Building a new system

A complete sound system created with MediaMatrix is saved to the hard disk in what is called a view file which has the extension .pav.  There are several steps in building sound systems with MediaMatrix.  Minimally, these steps include:

1. Creating a new file

2. Adding the devices in Edit mode

3. Wiring the devices together in Wire mode

4. Choosing a sample rate

5. Compiling the system, and then

6. Operating the system in Control mode.

Other optional procedures such as painting, creating custom devices, creating custom control surfaces, and labeling may also be included.

Of course you will save your system frequently as you work to minimize your lost work should a power failure or other unforeseen problem cause your computer to crash.

Typically, this process does not progress step by step in a linear manner.  Instead, you will probably discover that it is a highly iterative process, that will take you through many revisions and changes as you design the system, use it, and then tweak your design to take advantage of MediaMatrix's capabilities.  Like any work of art, as you learn how to use MediaMatrix, your systems design, as well as the look and feel of the control panels you build, will improve as MediaMatrix becomes a comfortable and familiar tool.  Since you can always make changes, don't be surprised if you wind up revisiting systems you previously designed, in order to update them, either to improve efficiency, improve the look and feel, or to just do it better.

Creating a new file

When you are ready to create a new sound system choose New from the File menu.  A new file named "NONAME00.PAV is created and you are now ready to begin designing the sound system.