Cloud USA MA40T – 40W Mini Mixer/Amplifier (Facility Port, High-Impedance Output)

The Cloud USA MA40T is a mono mixer/amplifier for use in AV systems and installations with an audio component. At 11.9 x 1.6 x 5.7″, it is compact enough to fit into a wall or ceiling mount, or to be placed conveniently next to projectors, displays, and loudspeakers. As such, it is suitable for gallery/museum exhibitions and tour-guide systems. It can also work with digital signage systems, providing a vast improvement over the audio typically found in such devices. With its transformer-coupled, high-impedance output, the amplifier is capable of driving 40W into 100/70/25V-line loudspeaker distribution systems. The MA40T can also operate with 24 VDC power supplies, ideal for installations where an AC mains power supply isn’t on hand – places such as trams, river-boats, and buses.

The MA40T can mix a balanced microphone input with two unbalanced stereo connections, summing the stereo inputs to mono internally and outputting them via the music channel. Also available, is a Facility port input option, which enables you to connect the LM-2A remote input module for wired sources or the BT-1FA input module for Bluetooth wireless sources (both available separately). Microphones, and/or line sources such as wireless mics, DJ mixers, MP3 players, laptops – including Bluetooth-equipped tablets and smartphones – can then be connected locally, simplifying the setup process for presentations where portable audio sources are in use. Additionally, the microphone input can be configured to directly connect to either a 100V-line or 70V-line PA/VA system, allowing the unit to carry paging and/or emergency announcements made using the building’s main system.

Rear-panel DIP switches enable you to set various priorities, such as Line 1 over Line 2, or Mic over music. Configured in this way, you can connect message stores, or cause the music channel to automatically attenuate whenever microphone signal is present; this comes in handy for announcements. For microphones requiring 12V phantom power, an internal jumper is available. A music mute input is also provided, which can be hooked into an emergency system and permits compliance with local Fire Authority regulations; when the music mute is instantiated, the microphone input remains active, and a front panel MUTE LED illuminates. The inputs and outputs provided are all plug-in screw terminal connections.

On the front panel, you’ll note controls for Mic, Line 1, and Line 2 levels, as well as low-frequency and high-frequency controls for the music channel to better accommodate the acoustics of your given space. On the rear of the unit, you’ll see that the mic and line inputs have a control knob for gain. An energy-efficient amplifier, the MA40T features a user-selectable power-down function which automatically puts the unit into a low-current standby mode when it ceases to receive signal after a predetermined amount of time.