
CME and Matrix X are the registered trademarks of Central Music Co. All the other
trademarks belong to their respective owners.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: DO NOT MODIFY THIS UNIT!
This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this manual,
meets FCC requirements. Modi cations not expressly approved by CME may void
your authority, granted by the FCC, to use the product.
IMPORTANT: When connecting this product to accessories and/or another product
use only high quality shielded cables. Cable(s) supplied with this product MUST be
used. Follow all installation instructions. Failure to follow instructions could void your
FCC authorization to use this product in the USA.
NOTE: This product has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B Digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
environment. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used according to the instructions found in the users
manual, may cause interference harmful to the operation of other electronic devices.
Compliance with FCC regulations does not guarantee that interference will not occur
in all installations. If this product is found to be the source of interference, which
can be determined by turning the unit “OFF” and “ON”, please try to eliminate the
problems by using one of the following measures:
Relocate either this product or the device that is being affected by the
Utilize power outlets that are on different branch (circuit breaker or fuse)
circuits or install AC line lter(s).
In the case of radio or TV interference, relocate/reorient the antenna. If the
antenna lead-in is 300 ohm ribbon lead, change the lead-in to co-axial type
If these corrective measures do not produce satisfactory results, please contact
the local retailer authorized to distribute this type of product. If you cannot
locate the appropriate retailer, please contact CME.
The above statements apply ONLY to those products distributed in the USA.

Connection examples of front panel.................................................................8
Connection examples of rear panel..................................................................9
A. Connecting to a synthesizer or electric piano for live performance......10
B. Listen to music......................................................................................10
C. Practice or play Electric Guitar / Bass along with music.......................11
D. Vocal Practice and Karaoke..................................................................11
2. Working together with sound card..........................................................12
A. Recording from the Line In...................................................................12
B. Recording from a microphone..............................................................12
C. Recording an Electric guitar (or bass)...................................................13

The Matrix X is a small, multi-function, professional audio system, which
integrates a microphone pre-ampli er with +48V phantom power, a Direct
Box for connecting a guitar or bass, a 5-channel dual bus stereo mixer and dual
headphone ampli ers. The unique dual bus design makes Matrix X the best
choice for use with a computer based hard-disk recording system or when you
want to add a microphone to a digital instrument with line in and line outs. For
example, use the Matrix X with a synthesizer with a sampling function or to add
vocals to a digital piano with line inputs and outputs.
Using the Matrix X with a Sound card or simple computer USB Audio I/O
After connecting Matrix X to your sound card or I/O, your new music-making
not only inputs and outputs for transmitting signal to/from sound card but also
two headphone outputs with independent volume control knobs for different
monitoring needs. Matrix X also features different connectors such as Line
In, Monitor Output, gain adjustable Mic In and Guitar In to satisfy all of your
music-making needs. In addition, the Line In of Matrix X can receive un-
balanced signals and convert into balanced signals. Furthermore, Matrix X
provides +48V phantom power to support professional microphones.
Hardware Direct Monitor is another advantage for Matrix X users. Signals from
the Line In, Mic In or Guitar In can be sent to the headphone outputs or monitor
will route those signals to the input of the sound card then out to the sound
card’s output and through Matrix X back to the headphone output or monitor
processing and recording on the computer.
Besides working with a sound card, Matrix X can be used as a stand-alone
device to add a microphone or guitar to a keyboard that has a line in and out.
to a digital piano with speakers or increase in the number of headphone outputs.
Matrix X is a unique utility mixer that ts many different audio applications
because of its exible and powerful design. It’s especially useful in a small
computer recording environment. You’ll nd that Matrix X will come in handy
for many different situations and that it’s quality and cost performance is

Matrix X front panel has all of the input gain and output volume control knobs,
and the switches for direct monitor, phantom power and guitar signal. Below is
the detail of Matrix X front panel.
You can connect a microphone or electrical guitar here. The XLR input
is balanced and provides 48V phantom power (by pressing the “48V On /
Off” button). It is suitable for professional condenser microphones. The
connector is un-balanced and is suitable for dynamic coiled microphone and
Adjusts the gain of the signal from the combo connector
A red LED ashes when the input signal level is near distortion indicating it
would be better to lower the input gain.
A blue LED will light up and ash if signal is available at the input channel
Adjusts the volume level of the Monitor Output
Adjusts the volume level of Head Phone 2
Adjusts the volume level of Head Phone 1
The rst headphone output connector (stereo)

This LED will light up when phantom power supply is turned on and is
providing power to XLR input
Pressing this button will activate the TS connector of the combo connector
to receive external signals.
all of the input signals will be sent to Head Phone 1 / 2 and Monitor Output
directly. If you are using recording software to record, you should un-press
this button to avoid latency while monitoring.
This LED will light up when trun on the power of Matrix X.
The main input and output connectors are in rear panel of Matrix X.
Plug the bundled power adapter here for supplying power to the Matrix X .
To avoid voiding your warranty, only use the power adapter supplied for
The second headphone output connector (stereo)

channel is on the bottom. Both of the two connectors are balanced 1/4” TRS
These are stereo outputs of Matrix X. Please connect here to the Line In
of your sound card or the Aux In of an external device. These jacks could
be used as auxiliary outputs as well. The Left channel is on the top and the
Right channel is on the bottom. Both of the two connectors are balanced
These are stereo inputs to Matrix X. Please connect sound card’s Line Out
or the Line Out of an external device to here. These jacks could be used
as auxiliary inputs as well. The Left channel is on the top and the Right
channel is on the bottom. Both of the two connectors are balanced 1/4” TRS
External devices connect to these jacks to transmit analog signals into
Matrix X. The Left channel is on the top and the Right channel is on the
bottom. Both of the two connectors are balanced 1/4” TRS jack. The un-
balanced signals go into Matrix X from here can be converted into balanced

The Matrix X is a very exible device that features many input and output
connectors for different usage and applications. You can connect various
external equipment to meet your audio needs.
Note: You can only connect ONE device to the XLR / TS combo connector at
the same time, either an XLR microphone or TS E.guitar/bass. The g.
microphones, as well as TS E.guitar/bass, but you cannot connect XLR
device and TS device at the same time.

The ow chart below shows how signals are routed through the Matrix X, which
may help you better understand how to use the Maxtrix X.

Matrix X features various input and output connectors to use either in stand-
alone mode or used with sound card or external device. It will meet most of
your music making, practicing and listening needs. There are some examples of
Matrix X usage below to explain how to set up and connect Matrix X to your
In stand-alone mode, you can use the “Sound Card Input” and “Sound Card
Output” in the rear panel to connect external audio equipment .
You should connect “Monitor Output” to a set of active speakers to monitor
output sound. You can use the Head Phone 1 in the front panel or Head
Phone 2 in the rear panel to monitor, and adjust the output volume via the
corresponding control knobs.
A. Connecting to a sy nthesizer or electric piano for live
You can use the Matrix X to add high quality microphones with phantom
power to a synthesizer with sampling functions or vocal microphone
capabilities to any external device with Line Inputs and Outputs (such as
Connect the Line Out of synthesizer to the “Sound Card In” on the
Connect the “Sound Card Out” on the rear panel of the Matrix X to
the Audio In of the synthesizer.
Plug a microphone or electric guitar into the “Mic / Guitar In” on the
front panel of the Matrix X. Connect an external audio source to the
“Line Input” on the rear panel of the Matrix X. This signal could be
add a vocal signal to the output of the synth or digital piano.
Please press down “Direct Monitor” button for the synthesizer without
Please adjust the output volume from the sound source or the active
Connect the Line Out of an external sound source (e.g. DVD player)

to the “Sound Card In” on the rear panel of the Matrix X.
Press the“Direct Monitor” button down.
Please adjust the output volume from the sound source or active
Connect the Line Out of a sound source (e.g. DVD player) to the “Line
Input” on the rear panel of the Matrix X.
Connect the electrical guitar (bass) signal to the TS jack of the combo
connector on the front panel of the Matrix X. To adjust the gain, turn
the “Mic / Guitar In” knob.
Press the “Guitar On / Off” button down.
Press the “Direct Monitor” button down.
Please adjust music volume on external sound source. The gain of the
electric guitar (bass) could be adjusted not only on guitar (bass) but
also via the “Mic / Guitar In” knob. Use the “Monitor Vol.” knob to
adjust the main output volume.
D. Vocal Practice and Karaoke
(a) Microphone with self-powered and XLR connector
Connect the Line Out of a sound source (e.g. DVD player) to the
“Line Input” on the rear panel of the Matrix X.
Connect the microphone to the XLR jack of the combo connector
on the front panel of the Matrix X. To adjust the gain, turn the “Mic
Press the “Direct Monitor” button down.
Please adjust the music volume on the external sound source.
The gain of microphone can be adjusted via the “Mic / Guitar
In” knob. Use the “Monitor Vol.” knob to adjust the main output
(b) Phantom Powered Microphone with XLR connector
Connect the Line Out of sound source (e.g. DVD player) to the
“Line Input” on the rear panel of the Matrix X.
Connect the microphone to the XLR jack of the combo connector
on the front panel of the Matrix X. Adjust the gain by turning the

Press the “48V On / Off” button down.
Press the “Direct Monitor” button down.
Please adjust music volume on the external sound source. The gain
of microphone can be adjusted via the “Mic / Guitar In” knob. Use
the “Monitor Vol.” knob to adjust the main output volume.
(c) Microphone with TS connector
Connect the Line Out of the sound source (e.g. DVD player) to
the “Line Input” on the rear panel of the Matrix X.
Connect the microphone to the TS jack of the combo connector on
the front panel of the Matrix X. Adjust the gain by turning the “Mic
Press the “48V On / Off” button down.
Press the “Direct Monitor” button down..
Please adjust music volume on the external sound source. The
gain of microphone can be adjusted via the “Mic / Guitar In”
knob. Use the “Monitor Vol.” knob to adjust the main output
In Hard-disk Recording mode, “Sound Card In” and “Sound Card Out” in
the rear panel of Matrix X have to be connected to “Line Out” and “Line In”
ports of Sound card. All other connections are the same as stand-alone mode.
In this mode, we recommend not using “Direct Monitor” to avoid latency
problems. All of the input and output signal monitoring will be done by
hardware mixing of Matrix X.
A. Recording from the Line In
Connect the Line Out of the sound source (e.g. DVD player) to the
“Line Input” on the rear panel of Matrix X.
Playback music and record using the software.
Use the input gain slider bar on the sound card’s control panel to set
B. Recording from a microphone
(a) Self-powered Microphone with XLR connector
Connect the microphone to the XLR jack of the combo connector

on the front panel of the Matrix X. Adjust the gain by turning the
Pick-up the audio signal from the microphone and start recording
Use the input gain slider bar in the sound card’s control panel or
“Mic / Guitar In” knob of Matrix X to set the microphone input
(b) Phantom power Microphone with XLR connector
Connect the microphone to the XLR jack of the combo connector
on the front panel of the Matrix X. Adjust the gain by turning “Mic
Press the “48V On / Off” button down.
Pick-up the audio signal from the microphone and start recording
Use the input gain slider bar in the sound card’s control panel
or adjust the “Mic / Guitar In” knob of the Matrix X to set the
microphone input signal gain.
(c) Microphone with TS connector
Connect the microphone to the TS jack of the combo connector on
the front panel of the Matrix X. Adjust the gain by turning the “Mic
Press “Guitar On / Off” button down.
Pick-up the audio signal from the microphone and start recording
Use the input gain slider bar in the sound card’s control panel or
the “Mic / Guitar In” knob of the Matrix X to set the microphone
Connect the electric guitar (or bass) to the TS jack of the combo
connector on the front panel of the Matrix X. Adjust the gain by turning
the “Mic / Guitar In” knob.
Press the “Guitar On / Off” button down.
Play the electric guitar (bass) and start recording in the software.
The gain of the electric guitar (bass) can be adjusted not only on the guitar
(bass) but also via the “Mic / Guitar In” knob, or you can do the same
thing using the input gain slider bar in the sound card’s control panel.

2 Stereo headphone outputs with independent volume control (1/4” stereo TRS)
electric guitar/bass share and a gain control knob
XLR of combo connector is balanced, TS is un-balanced
2 input signal LEDs (blue, one for each channel), indicate if there is any signal
available at the input channel
2 input peak LEDs (red, one for each channel), indicate if an input signal is near
Practice or play Electrical Guitar / Bass
M i c r o p h on e wi t h se lf -
powered and XLR connector
Mi c ro p h o ne wi t h XL R
connector but without self-
M i c r o p h o n e w i t h T S
M i c r o p h on e wi t h se lf -
powered and XLR connector
Mi c ro p h o ne wi t h XL R
connector but without self-
M i c r o p h o n e w i t h T S
Record from Electrical guitar (bass)

48V phantom power with switch (press button), provides power to XLR only
the input or the sound card output.
Matrix X Technical information