Yamaha Utilizes "Firewire"
for Audio and MIDI: Reduces Need For Cables
January 19, 2000
Yamaha announces mLAN, a multi-channel audio and
music data format that utilizes "firewire." The complex configuration
of cables necessary when connecting audio equipment today will soon be
replaced by simpler, faster system. Yamaha's mLAN promises low-cost high-speed
transmission of vast amounts of digital audio and music data from diverse
sources.
Firewire, a.k.a. IEEE 1394, was developed from a specification originated
by Apple Computer, Inc., and was adopted by the US Institute of Electrical
and Electronic Engineers in 1995. IEEE 1394 is a low-cost high-speed digital
interface that connects household equipment such as video cameras, audio
equipment, and electronic musical instruments to one another, and connects
computer equipment to household equipment. IEEE 1394 allows the transmission
of data between computers at speeds of up to 400Mbps and the sequential
connection of picture and audio data between household equipment. This
frees users from the tangle of wires that today's discrete connections
require. One current application of IEEE 1394 is the DV terminal on digital
video camcorders, which makes the transfer of digital picture and audio
data between digital camcorders possible.
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| An mLAN studio has very few cables |
Of utmost relevance to the music world is Yamaha's focus on developing a
musical instrument connection specification, mLAN. This specification incorporates
original Yamaha technology and is an extension of the audio and music transmission
specification.
Apple Computer's Eric Anderson, a FireWire software architect and Apple's
representative on the 1394 TA Sterring committee, also expressed enthusiasm
over both the specification and mLAN: "Apple Computer sees musical
applications such as entertainment, production, and performance, as ideal
uses of FireWire technology. Apple plans to support MIDI and digital audio
on 1394 using the specification and mLAN protocol proposed by Yamaha.
These protocols enable a wide range of new applications for users of computer
and audio products."
"mLAN will further simplify the connection of household
audio systems and electronic musical instrument systems while heightening
their functionality," believes Yamaha President Ueshima. "The
specification will also simplify the connection configurations of professional
equipment for studio, concert, and recreational use."
For more information visit Yamaha's main website at www.yamaha.com
or their mLAN site.
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