Martin Audio, the well-known British manufacturer of high-end speaker systems, has been on a roll the last few years. Their MLA (Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array) system launched a few years ago and has won numerous accolades. Last year, the MLA Compact arrived, and this year at InfoComm, we saw the latest in the line, the MLA Mini. And while the size may be mini—it's practically rack-mountable—the sound is anything but.
Martin Audio's MLA concept is different from a line array. The goal of a line array is to produce a coherent wavefront from the speaker grills. Hopefully, what arrives at the audience is representative of what comes out of the boxes. The MLA system works in reverse. The user specifies the SPL and frequency response required at various points in the room, and the software figures out how to make it so. Having individual control over each box in the array via DSP, the system is able to deliver consistent sound across the seating area, while “hard avoid” areas (specified by the user) cut down on unwanted spill.
Impressive Specifications
While the MLA and MLA Compact are self-powered boxes, Martin Audio took a slightly different approach for the Mini. Each Mini houses two 6.5-inch low-frequency (LF) drivers and a vertical line of three 1.4-inch aluminum dome drivers on a 100-degree horn. Rated frequency response is 76 Hz-18,000 Hz, with a max SPL of 130 dB @ 1M from a single module.
A companion MSX sub module not only provides the low end, but also power for itself and four Mini modules. The removable and rack-mountable power supply features nine channels of Class D amplification—one for the sub, eight for four bi-amped modules. The sub module gets 1,400W, while each HF and LF section of the four modules receives 700W.
Crossover, delay and EQ are all handled in the power module via IIR and FIR filters. After the user specifies the desired response characteristics in the company's Display 2.1 software, comprehensive rigging information is provided, including mechanical load safety analysis. With precise rigging information in hand, the user flies the speakers while the computer calculates all the filter parameters for each cell in the system. The settings are uploaded via U-Net, and the system is ready to roll. Even after rigging, vertical coverage can be adjusted via software.
The ability to control the system via laptop or tablet running Vu-Net makes it a lot faster and easier to get the system tuned and sounding great, while avoiding time-consuming, trial-and-error tuning sessions.
Flexible Configurations
The system is clearly designed to be sold in blocks of four Mini modules (or cells) and a MSX sub/power module. The integral rigging system makes it easy to fly up to 16 modules or 12 modules and three subs from a single two-point lift flying frame. For smaller venues, an optional bracket will allow four MLA Minis to be stacked above a MSX Sub, or flown from a truss.
While the system may be small, Martin Audio states that a 12-box system will throw out to 115 feet and provide live music for rooms seating 750-1000 people. The small footprint would be ideal for smaller rooms, or those with low ceilings as the impact on sight lines would be minimal.
I'm a big fan of systems that can be easily added on to; and this is no exception. For example, in a church plant or new campus situation, a smaller MLA Mini system could be purchased to handle a small to mid-sized room. As the church or campus grows into a larger venue, additional modules and subs can be added to provide additional coverage and SPL.
While it may be a bit expensive for most churches to justify as a strictly portable system that's purchased for occasional use, I can see this being a desirable solution for those in multi-site, portable or theater church situations. The ability to minimize spill is a big deal, especially in rooms where the church isn't able to install acoustical treatment. And, as many growing churches go from one venue to another over the course of a few years of growth, the MLA Mini would make it easy to deliver excellent and consistent results quickly and easily in each new room.
The Bottom Line
Unfortunately, I didn't get to hear the MLA Mini at InfoComm this year. I did hear the MLA Compact system last year, however. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. The “hard avoid” zones really work. I would expect similar performance from the Mini system.
No word yet on pricing of the system, as they are just now becoming available in the US. While we don't expect it to be cheap, it's very likely to represent a great value given it's flexibility and power.
