ProAudio Review - November 2008 - (Page 19)

“In summation, Matrix is the do-everything nerve center of a serious production studio. Matrix can give in-the-box screen-gazers assistance they didn’t know they needed and hardware-lovers analog satisfaction they thought was incompatible with computers.” Solid State Logic, a company I’ve held in high esteem since before I ever got to drool on an actual SSL as a wide-eyed, protoengineer. To me, working on an SSL meant—and still means— you’re working on the best. At an inch over three feet wide, Matrix’s 50 lbs. are wrestleable even by engineers with lapsed gym memberships. Ever rap on a speaker to hear how well the cabinet is damped? Well, the sheet metal panel on Matrix’s underside produced varying resonances ranging from 40 to 100Hz; for installs I’d recommend placing neoprene pads between the console and its resting surface to keep these resonances from affecting low frequency monitoring. [In response to Alex’s comment about the resonance of the underside of Matrix, Solid State Logic offers, “We have raised a change order today to add a damping layer to this panel.”—Ed.] Of the 233 buttons and switches on the Matrix, the biggest and beefiest are the transport controls, recalling a 900 lb. tape machine. On the first press, the rewind button stuck in the down position as did two others once I tested each for the malady on the otherwise physically flawless console. [“This is not a reported fault,” confirms an SSL representative. “I hope that it is simply down to this particular unit being transported in a flight case from Oxford to the US” rather than standard Matrix shipping materials.—Ed.] Fader-banks and knob-sets are countersunk beneath and divided by softly beveled, chunky plastic rails. These rails and the rest of the frame are coated with a self-healing, rubberized surface that I was not able to scratch with my fingernail. The look of the faintly sparkling silver console edges falls somewhere between disco and Kubrick. All the controls feel solidly mounted in the well-damped surface; I bet you could drop a powered nearfield on the Matrix without leaving a mark. Clean symmetry helps one make quick visual sense of a multitude of controls. While the Matrix may sound hollow when you bang on its undercarriage as I did, I doubt there’s much room inside its technology-packed chassis. (Just listing all Matrix’s features would squelch my word count so please go to www.solid-statelogic.com/music/matrix/index.asp to see the full list.) In summation, Matrix is the do-everything nerve center of a serious production studio. Matrix can give in-the-box screen-gazers assistance they didn’t know they needed and hardware-lovers analog satisfaction they thought was incompatible with computers. Highlights include: Large-format console master section; dual stereo mix busses with summing inserts; flexible, no-latency artist monitoring; 16 channels of analog mixing/DAW summing with moving faders and aux send; analog insert routing matrix; 16 simultaneous channels of comprehensive DAW virtual knobs and displays; and Total Recall. Matrix embodies previously unassembled features in one desk. Setup and Concepts I began by installing the provided software and the manual. Ethernet and USB cables between Matrix and my Mac started Fast Facts Applications Studio, project studio, audio post, audio for broadcast, mastering Key Features Large-format console master section; dual stereo mix busses with summing inserts; flexible, nolatency artist monitoring; 16 channels of analog mixing/DAW summing with moving faders and aux send; analog insert routing matrix; 16 simultaneous channels of comprehensive DAW virtual knobs and displays; Total Recall. Price $25,995 list Contact Solid State Logic | 212-315-1111 www.solidstatelogic.com Product Points Integrates analog outboard with your DAW Deep DAW controller feature set Innovative analog routing matrix SSL quality and pedigree Price gives an exclusivity factor Price out of reach for average project studio Virtual scribble strip is too small Score SSL continues their dedication environment to integrating top analog sound and utility in a modern DAW at a price within reach of some pros. www.proaudioreview.com November 2008 | ProAudioReview 19 http://www.solidstatelogic.com http://www.solid-state-logic.com/music/matrix/index.asp http://www.solid-state-logic.com/music/matrix/index.asp http://www.proaudioreview.com

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

ProAudio Review - November 2008 Contents Technically Speaking First Look 2008 PAR Excellence Awards New Studio Products Studio Sense Review: Solid State Logic Matrix Review: Arsenal Audio by API R24, V14, and R20 Mini-Review Review, Second Opinion, and Benchtest Review: A-Designs HM2EQ HAMMER Review: Sontronics Sigma Phantom Powered Ribbon Microphone Analog In The Studio: Nostalgia Ain’t What It Used To Be New Live Products Worship Audio Review: Community VERIS Series Loudspeakers Installation Profile Single Slice

ProAudio Review - November 2008

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