to analogue out latency of only 2.6ms.
A flexible input/output multi-mode format caters for any configuration, regardless of scale. Both routing of inputs to outputs,
and ganging (for editing) are completely flexible.
Maximum output level capability of +22dBu.
Delay of up to 1 second may be independently set for each output, with an extraordinarily fine minimum increment of 2.6uS.
Full U-NET interface allowing digital audio and control over CAT 5 cable. Redundant ring fault tolerant protocol. Up to 64 channels
of digital audio at 48KHz/24 bit resolution or 32 channels at 96KHz/24 bit resolution.
VU-NET PC network control software.

Front Panel Functions

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