Avid is leading the audio industry again with the finest AD/DA interface they’ve ever released. The Avid Pro Tools® | MTRX Converter System is a highly configurable multichannel audio interface that offers converters, mic preamps, format conversion, and extensive signal routing, plus monitor control, all in a single 2U rack space. Let’s explore what the Avid MTRX can do for you.
Here’s a list of questions that will help determine if MTRX is the perfect interface for you. Do you need:
- the highest-quality Pro Tools–compatible HD interface that money can buy?
- 48 channels of incredible mic preamps in a single 2RU box with DigiLink or Dante output?
- an AD converter that offers the finest audio conversion at rates up to 384kHz, as well as DSD 64 or DSD 128 with precise internal clock?
- the security of dual power supplies for your critical recording applications?
- a MADI I/O solution that offers 64 channels of I/O in a single box?
- a configurable analog or digital I/O that can offer 48 line-ins or 48 line-outs?
- a highly configurable monitor controller with the capability of having 48 discrete outputs to build monitoring solutions for 5.1, 5.2, 7.1, 9.1, 11.2, or Atmos?
If you answered yes to any or all of the above, then MTRX is the answer for you.
What is MTRX?
1 – A Powerful World-class Interface
Released in conjunction with Digital Audio Denmark, one of the world’s most respected makers of high-end professional A/D and D/A converters, MTRX is a multi-format HD interface that utilizes card slots to make it configurable to handle just about any need. This 2U rack unit has eight card slots that will hold converters or other cards that can handle up to 48 channels of A/D and D/A, and optional mic preamp cards can accommodate up to 48 channels of pristine mic amplification. This Eucon-controlled interface will handle AES3, MADI, and 3G-SDI and will accommodate the following:
- 64 channels of DigiLink (dual 32-channel Mini-DigiLink ports)
- 64 channels via Dante
- 1024 channels over MADI (192 channels on the chassis)
- 144 channels of AES/EBU (16 channels on the chassis)
- 128 channels with the Dual MADI card
- 256 channels via 3G-SDI (2 x 16-channel embed/de-embed with SRC)
- 16 channels via the AES3 card (16 channels per card)
Using combinations of the expansion cards allows you to customize the MTRX into exactly the interface you need. Analog cards include:
- MTRX 8 Line Pristine AD Card
- MTRX 2 Mic/Line Pristine AD Card (with 2 mic preamps)
- MTRX 8 Mic/Line Pristine AD Card (with 8 mic preamps)
- MTRX Pristine 8 DA Card
The capabilities of the MTRX also allow these digital options:
- MTRX 8 AES3 I/O Card
- MTRX Dual SDI/HD/3G Card
- MTRX 64-channel IP Audio Dante Module (installed on motherboard)
- MTRX Dual MADI I/O Card (installed on motherboard)
The MTRX offers dual internal power supplies for redundancy (when using five cards or fewer) for mission-critical reliability. For large setups, multiple MTRX units can be controlled from a single computer, or conversely, multiple workstations can have synchronized control of a single MTRX interface for maximum flexibility.
2 – An Extensive Monitoring and I/O Controller
MTRX comes with DADman software for configuration and routing of audio signals, and it also enables control of the Pro | Mon monitor section. You can use it to set up multiple monitoring and talkback options. Routing to multiple different speaker setups — mono to stereo, 5.1, 7.1, 9.1, all the way up to surround systems with 64 channels of audio — is all possible with the MTRX. Pro | Mon 2 monitoring section also allows custom fold-down templates for switching between monitor formats. It also includes a 256 x 32, 32-bit floating-point summing mixer so you can sum stems and sources to feed different monitor outputs. Talkback options are extensive too, with built-in talkback capabilities that allow routing to any set of monitor outs as well as Cut and Dim options on any output. DADman is compatible with both Macs and PCs and complete control of all interface parameters including:
- A/D analog input
- Mic pre gain and parameter control
- D/A output level
- Routing matrix
- Settings configuration
- Multiple unit control
- Monitor control configuration
- Cue | Mix zero latency mixer
3 – An Amazingly Comprehensive Patchbay
The MTRX low-latency router allows you to patch any of 1500 inputs to 1500 outputs, yielding astounding flexibility for even the most complex audio installations. Any input channel can be routed to any output channel, individually or simultaneously, providing for extensive connectivity.
Here is a screenshot of the 1500 x 1500-point DADman patchbay.
MTRX: The Ultimate Interface
Clearly the Avid MTRX can handle all your interface and monitoring needs — you just need to decide which optional cards you should install to accommodate your immediate needs. Here are some standard configurations that Sweetwater has available.
- Avid MTRX 8×8 Analog Interface
- Avid MTRX 8×8 Analog Interface with Dante
- Avid MTRX 16×16 Analog Interface
- Avid MTRX 16×16 Analog Interface with Dante
- Avid MTRX 8×8 Analog Interface System with HDX Core Card
- Avid MTRX 8×8 Analog Interface System with Dante with HDX Core Card
- Avid MTRX 16×16 Analog Interface System with HDX Core Card
- Avid MTRX 16×16 Analog Interface System with Dante with HDX Core Card
To configure your customized system, call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 and design your customized MTRX today.
