The Cloud MX141M is a cost-effective, rackmounting (1U) stereo audio mixer/media player ideal for use in all types of commercial premises. It is simple to install and operate and provides a useful range of features and configuration options. It combines an audio mixer for one of four stereo music sources plus a microphone: one of the music sources is an on-board media player which incorporates both Bluetooth® wireless technology and an FM tuner. The MX141M is supplied with an infrared remote control for the media player functions and is the perfect centrepiece for commercial sound systems in hospitality and fitness centre applications.

The mixer has three unbalanced pairs of line inputs for external stereo music sources with connections on the rear panel: Input 1 also has a 3.5 mm TRS jack input on the front panel allowing easy connection of tablets, laptops, etc. Input 2 is dedicated to the internal media player/FM tuner. Input 4 is provided with an alternative, balanced pair of inputs, to permit the unit to be fed from a mixing console or other part of a separate sound system. A front panel switch selects the active line input.

The MX141M has a single mic input on the front panel in the form of a “Combi type” socket which can accept either XLR or ¼” TRS jack plus. The mic signal is mixed with the selected music source; controls for level, mic on/off and HF/LF EQ are on the front panel. 12 V phantom power is available at the mic input, enabled by an internal jumper.

The stereo output of the unit is available on the rear panel in balanced form on both a plug-in multipin connector and two ¼” TRS jack sockets, and also in unbalanced form on a pair of phono sockets (RCA jacks). The front panel has an output level control, HF/LF EQ adjustment and an LED bargraph meter. Installers can set the maximum level of the main outputs via a rear panel preset control, to prevent inadvertent overloading of power amplifiers or damage to loudspeakers. The unit also has an additional unbalanced stereo line output carrying the pre-fade main mix signal.
The MX141M’s integral media player plays MP3 files from FAT32-formatted USB memory sticks of up to 16 GB capacity. Most common sample rates from 128 kbps to 320 kbps are allowed and up to 2,000 files can be handled. A multifunction alphanumeric LCD display and a simple set of front panel controls allow folder navigation, file selection, random/sequential play mode and most other standard player functions. The media player will also stream stereo audio from compatible devices using Bluetooth wireless technology. A Bluetooth antenna (aerial) is included with the unit: this is plugged into a front panel socket. The media player also incorporates an FM tuner with nine station memories. An FM aerial socket is fitted to the rear panel.

To aid compliance with PA-VA regulations, the MX141M has a dedicated emergency input (balanced): when a signal is detected at this input, all other inputs are muted and the emergency input routed directly to the mixer output. An internal jumper determines whether the mic channel should remain unmuted in this situation; this allows it to be used for announcements in an emergency. In common with most other Cloud products, a Music Mute control input is fitted; short-circuiting the terminals here will also activate the emergency muting circuitry.