How to plan a Matrix Synth Setup // 20+ ideas for flexible routing // w/MRCC & Erica's Matrix mixer

[@MrChrieger]

For all those buying the matrix mixer. The ground noise that you might experience come from the led’s in the device. Turn them off after patching by pressing recall+shift. Thanks for this great Video. My Setup is coming along great because of you! 🙏🏻

[@procyborg]

as soon as i was able to cure my GAS, by convincing myself that too much gear will always be a hassle to connect/manage/route, loopop appears with a perfect soution

[@ConductiveLabs]

Thank you for featuring MRCC in your "ultimate" matrix routing solution! Another fantastic video. We made MRCC because having tried many, both modern and vintage MIDI routers we really wanted to eliminate the need to do "IT" while in the creative space. If you feel that having the convenience of "Real Friggin Buttons Technology" (TM) will make your studio a better place to create, we invite you to give MRCC a try. Its not the cheapest solution, but it's certainly the most deluxe for the price. Brushed black anodized aluminum enclosure, hand silk screened interface, color OLED graphical display, and RGB LEDs for every input and output provide for an immediacy that can't be matched. If you need even more ports than MRCC offers, then connect two MRCC's with a shielded Ethernet cable. If you don't need quite that much, use the Remote 7 to add 5 routable outputs (plus 2x 3.5mm TRS thru) with the included 10 meter Ethernet cable, or the just announced MRCC XpandR 4x1 to add 4 more DIN inputs and one DIN output (plus a couple of TRS A ports) using the MRCC USB host port. You can use up to four XpandR's per MRCC. Almost half of our customers purchase rack ears. Be sure to use Loopop's shop links above.

[@loopop]

Thanks for the kind words and for sending it over, and amen to RFBT!!

[@BeniRoseMusic]

Man, after talking my friends' ears off about "my setup" for the past decade, I feel like this video was custom made for me! No one thinks about set ups enough!

[@madagreement]

I appreciate the effort Loopop, but I think I'll keep buying synths and store them in my attic, much easier 😆

[@doctorauxiliary]

bwahahaha!!

[@rhialto39]

You're lucky to have an attic, as an apartment-dweller my unused synths are slowly replacing my furniture. I eat dinner over a Lyra-8 rather than a dining table at this point.

[@madagreement]

@@rhialto39 I actually a pizza on top of my prophet 6 once in an old flat hahaha ! I feel the pain and hear the amazing analog sounds too ^^

[@lycosa2000]

That statement definitely hits home. I just got into modular and it's eating up all my desk space. I thought... no problem... I'll just buy a travel case. I hadn't realized that a travel case might cost approximately what a kidney would cost on the black market. So now I'm building my own case. I could probably build 15 cases for what it costs to get a decent sized travel case. Which might be a bad thing since now I'll start running out of room for my travel cases.

[@powermix24]

😂😂😂

[@index7787]

For color coding cables (highly recommend in any studio at any scale) colored zipties/eTape are very cheap, and either can be used to bind groups of cables, say, a L/R audio pair.

[@bistrobmusic]

I have a hard time finding colored cables in the US, even Amazon is predominantly black cables. I had to import my midi cables from a German company (so that they match the 4 main colors of the Keystep Pro)

[@saniespinosa8323]

@@bistrobmusic i’m not sure about the US but i would assume u can get the HOSA cables ? they have packs of multi coloured cables

[@PetraKann]

High quality durable cables are rarely coloured. Generally, coloured sets of cables are average or low quality. I am sure that you can buy high quality coloured cables, but I haven’t found any suppliers in the city I live in

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

Word.

[@macronencer]

I use zip tie plastic tags, and I print labels to stick on those. In the past I used to stick labels directly onto cables, but after ten years I pulled my studio apart and the number of horribly sticky gooey cables was appalling. I'll never do that again!

[@krazywabbit]

I started in this space a year ago. No clue what I was doing. It's starting to click to the point I finally got my gear out on the desk and taking that next step of trying to connect things so I can mess around with more than one piece of gear. This is the second video, after Benn, talking about the MRCC and this was very helpful and I believe it has a place in my toolbox. Love seeing the Play being used! One of my favorite devices. The outro of this video is what I aspire to do and this was great inspiration. Not my first video I've watched of yours but the first time I got inspiration as things are starting to connect vs, oh, look at that shiny new toy. Thank you for all you do. Have a great rest of your day.

[@wega4105]

Hey I like your music! @krazywabbit !

[@Rustik1722]

It is so liberating when I am actually able to get rid of a few things. Having to move is always helpful in forcing a change of set up.....

[@ChristopherOrth]

Great walkthrough of your setup! Love to see these. A takeaway that may not be obvious to some is, "DO NOT use your DAW as the central MIDI router!" Latency, routing issues, slow setup, and more. Ugg... The computer should be just another node in your studio, not the central hub. This means one can easily flip a switch or two and more between DAWless, in-the-box, and hybrid without any rewiring or delay.

[@mimikova390]

I do not want to route the midi through the PC but I do want the daw to control the clock. Is that bad? Currently, that is how I run. Thanks for your advice in advance. Please explain if you have time. If not I understand.

[@ropeburn6684]

Absolutely true. If anything, the central MIDI router could be a combined midi interface / router that works even without the computer, but is configurable by it for convenience.

[@orthoooo]

These are some good reasons not to use a computer, not to mention it's just more fun and tactile, but as you move outboard you start to lose the unity or recallability of your song setup. Like where does all your MIDI tracks and audio end up? Is it named and organized? Even with a computer this can be a problem because i can get lazy and feel like everything is recallable when i havent done all of my housekeeping.

[@XanderEwald]

Painfully true!

[@WackyJackyTracky]

With a DAW and/or a Software like MIDIquest you have Total-Recall of your project on all MIDI Hardware! Just get ohne or More good MIDI Interfaces (like MioXL), Then you can connect Every device with its MIDI OUT too, as most devices are capable of outputting their pot-movements so you can record and edit them in the DAW! With Special MIDI-Interfaces that also use Audio-Outputs of your Computer you can get a rock solid Clock (sample exact synchronized to your DAW!) for your Hardware-Sequencers! This MRCC can Not even connect 8 MIDI devices with all In and Outs, and Chaining them introduces latency too, and some devices dont even have Thrus or dont connect CC/Sysex Data there.

[@Polyend]

Another splendid material fom you Ziv. Thank you for featuring our instrument. This video will bring a crearive flow boost for many!

[@_MattSauer_]

A cheap MIDI matrix router option, if you have an iPhone or iPad, is using the AUM app with a USB hub and a MIDI interface (if you have older DIN-only MIDI gear). AUM has a great visual MIDI matrix, and you can use that feature on its own without any other stuff going on in the app. Any USB MIDI devices connected to the hub will show up with their device name and In- and Out- entries in the matrix. DIN MIDI devices can share a single MIDI DIN out from a simple 1x1 USB-MIDI interface using their MIDI through ports (or software-selected MIDI thrus) or a separate MIDI through box. If I want to use an outboard controller, sequencer, or master keyboard I can use the 1x1 interface's MIDI In and then route that MIDI note or controller data wherever I want using the matrix. Either way, MIDI handles the routing to hardware devices via MIDI channel settings. I don't think AUM allows MIDI channel naming, so a list of hardware gear and their respective MIDI channels might be needed in large setups. As Loopop mentions, USB MIDI devices can often also be powered via the USB hub, which is great and cuts down on cable clutter.

[@brianpennymusic]

If you have to route audio between different computers, digital efx, or DACs....Dante is a lifesaver

[@MartinStuertzer]

I have the Waldorf Midibay which is a 16 x 16 midi patchbay from 1990. It is rare but when you find it today it´s usually cheap.

[@millipz]

Fantastic walkthrough, thank you! A mixer option for a small setup with balanced connections is the Behringer XR18 - 18 in/8 out and allows matrix routing and presets.

[@anonymous_friend]

I use an allen and heath QU-24, and it is amazing. It would easily get rid of several devices and give you a lot of flexibility.

[@rorymccloskey2022]

Great video. As most of my cables are black I mark both ends using my daughter's paint pens to avoid getting my head fried. I use the different colours along with patterns (stripes, polka dots,etc) to ensure each is unique. This is something I started doing with modular patch cables but as my setup grew it has spread to audio and midi cables

[@sandroidmusic]

Great video as always. As someone who loves to ponder over my setup and tries to optimize all the time, it was great to see someone else doing the same. Lovely setup you got there Ziv! I'm currently pondering over Midi as well. Up to this point i was doing quite well just with midi thru chaining. Polyend Tracker was the Brain and went to a Polyend Poly 2. So that allowed me to inject the PC right at that point to access all other chained gear. Tracker was easy to access via PC through USB Midi. To make it more modular, i was looking into midi interfaces. I looked at the Blokas Midihub, the Retrokit RK-006, iConnectivity mioXL and the Conductive Labs MRCC. The two that stood out to me are the Retrokit RK-006 and the MRCC. But when it comes to features i think the MRCC is probably unbeaten. But for bang-for-your-bucks.. i think the RK-006 is a very strong contender.

[@floflow1024]

Would love to see more about how the sequencing works in practice

[@RogerBurt]

Tip for powering large setups like this: the recent Cioks line (DC7, 4 and 8) can run all outputs at 9, 12, 15 or 18 volts, with cables available for center positive and negative with a range of sizes for the jacks. If you combine two outputs, you can even power a desktop hydrasynth or analog heat! I have used these to get rid of most of the wall warts in my system, which tend to get in the way of plugs and each other.

[@_EightySix]

That MRCC, just wow. Didn't know that existed. Absolutely getting that asap. I've been using the MidiSolutions M8 and T8, which work very well and don't require power except from midi, but this thing is on another level. This will solve my midi loop nightmares when I use USB midi in conjunction with din midi. What an amazing product.

[@measures_of_distance]

the label printer + magnet tip is gold

[@caesarsheadache]

Outstanding walkthrough 👌 Your thorough and in-depth demos, tutorials and reveals are always a pure joy to watch 🔥🔥🔥🥳🤘

[@ShimmyDigg]

a few months ago i made a comment on your NEXT video (moog mavis) asking for this video. I didnt realize you'd already made one! my bad. anyway, finally got around to watching and i think this might be the most mentally exhausting video youve made yet. but, helps me know what to think about while moving forward. thanks for all the tips, loop. good man.

[@TheBigChoppa]

Trying to find the right setup is so much harder than finding pleasing sounds. I've been thinking about mine for years and this has shed some needed light! The split between dawless or daw doesn't need to be there but is ever present. What seemed difficult, you made seem obvious. Thank you for all your research and hard work to help so many of us who struggle with this conundrum! Love your work, looking forward to more!

[@CinematicLaboratory]

It's kind of cool to see what you've kept after all those videos.

[@MickBenjamins]

Mind boggling setup, really awesome to see how you've set it all up to work exactly how you want. Great stuff!

[@dariusmorgan8302]

Really great tips. Such a well thought out set up. It was another video of yours that got me into the idea of getting a patch nay which I still need to do. Thanks for clearing up matrix mixing and showing how everything is connected

[@derekfernandez7701]

0:40 It's the top of your head! Exciting! 😃 2:08 I've never seen a matrix mixer before, this is such genius! Thank you! 💙 Edit: Rest in peace Dave 😢

[@mmusic3579]

Love the setup and of course loopop videos! I am a fan of minimal setups when making a song with all its advantages and disadvantages. For example, sitting down and using an Elektron setup of OT, AR, and A4 and using nothing else or using just a modular setup. Keeping it nice and minimal but creative helps me focus. I do not have everything in my studio connected and on as my ADD would kick in. If I want to add or experiment with anything I can always connect that instrument to an open line in my mixer.

[@Yosser70]

Fascinating video! It’s way more than I’d ever need but I’ve got the same patch bay and even though I’ve figured it out, this gave me a few ideas for different uses. You should split the patch bay bit out and upload it as a separate video, think a lot of people would find it useful, but not find it in this video.

[@pco2004]

Agree!

[@magnusstrenweden9097]

This is why one of my very first purchases for the studio, after the first round to just get me started, was investing in SSL MX4 + Alphalink Ax & Sx. It was crazy at the time; I had no hardware synths, or effects to speak of, barely got the monitors I also still use to this day... but I knew my setup wouold grow with time. I don't know of an equivalent available system with the same level of flexibility at the same price-point. If my MX-4 ever dies, I guess I'd use an RME MadiFX or MadiXT. Oh and older premium converters like the aforementioned SSL, Lynx, Appogee, Avid etc can be had for good prices and present great value. Since then I taught myself how to solder and troubleshoot analog equipment, which culminated in building a 24 channel API style front end to the converters, but direct outputs (post fader) preserves full channel count capability. Appreciate these kunds of video's; more interesting with studio strategies through gear selection than the run of the mill gear review.

[@dpinskey]

Thank you for this comprehensive and very useful video. I own and use a lot of what you have going and have set up my matrices similarly. Tips on MIDI filtering and audio patch bay using the N H and Thru modes are very useful. Hoping the folks at Erica Synths might expand on the Matrix Mixer concept with 32 or even up to 64 channels of I/O. I find my Matrix Mixer very useful in routing sources around my studio to various destinations which I can then select with a MIDI foot pedal or program to select with MIDI automation lanes in my DAW that has become my preferred method of operation. Being able to have more sources and destinations would definitely be highly desirable

[@troyjlandry]

This is something we all think about, and you've done the due diligence, and it's beautiful 😍 ❤ thank you!!!

[@karimkhadiri8522]

The video I needed to see 2 years ago when I started my synth journey. Could have a saved me a lot of troubles. Will definetely recommend it to newcomers.

[@loopop]

Thanks!

[@dpinskey]

This video is fantastic. Expert and comprehensive explanations for your entire setup. I am particularly interested in the functionality of the MRCC MIDI routing controller. I have yet to find anything on extensive web searches for anything else that will do what that does without being attached to a computer - which is exactly why I think I want one. For a while now, I have been using automation lanes in my DAW (Studio One Pro5) to control program changes, volume, panning and some simple CC commands via USB from my computer to my MIDI DIN and USB connected effect units and guitar pedals which works wonderfully, as long as my Mac mini decides it doesn’t want to load the MIDI Studio’s MIDI server, which then leaves me dead in the water. The MRCC routing controller looks like maybe it could be the answer to my prayers for a non-computer driven device that could handle the routing of my devices to be able to talk to each other sans Mac or PC, but wondering how I could use it, or what else I would need to add to execute automations or to have a human of some capacity be able to physically perform those changes via something like the FCB 1010 foot controller I already own or through keys on a MIDI keyboard. This would primarily be wanted for changing delays and reverbs for vocals and program changes on MIDI controlled guitar pedals for both studio and on stage. Do you think this could be the device I need? Or does anyone paying attention to this channel know of anything else that might be better? So frustrated with Apple selling computers marketed for the creative community and not supporting the devices so many of us use extensively and just telling us all we should just give it up and work “in the box” when I have had nothing but less than stellar results and problems using various VST based effects and processing, especially for live tracking, where the latency of “in the box” processing is just not able to be overcome.

[@johncaccioppo1142]

Fantastic video! I could use more of this kind of material in regular installments, thanks Ziv!

[@_B.C_]

I didn’t know Dave Smith passed away till the end of the video. RIP Dave and thank you for all the amazing sounds.

[@Kev-Adams]

That Jaspers stand set up is amazing too, so much gear in easy reach, you’re costing me a fortune Ziv, got an MRCC on the way, as always totally worth it 👍😁

[@EannaButler]

I've heard of gear pron. But this is 3D immersive-level stuff. Me, I've a bunch of Midi splitters, mergers, and thrus, and a couple of Behringer audio patchbays. Works fine. But man, this is next-level. I defy any gear junkie not to get the horn watching this! Re. tips - labelling of audio cables is great. You can either label by name, or label using colours. Midi patchbay - always wanted one. That one you have with USB I/O looks super. LIke I say, splitters, mergers and thrus will mostly get you there, but a midi patchbay, with presets, holy-grail stuff. Especially with the filtering! Audio - Matrix Mixers are wonderful, but so long as you have enough ADAT I/O, you can just use your DAW as a mixer. Have a Motu 828 Mk2 Firewire into my PC - all those Mac users sold their Firewire devices off for nothing. Has two ADAT I/O ports over lightpipe, gives me a raft of audio IO - more MOTU gear. Works well. But a well-positioned Patchbay gives some flexibility too. What I have my eye on, is an RME Digiface USB - cheap, brilliant drivers, and TotalMix mixer software is the dog's... 32 I/O over USB? Yes please!

[@tradrudeboy]

I love this. I've spent years optimizing my space and setup to do exactly this.

[@matzer8846]

WOW! This Erica Synths Matrix Mixer is one great piece of equipment .... these techies really know HOWTO🔧 Thanks a lot for sharing ❗

[@positronalpha]

Nice to see I'm not alone. I'm currently building a proper home studio, and the MRCC and Erica Matrix Mixer are very interesting for building the monster I'm envisioning from the bits I've collected - a massively layered megasynth for drone:y goodness, including a Peak, Moog Model D, Hydrasynth Deluxe and many more voices going through an array of effects.

[@zhexum]

Such a helpful video. I realized I’ve been “doing it wrong” with my patchbay. I had input 1 in the same slot as output 1, but there is literally never a time I would patch those together. I’m going to be able to make it so I’m using almost no patches in my standard setup once I reorganize everything. Thanks Loopop!

[@benmorrow1701]

Thanks for sharing. I’m immediately interested in that matrix mixer as an intermediary between mixer (regular mixer) sends and efx ins, and efx outs back to regular mixer ins. Thinking dub mixing, I can see applications where I could use one send to send to multiple efx and perhaps merge those efx outs back to one stereo input on the regular mixer. The only problem being that this matrix mixer appears to use 1/8” unbalanced connectors as opposed to 1/4” balanced on all else.

[@fearmo1852]

MioXL's are perfect for midi routing. I put everything into 3 redco TT patchbays (audio), 2 MioXL's and control all of my synths from either the DAW or Cirklon. Audio interface Orion 32+ gen3 with Ferrofish 16 (MADI) and sync everything up with precise clock with SyncGen 3LX (brilliant device). Perfect timing and route everywhere.

[@chrisfjonesutube]

For MIDI routing, I've been extremely happy with the Hapax. It supports 2 ins, 4 outs, and 2 USB bi-directionals... all of which support the full 16 channels (so you could easily use the THRUs on some synths to get more mileage out of a single MIDI out). It also has a mode where you can watch MIDI traffic to help debug what's going on. Probably one of the best features though is that all of your routing can be saved and recalled per project, so it becomes part of the track itself.

[@yaronschwartz4446]

Where do you buy this Hapax?

[@mosspa1]

Over the past 30 years, or so, my studio has undergone many reconfigurations. Back before modern digital recording alternatives (i.e., pre-ADAT), it was pretty easy to control MIDI distribution with a chain of MOTU Midi Time Pieces, and a 24-channel mixing desk and a couple of patchbays for audio. The arrival of ADAT simplified much of the audio routing as more devices began to implement the standard, and of course, the ADAT machines allowed affordable and synchable 24-channel recording and playback. Back in what I consider the heyday of ADAT connectivity in the early 2000s, I replaced the ADAT recorders with a DAW, and the computer became the heart of my studio. At the apex of this evolution in my studio, all of the audio was routed digitally through ADAT lightpipe using a couple Frontier Designs APACHE TosLink 12-lightpipe matrix routers, and appropriate A-D/D-A ADAT standard converters for audio signals that weren't supported by ADAT. On the computer end I had an RME Hammerfall 24-channel I/O card (and everything that the RME TotalMix software provided). In many ways, that was an audio "dream" system in that it handled 24-channels of noise-free 24-bit 44.1kHz audio. An emergent property of that system was that all of the audio was being moved in 8-channel chunks over cables that were only a couple mm in diameter. MIDI remained a cabling issue and the three MOTU MTPs I had accumulated were still the workhorse of that system. Things remained pretty much the same until Windows 10 came along and the MOTU boxes were no longer supported by drivers for that OS. Additionally, my RME card died and that forced me to adopt what are more conventional (today) solutions for audio handling. Today, I am using a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20/OctaPre as my audio interface. Currently, my instrument configuration consists of a Kurzweil K2700, Prophet-6 (Desktop), Korg M3 (module), Waldorf Kyra, Hydrasynth-49, Waldorf Iridium Keyboard, Kurzweil K2600RS, Kurzweil K2661, Korg Wavestate, 1010 Music Lemondrop, and an Apple iPad. Fortunately, I don't have any dedicated "effects boxes" to contend with as I really haven't found that there isn't anything I can't do using a combination of native and UAD plug-ins. Still, that left me with 22 stereo-split channels going to 16 audio inputs on the Focusrites. I considered patch bays, but instead adopted using small submixers (Mackie Mix5) to combine the outputs of the synths that go together logically (either by location or by function). This has served me well for the last couple years, but I would like to have more flexibility at the audio interface level). For MIDI routing, I don't think that there is anything that comes remotely close to the capabilities of the iConnectivity MIO-XL. With eight MIDI DIN pairs and and additional four MDII DIN Outs, ten assignable USB-A MIDI host ports, and an Ethernet port for the incorporation of a long distance (if necessary) MIDI over Ethernet devices (I think 24), I can't imagine exceeding the MIDI capabilities of this one $400 device. Although the software that controls it (Auracle X) is a product still in development (e.g., there still isn't even a comprehensive user manual), I got it integrated into my studio and functioning incredibly well with the help of iConnectivity's excellent technical support. That is, I can rout MIDI between anything in the studio (Including an additional Keystep Pro, Beatstep, NDLR, Novation LaunchPad Mini, and a couple Korg Nano-x controllers), save routings in the MIO (so it can function without the computer), and achieve the ultimate in MIDI routing for the MIDI output of the DAW. I don't know, but it seems that this solution is a lot less complex than Loopop's, is more expandable, and is less costly. Right now, the main limitation of my studio is in the audio handling via my current Focusrite interface solution. Since they were introduced by Presonus last year, I have had my heart set on moving to their Quantum series of Thunderbolt interfaces, given their ability to support up to 96 channels of audio in both directions with near zero-latency when monitoring the converted signals. The only thing stopping me from pulling the trigger is the lack of Thunderbolt support for my current AMD Threadripper based DAW. Although there is a motherboard available that supports Thunderbolt 3 and the original Threadripper socket, it is too costly an option to be justified given the advanced age of my CPU. I've gotten used to having 16 cores (32 threads) of full-bandwith CPU, so I no longer view Intel as a viable solution. Luckily, the new Ryzen-4 processors that will support 16-cores/32-threads will become available in the fall. ASRock has revealed the specs of their high-end Taichi-670X motherboard that will incorporate PCIe-5 and the DDR5 memory standard AND WILL SUPPORT Thunderbolt 4. So, this is quickly becoming a no-brainer for me. All I will need to do is hang on until the fall.

[@loopop]

Thanks for sharing!

[@mallechilie]

I only started synthesis a few years ago, but man, the MOTU time pieces are the best. Quite cheap now, perfect as long as you don't need to connect your pc to it. I'm still hoping to get them to work with my pc somehow, but I'm afraid that won't happen on a pc modern enough to get a DAW working really nicely with it.

[@ConductiveLabs]

Since Loopop's video isn't a full product review of MRCC, please see our website at: conductivelabs.com for all of the details. There's much more to see, including expandability options (MRCC to MRCC routing, Remote 7 and XpandR 4x1), local hands on control and ease of use that doesn't typically require technical support.

[@dpinskey]

Another thing to remember when NOT to use balanced cables with your passive balanced patch bay is when you might want to use an insert on your analog mixer. The insert itself is TRS but the tip and ring send and return are TS. So if you are using a male TRS to female 1/4” insert cable so that you can use various length male to male 1/4” cables to make your runs, then you will need to use unbalanced cables for that to work.

[@shakymemories]

outstanding video, thanks as always for your generosity sharing your brilliant ideas. Just picked up the Matrix mixer and MRCC so I can implement some of the ideas you shared!

[@loopop]

My pleasure and enjoy!

[@MoogTheOne]

What he's doing with the matrix mixer, can be done on ALL modern MOTU interfaces right out of the box via the Motu software matrix. The MOTU matix has 128 points in and out and includes a full digital mixer and the ability to save your matrix mixes.

[@loopop]

Indeed as I mention in the video there are interfaces with this functionality like Motu, RME, Antelope, etc but they cost a LOT more. Also, my experience with Motu is that their matrix is only one to one, meaning you can't split to more than one destination or join a few sources into a single destination in the matrix (as opposed to using aux sends, which do work, but you only have a few of them)

[@paulheartsongs]

Wow, what a stunning set up! It would be great to hear a live performance. 🇦🇺

[@addLADN]

where you at? I'm in Adelaide. Looking for another synth lover/music composer to bounce some ideas off.

[@digicat247]

These kinds of videos aren't going to be as hot as the newest gear, but this is so valuable. Thanks!

[@loopop]

Thanks for taking the time to write. Indeed when I make these I know they won't do as well but I'm really happy to see it's well received.

[@seanwolfe5161]

Nice to see someone else thinking about studio routing. And it's nice to see the MRCC. I just got it last Christmas season. Before that I had an iConnectivity Midi4+. I was looking for a better router and I was hoping I wouldn't end up with another iConnectivity device like the mio8. Their routing app MAKES NO SENSE! So the MRCC is awesome to be able to route from the control panel. You have the same patch bay I use. As for matrix router. I use my audio interface for that. Great tip you gave me though, I've been trying to figure out where/how to use and place my oscilloscope. After seeing your vid, I think I'll put it on my desk and patch it into the patch bay now.

[@ac3v3da]

"Maybe the real treasure was all the routing we made along the way..." I think I might have to get a three tier stand, I never thought about using it like this it make so much sense now that I see it set up like that.

[@Personalnadir]

I’m currently using the Boredbrain Patchulator 8000 for my audio routing and an ESI M4U eX as a midi interface. Like you I then have the audio going into an 8pre, but I use AUM on a iPad mini to handle midi routing, audio routing and further audio routing. My main issue at the moment is that I’m out of side inputs on the Patchulator. I can patch more gear into it, but that requires using the 3.5mm trs jacks on the top. My second issue is that I’ve hit the amount of gear I can have out on the Loci stands (in fact the Patchulator sort of levitates between devices relying on cable stiffness to support it). Using an iPad unlocks some of the really cool instruments and plugins on the App Store, but using AUM on a Mini’s screen in a bit fiddly. Also as with all Apple devices I wind up having to unplug and plug the USB hub to get it to recognise everything. It’s also a bit less immediate than a purely hardware system

[@trepke2849]

I'm building similar setup this year. So far I'm on Hydrasynth, Minitaur, Live 2, Torso T1, Studiologic Grand. I will be adding Moog Studio Bundle, OB-6, Hapax, and effect pedals.

[@patrickp9624]

Thanks a lot for the Video, loopop! The erica matrix mixer does seem interesting! For MIDI I use an emagic unitor8 in my setup plus some extra splitters here and there. You do need a computer to configure it but once it's done you don't need to think much about it. It can do basic filter stuff but i usually handle transport on the machines themselves. And the best thing about them is, you get them used for quite little money every now and then.

[@bentropy]

i have a unitor 8, but how do you configure it? What software do you use? thanks in advance, b

[@patrickp9624]

​@@bentropy I use the preference panel for setting it up. But setting it up is really really basic. No fancy things like loopop showed in the vid. for further filtering i use the midi thru /4 by miditech and the blokas thingy... I read, other people set it up via their daw. And i must say i prefer to manage midi on the synths themselves. Mostly I just send all midi to my unitor and then i handle filtering etc. with the synths themselves. Like that I always keep track on whats happening when i jam. If I set up the midi really specifically I probably would forget about it a week later :D I use a mac tho. I don't know how windows is dealing with the drivers for the unitor these days.

[@Tofupancho]

Slab of wood on the lowest tier of the Jaspers stand is brilliant. This video clarifies that plus a dozen or so details that have been bouncing around in my head about my next big organizing push. And you’ve uploaded it just a few hours before my MRCC is slated to arrive. It almost feels like you’ve been spying on me, in which case, judge what happened on Tuesday all you want. I live by the ‘5 second’ rule.

[@loopop]

LOL the 5 second rule only applies if the slice of bread falls on the side the food ISN'T on

[@macronencer]

Thanks so much for this very detailed video - lots of fantastic tips here, and I've bookmarked it to come back to. I wish it had been released a year sooner, as that was when I was buying gear for my new studio (I moved house in November and now have a dedicated studio space). So far I'm happy with what I've ended up with, but I haven't given it very heavy use yet, so I'm going to wait and see. I'm more DAW-focused myself, but I do have a big keyboard stand (I'm historically a pianist and live player), and I've added a corner table of other gear too: Keystep Pro, Neutron, Peak and LYRA8. I'm giving myself options at this stage because I don't know how far into the desktop/groovebox/modular thing I might get in the future. :) So the keyboard stand and the desktop table are two separate areas geared towards different workflows, and I've designated them as "stations". Each has a "station hub" - a 2U rack with a Behringer DI800 multiway DI box to convert to balanced lines and a MOTU MIDI Express XT (the two MOTUs connect to a MIDI hub on my computer). I have two Samson S-plus patchbays, a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 and Octopre as interfaces, and the patchbays are fully TRS balanced (hence the DI800s). I'm just beginning to work out how to use the MOTU MIDI Express XTs, and they have a lot of filtering and remapping capabilities, but I have to say the one you have looks more powerful in some ways, and also includes 3.5mm and USB routing, which I lack. Perhaps that will be OK, given that most of my gear has DIN MIDI anyway - and anything that doesn't can be hooked up to the computer and the DAW. The good thing about the XTs is that they will work without a DAW running, so I get to do "offline" experimentation, which I think is important because once I'm in DAW mode my brain shifts into a different gear. Theoretically I can also run my interfaces as mixers, as you suggest later in the video, without my computer on - but I've not tried that yet. Keep the great content coming! I've learned a lot from your excellent channel. Thank you!

[@DepecheMoog]

Thank you so much for this very informative video. I just ordered a MRCC. It will be a VERY welcome addition to my setup. 🙏

[@siccavicca]

World class breakdown of a highly functional & flexible set up ...”Great Job!!

[@siccavicca]

Thank you so much. How is it working with no Balanced inputs ? Any noise issues ?

[@toddkitta]

This video is incredibly educational - thanks! Glad I learned about the MRCC. I was about to pull the trigger on an iConnectivity mioXL but this looks like it might be a better alternative.

[@iiaaiiaannaaiiaaii]

Great video. I really wish I'd watched this before I reinvented the wheel by myself, and made a much more complex version of the same set up you have. Still I think I will spring for the MRCC- that thing looks perfect. Will let you switch between DAW as master clock and a piece of hardware ( seems like it must)?

[@loopop]

Thanks! I didn't try it but it should work

[@samprock]

One criteria for me when by new gear is inter-connect (like if Moog Subsequient 37 it is CV edition)..... though in day to day playing never really connect to make it standalone as wished (at least driven by M+ to direct audio interface with synths connected, no computer), but it works as good with DAW as a hub. Was looking for midi, learned of MRCC now. All cool, inspiring ideas! TNX!

[@ZanBizar]

Thx. You must have spend so much time on this video, It is very appreciated. Gave me so much answers to questions I didn't know I had.

[@loopop]

Glad you enjoyed it! Indeed it took a while...

[@g3cd]

Regarding the Samson Patchbay 28:11 "It doesn't let you send a source to more than two destinations" is of course wrong. If I set 1/25 and 2/26 to Half Normal, I can lead a cable on the back from 25 to 2 and from 26 to 3. I then get that signal out of 1, 2, 3 in the front and 27 in the back and I have basically split the audio into four channels. Because the Patchbay is passive, this means the signal will get slightly quieter, but still …

[@loopop]

Yes, you're right, but if you're going there you can also just get a simple headphone splitter and connect it to another headphone splitter etc. If you've shared headphones you know that doesn't end well...

[@neuztec]

Love the ACIIIIIIIIIIIIIID!!!!! jam! on some midi matrix toast - sold on the MRCC from Conductive Labs

[@earlsfield]

Great work Ziv, so many uselful tips. And a beautiful hommage to Dave.

[@jjrusy7438]

I absolutely need that mrcc midi mixer. my gig is playing a wall of sound live using 2 workstation keyboards and several foot-boards to control a pile of modules. routing clock from who is boss clock, then routing other MIDI note control from a different keyboard, while keeping everyone clocked is a rewire game every time. splitters, mergers, cables, adapters, thru ports yeehaw. Mixer tip: the ghetto version of the audio matrix is a regular full sized mixer that has aux audio outs and returns. put effects or effect chains in those loops and mix any or all inputs into any or all effects loops in parallel using the pots on the mixer.

[@mosspa1]

You might want to look at an iConnectivity MIO-XL (I give the specs in my main reply to Loopop, above). Depending on how many external controlling pedals you are talking about, or how frequently they are used at the same time, you could potentially get by with the the MIO and one or two Midi Solutions Merge boxes. Also, that will provide you with the ability to source and merge at least four MIDI inputs at once, not to ,mention all of the other matrix stuff the box can do in control of over 30 separate devices.

[@SURCOlive]

Awesome video. I’m about to move and have been anxious about setting up my permanent studio space. Thank you as always!

[@emptyvesselnz]

this is so thorough, thank you so much! There's a lot to think about in getting a hardware setup fluid, flexible and adaptable!

[@edmc2]

Gas has been troubling me.... thankyou 👍🏻 for your insight as always

[@pepejul]

Nice video with some fresh ideas. I found I have as much fun reconfiguring and optimising my setup as I have fun playing with it.

[@TheMorningIWokeUpDead]

Thanks for tths, I'm trying to find suitable settings for my synth collection and this helps me a lot.. Not so easy to find a suitable solutions for 20+ synths

[@mophet1197]

Even though it is two year old video explanation, it is still very well done and helpful thank you. One thing I wished that could have been covered with this is basically is it left turned on all the time or can it be all turned off by one switch? If it is one switch then that leads to what way do you manage the powering of it all?

[@loopop]

Thanks! I'm not an electrician so don't follow my lead, but I've been using three power splitters with switches and turning then on one at a time. Overall this system may look massive but uses an insignificant amount of power IMHO (200-300w) compared to the AC in my room. Just add up the power on what you own, your toaster probably uses more.

[@funkstrong]

Most times I can follow along with your videos, but this one was daunting. Still came away with some great knowledge though, and for some reason the need to buy more gear.....

[@loopop]

Thanks! Frankly it was daunting to make, took quite some time

[@wega4105]

Tack!

[@hosedog99]

Thank you for this info. I find this very interesting but confusing for the way my brain works. My ideal setup would be to have a 24 track console like a SSl XL Desk or Trident and have each synth and effects patched into a traditional patch bay. That way each synth would be "normaled" to it's own channel on the consol. I like seeing where the audio is being routed like it was 1988. The Digitakt would remain my main sequencer.

[@giovannibiancofiore]

👍 Hi loopop, thanks for your great videos. If I understand correctly, since you can assign any Input to any Output, could I connect 16 synths and/or pedals only in mono and then route each of these mono to the main Out Right and Left and obtain a stereo signal? Could this allow me to connect 16 different mono devices instead of just 8 stereo devices? Did I get it right? Thanks again.

[@loopop]

Thanks! If you mean on the Erica Matrix, the answer is theoretically yes - I didn't try it, so it would be interesting to explore noise/headroom

[@giovannibiancofiore]

@@loopop Thanks for the reply! I hope to find out as soon as possible😀

[@giovannibiancofiore]

Hi Loopop, I share here (it may be useful to many) the response I received from Oto Krisjanis (Erica Synths) about this "Hi Giovanni. Yes - that is correct - you can route any input to any output - this also means splitting an input to multiple outputs and mixing multiple inputs to a single output. As such - yes - you can route 16 mono inputs to two outputs to get "stereo" which in this case would be dual mono. Best regards, Oto" I would add that this could even be an advantage, because a dual mono signal is not necessarily worse than a stereo signal. Indeed in our case (synthesized music) by playing with panning and other effects, we could have use of spatiality superior to the stereo signal. Thanks and good music to everyone. .

[@klstay]

Great ideas as always. On a tangential note for those focused on PC/Mac DAW and iPad and some external sound integration iConnectivity Audio4c offers seamless simultaneous MIDI & audio between all 3; only 4 ins though. (I have nothing to do with the company, but have found it quite useful)

[@northerntao]

Handy video - of course I’ll plug the Cirklon 2 as not just a top notch sequencer, but a MIDI router as well. Its the center of my synth cave. I upgraded my CK1 to 2 to get the USB host option, so now it has 16 additional MIDI ports (with USB extension) on the host side (USB B), and 6 more on the USB client (USB A). In addition to the 5 pairs of MIDI DIN ports. And CV and DIN Sync…. NIC onboard for later RTP MIDI support

[@rafa787]

I order MRCC today can't wait to use my midi fighter twister with all my midi dins gear

[@sstroh32]

Great vid, hopefully it encourages some ppl to stop ripping cables in and out of their gear all the time. While I admit color coded cables are a step up, I really expected (hoped?) a quick recommendation to learn to solder. I can’t imagine attempting to purchase all the right lengths for an ever🎉 changing setup. So, a 20’ Mogami gold (4 conductor) balanced TRS patch is a shocking $105 on amazon. Worse yet, all the unused cables in your bin that don’t fit your current runs jacks that cost up even more, making the $15-20 in materials and 10 minutes time look like an even better deal. The unexpected benefit is that when cost goes down you end up wiping up all the individual outs and side chain connects you might not otherwise. I’m sure a lot of ppl aren’t comfortable soldering cables and nothing wrong with that, but I’m also sure a lot of ppl don’t know it’s possible or how easy it is!

[@loopop]

Soldering is a pretty big barrier for many people, but of course you're right it's cheaper to go DIY

[@sstroh32]

@@loopop absolutely, insurmountable for some, and that's totally understandable. I am surprised by the amount of people that don't know it's even an option though. In my case, I started soldering my own out of a desire, err compulsion, for uniformity and perfect length runs (I particularly struggle with those 1-4 mini loops before a connection to account for a cable that's a couple feet too long). For others, the cost saving is what makes it worthwhile (particularly for true premium cabling). Another side benefit was developing a much deeper understanding of your cabling, the conductors therein, and how they transmit through each connector type; such that more complicated db-25 snakes, for example, will be much less daunting.

[@wega4105]

Your cameraman :). Is greatest onKZbin in this video! And thanks f the tips and explanations!!!

[@davery99]

This is great. I am still trying to find the perfect way to get my Hydrasymth deluxe keys to route to 3 monosynths and VSTs. I can set the midi out channel on the HS and pass that into something like the MRCC, and have all the monos (Beringer and Roland) attached to different channels. However, I guess I will have to cut local hydra volume when I don't want its output. Might be able to change the listening channel on the HS and disconnect its local pass through. Puzzling!

[@meddle333]

On the far more beginner side I have a couple of my own experiences to share. I bought one of those Behringer mixers with effects and everything and I really love it, but keep in mind that 8 or even 12 channels really won't stretch very far. 😅 Once you start patching in stereo equipment you're suddenly only looking at 4 or 6 channels. I think mine only has 6 mono and 2 stereo, so if I have a third stereo synth I want to patch in to the mixer I'm suddenly down to only 4 mono channels. Obvious, once you actually start plugging things in, but not necessarily something a newbie like me will think of! 😅 My saving grace was having one or two of those little $20 4-channel mixers on hand! They're extremely small, even smaller than most pedals, so you can even attach them straight onto, say, the side of the mixer with some velcro, and bam... you've turned a single channel into 4. They'll of course be mono and share an eq, but it's super handy for stuff like volcas and Pocket Operators and little stuff like that. 😆 But just as an example, with my teeny 6 mono / 2 stereo channel mixer I've got: Wavestate Deepmind Digitone Microfreak Monologue Volca FM Circuit Tracks and Rhythm Model: Cycles and Samples And Skulpt and Craft! ...and hey... that ain't bad! 🤣

[@loopop]

Thanks for sharing!

[@girlinagale]

How do I put Volca Keys into a mono mixer channel, can I use a ts cable?

[@meddle333]

@@girlinagale Yup. Absolutely. TS is a mono cable, TRS is a stereo cable. Pretty much ALL my cables are TS/mono. However, the output on the Volcas are 1/8 inch, and many mixers are 1/4 inch, so you most likely will need an adaptor, which are inexpensive and can be mono or stereo.

[@girlinagale]

@@meddle333 Ah good because at the moment the Volca is with a stereo breakout cable into a stereo mixer channel. My Volca doesn't need to be stereo, it's just doing dub chords.

[@meddle333]

@@girlinagale I'm not entirely certain, but I think almost all the Volcas are mono, so they output the same signal into both speakers. So either side can go into your mixer (without losing any quality at all) and something fun you can do is take the other output and run it through a delay or reverb or any other type of effect and run that into another channel. Then you can mix just a little bit of the effect in, or put the dry signal all the way left and the effect all the way right to turn it into a stereo sound. Ah! Your music is fantastic! I really recommend seeing if you can find an old Tascam 414 or any cassette Portastudio! I bet you would really love that. They're long out of print, but IMHO well worth it. Those are how I learned, around 2001 or so, and I still treasure them. They're great for multitrack recording, but some even have MIDI connections which would be (almost) essential for live performance.

[@MartinStuertzer]

Can you cascade the Erica Matrix Mixer if you need more than 16 inputs and outputs in your studio? I am asking for a friend.

[@loopop]

LOL I was asking myself the same thing - I don't think so because you'd need extra inputs on the bottom or outputs right. Wouldn't that be a nice hack!!

[@ChristopherOrth]

The iConnectivity MIDI routing devices are fantastic. Surprised more people aren't talking about them. They have several size/models... the mio10 had 10 DIN ports, internal USB host with 7+ ports, and a dedicated USB connection to a computer. It does every form of MIDI filtering and translation possible, and has matrix style routing. Also great that it can store/load different configurations onboard, so great if you need to travel, or move between studio/live for example. With one of those as a central MIDI hub, and something like an RME interface (total mix is amazing) for audio, you can have a studio that can do anything and is highly flexible, with virtually no latency. Very similar to what you have set up here. But the bottom line advice to anyone is to solve your problem one or two sizes bigger than they currently are. Stop buying little shitty gizmos that fix one thing, and ending up with a chain of convoluted clagnuts somewhere down the road, which all cost you more than a full-sized solution would have.

[@fergadelics]

I’m at a new location and using the Ethernet with my Mio this time. Nice to hear someone say it’s working well for them. I took a break. Back to configuring. I’m adding ES-9 to the mix and apparently I’m in for a treat with documentation.

[@g3cd]

I was looking into the MRCC, but I don't like that the MIDI cables going into the front. I'm now waiting for the release of the Kenton Interchanger "this summer" (according to the manufacturer) which is in 19" rack format with all cables in the back. I also got some Furman PL-8 power conditioners to prevent noise from the gear that can't use a pedal power board (where I use the Cioks DC7 with a parallel adapter to combine 2x 500mA 9V into 1x 1000mA 9V for my Norand Mono synth, this seems more versatile than the Strymon Zuma).

[@giantsparkplug3462]

I use an iConnectivity mio10, which also has most of the connections on the back.

[@noahsiekmann4275]

I can't say enough good things about the MRCC. With the cables plugged into top means it takes up less desk space. I was worried about it before I got it, but now I wouldn't want it any other way.

[@RCZ-rg1jp]

And yet again I both enjoy and regret watching another of your videos. ;-) I found this while researching midi routers, since I'm just SO close to being able to go DAW-less/computer-less during composition/jamming/practicing modes. I'd pretty much landed on the MRCC 880, but now the MRCC is just so... perfect (IF it functions correctly for me). I currently route everything via their USB connections), or MIDI to a Microlite and its USB connection to the open source MIDI Patchbay software, which is actually quite a nice little thing, but of course, does require the computer to be on, and I'm hoping to avoid that. Just mimic that (it has similar filtering, clunky routing setup but otherwise works fine, sends clock only if you want, or no clock, re-channels midi channels if you want, etc.) Wondering how stable it's been for that relatively straightforward use-case. Also: Dangit loopop; I'm trying to spend LESS money. But then again, I do need this for my 'sick of computers while making music' sanity

[@loopop]

Thanks for the kind words - sorry to cause so much trouble just trying to make my setup work and share what I learn 😜 so far MRCC has done just fine for me in simple use cases (I don't stress test it much, just route and filter)

[@RCZ-rg1jp]

Hahahahaha. I know. I'm kidding, of course. Switching (back) to hardware after decades of being 'in the box' is a challenge, and hard to know where to start. I grabbed a bunch of sound-oriented things, some with decent step sequencers, only to find that what I needed was a solid, modern sequencer (thanks, recent Polyend Tracker blowout sale). Definitely learned from that one... now I need routing. This video is SO awesome for throwing out working solutions to so many of our problems. You're a gem. 🙂 Hopefully the local shop can let me know when they can get one in. They seem to not make them but in batches, which I get for such a niche device (though that niche is growing with just about everybody I know). Take much care, and keep it coming!!! @@loopop​

[@Zen_Mox]

I've been waiting so long for this type of info, thank you

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

Patchbays and mixers. Patchbays and mixers. I hate reconnecting all my gear so over the years diagrammed out my studio and run all my synths, drum machines, sequencers and effects through a couple audio and MIDI patchbays. When I get new gear or trade away old stuff I update the diagram. This allows me to keep everything plugged-in, connected and powered up at all times so it's always ready to go.

[@ToyKeeper]

It's really cool that all this is possible... and kind of terrifying that it's necessary.

[@davidbanner9001]

This video was very, very useful. Thank you very much. Gives me a lot to think about and indeed a lot of options.

[@jonasbarka]

Watching this is the opposite to GAS rehab! 😁

[@anthonyp4949]

Great vid! The mrcc is one of the best gear purchases of my life. It’s a must for anyone using multiple sequencers with a bunch of synths and drum machines.. I’m intrigued by the Erica mixer. With this setup, what would be the best way to incorporate a mixer or a fader bank with mutes just to control the volume of each instrument?

[@loopop]

Thanks! in this setup central mutes are a problem. You might go for presets in the matrix mixer and change them using program changes, or a mixer, or an interface with MIDI control.

[@dpinskey]

By the way - I see you are using an X-Gear device. I also use those for guitar and effect purposes which I was automating with Studio One and controlling via foot controller but would also like to use something like the MRCC to control program changes with my foot controller to change those and MIDI controlled analog vox effects. And I also have that exact same passive patch bay as well as the USB controlled Wes Audio Calypso that I use to route signal around my studio.

[@CommunityGuidelines]

9:57 --- "DON'T LOOK BEHIND YOU!!!" Hahahahaha, I had to play it back to make sure my eyes did not deceive me.

[@philippendletonmusic]

Did you build the RE-303? Or did you have it built? Looking for a builder so any tips would be fantastic.

[@loopop]

I had it built for me by the same guy who I bought the chorus pedal from (he is linked in the description next to the chorus pedal)

[@localhost4460]

I use two matrix mixers in my setup: one exclusively for audio, one for CV

[@mike2884]

Thanx! I'm eating a PB&j sandwich.....trying to figure out how to route wet bread to dry without losing jelly quantity and maximize tummy filling .....😢 .... Now I know....I just needed a dozen matrix mixers in my life all along ?😂

[@DankePlace]

This is how I like to stack my gear, all within arms reach great vid, thx.