Does mLan negate the need for the usual internal or external sound card? And does it work as well, or better? If I purchase a new keyboard, should I also get the mLAN option, or is there some incompatibility problem with sample libraries I'm not aware of? Thanks.
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mLAN or ???
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I suppose it depends on what you're planning to do with mLAN...I just read up a little about it...and it looks like it is still in the development stage...I mean, I know you can buy mLAN cards, but from reading their documentation, its a new product.
From what I can see, mLAN only allows for firewire devices to be networked...more intelligent than just daisy-chaining devices.
I'm pretty sure that this is NOT a replacement for a sound card, or an audio interface. I think it's just a way to hook up firewire devices....now, it also looks like the drivers for OSX are still under construction, so I don't know how much initial success you'll have using it. As far as use with sample libraries, I think it's hard to tell if there will be compatibility issues...most likely not with the actual libraries, but perhaps problems with getting sequencers, or standalone players to see the drives on which the samples sit..but I think that's just a driver issue that mLAN will have to deal with.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong on any of this...I'm just learning what mLAN is.
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Thanks, JJRoach. From what little I have read, mLAN seems to be able to carry audio, as well as midi, and even video between connected devices on a single cable. Sounds very promising, but as you said, it may only be in the developmental stage. I don't want (can't) do R&D for manufacturers, but on the other hand, I don't want to get the a common sound card, only to find that it's really obsolete before I even install it. Thanks again, C.
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What do you mean exactly by "sound card"?
It sounds like you're using a PC..am I correct?
do you mean a PCI audio card for HD audio converters?...if not, then you might want to look into Firewire audio devices. I have little to no experience with PCs as far as music production is concerned (I made the move to MAC when I got into this stuff)...so excuse me if I'm a little confused with your terminology here.
Again...I don't think mLAN will have anything to do with how you hear things on your DAW...I think mLAN is just a way to hook up devices and route MIDI and audio, and it sounds like right now, you're also looking for an audio interface, which mLAN (as far as I can tell) is NOT.
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mLan is a proprietary standard from yamaha and in a nutshell a transport protocol for audio & midi over firewire.
whereas you can transport video over firewire (eg. native DV) it is new to me one could use mLan (the protocol) for sending video between devices.
mLan is designed to receive from and send to devices and applications using multichannel ASIO, AU and even WDM, it can theoretically carry 64 channels 48 kHz/24bit
christian
and remember: only a CRAY can run an endless loop in just three seconds. -
Sounds very promising, but as you said, it may only be in the developmental stage
[:D] [:D] [:D] [:D] [:D]
They've been flogging it for 14 or 15 years. [:)]
What keyboard are you talking about, and what do you intend to connect it to?
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Nick, I'm talking about the Yamaha C90ES, which has an mLAN option. This digital piano was recommended by a Forum member as ideal for my projected needs. I wanted an 88-key weighted controller (recommended by just about everybody) with a good onboard piano for practice, and for use as Master Controller for sample libraries (VSL, EWQLSO, etc.). I know this keyboard has a lot of onboard sounds I may or may never use, but I wanted the high-quality included piano, as well as having a quality controller. I have also looked at a much cheaper controller (CME UF[H] which comes with no onboard sounds, but also comes with many bad reviews.
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I'm afraid I can't find any information on that keyboard, JCL2, but if the MLan option will send MIDI into the computer and isn't expensive, it's worth getting. If on the other hand it's only for sending the onboard sounds to a Yamaha digital mixer...well, it depends on whether you have the mixer.
