upgrading to MTRX studio : advices needed about monitoring

[sauna-l]

Hi everyone,

I'm considering moving from my good old [ HD I/O (16i) + Dante units (including a Neve 1073OPX) + Rednet 5 ] setup, to a MTRX studio unit. I also still have an SSL Nucleus as a control surface.

I don't need no 5.1 monitoring controller anymore (I currently still have an Audient ASP510), but I still need/want straight control under my hand over, at least : 2 different pairs of stereo speakers, Dim and Mute buttons, and of course a volume rotary pot (and maybe a TB switch ...)

Looking at the MTRX-studio documentation I understand I could probably assign the A-B-C buttons, and some other front panel controllers, to address all that (basic) monitoring stuff, but that might not be very handy. I like my actual Audient remote being on the desk, quite under my hand)

So I wonder if you would advice getting at least an Avid desk to use with the MTRX studio, to get the most of its functionalities at hand ?
Maybe I should sell the Nucleus and get a desk + a S1 ?
Maybe there's an alternative out of the Avid S serie ?

Thanks in advance for any feelings/advices about this.

[creativecontrol]

Greetings,

This is what I would recommend - for monitoring with MTRX Studio:

https://www.elgato.com/us/en/p/stream-deck-plus-black

https://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=424348


And yes, S1 is very nice for mix automation, plug-in control, spilling food groups and all of that.


best,


Jeff

[sauna-l]

Thx Jeff !

Originally Posted by creativecontrol

Greetings,

(...)
And yes, S1 is very nice for mix automation, plug-in control, spilling food groups and all of that.


best,


Jeff

[digiot]

If I could have a do over I would probably just get the DaD-MoM Desktop Remote for my MTRX Studio!

https://digitalaudio.dk/mom/

[BScout]

Originally Posted by digiot

If I could have a do over I would probably just get the DaD-MoM Desktop Remote for my MTRX Studio!

https://digitalaudio.dk/mom/

Luke's DADmom plugin for StreamDeck is better than the DAD MOM controller.
Because you can actually label things! You can expand to more buttons by faking one StreamDeck being multiple MOM controllers.

DAD should put out a good controller instead of what they've done. And also expand how many buttons you can have per layer. (and also be able to go both forward and backwards through layers unlike now where you can only cycle one way)

It's a bit sad that DAD has put together so much great hardware but has put out a lackluster/limited controller to manage it.

[digiot]

Originally Posted by BScout

Luke's DADmom plugin for StreamDeck is better than the DAD MOM controller.
Because you can actually label things! You can expand to more buttons by faking one StreamDeck being multiple MOM controllers.

DAD should put out a good controller instead of what they've done. And also expand how many buttons you can have per layer. (and also be able to go both forward and backwards through layers unlike now where you can only cycle one way)

It's a bit sad that DAD has put together so much great hardware but has put out a lackluster/limited controller to manage it.

Interesting especially since Jeff recommended the StreamDeck too.
Personally the StreamDeck just feels like a small step up from an iPad with AvidControl. It lacks the formfactor of a tactile monitor controler. The DaD-MoM seems to fit that bill better. Even though it’s far from perfect. Functionality and simplicity wise it would fit the bill for me. I am currently using a Dangerous ST which in my opinion has the best looking and functioning desktop remote, but it’s overly redundend and complicated to integrate in to the MTRX Studio.

[creativecontrol]

Just a few more nuggets on this topic. Things I personally like about the Stream Deck + approach for monitoring:

As BScout mentioned, high resolution, very obvious labeling on the switches with nice push action (better than MOM) on the physical switches.

Stepped and press-able encoders that feel good.

Multiple forms of tactile input - push a button, touch a screen - or push an encoder to perform - for example - a mute or dim, but ultimately, your choice.

The only thing IMHO that MOM does better is the giant metal knob.

best,


Jeff

[sauna-l]

Interesting. Btw, none of you mentioned the Ethernet vs USB connection choice between MOM and Streamdeck. I like Ethernet connections because computers and interfaces are out of the mixing room, here, and USB doesn't allow any distance without a bunch of expensive extenders that always bring some risk of instability anyway; you don't want to have any chance to lose control on your monitoring, anytime. I'd also might feel more comfortable with a real dedicated hardware control unit like the MOM, looking very close to my actual Audient ASP510 remote control, to say the truth. But, on the other hand, the MOM is very expensive for what it really is (a remote ...) and the streamdeck is a brillant solution.

[BScout]

You can buy a StreamDeck and Mac mini for way less than a MOM controller. Bonus is you can then have an always-on system dedicated to running the required DADman software (for either the MOM or StreamDeck.) And you can use that as the Ethernet part of extending a StreamDeck anywhere.
So usb vs Ethernet isn’t even part of the equation.

(I do this in 2 rooms and we remote in — share screen — to do the occasional DADman configuration adjustments so the Mini is headless. If you are worried about “instability”, the biggest concern is DADman running. The MOM controller — like the StreamDeck — is useless if DADman crashes or the computer running it is off/frozen for any reason. A dedicated, always on system nearly eliminates this issue. This is, once again, something DAD could improve by having a version of DADman that runs on something else, like a tablet or better yet, was running on the MTRX/Thundercore series hardware instead of the user’s computer)

[sauna-l]

Great idea (your "always on" concept) ! Plus, I like to be able to get sound, especially out of my keyboards rig, without launching PT. Never thought of having a dedicated computer for monitoring before, but that really makes sense, especially while remotes like MOM stand at the price of a multi-channel high-end monitoring unit.

Originally Posted by BScout

You can buy a StreamDeck and Mac mini for way less than a MOM controller. Bonus is you can then have an always-on system dedicated to running the required DADman software (for either the MOM or StreamDeck.) And you can use that as the Ethernet part of extending a StreamDeck anywhere.
So usb vs Ethernet isn’t even part of the equation.

(I do this in 2 rooms and we remote in — share screen — to do the occasional DADman configuration adjustments so the Mini is headless. If you are worried about “instability”, the biggest concern is DADman running. The MOM controller — like the StreamDeck — is useless if DADman crashes or the computer running it is off/frozen for any reason. A dedicated, always on system nearly eliminates this issue. This is, once again, something DAD could improve by having a version of DADman that runs on something else, like a tablet or better yet, was running on the MTRX/Thundercore series hardware instead of the user’s computer)