Apollo 16 and SSL Matrix routing question.

EltonCollins

New Member
Hi.

I'm hoping someone could shed some light on routing the Apollo 16 with a SSL Matrix to monitor Apollo inserts. I do all my cues and monitoring through the Matrix.

If you are familiar with the SSL Matrix you'll know it has no Pre-Amps or EQ, so I use outboard gear. It also has insert points on every channel for a maximum of 16 devices. I thought it might be a good idea to try and use some of the UAD Channel strips on the Apollo 16, and use the outboard gear differently.

I just can't seem to wrap my head around how I would go about doing this. I use Pro Tools 2018 BTW.

Thank you and Kind Regards
 

Matt Hepworth

Master of the UADiverse
Forum Admin
Moderator
We have a few Matrix users here. Not particularly familiar with it myself, though. Apollo inserts can be assigned on any input channel. 8 routes in and out is easy. 16 I'm not positive. I have checked this, but for some reason I can't recall whether I was able to with Cues plus direct outs.
 

EltonCollins

New Member
We have a few Matrix users here. Not particularly familiar with it myself, though. Apollo inserts can be assigned on any input channel. 8 routes in and out is easy. 16 I'm not positive. I have checked this, but for some reason I can't recall whether I was able to with Cues plus direct outs.
Thanks Matt.
The routing on the matrix is what makes it tricky. I have only just became aware of the 8 channel limitation (without using the cues) on the Apollo 16MKII. I'll have a look at the thread Drew just posted but at a glance it looks like I have seen that thread. I don't think that is what I am looking for though. That being said would two Apollo 16 solve the 8 out limit?

The way the Matrix is configured is:
1. It takes its inputs from outboard pre's and/or other gear.

2.Those are then sent as direct outs (pre or post inserts) to the interface into the DAW.

3.The cues take their input from the input pre or post inserts (Not the interface outs. This is where I am having trouble).

4. That then gets sent to a bus on the console and the consoles monitoring section picks that up and sends it off to Main and Mini monitors.

I could use the patch bay to route the interface outs to the Matrix inputs instead, so doing monitor the inserts on the Apollo, but that would mess up the ability to punch in using the Auto Monitor, DAW Monitor and Super Cue functions on the SSL as it automatically switches the monitoring of the input and the DAW playback.

This one really has me going...
 

Matt Hepworth

Master of the UADiverse
Forum Admin
Moderator

EltonCollins

New Member
Can you assign the inserts in or out of the path with a switch?
Yes Matt, indeed I can.

UPDATE: Just after I read your reply lights bulbs went off in my head. Can I use the Apollo as a stand alone FX processor? This way, I'll route all the insert points of the Matrix (16) to the Apollo. I will then be able to monitor and print all the inserts in the UAD Console. This will however eliminate the possibility of using my outboard gear on those inserts, as the matrix only allows 16 devices in their insert matrix. Unless I chain devices.

Apologies for these brain farts, it just seems as I write them down the possibilities become clearer.
 
Last edited:

Geir

Shareholder
Yes Matt, indeed I can.

UPDATE: Just after I read your reply lights bulbs went off in my head. Can I use the Apollo as a stand alone FX processor? This way, I'll route all the insert points of the Matrix (16) to the Apollo. I will then be able to monitor and print all the inserts in the UAD Console. This will however eliminate the possibility of using my outboard gear on those inserts, as the matrix only allows 16 devices in their insert matrix. Unless I chain devices.

Apologies for these brain farts, it just seems as I write them down the possibilities become clearer.
I dont have the matrix and dont have the apollo 16.

I think the issue you have can be solved if you use the apollo monitor outputs. Thats the best way to listen in on the action going on in the apollo console.

As soon as you start using the apollo console to load plugins on your tracking, your matrix becomes more of a sidecar then the main mixer (so wrong in so many places, calling a ssl desk a sidecar). So you should just move your monitoring to the apollo console. with a bit of planning, im shure you can mannage to make some cues that will work while tracking.

If you have a external monitor input on the matrix, you can use that to connect to the apollo monitor outs. Then you will have all sound sources passing through the matrix main bus. So you have a steady point of refs.

Think using the apollo on the inserts as fx, can quickly turn in to a messy latency event.

Probly best to just hook it up as 16 ins and outs and apollo monitor to a monitor input on the matrix.
Should cover most scenarios. As long as you are willing to let go of the matrix internal monitoring while you are tracking with the uad plugins.
 

EltonCollins

New Member
I dont have the matrix and dont have the apollo 16.

I think the issue you have can be solved if you use the apollo monitor outputs. Thats the best way to listen in on the action going on in the apollo console.

As soon as you start using the apollo console to load plugins on your tracking, your matrix becomes more of a sidecar then the main mixer (so wrong in so many places, calling a ssl desk a sidecar). So you should just move your monitoring to the apollo console. with a bit of planning, im shure you can mannage to make some cues that will work while tracking.

If you have a external monitor input on the matrix, you can use that to connect to the apollo monitor outs. Then you will have all sound sources passing through the matrix main bus. So you have a steady point of refs.

Think using the apollo on the inserts as fx, can quickly turn in to a messy latency event.

Probly best to just hook it up as 16 ins and outs and apollo monitor to a monitor input on the matrix.
Should cover most scenarios. As long as you are willing to let go of the matrix internal monitoring while you are tracking with the uad plugins.
Thank You for the reply.

Moving the focus to the Apollo is not an option for me at this point. That will put me back to using the mouse which I am not to keen on. It also removes the SSL cue options like Supercue and DAW Monitor capabilities for punch ins etc. Being able to make smooth punch ins and switching between what the DAW plays and what is being heard at the input at the same time, is really what makes the Matrix come into it's own. Those functions unfortunately only work inline. Meaning that the input and daw output of the recording has to come in on the same channel.
 

Geir

Shareholder
Thank You for the reply.

Moving the focus to the Apollo is not an option for me at this point. That will put me back to using the mouse which I am not to keen on. It also removes the SSL cue options like Supercue and DAW Monitor capabilities for punch ins etc. Being able to make smooth punch ins and switching between what the DAW plays and what is being heard at the input at the same time, is really what makes the Matrix come into it's own. Those functions unfortunately only work inline. Meaning that the input and daw output of the recording has to come in on the same channel.
I can understand that. I work my console the same way when tracking. Nice when you can bring back the daw return, where you take out the source. Leaves the cue mixes intact, channels ready for tracking and alot of goodies.

I did look at the matrix when I was looking for a new console, some years back. Had a few houres with it. But it is all a big blure in my head. So I cant be of much help with its internal routing options.

But as far as routing and monitoring the plugins, there arent that much options. And latency can be a issue if you try it as a insert fx.

If I where to go down the apollo route with my console. I would probly just route the monitor out of the apollo back in to my consoles master bus. There I would just bleed it in to taste, Bypass the channels im editing in the apollo on my console, so they dont sum through the master bus. Leave the rest of cues and such intack for the talent and use the apollo channels for simple tools like the channel plugins and do some extra cleanup prior to the print. That should work.
and if I do some heavy stuff that should be added to the cues, I can also route the apollo monitor out in to the cues on my console.

Things get a bit tricky, when you dont want to use that apollo console mixer :D
 
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