ROCK MATRIX 4: How To Set Up For Home Use

Introduction

The Rockville Rock Matrix 4 is a multi-zone matrix receiver designed for flexible home audio setups. Whether you want to route music to different rooms, mix and match speaker types, or even set up a home karaoke system, this guide will walk you through the setup and key features of the Rock Matrix 4.

What’s in the Box

• Rock Matrix 4 Unit
• Power Cable

Setting Up the Rock Matrix 4

1. Connecting Power

• Take the female end of the power cable and plug it into the back of the Rock Matrix 4.
• Take the male end and plug it into a power outlet.
• Turn on the unit using the power button on the front panel.

Inputs and Outputs Overview

Audio Inputs

The Rock Matrix 4 supports multiple input types:

• 4 XLR Microphone Inputs (one for each channel)
• 2 Quarter-inch Line Inputs (on Channels 1 and 2)
• RCA Line-Level Inputs (on Channels 3 and 4)
• Bluetooth MP3 Module (on Channel 4)

To activate Bluetooth mode:

1. Press the MP3 button on the front LCD panel.
2. Click the Mode button to switch to Bluetooth.
3. Connect your device to Rock Matrix 4.

Speaker Outputs

The Rock Matrix 4 supports four zones, allowing you to connect different speakers to different areas.

Speaker Wiring Options

• 4-ohm, 8-ohm, and 16-ohm terminals (for standard speakers)
• 70V and 100V options (for commercial speakers with built-in transformers)

Wiring Your Speakers

Step 1: Identifying Speaker Type

• If you have two 16-ohm speakers wired in parallel, they will function as 8-ohm speakers.
• If using 70V or 100V speakers, ensure they are tapped at the appropriate wattage.

Step 2: Connecting the Speaker Wires

1. Remove the terminal screws using a Phillips screwdriver.
2. Insert the black speaker wire into the common terminal.
3. Insert the red speaker wire into the correct impedance terminal (4-ohm, 8-ohm, etc.).
4. Tighten the screws to secure the wires.

Step 3: Wiring Multiple Zones

Repeat this process for all four zones. You can mix and match standard and commercial speaker types.

Selecting Inputs for Each Zone

To choose an input source for a zone:

1. Use the input selector on the front panel.
2. Press the button to cycle through Channel 1, Channel 2, Channel 3, and Channel 4.
3. If using RCA inputs, connect your device using an RCA-to-Aux cable.

Playing Audio in Different Zones

• Select a zone by pressing the output selection button.
• You can play music through one zone at a time or all zones simultaneously.
• Example setup:
  • Zone 1: Kitchen
  • Zone 2: Backyard
  • Zone 3: Bedroom
  • Zone 4: Living Room

This allows independent control of audio across different rooms.

Multi-Input Sourcing: Playing Different Audio in Different Zones

One of the best features of the Rock Matrix 4 is multi-input sourcing, meaning:

• Different devices can play different audio in separate zones.
• Example:
  • Bluetooth (Phone) → Zone 1 (Kitchen)
  • iPad (RCA Input) → Zone 3 (Bedroom)

To set this up:

1. Connect your phone via Bluetooth to Channel 4.
2. Connect an iPad via RCA to Channel 3.
3. Assign each input to a different zone.

Equalization and Audio Adjustments

• Each input source has a 2-band EQ (High and Low) to fine-tune sound.
• Each zone has a 3-band EQ (High, Mid, and Low) for customized audio settings.

Stereo Setup Option

The Rock Matrix 4 outputs dual mono audio (identical sound from all speakers). If you want stereo separation:

1. Use a Y-cable (dual ¼” jacks to aux).
2. Plug one end into Channel 1 and the other into Channel 2.
3. Assign each channel to different zones for a left-right stereo effect.

Using the Rock Matrix 4 for Karaoke

• Connect a microphone to an XLR input.
• Play karaoke tracks from a YouTube app on a connected device.
• The microphone audio will mix with the music, creating a full home karaoke system.

Conclusion

The Rock Matrix 4 is a powerful multi-zone matrix receiver that allows you to: 

Control music in different areas of your homePlay multiple audio sources simultaneouslyMix and match different types of speakersSet up a stereo or karaoke system

With its versatile connectivity, Bluetooth support, and EQ controls, the Rock Matrix 4 is the perfect audio hub for home setups.