Introduction

Product Abstract

With Matrix Mic, you can use any computer connected microphone or line-in device (such as an MP3 player) as input. Then send that audio input to one or multiple sets of computer connected speakers simultaneously. An example of Multi-Zone Outputs Systems (see Figure 1) might be separate PA systems in the stage, lobby, and courtyard areas of a theater. Make announcements to all zones at once -- "Show starts in 5 minutes. Please take your seats.". Or play music tracks from a line-in device. Or pre-record your announcements and Play the audio file from your computer hard drive (or other drive) to multiple zones.

No specialized hardward needed -- just standard computer components. Microphones can be any computer connected device: USB mics, headset mic, Webcam mic, etc. You can create Output Groups that list which speakers will receive the sound so you can rapidly switch between target speaker destinations. For example, one Output Groups may contain all three zones (stage, lobby, and courtyard). Another Output Groups may contain one zone (lobby only). Simply select a group, then broadcast. Save your Output Group configurations for future use. No limit on the number of speaker zones supported. Useful for entertainment, school and business applications of any type. Use stand-alone or as a companion tool to Sound Mill.

Who should use Matrix Mic?

Any venue with multiple output zones (see Figure 1.) and a need to make crowd announcements, can benefit from Matrix Mic. Examples include theaters, shopping malls, retail stores, office buildings, sports venues, haunted house walk thrus and other public venues. Hobbyists can even use it in a wired home as an intercom to basement, garage, etc.

No special hardware required

Your setup can be as sophisticated as a desktop powerhouse or server with multiple soundcards. Or a professional quality output device with multiple I/O channels and a 3D speaker system. Or as simple and mobile as a laptop or netbook computer with computer speakers connected to the headphone jack. Note: Multi I/O channel devices (with multiple output ports) must have DirectX drivers. If the I/O channels are listed in the Windows Sound Playback devices list, it should work. (see Windows Control Panel -- Sound and Audio Devices -- Audio tab). Use any computer connected microphone or a headset microphone.

Key Features

• PA system for live announcements  - Use as a PA system (Public Address) for live announcements to multiple connected speaker systems.
• Use with other audio programs  - Use Matrix Mic and other audio software (ex. WMP, Windows Media Player) simultaneously.
• Select Output Devices  - Select the zones where you want to send mic announcements in a Multi-Zone Outputs Systems environment. (ex. lobby PA, stage tower speakers, courtyard).
• Fully Configurable  - Create and save output groups that define which speaker zones to use. For example, an Intermission Announcements group may contain 2 destination zones, lobby and concession area.
• Save and load Configurations  - You may have different configurations needs for different events (ex. Matinee or evening performance). Reload a saved configuration as needed.
• Assign User Friendly Device Names  - If the lobby speaker system is connected to soundcard "USB Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX", you can assign it the logical name "Lobby PA" in your configuration. So operators can easily understand your zone configurations.
• Set Volumes for Speaker Systems  - You can independently set volumes for each speaker zone. So an announcement may sound louder or softer in any given zone.
• Play Audio Files  - Save canned announcements as audio files (wav format only) and play them to desired zones. (ex. "Building will be closing in 15 minutes...") Play it in a continous loop if desired.
• All Standard Audio Formats Supported  ^[1] - Matrix Mic supports these formats out-of-the-box: WAV, MP3, WMA, MIDI (MID), AU, AIFF (AIF), MPEG (MPG), and WMV. Other extended formats can be supported via free codecs.
• Flexible Playback Modes  - Play the audio file One Time through; Continously Loop play; or Repeat play a specified number of times.
• Play at Intervals  - Add a delay between repeat plays to play an audio file at desired intervals. For example, make an announcement every 5 minutes.
• Set Output Format Quality  - Mono/stereo, sample rate (ex 48Khz), bit rate quality(8 or 16 bit).
• Select Source Mic  - If your computer has more than one microphone connected, easily select the source mic.
• View and Print Configurations  - Save the Configurations on paper and include in a project book if desired.
• No specialized hardware required  - All you need is a computer connected microphone or headset with mic. And one or multiple speakers systems connected to your computer via off the shelf soundcards. See the discussion of Multi-Zone Outputs Systems for hardware ideas if you do not already have an in house speaker set up.
• For Pros or Hobbyists  - Multi-Zone Outputs Systems are not just for the Pros anymore. Hobbyists and amateur production sound designers can inexpensively set up a system that meets nearly any budget.

[1] One caveat on formats for audio file playback. If you want to send the playback audio to multiple output systems simultaneously, the file format must be WAV format (a DirectX restriction). All other formats will be played only to the current Windows Default Speakers, selected in Windows Control Panel -- Sounds applet. However, the Windows Default Speakers can be changed quickly at any time.