User’s Guide Hammerfall DSP MADI
© RME
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16.3 Advantages of the Matrix
The Matrix not always replaces the mixer view, but it significantly enhances the routing
capabilities and - more important - is a brilliant way to get a fast overview on all active routings.
It shows you in a glance what's going on. And since the Matrix operates monaural, it is very
easy to set up specific routings with specific gains.
Example 1
: You want TotalMix to route all software outputs to all corresponding hardware
outputs, and have a submix of all software outputs on the analog output (equals factory preset
5). Setting up such a submix is fast and easy. But how to check at a later time, that all settings
are still exactly the way you wanted them to be?
So far the only way to check that TotalMix is correctly set up this way, is to activate Submix
view, step through all existing software outputs, and have a very concentrated look at the
faders and displayed levels of each routing. That doesn't sound comfortably nor error-free,
right? Here is where the Matrix shines. In the Matrix view, you simply see a line from upper left
to lower right, all fields marked as unity gain. Plus two rows vertically all at the same level
setting. You just need 2 seconds to be sure no unwanted routing is active anywhere, and that
all levels match precisely!
Example 2
: The Matrix allows you to set up routings which would be nearly impossible to
achieve by fiddling around with level and pan. Let's say you want to send input 1 to output 1 at
0 dB, to output 2 at -3 dB, to output 3 at -6 dB and to output 4 at -9 dB. Each time you set up
the right channel (2/4), the change in pan destroys the gain setting of the left channel (1/2). A
real hassle! In Matrix view, you simply click on the corresponding routing point, set the level via
Ctrl-mouse, and move on. You can see in the desk view how level and pan changes
automatically when performing the second (fourth...) setting.
17. TotalMix Super-Features
17.1 ASIO Direct Monitoring
Start Samplitude, Sequoia, Cubase or Nuendo and TotalMix. Activate ADM (ASIO Direct
Monitoring), and move a fader in the ASIO host. Now watch the corresponding fader in
TotalMix magically move too. TotalMix reflects all ADM gain and pan changes in realtime.
Please note that faders only move when the currently activated routing (currently visible
routing) corresponds to the one in the ASIO host. Also note that the Matrix will show any
change, as it shows all possible routings in one view.
With this TotalMix has become a wonderful debugging tool for ADM. Just move the host's fader
and pan, and see what kind of ADM commands TotalMix receives.
The hardware output row faders are included in all gain calculation, in every possible way.
Example: you have lowered the output level of a submix, or just a specific channel, by some
dB. The audio signal passed through via ADM will be attenuated by the value set in the third
row.
