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[Jean-Pierre Coetzee]

Have any of you worked with the MLA system from Martin Audio. They are making some interesting claims in their ads and I would like to know how this system performs in the real world.

Thanking you

[Chris Carpenter]

Have any of you worked with the MLA system from Martin Audio. They are making some interesting claims in their ads and I would like to know how this system performs in the real world.

Thanking you

I, too, am interested in how this actually performs. I understand the basis is individual processing for every loudspeaker? Is each setting generated from models, or calculated from measurements? But mostly, real live performance?

[Rasmus Rosenberg]

Have any of you worked with the MLA system from Martin Audio. They are making some interesting claims in their ads and I would like to know how this system performs in the real world.

Thanking you

Its just another kick ass speaker system. I heard it as a delay system to a Vertec rig and the outer delay was an older martin system. What's there to say, ALOT has happend in "+10 years" of speaker design.. Sounds good, rigs nice, measures good and offers a lot of new possibilities. Im sure Ferrit or Preston can write a nice review.

[Pat Latimer]

You may want to check this: http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/575092/0/?srch=martin+mla#msg_575092

Hope this helps.

Pat

[Jean-Pierre Coetzee]

You may want to check this: http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/575092/0/?srch=martin+mla#msg_575092

Hope this helps.

Pat

Thanks, that answers a few questions.

[Karl Winkler]

Have any of you worked with the MLA system from Martin Audio. They are making some interesting claims in their ads and I would like to know how this system performs in the real world.

Thanking you

I was given a tour of this system when the Zach Brown Band came through Albuquerque. I would have to say: it does exactly what they are claiming. It is very impressive and I thought it sounded excellent. It is not, by any means, "just another loudspeaker system".

[Brandon Romanowski]

I heard through the grapevine that it takes almost a half hour for the computer to calculate the settings. Is that true ?

[Karl Winkler]

I heard through the grapevine that it takes almost a half hour for the computer to calculate the settings. Is that true ?

I don't remember exactly how long it takes, but yes, it takes a while and may be a half hour. Each individual driver in the array is being fed by it's own amplifier with it's own DSP-prepared signal. After determining the coverage pattern desired, the system tech inputs these parameters and then the computer models, through a process of iteration (successive tests) candidates for the setup. The best candidate that gives the closest approximation of the desired result is then used. It's a lot of computing power and time required. Probably could not have been done in any practical way just a few years ago.

[Lee Buckalew]

I heard through the grapevine that it takes almost a half hour for the computer to calculate the settings. Is that true ?

Also keep in mind that that is only the calculations.  You can calculate multiple presets and each preset can be implemented within a matter of a few seconds so ... calculate with and without balcony coverage or a morning vs. afternoon vs. evening coverage and then change them between acts or even while someone is speaking (does not sound O.K. to change it during music).
Also remember that coverage calculations include those areas that you don't want covered.

I made this comment in Preston's thread but, A few months ago I had the chance to talk briefly to Robert Scovill about MLA and I asked what he thought of the system.  He had had a chance to hear them but not do a tour with them, His comment was "It's a game-changer".

Lee Buckalew
Pro Sound Advice, Inc.

[Martyn ferrit Rowe]

Also keep in mind that that is only the calculations.  You can calculate multiple presets and each preset can be implemented within a matter of a few seconds so ... calculate with and without balcony coverage or a morning vs. afternoon vs. evening coverage and then change them between acts or even while someone is speaking (does not sound O.K. to change it during music).
Also remember that coverage calculations include those areas that you don't want covered.

I made this comment in Preston's thread but, A few months ago I had the chance to talk briefly to Robert Scovill about MLA and I asked what he thought of the system.  He had had a chance to hear them but not do a tour with them, His comment was "It's a game-changer".

Lee Buckalew
Pro Sound Advice, Inc.

hey Guys,
We just worked on the optimisation engines, typically the "first-pass" for array angles and "spangles" is under 3 mins depending on array size and the space your in.
The Elemental EQ optimisation" second-pass" is now about 5 mins depending on processor speed, array size, space size, etc.
And yes we are manipulating the sound field not just in coverage, but outside as well.

cheers,
ferrit

[Preston Soper]

Thought I'd drop a few links for those that would like to learn more about MLA

Here are links to six videos that explains the design principles & process:

 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfn2Om_iJUk&playnext=1&list=PL9AF952E461830C4D
 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXt-Wycjjug&feature=autoplay&list=PL9AF952E461830C4D&index=2&playnext=2
 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th1VqW2dD4w&feature=related
 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8OgtU29M8k&feature=related
 5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8OgtU29M8k&feature=related
 6 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cL96sSMzgg&feature=related

Links for those that would like to dig a little deeper:

      http://www.aes.org/tmpFiles/elib/20110713/15024.pdf
      http://www.aes.org/tmpFiles/elib/20110713/14823.pdf     
      http://www.omniline-ma.com/pdf_docs/Array%20Optimisation.pdf
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boundary_element_method 

Here is the link to the thread Lee was refering to:
     http://forums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/topic,1709.0/all.html

[Robert Sims]

I was fortunate to go hangout with Ferrit and guys at a demo in the Orleans arena 2 weeks ago. There was an engineer there with his Pro Tools playing live recorded tracks thru a Venue. That's a great way to demo speakers in that you get to hear live music as a whole but also individual instruments solo'd and as the engineered tweaked I could hear every move of the EQ no matter where I was and he hit his marks very quickly. 

The mix was at about 105dba according to the Iphone and it was very comfortable listening at all locations. Since the room was empty there was a reflection off the back of the arena but I swear it even sounded better.

I guess it really doesn't matter how long the calculations take if you know the venue measurements, they can be entered and calculated anytime anywhere. They did switch between presets but I don't think they did it as audio was being passed. If they did, I wasn't aware. In one instance they defeated the high pass on the mains. That was impressive to hear the low end. I'd be tempted to slide the sub crossover down a little farther.
 
Every time someone's phone rang, they walked about 5 feet upstage and had a conversation with the floor stacked subs active. Amazingly quite.
The power distro and the data connections are well thought out and I like that the subs have a square foot print for all orientations.
 
On a side note, the side fills were fed opposite side audio (Left fill gets right side audio), I think the best seat in the house was 15 rows up at 45 degrees. Great image great sound.

Yes, it's a game changer.

[ProSoundWeb Community]