In 2018, the Avnu Alliance announced Milan (Media-integrated local area network), a standards-based deterministic network protocol for real-time media. Created and maintained by the Pro Audio leaders of the Alliance, Milan defines implementation details
such as media formats, clocking, redundancy, and device control. In 2021, the Milan Advanced Certification Program was introduced to ensure that devices from different vendors are interoperable within common device profiles. Milan has to date been integrated into nearly 200 products from manufacturers including Meyer Sound, d&b, L-Acoustics, Biamp, Cisco, NETGEAR, Extreme Networks, and more, and has been used in high-profile applications worldwide.
Milan builds on the technical benefits of the open Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) standard developed by the IEEE, such as time
synchronization and guaranteed delivery through prioritized network traffic. Milan operates as an application-level on AVB networks. While AVB addresses issues at the network infrastructure level, such as synchronization and quality of service, Milan is application focused, addressing the unique requirements of media networking including reliability, stability, scalability, and audio quality. The Milan specification and certification process guarantees these standards, yet still leaves room for healthy competition and robust
product development.
Some of the benefits of Milan cited by audio manufacturers include: improved reliability (no dropouts or degradation); deterministic behavior via reserved AV streams; co-existence of control data and media streams on one network port; interoperability among Milan devices; seamless redundancy; flexible media clocking; low-hassle setup; and future relevance via the open IEEE standards Milan is based on. In converged networks, Milan eliminates the need to isolate the subsystems to guarantee congestion free operation.
Meyer Sound was a leader in the adoption of Milan; the company’s relationship to Avnu and AVB goes back to before Milan was developed. Since then, Meyer has built Milan-certified products and deployed them worldwide.
Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics tour was a key showcase for Meyer’s Milan-certified PANTHER large format linear line array loudspeakers. For the tour 212 PANTHER loudspeakers in 14 arrays were supplemented by 78 1100-LFC low-frequency control elements in flown and ground-stacked gradient arrays. Another 22 LEOPARD compact linear line array loudspeakers served as front fills, all managed by 26 Galileo GALAXY Network Platforms. The Milan-based system incorporates Meyer’s new Nebra software platform for network
configuration and system monitoring.
On the opposite, intimate scale, Milan played a role in John Mayer’s solo acoustic tour. A typical deployment would be anchored by front left and right arrays of 18-each PANTHER loudspeakers with side hangs of the same length as well as, when needed, extreme side hangs for 220-degree coverage consisting of 20 LEOPARD line array loudspeakers per side. In most scenarios, three
short delays of LYON line array loudspeakers were added for balance and intimacy in the far upper seats. Dual hangs of six each 700-HP subwoofers filled out the deep bass notes.
FOH engineer Derek Featherstone says that mixing Mayer’s solo voice accompanied by guitar or piano is not the simple chore it might seem. “With one vocal and one instrument, there is nothing for the artist or engineer to hide behind,” he points out. “The mix is either right or wrong. The detail in compression and effects is plainly audible so you have to mix with greater accuracy.” After meticulous care in analog capture and sound shaping, Featherstone relied on a Milan network to deliver the signal with undiminished purity to the individual line array loudspeakers. “We are using the Milan AVB network to run digital all the way to each PANTHER cabinet,” he notes. “We feel like the AVB network does add some clarity in the 4kHz and higher regions.”
One of the first Meyer installs to use a Milan AVB network to connect all audio and telemetry directly to each loudspeaker cabinet was the Billy Strings Renewal Festival in the mountain valley of Buena Vista, Colorado. In a typical configuration, the dual main arrays of 12-each PANTHER line array loudspeakers were bolstered on the low end by 12 1100-LFC low-frequency control elements. Additionally, PANTHER loudspeakers were used as side hangs. The complete Milan AVB connection incorporates primary and secondary networks using Luminex Gigacore 30i switches linked via Opticore trunk lines. “The Milan network gives us easy control and information access to and from each box,” says Jimmy Marsh, the tour systems engineer. “And our cable looms are smaller while
still having individual box tunings. Also, we are doing a wide range of venues over the year, so not being locked into a fixed number of zones per array really gives us more flexibility in array sizes.”
L-Acoustics is another Milan leader, as seen in multiple deployments. For the popular Californian metal band Avenged Sevenfold (A7X) toured to support their new “Life Is But A Dream…” album they carried an L-Acoustics K Series audio package. Designed by system engineers Justin Lenards and Will Foley, using Soundvision 3D modeling software on the two respective treks, the typical loudspeaker deployment featured left and right arrays of 18 L-Acoustics K2 enclosures, each paired with an adjacent hang of eight K1-SB, which not only complemented the mains as flown sub reinforcement adding LF extension of the system, but as an additional benefit served to reduce the onstage LF energy as well. Out-fill arrays added 12 more K2 per side, while 18 ground-stacked KS28 subs firmly anchored the bottom end. A dozen Kara II served as front-fills, and the entire system was driven by LA12X amplified controllers via Milan AVB, with AES redundancy, paired with two P1 Milan AVB processors at the house mix position.
For a fixed install at the venerable live music club First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis, perhaps best known as the recording location of Prince’s “Purple Rain.” L-Acoustics helped the business celebrate five decades of acclaimed performances from artists including Green Day, Public Enemy, Ray Charles, Megadeth, Tina Turner, Hüsker Dü, Soul Asylum and many more by keeping the sound system current and top of the line. Case in point: the recent installation of North America’s first permanently installed L Series
sound system.
First Avenue’s new concert sound system is a left-right design comprising one L2 over one L2D per side with four KS28 subwoofers below each main array as an LF extension, four Kiva II center-fills (as an optional assist for replacing lost stage volume for artists that are completely on in-ear monitors), and five X12 to fill areas obstructed by staircases or walls. The system is driven by five new LA7.16i amplified controllers plus two LA12X for the KS28 subs. For monitoring, there are two A15 per side—one Focus and one Wide—as flown side fills, two KS21 per side for side-fill LF extensions, a dozen X15 HiQ wedges, and one KS21 as a drum sub, collectively powered by eight LA12X. All amplifiers are driven with redundant Milan AVB and AES as a fallback. A P1 processor resides in the amp rack and is responsible for the master Milan AVB stream and any additional inputs needed to run into the system separately from the FOH console. A second P1 in the drive rack at FOH converts the console outputs to an AVB stream that is received by the amp rack P1.
Another fixed installation recently pushed the application of audio protocol engineering, as AuviTran completed a Dante-AES67-AVB MILAN triple bridge of a type not seen before, at the Millennium Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland. The facility operators at the
Millennium Centre venue, which houses modern but complex auditorium and entertainment facilities, partnered with AuviTran to deploy an infrastructure solving numerous bridging issues. Because the Centre is equipped with systems operating under different protocols, its networked audio system needs to be able to handle multiple systems and protocols as well as a high channel count, especially for immersive audio experiences in its largest cinema hall.
Specifically, the large AVB speaker array has to connect to a Dante-operated master console. Meanwhile, the immersive audio experience system operates under the AES67 protocol, which is not inherently compatible with the chosen AVB and Dante setup. The high channel count requirement is due to the large dimensions of the venue, and the overall system must also guarantee full synchronization to avoid potential latency issues.
Although the main interconnection issues were initially overcome, when productions needed to add one-off workflows, other drawbacks were encountered. Latency challenges and channel count limitations were not fully addressed, leaving the Millennium technical staff with an incomplete system.
AuviTran hardware was able to support a suitable, multi-bridging system featuring AVB/Dante/AES67 integration, a critical requirement for this project. The Millennium Centre is now equipped with several of AuviTran’s ToolBoxes and AxC-cards selected to bridge the protocols and technology gaps as needed – AxCAVB, AxC-AES67 and AxC-Dante. As well as compatibility, using AuviTran’s equipment has also improved performance, making it possible to deliver very competitive immersive audio experiences. The actual workflow integrates AuviTran Audio ToolBoxes and the new AxCAES67 interface card, combined with AxC-Dante and AxC-AVB (MILAN certified) cards, and from there building a complex triple bridge that directly interconnects Dante, AVB and AES-67 protocols. It gives the Centre an advantage whenever solving issues that involve several networked audio protocols.
Milan Manager
In January d&b audiotechnik and L-Acoustics announced they have joined forces in a unique collaboration. The first result of this alliance is a project to jointly develop an innovative software platform, designed to revolutionize the configuration and management of Milan AVB networks.
Born from the companies’ shared commitment within the Avnu Alliance, L-Acoustics and d&b audiotechnik are co-designing a new software platform that addresses some of the challenges which currently discourage widespread adoption of the open Milan AVB technology. The software will be a neutral and free-to-use solution that eliminates any branding affiliations to help further foster universal acceptance.
Both companies believe in the stability and high-performance reliability of Milan AVB. While d&b audiotechnik and L-Acoustics lead the initial development, the project actively encourages additional contributors, emphasizing inclusivity and collective industry advancement.
“Our two companies each have individual value propositions for our customers, and we will continue to enjoy healthy competition. However, we are also excited to be cooperating on technical standards that will provide value to our industry,” says Amnon Harman, CEO at d&b audiotechnik. “This new form of competing on one side and cooperating on the other side results in higher quality products, faster development times, and better functionality for all of our customers.”
“This groundbreaking collaboration underscores our shared commitment to advancing technology that improves workflow and delivers a memorable experience that connects artist and audience, and a safe and comfortable experience for crew and neighbors,”
stated Hervé Guillaume, CEO at L-Acoustics Group. “Together, these projects will create benefit for the entire industry, reinforcing our collective strength.”
Milan Manager is set to be officially launched at InfoComm 2024.
