MLAN

mLAN, short for Music Local Area Network, is a protocol for synchronized transmission and management of multi-channel digital audio, video, control signals and multi-port MIDI over a network. It exploits several features of the IEEE 1394 standard, aka FireWire, upon which it is based, to afford isochronous transfer and intelligent connection management. Interconnects are made with standard IEEE 1394 cables. With the proper software, a Digital Audio Workstation may interact with mLAN-compliant hardware via any OHCI-compliant FireWire port.

The protocol was originally developed by Yamaha Corporation, and publicly introduced in January 2000 [ [http://aes.harmony-central.com/Newp/2000/mLAN.html Harmony Central: Yamaha Utilizes "Firewire" for Audio and MIDI: Reduces Need For Cables ] ] . It is now available under a royalty-free license to anyone interested in utilizing the technology. As of 2005, over 100 manufacturers are part of the mLAN Alliance. [ [http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec05/articles/pcmusician.htm Audio Interface Manufacturers' Round Table ] ]

The transport layers of mLAN have been standardized as IEC 61883. [ [http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/defineterm.jhtml?term=mLAN mLAN Definition: TechEncyclopedia from TechWeb ] ]

Versions

Version 1 operates on the s200 type connection, Version 2 on the s400 type. The latter version supports synchronized streaming of digital audio at up to 24 bit word length and 192 kHz sample rate, MIDI and wordclock at a bandwidth up to 400 Megabits per second.

Supporting products

* Yamaha Motif, Yamaha Motif ES,Yamaha S90 ES, Yamaha Motif XS

Other important mLAN devices include Yamaha 01X digital mixing hub and Yamaha i88x audio/MIDI interface.

See also

* ADAT
* ZIPI
* R-BUS
* MIDI
* MADI

References

External links

* [http://www.yamahasynth.com/products/mlan/index.html Yamaha official mLAN pages]
* [http://www.mlancentral.com/ mLAN Central]
* [http://www.01xray.com/ 01xray]
* [http://sonikmatter.com/wiki/MLAN mLAN Wiki] hosted by [http://sonikmatter.com Sonikmatter.com]
* [http://www.christianmccormick.com/mlansite Save Mlan on the Mac] hosted by [http://www.christianmccormick.com Chrismcc]