Symetrix announced the first shipments of its AirTools Studio Matrix, a modular system that is intended to handle audio routing and ancillary signal processing in small- to mid-sized broadcast facilities.
The Studio Matrix comprises a variety of rack-mountable components, most with onboard DSP, that network to each other to form a powerful system centrally located in the facility. That central location is typically the main rack room. The resulting system is capable of routing, switching, mixing, dynamics, automatic gain control (AGC), parametric and graphic equalization, multiple modes of filtering and more. Any component can be made redundant. Onsite system control is handled in a number of ways, while Ethernet capability provides for remote access over the Web.
The individual components will be introduced to the market in phases. The first phase includes the Icarus and Ulysses, with 16 mono line-level analog inputs and outputs, respectively. Future releases will include Narcissus, supporting eight channels of AES/EBU input, and Oedipus, with eight channels of AES output. Homer (shown), a 4-input/4-output remote breakout with mic/line inputs and phantom power, is intended for use in air and production studios, providing remote I/O for the system. As many as four Homers can interface with Iliad, a DSP-based 16×16 integrated in the Studio Matrix ring in the rack room.
Control I/O will also be available in the initial phase. This RS485-baseddevice expands control functionality by supporting analog pots, closuresand encoders, and MIDI controllers such as fader packs. It also includesopen collector and binary relay outputs that can interface with otherexternal equipment.
More information and the latest version of Studio Matrix Designer, aPC-based application for layout and control of a Studio Matrix system, isavailable online at www.airtoolsaudio.com.
