Devices

In MediaMatrix, the "equipment" you make a sound system out of, are software "devices".  These are control algorithms, blocks with nodes, and control panels that resemble their analog counterparts.  Your system is made up by these software devices.  Devices are located in folders (subdirectories), which are also referred to as device libraries.  In addition to the devices and device libraries that are shipped with MediaMatrix, you can create your own.

Types of Devices

Devices can come in a variety of flavors.  Some of them include:

User Defined

The user has the option of defining his or her own devices, via the Tools | Define Device Menu described later in this help file.

Standard

This includes standard versions of the devices most commonly used in sound systems.

Deluxe

This includes versions of the some of the standard devices that are built with a full complement of meters and input and output gain controls.  While these devices are slightly larger than the Standard devices, they offer more complete control of the audio passing through them.

Simple

This includes only the devices that are the most basic signal processing primitives available in MediaMatrix, called algorithms.  If you plan on building your own devices you should use these devices as the building blocks to assure that you have the most efficient design and don't have any hidden level controls or meters except those that you place yourself.  In some cases, the Standard version of a device is the most basic and a Simple version is not provided.

Device Libraries (Folders)

The TAB window Tree View device menu is composed of multiple Device Libraries, each within their own folder.  Each folder is displayed as a "toolbox" icon in the Tree View.  The Tree View shows the devices subdirectory, and all device category subdirectories below that.  All devices end in the extension ".dvc".  Devices can be copied to their respective folders (directories).  You can also drag devices between folders in the Tree View.  A new folder can then be created, which will display as a tool box icon.  The label can be modified to indicate the type of device, name of a project, etc.  To make a new folder for a device library, left click on the top directory, which is labeled as "Devices".  Once it is highlighted, right click and select "Insert Folder".  A new folder will be created at the bottom of all existing device folders, and you will be prompted to enter the folder name. If you choose a name that already exists, an error message will display to tell you to select another name.

Adding Devices to your System

Choosing a particular device

The first step in building your sound system is to choose the devices you want to use in the system.  Detailed descriptions of each device can be accessed through the device reference section of this help system.  There are two different methods for selecting devices in MWare 3.x, and placing them in your view file.  The first is to open the TAB view (see paint mode above for instructions on how to do this or just hit F11), select the "Treeview" tab at the bottom of the TAB window.  This will show you the devices available by type.  To see a list of all available devices under this type, click on the box with the + sign in it to the left of the device category.  This will open and show you what devices are available.  Then, just click on the device, and while you are still holding down the left mouse button, simply drag the device into the main window where you are designing the system.  The device will be inserted where you release the mouse button.  The second way to insert devices into your view file, is to first select Device from the menu bar at the top of the screen.  A pull down menu will appear directly below the first menu.  This menu lists the categories of devices available such as "crossovers" or "equalizers".  From this menu you select the category of device you want.  A new menu appears to the right that lists the specific devices available in the selected category.  Next, choose the device you would like to use in the sound system.  A new menu will appear to the right of the device selected offering various choices, some with additional features.  The choice available varies depending upon the device selected.  Choose the version of the device that you would like to use by clicking on it.  You may see an hourglass for a few moments as the device is loaded from the device library.  The cursor then becomes a nutdriver.  The nutdriver indicates that you are temporarily in the paste-ready mode.

Locating the device on the screen

Use the mouse to move the nutdriver to the location that you would like to insert the device and click the left mouse button to paste the device you selected into the system.  The device now appears in the window.  The mouse pointer changes from a nutdriver to a Peavey Pointer indicating that you are now back in the edit mode.
 

Moving Devices

If you want to relocate the device location in the window place the mouse pointer over the device and click and hold the left button down.  Drag the device to the location that you would like to place it.  If you are moving the mouse quickly, you will see only an outline of the device.  When you move the mouse slowly, the actual image of the device will catch up with its outline.  Upon releasing the mouse button the device will appear in the location of the final outline.

Moving Multiple Devices at the Same Time

You can move multiple devices at the same time by first selecting the desired objects as described above (dragging a box around multiple devices thus selecting them), or by using shift or Ctrl simultaneously with a mouse click on multiple devices.  Next move them by clicking and dragging any one of the devices in the selection group.

Moving Devices Orthogonally

Sometimes it is desirable to move a device or group of devices orthogonally.  This allows devices to move only in the horizontal or vertical plane, preventing any diagonal movement.  To enable the orthogonal mode, hold down the Shift key while dragging the device or devices.  When you release the shift key the normal movement mode is resumed.  Holding down the right mouse button while dragging the devices has the same effect as holding down the Shift key.

Adding Multiples of the Same Device

There are many cases when it is desirable to place more than one copy of a specific device in the sound system.  There are several ways to accomplish this.  A handy way to place another copy of the last device chosen from the device menu is to push the insert button on the computer keyboard.  The screwdriver mouse pointer will re-appear and you can then place a new copy of the device wherever you would like it to appear.  This is a shortcut so you don't have to choose the device from the menu again.

Duplicating Devices

Another convenient way to copy a device or group of devices is to use the duplicate command.  Select a device or group of devices using the techniques described earlier.  Once you have made the desired selection, choose the Duplicate Command from the Edit menu.  The nutdriver mouse pointer will appear in the window.  Place the device or group of devices in the desired location in the window.

This mode provides an efficient way to build up a large system quickly.  As an example: If you want 16 copies of the same device you can place one device in the window.  Next duplicate it.  Next select both devices and duplicate them.  This will result in 4 devices on the screen.  Select the four devices, duplicate them and now you have 8 devices.  Repeat this process with the eight devices and you now have 16 devices.

Using the keyboard accelerator CTRL+D (hold the control key and press D) is a very convenient method to rapidly duplicate devices.  The Duplicate command also appears in the right button speed menu.

Replacing a device already on the screen

If you would like to replace a device already placed in the window simply choose the desired device from the menu, or duplicate (you may also cut and paste) a device of the desired type from the view on your screen if one is available.  Next place the nutdriver mouse pointer over the device you want to replace and click the left mouse button.  A dialog box will appear asking if you want to replace the existing device.  By choosing Yes from the dialog box the new device replaces the existing one.  Any wiring connected to the old device will remain intact as long as there is a node on the new device available to connect to.  This is explained later in the wiring section of this help system.  If you select No from the dialog box the new device will appear under the existing device. You can then drag the new or old device to a new location.  If you select CANCEL from the dialog box the system will remain as it was, the old device will not change and the new device will not be added to the system.