We love an inflated press release here at Computer Music and tend to get sent some crackers every month, many of which feature hardware or software that promises the world. None more so than this release from newcomers and Kickstarter developers 203 Electronics. Their new Matrix, they say, “is the only grid controller you need”.
Matrix actually doubles as both a MIDI controller and light display performer. It’s been designed to be a highly portable device, and also one that is totally customisable thanks to its open-source architecture. As such it ships with its own Matrix OS, in which you can create your own apps to suit your needs. However, 203 also claim that Matrix is easier to use than that sounds, saying this “enables a straightforward box experience for all types of players without any required knowledge”.
Matrix certainly seems to fulfil the first part of the brief – at just 13.2mm thick it is definitely portable. There are two versions of the device with a Standard controller having 64 ‘high-brightness’ LEDs. The Pro version has an additional 32 underglow LEDs which add more flexible light show drama when it comes to performing.
Surprisingly, with the
