ProAudio Review - April 2008 - (Page 20)

STUDIO | First Look by Heather Johnson SSL Matrix SuperAnalogueConsole olid State Logic roseraised more than a few eyebrows at this year’s Frankfurt Musikmesse and subsequent Las Vegas’ NAB Convention as they announced Matrix — a compact 16-channel, 40-input mixing console with built-in SuperAnalogue signal router and multi-layer digital workstation control. The small-format desk turned heads for its ability to integrate the analog and digital domains, allowing an engineer to incorporate his existing racks of boutique signal processing in a DAW-based studio environment. Matrix doesn’t come with a lot of frills, musician to the established engineer or producer to the mastering engineer. Its small size (947 x 724 x 218mm) and flexibility make it suitable for project studio and ‘B Room’ environments, while its light weight (about 55 pounds) makes it suitable for portable touring rigs. “When we discussed some of our existing products with producers, engineers, and other customers, we would hear things like, ‘Well, the contentpackage is fine, but I don’t need everything that this system provides,’” says SSL Director of Product Marketing Niall Feldman. “They had built up a collection of their own equipment that, in many ways, ity and workstation control.” A music composer who works in a mostly solitary, computer-driven environment would appreciate Matrix’s ability to control multiple workstations simultaneously. MATRIX AT THE HEART Just as the Matrix itself serves as the heart of its recording environment, Matrix’s SuperAnalogue router serves as its central and most unique feature. The 32 x 16 x 16 routing matrix manages the sends and returns of up to 16 analog outboard processor units together with the assignment of the console’s channel strip inputs and insert points. By using the Matrix Java control panel software, any combination of outboard gear can be inserted into any of the console channels. A precious tube compressor can then act like a plug-in, but still sound like a precious tube compressor. “The name Matrix comes from the fact that it has this routing matrix at its heart,” says Feldman. “The SuperAnalogue router allows you to route your outboard gear to the inserts of the Matrix console. The Matrix itself is con- because it’s designed for recordists who don’t need, and don’t need to pay for, a lot of extras. Instead, SSL designed Matrix as a high-quality hub from which engineers can incorporate the mic pre’s, EQs, and other effects that they already have with their existing workstation, and operate the whole lot from one set of automated faders. Aside from its function as a central nervous system for hybrid recording, Matrix can serve as a true analog SSL recording and mixing console. And its price tag ($25,995 MSRP) makes it a relatively affordable alternative to a more fully loaded desk, provided one has the gear to support it. Due to its myriad functions, Matrix can benefit a variety of recording environments, from the video game composer to the recording defined their signature sound if you will. These people also moved around a lot, so the concept of a fixed installation console wouldn’t suit the way they did much of their work. Operation with workstations was also quite important. So we developed Matrix as a tool that would integrate all of the pieces of equipment and the workflow that these producers and engineers had to work with.” The applications for Matrix extend beyond traditional music production, however. Post production sessions, particularly Foley and sound effects recording, can benefit from Matrix’s efficiency. Those types of sessions don’t require a huge number of inputs, compressors, or EQs,” says Feldman. “They need a small number of inputs with high audio qual- trolled from a Java application that runs on any PC or Mac. The Java control panel software gives you a visual, graphic way to control the router, so if you want to insert your LA2A on channel three, you open a window, select the insert for channel three, pick the LA2A from a list, and the job’s done. That then could get saved as part of the project settings to be recalled later.” An engineer can follow the same process to select and save outboard chains. “With one recall of a preset you can set up that chain instantly from the control application. Matrix would be a good analog mixing console with workstation control even if it didn’t have the SuperAnalogue router, but that feature really SSL continues on page 22 ➤ 20 | ProAudio Review | April 2008 Subscribe to the Digital Edition of Pro Audio Review http://www.myparmag.com www.proaudioreview.com http://www.proaudioreview.com http://www.myparmag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ProAudio Review - April 2008

ProAudio Review - April 2008 Contents A Little More Recognition Please Studio News and New Products API 1608 16-Channel Analog Console TASCAM X-48 Digital Audio Workstation SSL Matrix Super Analogue Console Toft Audio Design Series ATB Analog Console KRK Systems Exposé E8B Powered Monitor Broadcast News and New Products ZOOM H2 Portable Digital Recorder Producing Surround Sound at 50th Grammy Awards JBL LSR4312SP Linear Spatial Reference Powered Subwoofer Audio Production For Gaming Euphonix S5 Fusion Digital Post Production Console NAB Hot Gear Soundcraft Vi6 Digital Live Production Console Go To A Show! Contracting News and New Products Studio Consoles Studio Wireless Microphones Alicia Keys “Superwoman”

ProAudio Review - April 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.