Output Groups

Terminology

An Output Group specifies one or multiple speaker device(s) that sound should be piped to when broadcasting (microphone) or playing an audio file. When you start Matrix Mic it will scan the computer hardware for input devices (microphones) and output devices (audio sound cards). It will also create Output Groups -- one for each output device and one group that contains all output devices. Each Output Group specifies one or more speaker zones (output devices) you want to broadcast to. You can create more Output Groups as desired. Output Groups are saved with the configuration file.

View Outputs and Devices

You can view the full configuration of Outputs and Devices by clicking Tools -- View Configuration Summary (see Listing 1.) . You can then save it to file or print it.

Output Groups Edit

Edit Output Groups by clicking Edit -- Output Groups -- Edit from the main menu. The Output Groups List Editor will pop up (see Figure 1.).

• Select Devices  - Select an Output Group in the list, then click the Devices button (see Figure 1.) . The resulting Device Select Dialog (see Figure 2.) allows you to select one or more Devices to be contained in an Output Group. This is a full replace of any devices currently in the group.
• Add  - Click the Add button to add a new Output Group to the bottom of the list. It is named with a random 3 letter id.
• Remove  - Select an Output Group in the list, then click the Remove button to remove the selected Output Group. Click the Remove All button to clear the list.
• Move  - You can move an Output Group by clicking the Move Up or Move Down button (green arrows). The position in the list is of no real importance accept as a way to reorder them for the Configuration Summary listing. However, in Sound Mill the order is important (in case you are a Sound Mill user) .
• Rename  - Allows you to Rename the group to identify its contents (ex. Lobby and Courtyard PAs). In the list editor, select a device in the list. Change the group Name in the textbox at the bottom of the editor then click the Rename button.

Output Groups Reset

Edit -- Output Groups -- Reset will delete all current Output Groups and create one new Output Group for each detected device. It will also create one group which contains All Devices. There is no UnDo for a Reset so use this operation carefully.

Creating a Multiple Output System on a Budget

Not everyone has the deep pocket budget of a Disney production. The approach you take will depend on affordability, number of outputs needed, types of cable connectors and sound quality desired. See our website for a summary of cost/quality trade-offs for high-end, mid range and low cost solutions for building Multi-Zone Output Systems.

Maximum Output Groups

There is a default maximum of 16 Output Groups for all editions of Matrix Mic. If you need more Output Groups, contact Support for pricing.

Example Output Groups

For the example in Listing 1, assume the venue has 3 logical speaker systems: Stage Towers, a Lobby PA, and Courtyard PA. The example below shows four output groups defined. Output groups 0 and 1 contains one device (dev) each. Output group 2 (Output - Lobby and Courtyard) contains 2 devices to be used for music and announcements directed to 2 zones.

Name: Audio Configuration - Center Street Theater

Description: Center Street Theater speaker systems configuration.
Theater manager: Leslie Nielsen
Tel. 203-555-12334
Set courtyard volume to below 75%, per city noise ordinance

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OUTPUT GROUPS
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Maximum outputs = 16

0 Output Group: Primary Sound Driver
Contains 1 device(s).
Device 0, Logical name: Primary Sound Driver

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1 Output Group: Lobby Only
Contains 1 device(s).
Device 1, Logical name: Lobby PA

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2 Output Group: Courtyard PA Only
Contains 1 device(s).
Device 2, Logical name: Courtyard PA
___________________________________

3 Output Group: Stage Towers Only
Contains 1 device(s).
Device 3, Logical name: Stage Towers

___________________________________

4 Output Group: Lobby and Courtyard PAs
Contains 2 device(s).
Device 1, Logical name: Lobby PA
Device 2, Logical name: Courtyard PA

___________________________________

5 Output Group: All Speaker Zones
Contains 2 device(s).
Device 1, Logical name: Lobby PA
Device 2, Logical name: Courtyard PA
Device 3, Logical name: Stage Towers

___________________________________

===================================
DEVICES
===================================
Default Device = 0, Primary Sound Driver
___________________________________
Device 0
Logical Name: Primary Sound Driver
System Name: Primary Sound Driver
Guid: 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
Volume: 50%
Initialized: True

___________________________________
Device 1
Logical Name: Lobby PA
System Name: USB Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX
Guid: bd6dd71a-3deb-11d1-b171-00c04fc20002
Volume: 60%
Initialized: True

___________________________________
Device 2
Logical Name: Courtyard PA
System Name: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Guid: bd6dd71a-3deb-11d1-b171-00c04fc20000
Volume: 75%
Initialized: True

___________________________________
Device 3
Logical Name: Stage Towers
System Name: Sound Blaster X-Fi 24
Guid: bd6ce43a-4ef5-13e4-bed5-00e245fd0004
Volume: 100%
Initialized: True


Listing 1. View Configuration Summary