Fundamentals

The LX-300 digital audio engine —                  power
                  for the most demanding applications.
                  

Matrix3 is powered by the LX-300 digital audio engine. Using 32-bit floating-point calculations, the LX-300 has enough DSP power for the most demanding applications. Every Matrix3 system is built on a Primary LX-300 processor. The Primary LX-300 houses the DSP for mixing, processing, and matrixing; networking capabilities; and serial communications.

Inputs/Outputs

Matrix3 is configured with mic- or line-level analog inputs and analog outputs. Digital I/O is optionally available via AES3 or CobraNet. Matrix3 is scalable: when additional I/O is needed, Expansion processors can be linked to the Primary processor, each Expansion processor adding I/O and more DSP capability. Matrix3 can be configured to accept as many as 280 inputs and feed up to 400 outputs.

Client-Server Architecture

The LX-300 uses a client-server architecture, allowing the system to be controlled by multiple clients at once. That means a secondary control station can monitor and modify system operations. It might be someone walking around a venue with a wireless tablet, a system operator sitting backstage to supplement one at front-of-house, or a redundant controller to protect against the unexpected. With the potential for multiple clients comes the need to manage access for those clients. User-defined access policies prevent unauthorized users from making unwanted changes, so you can rest assured that the projects you create are secure.

Control

Some fully-automated applications require no control surface for the Matrix3 to operate, but live performance applications usually do. For many regional theatres and other situations with relatively modest needs, the answer is often the CueMixer, a compact, fully programmable control surface for Matrix3 offering eight 100 mm faders and 32 buttons. Since it operates over the RS-422 serial interface, independently of the Matrix3's network, CueMixer is also useful as a backup controller in larger systems.

For major productions, the modular CueConsole is available as a special order. Highly specialized applications can be accommodated by Matrix3's support of the OpenSound Control (OSC) protocol.

Communication with External Devices

Matrix3 can communicate fluently with the outside world. Send and receive MIDI messages for control or timing functions, send or receive SMPTE time code to synchronize the Matrix3 with lighting, projection, pyrotechnic, or other systems. Simple relay closures are available, too. Matrix3 can drive (or be driven by) lighting, pyrotechnics, and other devices in the production for a full coordination across all technical systems.

Hard Disk Storage

A single 80 GB Wild Tracks SCSI drive hard drive stores 130 track hours of sound, with up to 15 Wild Tracks drives possible in one system. SafetyNet software automatically switches disk drives in the unlikely event of a hard drive failure. Even if a disk goes down, the show stays up.

Automation »

Matrix3 Brochure
(PDF)

CueMixer RIF 108
Matrix3 Control
Surface Brochure (PDF)