⚙️ Avid MTRX Studio: Ultimate Flexibility

5 out of 5 Bags 💰💰💰💰💰 

Written by Jonathan Garcia

Well deserved and overdue.

Overview: 

The Avid MTRX Studio is a BEAST. This is a sleek 1U interface with premium IO. Its DADman software handles complex routing, speaker calibration, monitor & output switching. This is the hub that brings everything together in your studio. Pristine AD/DA conversion and an incredible dynamic range. With native DAW, HDX, Digilink, Dante & Eucon connectivity. This interface is ready to handle any session and project you have. 

Inputs & Outputs:

The MTRX Studio IO is detailed and flexible to incorporate into already existing studios or a great place to start building from. You get a plethora of I/O and flexibility. I am connecting the MTRX to my system with the TB3 extension card (you have to install it yourself) and it works flawlessly. I have a hybrid mix setup with a 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos setup and the LR is the same for my stereo configuration. I have some channel strips normaled to line inputs & tielines normaled to the mic inputs for quick connection. This is the Master Clock for my other interface that I use for hardware inserts. As my role has been primarily mixing immersive & stereo the quality, connectivity and power the MTRX Studio delivers is unmatched. 

🎛️ Core I/O Features

Analog Mic / Instrument inputs: x2 

Analog Line I/O: 16x16 vis DB25

Analog Monitor Outputs: x2 balanced ¼’ monitor outputs

Headphone Outputs: x2 balanced ¼’ headphone outs

⚡️Digital Network I/O

DigiLink: 2 Mini Digilink 32channel connectors (64 channels total) for interfacing & connectivity with Pro Tools HD/HDX systems.

ADAT Optical In: 2 Toslink Optical I/O pairs for more digital connections.

Dante: 64x64 audio over IP I/O channels. 

Thunderbolt 3: x1, 64 channels of low latency I/O. Works as CoreAudio or ASIO.

🚰 Sync & Expansion 

Clock & Sync: Word Clock in/out, plus Loop Sync I/O & Dante network sync.

Sample Rate Support: 44.1 to 192kHz

🔊Monitoring, Routing & Calibration

Monitor Outputs: Dedicated balanced ¼’ outs to drive your main monitors directly. 

Headphone Outputs: 2 Headphone outs located on the front panel.

Routing Matrix / Digital Patchbay: 512 x 512 crosspoint matrix allows any input to any output for extensive routing capabilities.

Summing / Monitor Profiles / Fold Downs: Features for monitor profile switching, different speaker calibrations, fold downs, multichannel control.

👾Software:

DADman:

Made by Digital Audio Denmark(DAD), DADman is a control app used to configure, route, monitor, and manage the MTRX Studio interface. It’s required to fully use the interface. In my opinion, this software is extremely powerful and slept on. Its 512x512 routing possibilities and functions like speaker correction, channel soloing, & profile switching make this some serious control software for any studio. It's a hub where you have full control.

🔑 Key Features & Functions:

Routing / Matrix: 512 x 512 cross point matrix. Route any input to any output. Splitting, rerouting, duplicating, digital patchbay. 

Monitor Profiles: Define different monitoring setups & fold downs (stereo, surround, different speaker sets). Choose sources, outputs, set trims and more. 

Speaker / Room Tuning (SPQ): Speaker correction EQ. 256 filters for correction. 16 per channel & bass management. 

Control Surface / Remote Control: Works with EUCON.

DADMOM Controller: The MOM (Monitor Operating Module) is a hardware control for the monitoring section (PRO|MON) of DADman software. The unit doesn’t pass any audio. Everything audiowise is still handled inside the MTRX. MOM is purely for control. It’s connected via ethernet and can be powered POE or with its DC power supply. I love the functionality. You can assign any parameter to any button and multiple layers to have multiple functions. Seamlessly switching and full control at the tips of your fingers. As a professional this is extremely important because I am constantly checking references, fold downs, different calibrations, different inputs etc. This controller & software make all of that extremely easy and fluent in my workflow. You can also use other UECON devices to control DADman software. 

Sync / Clocking Configuration: Choose your clock source (internal, Word Clock, Dante, ADAT etc.), set sync source & out, set sample rates & delay.

🤩 🫤Pros & Cons:

Pros: 

• Huge flexibility & Routing: 512 x 512  digital patchbay with the ability to route anything to anything 

• High I/O Count: Strong set of analog & digital I/O. Broad connectivity for any studio.

• Integrated monitoring & speaker calibration

• Dante I/O allows expansion for network audio capabilities

• Compact and versatile all housed inside a 1U rack unit

• 128dB of dynamic range

Cons: 

• 💸 Bit of a higher buy in.

• Fixed I/O: If your needs grow you might hit limitations

• With great power comes great complexity: Potentially steep learning curve. The software isn’t the friendliest for beginners.

💡 Final Thoughts

5 Out of 5 Bags 💰💰💰💰💰 

The Avid MTRX Studio is an impeccable interface. With high quality craftsmanship. Delivering pristine AD/DA conversion. Incredible I/O selection & expandability. With extremely flexible routing for any session you may find yourself in. I’ve been using this unit with the thunderbolt 3 module & MOM controller for over 3 years on a variety of projects, stereo & immersive. The quality, versatility and dependability of this interface has gone beyond my expectations and something special that others can’t compete with. If you’re in the market for upgrading your studio's interface, I highly recommend looking into the Avid MTRX Studio.