Incorporating the same principles that have made the MLA such a game-changer on the international touring circuit, MLA Compact delivers this cellular technology to a wider range of applications that do not require the full power and throw of the full-size MLA, or where a smaller, lighter system is required - such as medium-scale touring and fixed installations.
Director of sales, Simon Bull, said: "MLA Compact is our response to the market demand for a mid-size touring system that can double as an installation system, while retaining all the breakthrough benefits of the original MLA system. MLA Compact enables a much wider segment to buy into our game-changing Multi-cellular technology."
Sharing the same sonic attributes of the flagship MLA, the new system's compact size (W: 788mm x H: 280mm x D: 500mm) belies its output capabilities: a 12-box array can easily deliver full rock SPLs in a 5,000 seat venue, whilst a 24-box array will approach the output of many 'full-size' systems which have less efficient acoustic elements, the company says.
MLA Compact's fully integrated system brings together the latest technologies in acoustic design, amplification, DSP and industry-leading optimisation software - with communications and control via an easy-to-use audio network. MLA Compact arrays can be remotely controlled from the supplied wireless tablet running VU-NET control software. Class D amplification, U-NET control network and DSP circuitry are integrated within each enclosure, simplifying system set-up and operation and eliminating long, heavy-gauge cable runs - a particular benefit in premium fixed installations. Reducing cable runs to just inches within the enclosure means that all the power produced by the amplifier goes directly to the speakers and is not dissipated in the cables.
With MLA Compact, external amplifier racks are dispensed with - saving valuable space both on tour and in fixed installations. From the outset, MLA Compact has been designed with the financial and environmental aspects of running a system in mind; use of maximum-efficiency acoustic and amplifier technologies reduce both the size and weight of the system, assisting transportation as well as reducing the mains or generator power needed to run the system.
System Architecture: Loudspeakers
Sonically, the 3-way MLA Compact delivers power, clarity and detail, with a peak output capability of 135dB LF, 135dB midrange and 135dB HF, per box at 1 metre. MLA Compact's LF section utilises 2 × 10" (250mm)/2.5" (63mm) voice coil, neodymium drive units in a unique Hybrid® configuration. Each driver is slot-loaded into a truncated horn with a low flare rate, to give a high sensitivity of 103dB @ 1m/2.83V.
MLA Compact has completely separate, mid and HF horns with horizontal constant directivity characteristics - so the horizontal off-axis response tracks the on-axis response exactly. The mid horn utilises 2 × 5" (125mm)/1.5" (38mm) voice coil neodymium drivers to produce 109dB @ 1m/2.83V, while the 5" cone/0.7" compression driver combination replaces the more traditionally used large format compression driver and has less distortion, as well as having a much more extended HF response.
MLA Compact's HF section utilises 4 × 0.7" (19mm) exit neodymium compression drivers which feed separate horns for true 100° horizontal constant directivity. In the vertical plane, MLA Compact makes significant advances over previous thinkin
