about MTRX Thunderbolt 3 Module

[digizaemon]

I have a question about the MTRX Thunderbolt 3 Module. Is it Thunderbolt Core and this product are the same?

[BScout]

The module works in two systems (MTRX Studio and MTRX II). They don't operate the same in both systems. MTRX Studio = 64 channels. MTRX II = 256 channels. Hardware restriction.

Thunderbolt Core and MTRX II operation are the same (256 channel)

[digizaemon]

Is latency the same as this?

Near-Zero Latency
The Thunder|Core interface uses a Thunderbolt 3/PCIe connection and data transfer with 2 samples latency on the connection and a total of 9 samples in the digital interface. With up to 256 audio channels at 48 and 96 kHz, and the latency at 96kHz is 95 microseconds.

[RobertDorn]

Originally Posted by digizaemon

Is latency the same as this?

Near-Zero Latency
The Thunder|Core interface uses a Thunderbolt 3/PCIe connection and data transfer with 2 samples latency on the connection and a total of 9 samples in the digital interface. With up to 256 audio channels at 48 and 96 kHz, and the latency at 96kHz is 95 microseconds.

Yes, Mark Corbin of AVID says it’s exactly the same performance. However, 100% understand your question because I have trust issues with a company taking apart a product sold as a whole by the OEM manufacturer, to sell it in pieces

James (uptheoctave) has an AX64 and will take a look inside his unit if the the Thunderbolt card on the AX64 in fact also is a slotted / removable module

[ntp-jl]

Originally Posted by RobertDorn

Yes, Mark Corbin of AVID says it’s exactly the same performance. However, 100% understand your question because I have trust issues with a company taking apart a product sold as a whole by the OEM manufacturer, to sell it in pieces

James (uptheoctave) has an AX64 and will take a look inside his unit if the the Thunderbolt card on the AX64 in fact also is a slotted / removable module

The main interface to a computer on an MTRX 2 is DigiLink and not Thunderbolt. This is why MTRX comes with DigiLink as standard and Thunderbolt as an option.

The main (and only) interface to a computer on an AX64 is Thunderbolt. Without the Thunderbolt interface you could not connect an AX64 to a computer. This is why Thunderbolt is included as standard in the AX64.

It's as simple as that! There is no secret conspiracy involved in this.

The performance of the Thunderbolt interface in an MTRX 2 and in an AX64 is EXACTLY the same because it is the same module. And yes, the Thunderbolt interface in the AX64 is a removable module, but if you removed it, you couldn't connect the AX64 to a computer. So why is it relevant whether you can remove the module or not?

[RobertDorn]

Originally Posted by ntp-jl

The main interface to a computer on an MTRX 2 is DigiLink and not Thunderbolt. This is why MTRX comes with DigiLink as standard and Thunderbolt as an option.

The main (and only) interface to a computer on an AX64 is Thunderbolt. Without the Thunderbolt interface you could not connect an AX64 to a computer. This is why Thunderbolt is included as standard in the AX64.

It's as simple as that! There is no secret conspiracy involved in this.

The performance of the Thunderbolt interface in an MTRX 2 and in an AX64 is EXACTLY the same because it is the same module. And yes, the Thunderbolt interface in the AX64 is a removable module, but if you removed it, you couldn't connect the AX64 to a computer. So why is it relevant whether you can remove the module or not?

Hi Jan, thanks for confirming the Thunderbolt 3 interface module is exactly the same board on the AX64 as on the new MTRX II .

The rest of your explanation, of course, is pure marketing talk, following your philosophy you'd actually say your very own AX32 can't interface with any computer because it hasn't Thunderbolt nor it has DigiLink.

Digilink is not an interface, it's just a connector to connect to an interface, like MADI, AES, Adat and Dante could be connected to an interface.

It's a shame AVID decided to make the Thunderbolt3 interface module on the MTRX II, which on its own costs over $2000 more than an AX64, an optional purchase.

[RobertDorn]

Originally Posted by ntp-jl

So why is it relevant whether you can remove the module or not?

Oh and to answer this specifically, it's relevant because it confuses end users when there's a new range of Thundercore DAD products released since 2022, with Thunderbolt connectivity as a standard on the chassis, transforming the great DAD converters into actual interfaces.
And then approx a year after AVID releases its digilink take on the AX64, brining it back to just a converter again like 10 years ago (quite revolutionary ehh...) with an optional to be purchased Thunderbolt card.
For me it's quite obvious this raises initial questions at the end users side, if the performance will be equal with a user installed thunderbolt card compared to the integrated Thundercore system as released initially by DAD.

Again, thanks for confirming that eventually the modules are exactly the same.

[BScout]

Originally Posted by RobertDorn

It's a shame AVID decided to make the Thunderbolt3 interface module on the MTRX II, which on its own costs over $2000 more than an AX64, an optional purchase.

I can see how they arrived at that price: AX64 - thunderbolt module + digilink card (and I guess we're ignoring the ADAT ports).
So AX64 ($5k) - thunderbolt module (-$800) + digilink card ($2200) = $6400. And the MTRX 2 is $7k.

[RobertDorn]

Originally Posted by BScout

I can see how they arrived at that price: AX64 - thunderbolt module + digilink card (and I guess we're ignoring the ADAT ports).
So AX64 ($5k) - thunderbolt module (-$800) + digilink card ($2200) = $6400. And the MTRX 2 is $7k.

Yeah right. An AX32 is $3999 and a (discontinued) MTRX is listed at $5599 , so then at once 2 digilink connectors are just $1600.

The MTRX II is an overpriced, half functional box compared to its AX64 competitor. Highly unattractive for current MTRX owners.

[BScout]

Originally Posted by RobertDorn

Yeah right. An AX32 is $3999 and a (discontinued) MTRX is listed at $5599 , so then at once 2 digilink connectors are just $1600.

The MTRX II is an overpriced, half functional box compared to its AX64 competitor. Highly unattractive for current MTRX owners.

The 2 digilink connectors are $2200 currently (single card.) The AX32 came without dual power supplies or Pro Mon licensing. Those were additional costs beyond the base unit. Avid had the MTRX have those standard.

We still have a loaded AX32 (pre Avid/DAD partnership) with digilink. I remember all these costs. (I realize you are in the Netherlands so to clarify, I'm giving all these costs in US$)
The MTRX II should have been priced at $6500 is my opinion.