Solid State Logic MATRIX Operation Guide

Matrix Owner’s Manual
www.solidstatelogic.com
The new standard in project studio integration
Matrix. This is SSL.
As research and development is a continual process, Solid State Logic reserves the right
to change the features and specifications described herein without notice or obligation
Begbroke, Oxford, England, OX5 1RU • +44 (0)1865 842300
320 West 46th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10036, USA • +1 (1) 212 315 1111
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Via Timavo 34, 20124 Milano, Italy • +39 (0)39 2328 094
Visit SSL at URL: www.solidstatelogic.com
© Solid State Logic
All Rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions
AWS 924
82S6MT060A June 2008 Initial Release
82BM0M01A August 2012 Updated ipMIDI, miscellaneous small typo’s
, AWS 948, Matrix, Solid State Logic and SSL are trademarks of Solid State Logic
All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or
by any means, whether mechanical or electronic, without the
written permission of Solid State Logic, Oxford, England
Document History
July 2008 Corrected network connections
November 2008 Amended network & USB cable lengths

Introduction

Matrix. Control your Creativity.
Welcome to Matrix. With the goal to bring the soul of analogue sound into the machinery of digital workflow, we designed Matrix – a seamless way to work in both worlds simultaneously. With unparalleled creative control over your DAW and analogue outboard, Matrix reconfigures your project studio around its most important element – you.
Matrix is a SuperAnalogue 16 channel, 40 line input mixing console with inbuilt signal router and multi-layer digital workstation
ontrol. It’s simply the most elegant way to be creative with your entire arsenal of analogue outboard and cutting-edge digital
c equipment. Designed to be at the heart of your everyday creative process, Matrix is built to meticulous SSL hardware standards, to withstand even the most intensive studio use. Fully equipped to partner your monitors, workstations and outboard gear, Matrix lets you shape your project studio around the way you work.
The Matrix SuperAnalogue router manages the sends and returns of up to 16 outboard processor units, together with the assignment of the console’s channel strip insert points. Using the Insert Matrix in the Matrix Remote software, any combination of your outboard gear can be rapidly inserted into any of your console channels, essentially giving you the ability to run your outboard as ‘analogue plug-ins’ within your DAW.
With HUI and MCU modes, the 17 motorised faders and channel controls provide complete hands-on control over your DAW mixer, allowing you to enjoy mixing on a tactile, fully-featured control surface. Additionally, Matrix gives you access to transport and navigation functions, plug-in and virtual instrument parameters, and essential DAW commands, allowing you to work quickly and easily using just the console surface.
Alongside its integration of your analogue and digital equipment, Matrix is also a first-class SSL mixer, drawing on our 30 years of innovative analogue console design. The essential functions of recording and mixing – routing, level measurement and monitoring – are organised and arranged to make everything available at your fingertips to streamline the entire recording and mixing process. Matrix analogue architecture provides 16 channels, featuring dual line inputs, balanced insert sends and returns and a dedicated direct output. Channel level control utilises the same high resolution Digital Controlled Attenuator as fitted to the AWS 924, AWS 948 and Duality large format consoles. In Matrix the channel DCAs can be remote controlled via MIDI, enabling DAW tracks to provide full automation control of analogue levels. Dual stereo mix busses and four stereo returns with full stereo mix bus routing bring the total available mix inputs to 40. Powerful monitoring is a central feature of Matrix with independent Main and Mini monitor outputs, Artist Monitor output with independent EQ and source selection, and three external monitor inputs with source summing.
In short, Matrix is the new standard in project studio integration.
Matrix Owner’s Manual
I

Contents

Contents
Introduction I
Contents II
About This Manual VI
What Else You Will need VI
Chapter 1 – Installation and Setup 1
Matrix Rear Panel Connections 2
Plugging Up Your Matrix 3
Audio Connections 3 Data Connections 4 Configuration of Data Connections 4 Matrix Network Connection Examples 5
Software Installation and Configuration 9
System Requirements: 9 Software Installation (Mac) 9 Software Installation (PC) 9 Matrix Remote Configuration 10 DAW Layer Configuration 11 ipMIDI Configuration 13
Chapter 2 – Getting Started 15
Important Concepts 15
The Master Channel 15 Focus Modes 15
Preparing for the tutorial 16
STEP 1: Bringing Signal into the Channel 17
STEP 2: Routing to the Main Busses 18
STEP 3: Hearing your Signal 19
STEP 4: Sending to the Auxiliary Sends 20
STEP 5: Global Control of your DAW 21
STEP 6: Channel Control of your DAW 22
STEP 7: Sending Signal from the Channel Direct Output 23
STEP 8: Setting up Artist and Control Room Headphones 24
STEP 9: Listening Back to the DAW 25
STEP 10: Selecting a Title 26
STEP 11: Inserting Signal Processing into the Channel 27
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Matrix Owner’s Manual
Chapter 3 – Analogue Signal Flow 29
Introduction to Focus Modes 29
Operating Principles 29
The Master Channel Strip 30
he Digital Scribble Strip 31
T Total Recall LEDs 31
The Channel Strip 32
Channel Inputs 32 Channel Outputs 32 Auxiliary Sends 34
The Centre Section 36
Master Bus Controls 36 Monitoring 38 Talkback 39 Metering 40
SSL Soft Keys 41
MON Soft Keys 42 METERS Soft Keys 43 AUTO Soft Keys 43 TR Soft Keys 44 IP Soft Keys 44 Misc Soft Keys 44
Contents
Matrix Automation 45
Chapter 4 – The Matrix Remote 47
Introduction to the Matrix Remote 47
The Projects Tab 48
Navigating the Projects List 49 Managing Projects 50 Managing Titles 51 Project and Title Notes 52 Track Sheets 52
The Total Recall Tab 53
Taking a TR Snapshot 53 Naming a TR Snapshot 53 Deleting a TR Snapshot 53 Recalling a TR Snapshot 54
The Insert Matrix Tab 59
Naming Devices 59 Device Chains 60 Assigning Devices and Chains to Channel Inserts 62
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Contents
Chapter 5 – DAW Control 63
Introduction 63
Layers 63
Matrix Console Layer Selection 63
Focus Modes 64
DAW Track Control 65
he Digital Scribble Strip 65
T V-Pot Modes 66 SEL Key Modes 67
Transport Controls 69
Session Counter 69
Utility Buttons 70
Navigation Controls 70
Default Profile Soft Key Assignments 71
Soft Key Overview 71
Pro Tools Default Profile 71 Nuendo Default Profile 76 CC (Continuous Controller) Default Profile 78
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Matrix Owner’s Manual
Chapter 6 – DAW and CC Configuration 79
Matrix Console Layer Selection 79
atrix Remote Layer Selection 79
M
Assigning DAW Layers 80
Selecting Profiles 80 Creating Profiles 81 Deleting Profiles 81 Renaming Profiles 81
acking Up a Profile 82
B Restoring a Profile 82 Disable Handshake 82 Selecting the Transport Master 82
Soft Keys 83
DAW Control Protocols, USB Commands and Menus 83 Soft Key Sets 83 Programming Soft Keys 84 Assigning DAW Protocol Functions 85 Assigning QWERTY Keystrokes 86 Creating Soft Key Menus 87 Renaming Soft Key Assignments 88 Assigning Modified Functions to Soft Keys 88 Removing and Replacing Soft Key Assignments 88 Editing Transport and Utility Button Assignments 89
Contents
Configuring CC Layers 91
CC Snapshots 92 The Digital Scribble Strip 92
Appendices 95
Appendix A – DAW Protocol Lists 95
Appendix B – Technical Specifications 99
Appendix C – Audio Connectors and Pinouts 103
Appendix D – Environmental Specification 105
Appendix E – Software Updates 107
Appendix F – Matrix Support 109
Appendix G – Maintenance 113
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About This Manual

About This Manual
Whether you are an experienced studio engineer or an artist who is relatively new to the recording process, this manual will take you through the full breadth of Matrix functions. Chapter 1 guides you through the process of connecting up and integrating Matrix into your studio. Chapter 2 is a tutorial which provides an overview of the essential operating principles of Matrix, introducing
oth its analogue and DAW control capabilities, a proportion of which will be familiar to users with studio experience. Chapter 3
b then examines the analogue mixing capabilities of the console in more detail. Chapter 4 focuses on the Matrix Remote software which controls a number of aspects of Matrix, including its relationship with outboard equipment. Chapter 5 introduces the operational use of Matrix for DAW control, working alongside the control surface documentation in your DAW’s manual. The Remote is also used to configure and customise Matrix’s control of DAWs, and this is the focus of Chapter 6.
A few simple conventions have been followed in this manual: Labelling on the console control surface or in software is in retaining the capitalisation of the label itself. Back panel labelling is represented in plain type, also following the capitalisation of the labels.
Notes are used for clarification and occasionally for advanced descriptions. They are inset and italicized, and have a blue line below and above.
If you click on any page and chapter references within the manual, your .pdf viewer will jump to that location. Internet references are also hyperlinked in this way.
Note that these hyperlinks may not work in all .pdf viewers. They do work in Acrobat Reader, which is available from
www.adobe.com
.
bold,

What Else You Will need

In order to make full use of your Matrix, you will require the following, in addition to the Matrix box contents:
A computer on which to run the Matrix Remote software. This can be the same computer as you use for your DAW software.
A Network Switch or Router. If you are running a setup with more than one computer, a network switch or router and additional network cabling will be needed (refer to the Network Connection Examples from Page 5 onwards).
A USB KVM switch and/or hub. If you are planning to connect Matrix to more than one computer, you will need a USB switch. If you are only using one computer, the KVM switch will not be necessary. Depending on the complexity of your current studio setup, the hub may not be essential. You may well find, however, that you no longer have enough USB sockets on your computer. Note that the Matrix USB socket is Type B.
Multicore cabling. To fully connect your Matrix, you will need up to seventeen 8-channel looms terminating in male 25­way D-Connectors.
A Stand. There is a wide range of commercially available mixer stands which are suitable for Matrix. SSL are happy to recommend the Studiospares Z-Frame keyboard/mixer stand, and the Quik Lok ZM-2034 Mixer Stand. Alternatively, you can build Matrix into your desk surface using the dimensions listed in Appendix B.
Digital cabling. Depending on your setup, you may need suitable cables to connect up the AES or S/PDIF digital I/O.
Foot switches. You can also plug up to two momentary foot switches into Matrix.
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Chapter 1 - Setup
Chapter 1 –
This chapter covers everything involved in setting up Matrix. If you have not already done so, please refer to the separate printed Installation Guide for safety information and instructions on positioning and connecting the Matrix Power supply.
There are a number of ways in which Matrix can be set up to fit into your studio environment. The diagram below outlines the standard configuration:
Installation and Setup
Matrix Owner’s Manual
1
DEVICE SEND 1-8
DEVICE RETURN 1-8
DEVICE SEND 9-16
DEVICE RETURN 9-16
LINE IN 1-8
DAW RETURN 1-8
CHANNEL OUT 1-8CHANNEL OUT 9-16
LINE IN 9-16
DAW RETURN 9-16
P
USH
REC, MIX, CUE INS RTN
EXT 1,2 (L,R)
MON L/R, ARTIST OUT
REC, MIX, FOLLOW MON OUT
REC, MIX, CUE INS SENDCUE ST, FX OUT 1-4
FX RETURNS 1-4
GPIOUSBX-RACK / DIAGSW2SW1 NETWORKSD CARD
RIGHT - MINI - LEFT
IN - AES - OUT
IN - SPDIF - OUT
+18dB +24dB
RIGHT LEFT
GAIN
T/HOLD
TB MICVU
Chapter 1 - Setup

Matrix Rear Panel Connections

Power Input
Audio Input/output
channels 9–16
0dBfs
switch
Foot-
switch
X-Rack
I/F
USB
Audio Input/output
channels 1–8
SD memory card
slot
Unused
Ethernet
Master Section I/O
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Matrix Owner’s Manual
Meter
trim
Master
I/O
TB Mic
trim
Mini LS Master
I/O
Digital I/O
Optical and AES
Chapter 1 - Setup

Plugging Up Your Matrix

All audio and data connections to the Matrix console – with the exception of the iJack and headphone sockets – are made to the rear panel.

Audio Connections

Line Level audio input and output connections are made using high quality 25-pin D-type female connectors – the only exceptions being the Mini LS monitor outputs which are available via 3-pin XLR male connectors. All connections are balanced, and all cable screens are connected to the Matrix chassis. 0VU meter level corresponds to +4dBu output level.
All D-connectors are wired
according to the TASCAM DB25 specification
. See Appendix C for connector pinouts.
Channel Connections
The connectors to access Matrix’s channels are arranged in two groups each of five connectors. The first group provides access to channels 1-8 and the second group to channels 9-16.
Line Inputs D25 female Line level inputs to the channels – from mic amps, keyboards etc. Device Send D25 female Device Return D25 female DAW Return D25 female Inputs from workstation (DAW – Digital Audio Workstation) Channel Out D25 female
Insert Matrix Insert Matrix
Outputs to workstation
sends to effects units returns from effects units
Master Section Connections
The Master Section connectors are allocated as follows:
Ext 1, 2 (L, R) D25 female External to Monitor inputs 1 and 2 (L, R) Mon L/R, Artist Out D25 female Main LS, Mini LS* and Foldback†sends (L, R) Rec, Mix, Follow Mon Out D25 female Rec, Mix, Cue Ins Send D25 female Record, Mix and Cue insert sends (L, R) Rec, Mix, Cue Ins Rtn D25 female Record, Mix and Cue insert returns (L, R) Cue St, FX Out 1-4 D25 female FX Returns 1-4 D25 female Stereo Effects returns 1-4 Mini XLR 3-pin male Mini LS* outputs L and R
Record, Mix and Follow Monitor main outputs
Cue Stereo and Effects sends 1-4 outputs
(L, R)
* Mini LS outputs are duplicated on the D25 and XLR connectors. Speaker outputs are at line level, requiring external amplification. Artist Out (Foldback Sends) should be used for Artist headphone feeds, not the Cue Sends.
Digital I/O
Digital signals are available as either AES3 balanced on digital XLR connectors or as S/PDIF signals on standard optical connectors. The digital XLR connections should be wired using 110Ω cable.
AES In XLR 3-pin female AES/EBU monitor input AES Out XLR 3-pin male AES/EBU bus output S/PDIF In TOSLink Optical digital monitor input S/PDIF Out TOSLink Optical digital bus output
Note that both outputs are always active. If there is an incoming digital signal, the output will replicate its sample rate, up to a maximum of 192kHz. If no digital input is detected, the output sample rate will default to 48kHz. See Page 37 for more details.
See Page 44 for a description of digital input source selection via the OptDAC soft key.
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Chapter 1 - Setup
iJack and Headphones
he iJack and headphone sockets are located to the right of the transport control panel.
T
Jack: Stereo 3.5mm jack Allows the connection of an external line level signal source (such as an
i
iPod or MP3 player) to be switched directly to the Matrix’s monitors.
Headphones: Stereo 1/4" jack Headphone connection

Data Connections

Both Network and USB connections must be made between Matrix and the computer.
Network
A standard RJ45 connector for Matrix–Workstation network data. A 3m crossover cable is provided which should be used
to make a direct connection to the ‘Network’ port on the workstation computer – see the various setup examples on Pages 5 though 7 for an illustration of this and other connection methods.
USB
Use the 3m USB-A to USB-B cable provided to connect the Matrix to a free USB port on your workstation computer. This
connection carries USB keyboard commands generated from the console soft keys and is used to control the DAW via its supported keyboard shortcuts, supplementing the existing MIDI DAW control offered on Matrix.
Defining QWERTY Keyboard Nationality (Mac)
Matrix emulates a UK keyboard. When Matrix is first connected to a Mac, a dialogue will be displayed which asks you to
identify the new keyboard. In order to identify the keyboard type, the Mac then requires the key to right of the left Shift key to be pressed. In the SSL the required keystroke to the Mac to correctly identify Matrix as a UK keyboard.
Misc
soft key set (see Page 44), there is a key labelled
KeybID
. Pressing this key will send
Foot Switch Inputs
Sw1 & Sw2
Mono 1/4" jack
Foot switch trigger inputs
X-Rack Interface
D9 female serial data port to facilitate connection to an SSL X-Rack for the transfer of Total Recall information. A suitable 2m cable is supplied with each X-Rack chassis.
Note: Also included on this connector is a second serial data port for diagnostic and service use.

Configuration of Data Connections

Network Wiring
To ensure the fastest possible communication between your workstation computer and Matrix, and to simplify the wiring between Matrix and computer, Matrix communicates with your workstation over Ethernet using the ipMIDI driver to emulate a multiport MIDI interface. To ensure minimum latency ipMIDI uses multicast UDP rather than TCP/IP. This means that:
The network connection should be as short as possible and should only use routers that can support high data transfer rates. Problems have been experienced with some domestic routers, particularly when used with Pro Tools. Typical symptoms of a slow network connection are:
The Matrix fails to synchronise all controls when first connecting with the DAW. – Channel controls and scribble strips on channels 9-16 fail to update reliably when using the
Channel keys.
Because ipMIDI uses multicast UDP packets, messages between one computer and Matrix will be received by all other computers on the network, potentially causing problems in installations with more than one Matrix. The UDP packets can be blocked by using a firewall router and connecting the main network to the WAN connector. The firewall can then be configured to allow all traffic apart from UDP ports 21928 through 21947 which are used by ipMIDI and port 50081 which
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Matrix Owner’s Manual
Chapter 1 - Setup
is used by the Matrix Remote application. Note that it may be necessary to use a separate Ethernet switch in place of an integrated firewall router switch, as some of these can not support the high data transfer rate required. The NetGear FS108
an eight port switch) has been used successfully at SSL Begbroke.
(
Most systems can be easily configured with a direct connection between Matrix and the controlling computer.
Assigning the Matrix IP Address
y default, Matrix uses a fixed IP address of 192.168.1.2which works well if Matrix is connected directly to your DAW.
B Alternatively, Matrix can be set to use a dynamically assigned (DHCP) address if your installation precludes a simple direct
IP
connection. Switching between the two methods is achieved via the computer via a network switch or router (with a DHCP server enabled), it should be set for option should be used. Note that the currently assigned address will be shown in the scribble strip.
Once you have altered the IP mode, you need to turn Matrix off and on for the changes to take effect.
An alternative fixed IP addresses can be set using the console diagnostic port. A custom serial cable (not supplied) will be
required to achieve this – please refer either to the Matrix support pages on the SSL Website or SSL Technical Support for guidance on this.
SSL soft keys (see Page 44). If Matrix is connected to the
DHCP
, otherwise the
Fixed

Matrix Network Connection Examples

1 Direct Connection (no Internet Required)
This is the simplest way to setup Matrix with your computer.
Network connection
Workstation Computer
Ensure that Matrix is set to use a fixed IP address: Use the
Fixed
is selected (see Page 44).
SSL
Matrix Console
soft key on the console, go to the IPmenu and check that
Please note that many Macs with multiple Ethernet ports can only use one of those ports at any one time!
Note also that if your workstation computer is a Mac, you should ensure that your Mac
Airport is switched off. We strongly recommend this as Airport is known to cause conflicts with ipMIDI data. If you wish to use the internet, we suggest you configure Matrix with a Router/Switch (see example 2).
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Chapter 1 - Setup
Network Connection Configuration (Mac)
On the Mac, go to System Preferencesand click on the Networkicon.
Fill in the
ith the numbers shown opposite.
w
IP Address and Subnet Mask boxes
Network Connection Configuration (Windows)
Go to Network and go into Local Area Connection Properties.
Open up the option Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
Select Use the following IP address and then fill in the IP Address
and Subnet mask boxes as shown opposite.
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Chapter 1 - Setup
2 Router (and Switch) Connection using DHCP (allows access to Internet)
his connection method allows you to connect multiple devices to your home network and access the Internet at the same time.
T
The basic principle behind this method is that your Internet router acts as a DHCP server, dynamically assigning IP addresses to all the devices on your network. The simplest configuration would be as follows:
nternet connection
I
ADSL)
(
Network connections
Router
Matrix Console
Workstation Computer
If you have more devices that you need to connect on your network, adding an Ethernet switch will allow more things to be connected:
Internet connection
(ADSL)
Router
Network connections
Matrix Console
Ethernet switch
Home server
Laptop
Workstation Computer
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Chapter 1 - Setup
Network Connection Configuration (Mac)
On the Mac, go to System Preferencesand click on the Networkicon.
Set
Configure IPv4 to Using DHCP as shown
ere:
h
Ensure that Matrix is set to use DHCP: Use the
SSL
soft key on the console, go to the IPmenu
and make sure that
DHCP
is selected (see Page 44).
Network Connection Configuration (Windows)
Go to Network and go into Local Area Connection Properties.
Open up the option Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
Choose the option Obtain an IP address automatically as
illustrated here:
Ensure that Matrix is set to use DHCP: Use the
console, go to the IPmenu and make sure that Page 44).
SSL
soft key on the
DHCP
is selected (see
3 Connection in a facility that has multiple SSL consoles
If you are in a studio that has multiple SSL consoles, we recommend that you purchase one of our ‘LAN integration network switches’ from the SSL webstore. Due to the nature of UDP, if you have two SSL consoles on the same network with a normal router/switch setup, then you may find that the console in one room will start to control another. Our managed switch blocks UDP data on two of the ports, solving the problem and allows uplinking in a multi-room facility. Please visit the following link for more details and a picture example: store.solidstatelogic.com/catalog/36
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Software Installation and Configuration

On the disk which came with Matrix you will find two programs to install. Install the program called MatrixRemote on the computer from which you intend to control Matrix, and install the program called ipMIDI on any computers which have a DAW installed which you intend to use with Matrix.
System Requirements
Matrix Remote is a Java application and will run under Java Version 5 or higher. PC users can download the latest version from www.java.com
ipMIDI is compatible with Mac OS X 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7, Windows 2000, XP, Vista and 7
Check the SSL website for the latest versions of the ipMIDI virtual MIDI interface driver and the Matrix Remote application. These can be found at www.solidstatelogic.com/support/consoles/matrix/downloads.asp

Software Installation (Mac)

Matrix Remote
Mount the MatrixRemote.dmg disk image and open it. Drag the enclosed Matrix Remote application to the Applications
folder, then to the Dock or any other convenient location.
ipMIDI
There are two versions of ipMIDI for Mac; V1.5 is suitable for OS X 10.5 whilst V1.6 runs on OS X 10.6 and 10.7. Please choose the correct version for your Mac.
Mount the ipMIDI.dmg disk image and open it. Double click on the ipMIDI.pkg file to run the installation program. Note
that you will be asked to log out and in again once you have completed the installation. Once you have logged back in open
Audio MIDI Setup and double click on the ipMIDI icon. Set the number of MIDI ports to 9 in the resulting pop-up.
Note that if you are upgrading an older copy of ipMIDI you must uninstall it before running the installer. To uninstall ipMIDI simply delete: ‘ the ‘
.plugin
/Library/Audio/MIDI Drivers/ipMIDIDriver.plugin
’ file before running the installer.
’. You should empty the Trash after deleting

Software Installation (PC)

Matrix Remote
Copy the MatrixRemote.exe file to the Program Files folder (or any other convenient location) then create a shortcut
to it on your desktop and/or task bar. Double clicking on this will launch the Matrix Remote program.
ipMIDI
Run the setupipmidi_1.9.exe application (note that the last part of the name may change depending on the version you
are installing) by double clicking on it. Note that you will have to restart the computer at the end of the setup process. Once the computer has restarted right click on the ipMIDI icon in the task bar and set the number of MIDI ports to 9 in the resulting pop-up.
Note that if you are upgrading an older copy of ipMIDI you must uninstall (using Add/Remove programs) it before running the installer.
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Chapter 1 - Setup

Matrix Remote Configuration

Having completed the set-up guidelines described above, run the Matrix Remote software.
In the bottom left-hand corner of the Remote window there is a Find ( ) button, along with indication regarding the current status of the connection to Matrix:
When the Matrix Remote first opens, it searches for a Matrix console to control. If it finds one, it will automatically link to that console. This will be indicated by the Status to the right of the button displaying a green ‘Matrix Connected - Matrix
SN XXXX’ message, where SN XXXX is the ID of the Matrix console found.
If the Remote cannot find any Matrix consoles, its status will display the message ‘No Matrix Found, click on Find.’
If this happens, check your connections and press to bring up the
Find Matrix pop-up.
If the Remote still cannot find any Matrix consoles, the list in the pop-up
will be empty. In this case, recheck the connections and press the Find
Matrix button in the top right of the pop-up, and the Remote will rescan
for consoles.
Once the Remote has found the console, it will appear in the pop-up.
Highlight the Matrix ID and then click on Select.
Once a connection has been made to Matrix, the green ‘
Status field:
Matrix Connected - Matrix SN XXXX’ message will appear in the
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DAW Layer Configuration

Matrix can connect to up to four DAWs and software MIDI devices, though only one program can be controlled from the Matrix control surface at one time. In order to cater for setups which include multiple programs, each can be assigned its own Matrix ‘layer’. Control operations performed on the Matrix control surface will then affect whichever program is assigned to the currently selected layer.
Layers are programmed in the DAW tab in the Matrix Remote:
Matrix Remote Layer Selection
The layer being configured in Matrix Remote is selected via the DAW tab’s Layer radio buttons, located in the middle of the tab towards the top. All other functions in this tab, with the exception of the Transport Master selection, are specific to the selected layer.
First, decide which DAW or MIDI device will be assigned to which layer.
Note that you can always review your layer assignments; This need not be a permanent configuration.
Next, assign an appropriate Profile to each of the layers to be used. A Profile defines which control protocol (HUI, MCU or
CC - See Chapters 5 and 6 for more details) is used to control the DAW or MIDI device, and also includes up to five sets of soft keys for a specific DAW program. There are four pre-loaded default Profiles on Matrix:
- A HUI Profile configured for Pro Tools
- An MCU Profile configured for Logic
- An MCU Profile configured for Nuendo/Cubase
- A CC (MIDI Continuous Controller) Profile for MIDI devices.
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Chapter 1 - Setup
Eventually you will personalise your Profiles. As part of the personalisation process, Profiles for other DAW packages can be created using the Pro Tools default Profile for HUI DAWs, and the Logic default Profiles for MCU DAWs (see Chapter 6).
owever, for now, the important thing is to make sure you assign each DAW layer the right protocol. If you are running a DAW
H other than those listed above, please refer to its manual to establish which control protocol it uses.
Using the
layer you are planning to assign to your first DAW.
In the Profile Setup area found in the top left corner of the DAW tab, select the correct
default Profile from the Selected Profile drop-down list.
If the new Profile you select uses a different protocol than that which was previously
selected, a pop-up will appear asking you to reboot Matrix. Press OK. If you have more layers to set up, you can select the Profiles on all of them before rebooting. Once you have selected all the Profiles required for now, switch the console off and on again.
Layer buttons, located in the middle of the DAW tab towards the top, select the
Note that once the protocol has been changed, the soft key assignments are locked out until the reboot is performed.
Please refer to Chapter 6 for more on DAW layers.
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ipMIDI Configuration

The ipMIDI driver enables your DAW to send and receive MIDI control data via the network connection, and must be configured to match the requirements of Matrix before it can be used.
Mac
Once the driver has been installed and you have logged back in, use the Finder to navigate to the Utilities folder (in
Applications). Double-click Audio MIDI Setup, select MIDI Devices and double-click on the ipMIDI icon. Set the number
of MIDI ports to 9 in the resulting pop-up.
Windows
Once the computer has restarted after installing the driver, right-click on the ipMIDI icon in the Task Bar, select ipMidi -
MIDI over Ethernet and set the number of MIDI ports to 9 in the resulting pop-up.
MIDI Port Mapping
MIDI control for the four Matrix Layers is split across the nine ipMIDI ports which means that your DAW must be configured to match the table here.
Note that CC (‘Continuous Controller’) Layers only use the first MIDI port in their layer. All CC data is sent on MIDI Channel 1.
Matrix DAW Layer Matrix Channels ipMIDI port
1
2
3
4
Automation
1 to 8 1
9 to 16 2
1 to 8 3
9 to 16 4
1 to 8 5
9 to 16 6
1 to 8 7
9 to 16 8
1 to 16 9
MIDI Port 9 is concerned with automation, not layer configuration. Use of this port is described fully on Page 45.
Setting which ipMIDI ports the DAW should use is performed using the MIDI controller configuration page of your DAW. Below and overleaf are two examples using Pro Tools and Logic Pro.
Pro Tools
In the Setup menu, click on Peripherals and
select the MIDI Controllers tab.
For MIDI controllers 1 and 2, select ‘HUI’ as the
MIDI controller ‘Type’ and assign the MIDI ports for this layer’s DAW to the two MIDI controllers, as listed in the table above.
As an example, if Pro Tools has been assigned to Layer 1 (so using ipMIDI ports 1 & 2), the
Controllers tab should look as opposite.
Please note, if using Pro Tools on Windows, ensure you are running Pro Tools as an Administrator. Not doing this can result in one way HUI communication!
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Logic Pro
he DAW protocol used by Logic Pro is the Mackie Control Unit (MCU) protocol. Therefore when a Logic Profile is assigned
T to a Matrix DAW layer, in order for Matrix to control Logic, a Mackie Control together with a Mackie Control Extender must be added to Logic Pro. Click on
oth the Mackie Control and Mackie Control
B Extender provide just eight faders. Therefore Matrix faders 1-8 are mapped to the Mackie Control ports along with the master fader and DAW Control function switches whilst faders 9-16 are mapped to the Mackie Control Extender ports. The actual ipMIDI ports used will depend on which layer (or layers) have a Logic Profile assigned. (Refer to the previous page for a list of Matrix’s MIDI port assignments.)
The screenshot opposite gives an example of Logic having been setup on DAW 2 layer. The Mackie Control has its Input and Output ports set to 3 and the Mackie Control Extender has its Input and Output ports set to 4.
Preferences then Control Surfaces Setup to access the menu shown below.
It is recommended that you delete any Mackie controllers automatically created on set-up, and recreate them manually. Note that if the physical arrangement is reversed, then the Matrix faders will not map correctly to the on-screen faders in Logic.
If Logic is the only DAW connected to Matrix, then provided that there is only one DAW Layer set up with an MCU based Profile, Logic should automatically detect the two virtual controllers which will be shown in the Logic appropriate Matrix ipMIDI ports assigned. If Logic fails to detect the control surfaces, then the controllers can be added manually via the New, Install menu and the appropriate MIDI Out port and Input assigned. Full details can be found in the online Logic Pro Control Surfaces Support Guide in the Logic Help menu.
If Matrix is set up with multiple MCU profiles in the DAW layers, then the automatic detection option must be disabled and the controllers added and configured manually. Check the below the Edit Profiles button) for all the DAW layers assigned to a MCU Profile prior to starting the Logic application. This will prevent Logic automatically detecting multiple Mackie Control Units.
For other DAWs, please refer to the relevant User Guide for details about configuring MIDI controllers.
See Chapter 6 for a description of the Remote’s DAW tab.
Disable Handshake box in the DAW tab in Matrix Remote (located
Control Surfaces Setup menu (as shown above), with the
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Chapter 2 –
The aim of this chapter is to familiarise you with the basics of operating your Matrix. We will restrict ourselves to simple operations and leave more complex elements to the following chapters. You may find it helpful to complete the whole tutorial before exploring the references to more detailed parts of the manual.
Getting Started

Important Concepts

Before we get going, there are a couple of important operating principles which need to be explained:

The Master Channel

While many of the channel’s controls are located in the physical channel strip, a number are instead found in the Master Channel (shown right) located in the top left-hand corner of the desk’s centre section. The Master Channel gives you access to additional channel strip controls for whichever channel strip is assigned to it using the upper SEL button, located above the numeric display, in the middle of the channel (shown left).
Note: There is a second SEL button in the channel, located a little lower on the channel strip, just above the fader. This button is associated with DAW control, not assigning the Master Channel. The DAW SEL button is examined on Page 67.
Multiple channel strips can be assigned to the Master Channel. See Page 30 for details.

Focus Modes

Matrix combines two distinct modes of operation in one control surface, providing control of both the analogue signals and the DAW functions associated with the modern recording environment. In order to accomplish this within a compact space, the console can operate in two ‘Focus’ modes, focusing on either the analogue or DAW control functions. These modes are simply called Analogue Focus and DAW Focus.
Focus modes primarily affect the channel faders and their CUT and SOLO buttons which control the analogue signal when in Analogue Focus mode, but send control messages to the DAW when in DAW Focus mode. Focus modes also affect the channel meters which normally meter the analogue signal in Analogue Focus mode but replicate the DAW track metering in DAW Focus mode.
Matrix’s mode is selected and indicated by the large Focus button, located directly underneath the Master Channel, on the left of the centre section (at the bottom of the graphic on the right). Pressing this button swaps between Focus modes. It is lit to indicate Analogue Focus, and unlit to indicate DAW Focus.
Note: It is important to distinguish between DAW Focus mode (where the desk’s channels control the tracks within the DAW) and DAW input selection within Analogue Focus mode (where the desk’s channels control the analogue signal returning from the DAW).
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Chapter 2 - Getting Started

Preparing for the tutorial

This tutorial assumes that you have followed the instructions in Chapter 1 (Installation and Setup), and have therefore installed and configured the Matrix Remote and ipMIDI software, set up at least one DAW layer, and made at least the following connections:
- One channel input (‘line in’), output (‘channel out’) and DAW return (the tutorial refers to Channel 16, but any will do).
One insert (‘device’) send and return (the tutorial refers to Insert 1, but any will do).
-
One FX send with stereo return (the tutorial refers to FX3, but any will do).
-
- Your main monitors and engineer’s headphones.
You will also need to create a session in your DAW with at least one audio track with its input and output assigned to the channel you are using for this tutorial. Name this channel
Each step of this tutorial also presumes that your Matrix is in the state it would be if all the previous steps had been accurately followed, and that no other buttons have been pressed in the process. If the desk doesn’t respond in the way described, please review the previous steps as well as these preparatory instructions.
For the purposes of this tutorial, we suggest you find a fairly constant audio source, such as a CD player, for the channel input. The tutorial will presume that you are using channel 16, simply because it is close to the centre section. If your setup requires you to use a different channel, then that will work equally well. We also suggest that you create some obvious signal processing for both the insert (an EQ with extreme settings, for example), and the FX send (a huge reverb, for example). Once again, we will presume you have connected up DEVICE SEND and RETURN 1 and FX 3 (returning on Stereo Return 3), but if your setup requires you to use different connections, then that will work equally well.
Test.
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STEP 1:
In this step, we will simply learn how to bring signal into the channel from the D-connectors on the Matrix back panel.
First, ensure that the desk is in Analogue Focus mode, not DAW Focus mode, by checking that the Focus
button (shown right) is lit.
Press the upper
now assigned to channel 16.
ote: There is a second SELbutton in the channel, located a little lower on the channel strip, just above the fader. This
N button is associated with DAW control, not assigning the Master Channel. The DAW SEL button is examined on Page 67.
Find the INPUT FLIP button at the top of the Master Channel. This button determines which of the two channel inputs is
feeding the channel: the main (line-in) input, or the DAW return. Make sure the button is lit green, indicating that the main input is selected. If it is red, indicating that the DAW return is selected, press it to select the main input.
In the channel strip, the LEDs to the right of the grey gain pot labelled CHIP (at the top of the channel) also indicate the input selection: INPUT or DAW.
Use the gain pot to adjust the gain of the input. Your CD signal should now be shown in the meter above
Lift the channel fader to 0dB and check that neither the SOLO nor CUT buttons above the fader are lit.
ey on Channel 16. It will light to indicate that it is selected. The Master Channel is
SELk
the channel strip, and you can use this to adjust its level.
We will examine these controls in Step 7.
Bringing Signal into the Channel
Note: You won’t hear your signal until Step 3.
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Chapter 2 - Getting Started
STEP 2:
Having brought signal into the channel, we will now learn how to bring it out again. We will cover more of the channel output options in Steps 4 and 7.
Press the REC button in the BUS area towards the bottom of the Master Channel.
This routes the signal to the record bus. The button will light red to indicate that this routing is active. Your CD signal should now be shown in the REC meter, to the right of the VU’s above the centre section.
Adjust the level of the record bus using the grey gain pot in the main REC bus controls, located in the top-
right of the centre section (shown left).
There are two ways to route the signal to both record and mix busses:
Firstly we will route just this channel to both busses:
Press the MIX button, below the REC button in the Master Channel. It will light yellow to indicate that this routing is active.
Your CD signal should now be shown in the MIX meter, to the right of the VU’s above the centre section.
Secondly, we will route the whole record bus to the mix bus:
Routing to the Main Busses
So as not to double the routing, deselect the mix bus routing from the channel by pressing MIX again.
In the REC area of the centre section, press the TO MIX button. The LED next to it will light to indicate that this routing
is active.
The mix bus level is adjusted in two places:
Lift the master fader, to the right of the channel faders, to 0dB.
Turn the gain pot in the main MIX bus controls, located to the left of the REC bus controls. In order to
distinguish the mix bus from the record bus in the following step, leave the mix bus level about 20dB lower than the record bus level.
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STEP 3:
Hearing your Signal
In this step we will set some basic monitoring using the MAIN MONITORING area of the centre section, to the right of the Master Channel.
Check that the large blue pot marked MONITOR LEVEL is not turned up too high and that you
have switched on your main monitors!
Press the REC button, to the right of the large pot. It will light red to indicate that you have
selected the record bus for monitoring. Your CD signal should now be shown in the MON meter, to the right of the VU’s above the centre section.
Turn the monitor volume up using the
MONITOR LEVEL pot until you can hear your CD.
If you can’t hear anything, check that the DIM and CUT buttons beneath the monitor volume are
unlit, indicating that the mix is neither dimmed nor cut.
If you still can’t hear anything, press the SOLO CLEAR button in the top right of the monitoring
area. This clears any solos that might have been activated.
If there’s still no sound, check your connections and go back to Step 1!
Still in the MAIN MONITORING area, press the MIX button, located below the REC button in the monitoring section.
The REC button’s light will go out and the MIX button will light yellow to indicate that you have switched to monitoring the mix bus. Because you have set the mix bus level lower than the record bus, this action should cause the monitoring volume to drop. You may want to increase the mix bus gain now, so that you can hear the mix bus clearly for the rest of the tutorial.
Press the DIM button below the main volume. This makes the monitoring immediately quieter, and the button lights to
indicate that it is active.
Adjust the middle of the three smaller grey pots, marked DIM to define how much difference this button makes.
Press the DIM button again to cancel it.
Now press the CUT button. This makes the monitoring immediately silent, and the button lights to indicate that it is active.
Press the CUT button again to cancel it.
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STEP 4:
Sending to the Auxiliary Sends
Matrix has six auxiliary sends, the first two forming the Stereo Cue (CUE ST) send (which you will probably use for monitoring for musicians) and the remaining four labelled FX 1-4 (which you will probably use for feeding global effects such as reverb units).
Check that the gain pots for the overall bus levels, located in the top right corner of the centre section (FX1
is shown right), are all set to 0dB, with the white line pointing towards the meters. This will allow you to see what happens in the meters when you turn the pots in the channel.
The first two pots beneath the CHOP are the pan and gain trim for the CUE ST, which we will cover in Step 8. The stereo cue functions similarly to the FX sends which we will concentrate on here: The two pots below the stereo cue are the gain trim for the FX busses. FX1 and 3 share a pot, as do FX 2 and 4.
Press the upper gain pot, labelled FX1/3, to switch on FX1. The LED below it and to the right will light to
indicate that it is on.
Use the pot to adjust the gain, using the FX1 meter to the right of the VU’s as a reference.
In the Master Channel, press the button marked FX3. This swaps the FX1/3 gain pot from controlling the
FX1 send level to controlling the FX3 send level. The FX3 button will light to indicate that this swap has
been made, as will the FX3 LED to the right of the FX1/3 pot. Notice that the FX1 meter has gone blank and the FX3 meter now reflects the CD player. The settings you created for the FX1 send transfer automatically to the FX3 send.
FX busses 2 and 4 work in exactly the same way as FX busses 1 and 3, using the next gain pot down.
Once you have sent signal to the aux busses, you need to set the overall output level of the bus. Each aux bus has its own control area, and you have already looked there to check that they are turned up sufficiently. For this tutorial, we will use FX3, as well as ST RET 3 (Stereo Return 3, shown right).
In the FX3 area in the very corner of the centre section, turn the gain pot to adjust the output signal level.
Press the AFL button in the FX3 area to listen to the FX3 bus send. Press it again to return to normal
monitoring.
In the ST RET 3 area, located below FX sends 1 and 2, press MIX to send the returning signal to the mix
bus. You should now hear the processing you created added to the clean CD signal in the monitoring.
Press the AFL button below the ST RET 3 gain trim to listen to the signal on its own.
Adjust the level of the return using the gain trim, and the left-right balance using the pot above the gain trim.
Press the
MONO button above the balance control. This reduces the stereo return to mono. The balance
pot will now be a pan pot. Press the MONO button again to restore the return to stereo again.
Press the AFL button again to return to normal monitoring.
For more information on auxiliary sends, including altering the point in the channel which feeds them, see Page 35.
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STEP 5:
In this step in the tutorial we are going to concentrate on global control of the DAW, leaving in-channel controls to Step 6.
ote that the DAW control elements of Matrix function within the protocol of the DAW being controlled, as described in
N Chapter 1. Please refer to your DAW
Find the DAW LAYER SELECT buttons, located in the centre section, below
he digital scribble strip, and select the layer on which you have configured
t your DAW. The selected button lights to indicate that it is active. Layer 1 is active when none of the buttons are lit. If you wish to use Layer 1 and another layer is selected, press the lit button to return to Layer 1.
Find the main Matrix transport controls, located at the bottom of the centre
section. Above the main transport controls you will find two rows of five buttons. These give you access to some of the more complex DAW controls. If you operate any of the transport controls you will notice that they now control the transport of your DAW.
Note that the DAW track names that appear in the Matrix channels refer to the tracks within the DAW that the Matrix channel is controlling, not an analogue signal being fed from the DAW return. The control of a DAW track may appear in a different Matrix channel from the analogue signal fed out from that DAW track, whose channel is fixed.
Note: The ARTIST button is concerned with talkback, not transport control, so you can ignore it for now.
Press the Focus button, located immediately below the Master Channel in the centre section. It should
now be unlit, indicating that you are now in DAW Focus mode. The console is now focussed on controlling the signals inside the DAW rather than the analogue signals coming through the desk. You will notice that any channel names you have created in the DAW now appear in the digital scribble strip that runs through the middle of the desk, possibly in a shortened form.
Global Control of your DAW
ontrol surface
c
documentation for more details.
Above and to the left of the transport controls, you will find the BANK and
CHANNEL keys. These buttons scroll the DAW tracks through the Matrix
channels. BANK scrolls the tracks 16 at a time, whereas CHANNEL scrolls them one at a time. These buttons allow the 16 Matrix channels to control more than 16 DAW tracks. Make sure that you leave the DAW track which is being fed from Channel Out 16 (which you named Test) in one of the channel strips (not necessarily channel 16).
To the right of the transport controls is a large black wheel with nine buttons above it. Ensure that
the cursor key flashing, press it until it is unlit. Also ensure that no Wheel Mode switches are lit. If one is, press the lit button to deselect it.
Refer to your DAW control surface documentation to determine the default function of the Scroll Wheel
and Cursor keys. Note that when controlling Pro Tools the Jog Wheel will scroll the timeline forwards and backwards – this is not a normal Pro Tools function
In this tutorial we are only skimming the surface of the control capabilities of Matrix. See Chapters 5 and 6 for more details of more advanced DAW control functions.
MODE button (towards the top, surrounded by arrow keys) is unlit. If it is lit or
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STEP 6:
In this step we will turn our attention to control of the DAW track.
Still on the Matrix console, press the CUTbutton in the channel controlling the Testtrack, located above
the channel fader. You will notice that the button will light. Press the CUT button again to deactivate it.
Press the SOLO button in the channel controlling the Test track, located below the CUT button. You will
notice that the Test track will solo in the DAW. On Matrix, the channel SOLO button will light and the
CUT buttons in all the other channels will flash.
Channel Control of your DAW
Test track will cut in the DAW. On Matrix, the channel CUT
Notice that the selected in the DAW.
Press the SOLO button again to deactivate it.
Move the fader at the bottom of the Matrix channel. You will notice that the DAW’s Test track fader is moving.
Find the SEL KEY area of the centre section, located below the DAW LAYER
SELECT buttons. These buttons define the function of the lower SEL key
which is concerned with DAW control.
Note that the SEL KEY modes have nothing to do with the upper, analogue SEL key.
Ensure that all the SEL KEY buttons are unlit, indicating that the lower SEL keys are in default mode. If any buttons are lit,
press them to return to default mode.
In default mode, the lower SEL keys function as DAW track selectors:
Press the SEL key in the channel controlling the Test track. You will notice that you have selected the Test track in the
DAW.
Press the left hand SEL KEY button marked REC ARM and press the SEL key in the channel controlling the Test track
again. You will notice that this time you have record-armed the Test track in the DAW. Leave the track record-readied.
See Chapter 5 for details of other in-channel DAW control functions.
SOLO LED below the monitoring section is flashing, indicating that there is a solo button
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