User guide

Background: mLAN16E:
Music Local Area Network
The Ultimate Expansion Option for Motif ES
“mLAN is a digital network for music that was
developed based on IEEE1394, an industry-
standard high-performance data communications
protocol. Digital music environments that do not
feature mLAN require dozens of cables for various
devices and purposes, including MIDI cables and
audio cables to route MIDI and audio signals. If
you wish to make changes to such systems, you
must physically disconnect and re-connect these
cables. For example, adding another synthesizer
to a system requires two MIDI cables and two or
more cables for audio (for stereo equipment).
Making the appropriate connections may require
special knowledge of inputs, outputs, stereo
settings, and perhaps connector impedance. The
larger the system, the more complicated and
expensive these connections become, increasing
the likelihood of errors and difficulties. It takes
time and effort to investigate such errors and
their underlying causes. You may have already
experienced the unpleasantness of tracking
various cables through a spider’s web of
connections. mLAN simplifies the physical cable
connections by using only one type of IEEE1394
cable, thus enabling you to configure extremely
sophisticated systems. There is no need to re-
patch cables to change routings of MIDI and audio
signals between mLAN devices.”
What functions does mLAN add to my Motif ES?
AUDIO OUTPUTS:
The mLAN16E adds fourteen
individual audio outputs plus the system’s main
stereo L&R output down a single cable (16
outputs). The question may arise about why do
you need the stereo L&R – but of course, you do.
It is not always the case that you need individual
outputs on everything. Depending on what you
are doing, you may only need to take a few
PARTS and route them to individual outputs for
special processing. The mLAN16E is 14+2 digital
outputs.
AUDIO INPUTS:
The mLAN16E also adds four
stereo audio inputs returning from your firewire
equipped computer or other mLAN device – down
that same single cable (8 inputs). These inputs
are referred to as mLAN1 – mLAN4 within the
Motif ES. Each represents a pair of inputs. You can
route the mLAN input to the System Effects of the
Motif ES. This can be useful when monitoring
signal during record sessions. You can also route a
pair of mLAN inputs to the Motif ES sampler as a
digital Source during sample sessions.
WORD CLOCK:
Word Clock in mLAN world is
negotiated automatically – again via the same
single cable. Word Clock is a necessity when you
are using more than one digital device in a setup.
Basically it allows you to make one of the devices
the Master clock – and although all your digital
devices may be set to run at 44.1kHz (44,100
cycles per second), 48kHz, 88.2kHZ or 96kHz –
you need to have them agree on what is a “1” and
what is a “0” otherwise you will get these
seemingly random clicks and pops (errors). It
wasn’t 10 years ago that a multiple word clock
interface device would have cost you over a
thousand dollars. Clocking multiple devices was
extremely expensive. Word Clock negotiation is
built in to mLAN. Do not confuse Word Clock
Synchronization with MIDI clock or other types of
musical synchronization – word clock is all about
the zeros and ones of digital data.
MIDI IN and OUT PORTS
: MIDI is handled on 4
MIDI PORTS. Each Port is a 16-channel
communication bus (this is basic MIDI stuff). In
this setup, Port 1 for regular note/performance
data and clock timing (16 Channels), Port 2 could
be used for optional PLG Boards or external MIDI
devices (up to 16 channels), Port 3 for General
Remote control functions of Motif ES software
(Multi-Part Editor for Motif ES 6/7/8), and Port 4
for specific Remote control functions of your
computer-based DAW software (Cubase/Nuendo,
Sonar, Digital Performer, Logic, SQ01). And again
you have just a single cable between your Motif
ES and your Computer. Actually the PORT
assignment is selectable, except for Port 1, which
is fixed as the main communication port for the
Motif ES. The other assignments are customizable.
When can I use mLAN in my setup?
mLAN audio outputs can be assigned anytime
you could use the assignable outputs and the
main stereo L&R outputs. Therefore in Voice mode
signal is always routed to the main L&R outputs –
this will be true of the mLAN side of things, as
well. You cannot route a Voice in Voice mode to
an assignable output, however. In Performance
Mode and in a Song Mix / Pattern Mix you can
route a PART to either the main “L&R” or any of
14 assignable outputs (as1~as14).
mLAN inputs can be assigned anytime you could
use the “Audio In” functions. That is, in
Performance Mode, or in a Song MIX / Pattern
MIX… never
in Voice mode. Voice mode has no
capability to have external input. In a
Performance or Mix you have the option of
interfacing the Motif ES (both input and output)
with external gear. For example, if you want to
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