Matrix is a complex multichannel morphing filter designed to obtain motion style surround atmospheres.

Matrix has 4 inputs and provides 5.1 outputs ready for Dolby Digital applications. Its main purpose is to create deep surrounding environments from common synthesizer patches or any sound source. Best applications are obtained patching a stereo sampler and an analog stereo synth at its input so that a mixed synthesis occurs moving and morphing around the 5.1 field getting a wide result with minimum effort.

Due to its complex algorithms users are able to experiment virtually any sound at its input with excellent results. You can also connect a mono source to the 4 inputs and get a deep surround output: in this case Matrix can be used as powerful “mono to surround processor”.

Matrix is basically composed by:

-an input section were you can trim your signal
-a filter section
-a modulation section
-a controller section
-a spreading delays section
-an output assignment section.

All these sections interact each other creating a constant motion along the signals that change continously in complex patterns.

Beside the many circuits and comb filtering, Matrix offers a unique “Bass enhancement” section based on “3rd sound of Tartini” psycoacoustic law, where a 3rd lower harmonic is virtually created modify ing the upper harmonics: in this way you get a deeper sensation on the low end even on small speakers that does not reach that frequencies. On the other hand the bass section may be routed at a separate output and trimmed at lower frequencies to feed a subwoofer or simply to be controlled independently by a dedicated mixer channel.

Matrix has a complex circuit that is pretty DSP and RAM consuming. For this reason 3 different versions of the same processor are available so that you can optimize your system depending the project currently in use.

Matrix versions are labeled as follows:
-Riki Matrix F: Full version with 4 independent 3 tap delays (best suited for deep pads synthesizers)
-Riki Matrix M: Mid version with 1 delay matrixed to 8 tap and 4 sends (suited for choirs and ensebles)
-Riki Matrix S: Version with no delays, summing stage balanced and phase correlated (suited for precision settings and no loss hi quality sound applications, like “surrounding” stereo masters etc.

Mixer and input stage

The main Matrix window consists of a 4 channel mixer stage with input gain and phase button. A Vu button will allows Vu-Meter monitoring at the input gain and post fader independently, so that you can check any overload at the input stage.

Channels are labeled Ch 1L / 1R and Ch 2 L / 2R: you have to think of them as 2 stereo channels. As a matter of fact the following section will refer simply to Channel 1 and Channel 2 meaning stereo Ch 1 and stereo Ch 2.

In this section no balancing or panning is necessary since the sound positioning will be affected by a number of parameters (see next section).

The bypass buttons will route the signals directly at L and R Matrix outputs as they are at the inputs (before the input gain section) so that you can actually compare the direct sound to the matrixed one.