The new Martin Audio MLA Mini line array system made its debut at the recent InfoComm 2013 show in Orlando.
It fosters the use of MLA technology across a far wider range of smaller-scale portable and installed sound applications requiring fdelity, consistency and control. A 12-box array can deliver live music in venues of 750-1000 people.
The MSX mini-sub power plant complements the main system and houses the amplification, networking and DSP necessary to power and control itself and four MLA Mini enclosures.
The system can be flown, ground-stacked or pole mounted. In its simplest configuration, four MLA Mini modules can be pole-mounted above the MSX with precisely adjustable tilt angle, and function as a plug-and-play system, with the user recalling onboard presets instead of using computer control.
At the other end of the scale, up to 16 MLA Minis can be flown in an array and powered by four ground-stacked MSXs.
With each individual cell under software control, “hard-avoid” areas can also be programmed in to reduce sound spill and noise pollution, and vertical coverage can be fine-tuned electronically in-situ without the need to re-rig the array. Arrays and MSXs can be remotely controlled from a laptop or wireless tablet running VU-NET control software.
Each MLA Mini enclosure houses 2 x 6.5-in/2-in voice coil LF drivers and a vertical column of 3 x 1.4-in aluminium dome HF drivers on a 100-degree horizontal dispersion horn. The 15-in reflex loaded MSX can be integrated into flown arrays or ground-stacked separately.
MSX also contains nine channels of Class D amplification to provide cellular drive while the onboard DSP interacts with proprietary DISPLAY2.1 intelligent software for accurate array optimization.
Applications include small-to-medium scale theater and live music venues; corporate AV events; fixed installations in concert halls, ballrooms and churces, as well as side fill for MLA Compact systems.
Director of U.S. operations Rob Hofkamp states, “We’re excited to have this latest addition to the cellular drive family of products. With the Mini’s versatile ultra-compact format, integrators will find it very useful in venues up to 1000 seats and a wide variety of installed sound applications.”
Martin Audio managing director Anthony Taylor adds, “In addition to the physical advantages, MLA’s revolutionary technology now becomes accessible to most budgets for the first time. In theory, every installed venue or touring show can now achieve the controlled delivery and speed of set up that cellular technology allows, no matter how big or small the space is.”
MLA Mini is expected to start shipping at the end of May 2013.
