MLAN

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The correct title of this article is mLAN. The initial letter is shown capitalized due to technical restrictions.

mLAN, short for music Local Area Network, is a FireWire-based protocol for high-speed transmission and control of multiple channels of audio and ports of MIDI over a network. It includes intelligent connection management that allows connection and control over the music network without ever having to plug or unplug cables.

To connect mLAN equipment to a computer, typically a DAW, all that is needed is an OHCI-compliant FireWire card.

The protocol was originally developed by Yamaha Corporation, and is now being offered as a royalty-free license to any companies that are interested in utilizing the technology. In 2004 over 140 companies are licensees.

[edit] Supporting products

Other important mLAN devices include Yamaha 01X digital mixing hub and Yamaha i88x audio/MIDI interface. Now being viewed by the professional audio/music industry as the single most revolutionary technological development since the introduction of MIDI (GM1). Should note the inital development of Firewire by Apple computers Inc, upon which mLAN is based. Should also mention a distinction between mLAN version 1 and version 2, the latter operating on the s400 type connection and the former on the s200. Now offering isochronious connection of audio (24it/192khz), MIDI and wordclock connections at a bandwidth exceeding 400 Megabits per second.

Unfortunately Yamaha made many promises about this technology that remain unkept. There is a large number of users on it's own forums that are quite unhappy with the situation. Software development has been slow to nonexistent after the initial product announcement and sales push. This is especially true with regard to the compatibility with the Mac OS. The 01X and I88X which were the flagship mlan pieces have been silently discontinued and the pioneers and early adopters of this technology have been left holding the bag.

Yamaha is a well established company with a proud tradition of musical excellence, but they have been shameful in their handling of this situation. It remains to be seen, but it appears that mlan will be road kill on the highway to technical excellence. It had great potential, but Yamaha has not followed through with software development and new products.

[edit] External links

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