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Close-up of a ULN-8 mkIV in a rack, its meters glowing
Hardware

Metric Halo interfaces

It’s All About the Sound…

A complete, modular, expandable Recording & Mixing Console with world-class converters, a studio full of outboard gear and a professional Atmos capable analog monitor controller. Integrated with a future-proof computer interface.

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The lineup

mkIV interfaces

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Front panel · ULN-8 mkIV

Standalone Operation

The mkIV’s front-panel controls allow the unit to function equally well as a standalone Mic Pre/Converter system.

Front panel of the ULN-8 mkIV1234567
  1. Sample Rate · Clock SourceFull support for 192k
  2. Control ModeFP control with dedicated gain knobs
  3. 1–88 channels MH ULN-R preamps
  4. Input · OutputDetailed Front panel metering
  5. Mute · Dim · MonitorsAnalog gain control · Mute and Dim
  6. HeadphoneStereo Headphone · Dedicated HP D/A and Analog Gain
  7. DI2 channels Guitar/Bass DI inputs
Ultimate Console and Mixer Solution

MIO Console 3d

For 3d and mkIV, we designed a new, retina-enabled, 64-bit, cross-platform console application: MIO Console 3d.

MIO Console features a high-impact, modern, flat design with scalable UI elements. With user controllable color theming and extensive support for user-configurable interaction preferences, it is easy to tune the console to fit your style (and your eyesight).

More about MIO Console 3d
The MIO Console 3d mixer window

Mixing

128 Channels | 64 Buses | 192k

MIO Console provides the UI to control the mkIV Mixer. This mixing engine is a full blown mixing console - not a mere interface monitor mixer.

  • Up to 128 channels of input (@192k)
  • Up to 64 (mono) buses (@192k)
  • Mix buses that span all the hardware in your MH system
  • Unlimited DCAs
  • Optional non-destructive AFL/PFL soloing
Session recording tracks in MIO Console 3d

Session

Integrated Tracking DAW

mkIV includes complete tracking DAW that supports Live, Take-based and Overdub recording workflows. Always available and completely integrated with the hardware. It launches instantly as part of MIO Console and it doesn’t require any licenses or dongles.

  • Multitrack playback with instant cueing against waveforms
  • Overdubs, Segments and Edits
  • SMPTE LTC Timecode reader
  • Timestamps BWF files from LTC or TOD
The monitor controller in MIO Console 3d

Monitoring

Analog + Atmos + Processing

The mkIV features a full featured multi-source, multi-destination surround capable (up to 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos®) monitor controller with analog gain control and relay hard mutes.

  • Multiple source selection
  • Multiple speaker output selection
  • Per speaker gain and delay
  • Talkback
  • Listenback
MH Sonic EQ running inside MIO Console 3d

Plug-ins

Zero-Latency DSP

mkIV bundles over a 100 zero-latency hardware plug-ins, including the entire Metric Halo Production Bundle, the +DSP Bundle, the Make Believe Bundle and the Sontec MES-432D9D with no additional license fees or complicated licensing tools.

The +DSP license included with every unit provides Metric Halo’s unique Graph insert which allows you to build your own signal chains with arbitrary phase compensated routing between plugins; think of it as a DSP playground.

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Key Hardware Features

ULN-8 mkIVLIO-8/4p mkIVLIO-8 mkIV
Price$3,295$2,895$2,395
Mic preamps8 channels MH ULN-R preamps4 channels MH ULN-R preamps (with space to optionally add another 4 at any time you desire)No mic preamps included. Supports adding up to 8 channels of Metric Halo’s renowned ULN-R preamps in 4 channel blocks, sold separately
A/D8 channels A/D with Analog Trim8 channels A/D with Analog Trim8 channels A/D with Analog Trim
D/A8 channels D/A with Analog Gain8 channels D/A with Analog Gain8 channels D/A with Analog Gain
DI2 channels Guitar/Bass DI inputs2 channels Guitar/Bass DI inputs2 channels Guitar/Bass DI inputs
AES8 channels AES Input · 8 channels AES Output8 channels AES Input · 8 channels AES Output8 channels AES Input · 8 channels AES Output
HeadphoneStereo Headphone · Dedicated HP D/A and Analog GainStereo Headphone · Dedicated HP D/A and Analog GainStereo Headphone · Dedicated HP D/A and Analog Gain
Mixer128 Channel x 64 bus mixer128 Channel x 64 bus mixer128 Channel x 64 bus mixer
Round-trip≈ 0.9ms @ 44.1k · ≈ 0.2ms @ 192k≈ 0.9ms @ 44.1k · ≈ 0.2ms @ 192k≈ 0.9ms @ 44.1k · ≈ 0.2ms @ 192k
ConnectivityMHLink Gigabit Ethernet connectivity · USB-C connectivityMHLink Gigabit Ethernet connectivity · USB-C connectivityMHLink Gigabit Ethernet connectivity · USB-C connectivity

  • Heavenly Metric Halo Sound

    mk IV Analog, Preamps & Conversion

    For over 20 years, Metric Halo sound has been beloved by musicians and audio engineers the world over.

  • USB

    Driverless Class Audio

    Every mkIV unit includes a USB Class Audio interface that allows you to connect to any USB Audio host (Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows 10+, or Linux) without having to install a driver.

  • SCP

    USB I/O Sidecar

    In an MHLink system, the USB port on each mkIV unit provides our unique “Satellite Computer Port (SCP)” capability.

    Integrate software instruments, sample players, client computers and mobile devices into your system without the need for additional interfaces or complicated clocking setups.

  • Loopback

    Flexible Re-routing

    Any channel in the MIO Mixer can be routed to any output, including outputs sent back to the host or to an SCP port.

    Route audio between apps or computers without any additional software or an additional complex routing model.

  • Signal Processing

    FPGA/DSP Hybrid Engine

    mkIV features our custom hybrid DSP/FPGA processing system that provides massive amounts of processing and gobs of memory for high-precision fixed point mixing, cross-point interpolation, metering and routing as well as flexible, instantiable floating-point plug-in processing.

  • Control Surface

    Mackie | EuCon | iPad | Tablet

    mk IV supports a variety of control surfaces giving you tactile remote control over mix, monitor, and recording.

  • Boot States

    Standalone Operation

    mk IV allows you to store the full configuration of your multibox MHLink system into non-volatile memory so that the full configuration is automatically restored when the system powers on - without requiring a connection to the computer or MIOConsole.

  • Format Conversion

    Digital and Analog Conversion

    Crosspoint routing and all I/O ports simultaneously active enables you to use the mkIV as a flexible format converter. Boot states allow you to program and set the unit for standalone format conversion.

MHLink · Network Audio Backplane

MHLink redefines audio interconnect technology.

It supports up to 128 channels at 32-bit/192k, bidirectionally, on each port.

MHLink intelligently manages low-jitter audio clock distribution, high-bandwidth audio streaming and system control data all on a single lightweight, inexpensive, industry-standard Cat5/5e Ethernet cable.

The backs of six Metric Halo interfaces in a wooden rack, chained together with blue MHLink cables
Maximum transport latency between units, regardless of whether two units are directly connected or there are 16 additional units in between
16 µs
Of cable length per MHLink connection
100 m
Channels at 32-bit/192k, bidirectionally, on each port
128
Audio, command and clock transport with up to 256 channels of audio (at 192k)
256

Expanding your system is as simple as chaining another unit.

  1. Step 1:Plug another unit to the end of the chain.
  2. Step 2:There is no step 2.

MHLink devices can be added dynamically without interrupting running audio streams. All I/O ports of new devices are automatically available for routing within seconds of being connected.

Three ULN-8 mkIV and three LIO-8 mkIV interfaces in a wooden rack, meters lit

Instantly Scalable

The MHLink transport automatically unifies all connected devices into one super unit — which maximizes your audio performance while minimizing complexity.

A unique feature of MHLink is that all Metric Halo interfaces work as well as a group as they do individually.

Adding a unit to the system automatically increases the DSP power of the system, so that your DSP always scales with your I/O.

Break your system up for small gigs when playing out or add the units of your mates to build a huge system when required - just click to connect!

  • Split systems

    With up to 100 meters of cable between units, put your primary system on stage (or your live room) and your monitor box at FOH (or your control room). MHLink adds no latency and provides a common clock; you can even use existing installed wiring plants for tie-lines.

  • Integrated daisy-chain support

    No need for the added expense and complexity of Ethernet switches.

  • Integrated, Automatic Clocking

    No need for word-clock or any other digital interface to transparently lock multiple MH Linked units’ clocks.

EdgeBus · Expansion I/O HW Plug-ins

MH EdgeBus Cards: The Ultimate Plugins

Each mkIV unit includes an open EdgeBus Card slot. The EdgeBus Card slot allows you to expand your system with additional I/O without having to add a new interface.

The currently available modules include (with I/O channel counts listed):

  • AES/SPDIF EdgeCard4 in/4 out
  • DB-25 AES EdgeCard8 in/8 out
  • SPDIF + MIDI EdgeCard2 in/2 out + MIDI I/O
  • SPDIF + 2x ADAT EdgeCard18 in/18 out
  • 2x SPDIF + 2x ADAT EdgeCard20 in/20 out
  • 4x ADAT EdgeCard32 in/32 out
  • 2x MADI Optical EdgeCard128 in/128 out
  • 1x MADI Optical + 1x MADI Copper EdgeCard128 in/128 out
  • 4x MADI Copper EdgeCard256 in/256 out

The EdgeCard modules are field installable/swappable and the hardware automatically detects the type of the installed card.

The backs of nine Metric Halo interfaces, each fitted with a different EdgeCard
Plug-ins

Zero-Latency DSP

mkIV bundles over a 100 zero-latency hardware plug-ins, including the entire Metric Halo Production Bundle, the +DSP Bundle, the Make Believe Bundle and the Sontec MES-432D9D with no additional license fees or complicated licensing tools.

For owners

3d Card Upgrade

Metric Halo Helpdesk
Rear panels of Metric Halo units fitted with the 3d CardThe 3d Card Upgrade is a user-installable hardware and software combination that completely refreshes your Metric Halo devices for the next leg of the digital revolution. It replaces all the digital & computer interfacing on your hardware with up-to-date, cutting-edge implementations.Configure your Order…

The mkIV excels in these key areas:

  • Tracking
  • Mixing
  • Mastering
  • Live
  • Monitors
  • Production
  • Remote Mic Pre
  • A/D/A
  • Active Analog Split
  • Digital Snake
  • DSP Processing
  • Format Conversion
  • Headphone Amp
  • DI
  • Meter Bridge
  • Monitor Control
  • Cue Playback
  • Session
  • IR Remote
  • Tactile Control
  • Wireless Control