Future Sound Systems MTX8: Synthi-style Pin Matrix router for audio and CV
Future Sound Systems MT8X · Source: Future Sound Systems
Future Sound Systems MT8X · Source: Future Sound Systems
The MTX8 is 8 inputs and 8 outputs routed to each other via a classic pin matrix like those found on EMS Synthi synthesizer. This runs on your desktop, routes audio and CV and is full of FSS flair and Tube Screamer distortion.
MTX8 Standalone Pin Matrix
It’s a desktop evolution of FSS’s MTX9 Eurorack pin matrix that brings it into the perhaps more versatile domain of the desktop where it can connect up all sorts of synths, pedals and processors along with Eurorack and other bits of gear.
The idea is that you plug your synths and instruments into the inputs and your effects and destinations into the outputs and use the pin matrix of 64 connections to make any combination of connection. From one thing too one thing to one thing too everything and onto everything too everything. You can create complex chains of connections and then reroute everything with a few pin changes rather than rewiring your whole setup. It’s genius really. There’s a lot of blank space on the top panel for scribbling notes and labels.
All the inputs and outputs are buffered allowing for parity gain summing. When you plug in a banana pin into a point it connects that input on the vertical axis with that output on the horizontal axis. All connections are 1/4″ unbalanced jacks.
It’s that simple and phenomenally useful. It’s interesting how the inputs and outputs are split across both sides of the MTX8 which somehow makes it less logical but also more practical. Check out Loopops review and demonstration in the video below.
Future Sound Systems MT8X · Source: Future Sound Systems
MTX8 Guitar
There’s another version called the MTX8 Guitar which features a Tube Screamer-type distortion circuit built into input 1 with controls on the side. It also has a high impedance JFET front end with aggressive tone control and has a first-order high-pass characteristic with a -3dB point of around 200Hz which prevents low-frequencies from affecting the clipping behaviour. It would make using guitars and microphones with the MTX8 a lot more fun although there’s no reason why you wouldn’t use the distortion circuit on other things. In fact, I’m pretty sure for the additional 20 quid everyone will opt for the guitar version.
The MTX8 Standard is £409 and the MTX8 Guitar is £429 and available now.
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