ProAudio Review - November 2008 - (Page 22)

the analog domain; the performer hears what’s already been recorded on the DAW until the punch, at which point Matrix switches the source to the live input. To monitor the song I mixed during this review, “Sex and Violins” by The Stock Market Crash, I selected channels 1+2 and flipped them to DAW input. Judging by the sound quality of just a pair of mixer channels, I would feel very confident summing 16 DAW returns with the Matrix. There are many meters that tell you many useful things, but the ones that do it for me are the large Vu meters; I forgot how much I missed them and how informative they are. In order to automate Matrix’s 16 analog faders, 16 MIDI channels must be created in the DAW to record MIDI volume automation messages. I favor this streamlined solution over synchronizing the console to the transport via other standards such as SMPTE. TR, a term familiar to SSL users, stands for Total Recall. TR is a method by which the position of any TR-enabled, fader, knob and switch can be saved in a snapshot and later recalled via automated controls and manual resetting. Matrix is a Total Recall desk. DAW Focus Moving to DAW Focus for the first time was familiar territory as I am an experienced “HUI-esque controller” user. Sixteen channels are way more fun than eight or one. The bank of 16 can be shifted to control any 16 DAW channels at a time. Matrix fills all the normal HUI protocol functions such as volume, pan, mute, solo, and automation status. Matrix’s faders are fantastically smooth, quick, and quiet, but unless I grounded myself by touching metal on a piece of my rack gear, the motorized faders fought my moves, creating choppy volume rides. keyboard and trackball at my project studio to control Pro Tools, it takes a little discipline to shift into the world of real faders and knobs. I can see the scroll wheel and other nav buttons knocking precious minutes off of tracking time. When in grid mode, the wheel efficiently moves the cursor by grid increments, such as one bar. V-Pots and Scribble Strips—get Sean Connery to say that 16 times fast. These two are coordinated to display current parameters and alter their values. Parameters can range from analog channel name and level, to automation mode, amongst many others. For Pro Tools only, plug-in parameters can be controlled upon activating the “plug-in” switch. From physical to virtual, the knobs track very well with acceptable lag time. By pressing “flip,” I can finally control send levels with a real fader. Anything MIDI within your PC can be controlled by Matrix’s faders and program- “The navigation section works like a dream. As one who uses a keyboard and trackball at my project studio to control Pro Tools, it takes a little discipline to shift into the world of real faders and knobs. I can see the scroll wheel and other nav buttons knocking precious minutes off of tracking time. When in grid mode, the wheel efficiently moves the cursor by grid increments, such as one bar.” [From SSL: “The business of Alex needing to earth himself is a known phenomena—but it is rare. We now actually have over a thousand consoles in the field with this generation of touchsensitive fader; under some atmospheric conditions with some people with a specific skin type, these users seem to generate a different voltage. We can actually calibrate the voltage change threshold of the faders and are keen to tweak it on the Matrix. Interestingly, when I reported it to the development manager for Matrix, he excitedly asked if the console was still installed in Alex’s studio because he wanted to send a service engineer out to put a meter on Alex and monitor the console’s response on an SSL configuration terminal.”—Ed.] The navigation section works like a dream. As one who uses a mable CC (continuous controller) switches. The master fader focus button enables control of a single analog fader while in DAW Focus, or control of a single DAW fader while in Analog Focus. Above transport land is the soft key section, with scribble strip. By default, the most commonly used DAW parameters appear here, but any function or keystroke can be programmed and automatically stored on the SD card. In fact, four separate sets of soft keys are waiting for the user’s preferences. You may never have to, or want to, touch a mouse again. The Insert Matrix Matrix’s insert matrix is a programmable, electronically switched patch bay for your favorite 16 analog devices. Task- 22 ProAudioReview | November 2008 www.proaudioreview.com 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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