What are Matrix channels for?

[KingRazor]

The FOH board at my church has 8 "matrix channels". According to the manual: "MATRIX channels process a mix of the audio signals from AUX1–AUX16 and MAIN L/R, and send them to an output port. You can also select any two channels from CH1–CH48 and mix them into a MATRIX channel."

I wanted to know, what's a practical application for this?

 

[Passinwind]

I've often used them for recording and time delayed feed to speakers in the back of the room, among other things.

 

[MonkeyBass]

I use them in a theater application for sending the mix to the back of house speakers. That way I can send a mix independently of the mains but it's still affected by fader moves. I'll aslo use them to send an overall mix a monitor backstage for the actors to hear cues.

 

[TimmyP]

We use one to feed the assisted listening system, and one to feed the guest videographer. If I had fills or backstage, I'd use 'em for those.

 

[KingRazor]

When do you think you would use a matrix over an aux/bus?

 

[MonkeyBass]

The advantage to the matrix is A) It frees up your auxes, and B) you can send groups to them. For the theater gig I do I'll send all the actors' mics to a group and that group to the matrix, that way there are no "open" mics hitting any of the speakers. With prefade aux sends that's not going to happen.