Build a system
Commission a Maxx Remote system: create channels and groups, link amplifiers, route Dante inputs, and tune volume, EQ, and delay.
Goal / when to use
Use this chapter after Quick-Start when you commission a real site: model speakers and rooms, connect amplifiers, bring in program sources, then tune.
For multi-way cabinets, surround, and speaker presets, see Advanced.
1 - Channels and groups
Create project channels (speakers) and groups (rooms), and map them together.
Goal / when to use
Build the logical system: one channel per speaker (or multi-way cabinet), and groups for rooms, zones, or show control.
Prerequisites
- Open project (Projects)
- Optional: sketch which speakers belong to which rooms
Create channels
- Open CHANNELS → MAP | CREATE.
- Click + CHANNEL.
- Set how many channels to add and name them (for example
Lobby Left, Lobby Right). - Click CREATE CHANNELS.
For multi-way cabinets (one channel object with Low/Mid/High ways), enable MULTI-WAY MODE — see Multi-way channels.
Expected result
Channels appear in the CHANNELS list with empty LINKED TO until devices are linked.
Create groups
- In MAP | CREATE, click + GROUP.
- Name the group after the room or zone (for example
Foyer, Hall A). - Create the group.
Expected result
The group appears in GROUPS and in the mapping lists.
Map channels into groups
- Stay in CHANNEL | GROUP MAPPING (MAP | CREATE).
- Select one or more channels.
- Drag them onto a group, or click MAP.
- Use UNMAP when a speaker should leave a room.
- Filters MAPPED ONLY / UNMAPPED ONLY help large projects.
Hint
One channel may belong to several groups (for example room group + “All Subs” group). Remember that group values sum with the channel (Concept).
Expected result
Groups show their member channels; CHANNELS can show group membership.
Choose what a group can control
On a group’s edit dialog, GROUP ABILITIES decide which controls the group exposes (Mute, Volume, EQ, Input, Speaker Preset, and more). Turn off abilities you do not want operators to touch at group level.
Expected result
GROUPS overview and edit tabs match the abilities you enabled.
Set each channel’s ROLE (Left, Right, Mono, Center, LFE, surrounds, …) so group INPUT assignment routes the correct Dante legs. Details: Inputs and routing, Surround.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes
- Creating one channel per amp output “just because,” then drowning in unused strips — create channels for speakers you care about.
- Putting the same channel in two groups that both apply large EQ/volume — outputs stack.
- Naming channels after amp slots (
CH12) instead of room positions — harder later when you re-link.
2 - Devices and linking
Add amplifiers to the project and link project channels to physical outputs.
Goal / when to use
Connect real amplifiers and map each project channel (speaker) to the correct HW channel (amp output).
Prerequisites
Add a device
- Open DEVICES → ADD DEVICE.
- Choose:
- ADD FROM NETWORK — select discovered units (SCAN NETWORK as needed)
- ADD MANUALLY — model + hostname (and IP when known)
- Decide whether to CONNECT AFTER ADDING.
- Only enable CREATE CHANNELS if you want Maxx Remote to auto-create a project channel per amp output. For planned systems, leave this off.
- Confirm ADD / ADD SELECTED.
Expected result
The device row appears with STATUS updating as Maxx Remote connects. CONNECT can pause network activity.
Link project channels to HW channels
On the device row, open LINK CHs.
Select a project channel and a free HW channel.
Use IDENTIFY on the HW side to play a test tone and confirm the speaker.
LINK (or drag and drop).
Repeat for all speakers.
Reorder / swap by dragging HW channels between slots.
Expected result
CHANNELS LINKED TO shows the amp/output; identify matches the physical position.
Multi-way and speaker devices
Multi-way channels need several HW channels (or a speaker-style device) linked together. See Multi-way channels.
Replace a device
Typical sequence:
- Export the project (Projects).
- On the old device row, note hostname / links (or leave links and remove carefully).
- Add the replacement amplifier (same model when possible).
- Re-link project channels to the new HW channels (IDENTIFY again).
- Use SYNC if STATUS shows differences (Troubleshoot).
Optional delete dialog may offer to remove linked project channels — usually keep project channels and only remove the device.
Device row actions worth knowing
| Control | Purpose |
|---|
| STATUS | Connection / health |
| SYNC | Resolve project vs device differences |
| IDENTIFY | Visual / audible identify on the amp |
| CONNECT | Enable or pause control connection |
| LINK CHs | Open the linker |
| SETTINGS / REMOVE | Device config or remove from project |
| REBOOT DEVICE | Reboot from Maxx Remote when available |
Common mistakes
Common mistakes
- Linking without IDENTIFY — wrong speaker, wrong EQ forever.
- Auto-creating 32 project channels you never use.
- Relying on discovery across routers — enter IP for fixed installs.
- Removing a device and accidentally deleting the project channels you still need.
3 - Inputs and routing
Create Dante input sources, assign them to groups, and set channel roles.
Goal / when to use
Bring program audio into Maxx Remote so groups and channels receive the correct Dante (or related) streams.
Prerequisites
- Groups with Input ability enabled
- Channel ROLE planned (Left / Right / Mono / surround roles)
- Dante Controller available to read TX names
- See also Surround input sources for 5.1 / 7.1
- Open INPUTS → + INPUT SOURCE.
- Fill in:
- SOURCE LABEL — friendly name in Maxx Remote
- RECEIVE HOSTNAME — Dante device hostname
- RECEIVE LABEL — transmit channel name
- For stereo / surround sources, add each leg as required by the source type.
- Save with CREATE SOURCE.
Example TX naming in Dante Controller: 01@STEFFEN-PC.
Optional tools on INPUTS: DANTE DISCOVERY, volume offset / mute on the source, CSV import/export for large lists.
Expected result
The source appears in INPUTS and can be selected on groups.
Assign a source to a group
- Open GROUPS → select the group.
- Open INPUT and choose the source.
- Confirm the group output / channel setup (Stereo, 2.1, 5.1, …) matches the speakers in that room.
Expected result
Member channels receive streams according to their ROLE and the active crossmix strategy.
Set channel roles
- Open CHANNELS (or the channel edit dialog).
- Set ROLE to LEFT, RIGHT, MONO, or a surround role.
- NONE means this channel will not take INPUT SOURCE streams.
Note
MONO typically combines the available legs (downmix). That is correct for many subs; wrong for a dedicated Left speaker.
Expected result
Left hears left, Right hears right; Dante Controller shows dynamic subscriptions (often D:).
Review the signal path
Use SIG-PATH to see source → group → channel → device at a glance, and to run TEST / identify from that view. See GUI · SIG-PATH.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes
- Wrong hostname / TX label — silent channels.
- Group Input ability disabled — INPUT and setup controls hidden.
- Stereo music on a group with all roles still MONO.
- Expecting Maxx Remote to invent Dante TX names — copy them from Dante Controller.
4 - Tuning
Set volume, mute, EQ, delay, and phase on channels and groups.
Goal / when to use
Dial in levels and DSP after speakers are linked. Prefer group moves for room-wide changes and channel moves for speaker-specific trim.
Prerequisites
- Channels mapped to groups
- Devices linked if you want to hear results on hardware
- Understand summation (Concept)
Volume
Room (group)
- Open GROUPS.
- Click VOLUME for the room.
- Enter a value (for example
-20) → Enter / SET.
Speaker trim (channel)
- Open CHANNELS.
- Click VOLUME on the speaker.
- Enter an offset relative to the current summed output workflow you are using → SET.
Note
CHANNELS always shows the final output (channel + all groups). That is why a channel may already read −20 dB after a group change.
Mute and power
- Use group MUTE for room silence.
- Use channel MUTE for a single speaker.
- POWER controls (where available) can be driven from channel, group, or operator VIEW widgets.
EQ
- Open EQ from the channel or group row (EQ icon / edit dialog EQ tab).
- Drag filter types (PEQ, shelves, HP/LP, …) into the plot.
- Select a filter, set type (gear), frequency, gain, Q.
- On a channel, review the summed curve when groups also contribute EQ.
Delay and phase
- Open the channel or group edit dialog → DELAY / PHASE.
- Set delay for alignment; use phase invert when polarity must flip.
- Prefer group delay only when the whole room should shift together.
Advanced DSP (limiters, FIR, speaker detection, speaker presets) lives in the channel / group edit tabs (LIMIT, SPEAKER, …). For packaged speaker tunings see Speaker presets.
Bulk edits
On CHANNELS / GROUPS list pages, column headers such as VOLUME, MUTE, DELAY, PHASE open editors that can apply to the current selection — useful for many identical fills.
Undo / redo
Maxx Remote supports undo/redo for project edits — use it while tuning instead of guessing previous values.
Expected result
Rooms sit at safe levels; individual speakers are trimmed; EQ/delay match the design intent; CHANNELS output values match what you hear.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes
- Turning channel volume up to “fix” a group that is muted.
- Building the same EQ twice (channel + group) without noticing summation.
- Tuning in Maxx Control in parallel — creates Out of Sync.
- Forgetting IDENTIFY before applying aggressive EQ to the wrong linked output.