20 years of MADRIX: Looking Back

MADRIX can look back on 20 years in the field of LED lighting control. Since the launch of MADRIX 1.0 at Prolight + Sound 2005, the company has made numerous technological developments and significant contributions to the industry. MADRIX reveals the most important advances and achievements. From the first steps to international projects such as the 2018 Winter Olympics – MADRIX stands for continuous development and high quality.

Reflecting on the past 20 years, what have been some of the major milestones and achievements for MADRIX? MADRIX is known for its cutting-edge LED lighting control solutions. What innovations or new
technologies have been most transformative for your company and the industry?

Over the past 20 years, MADRIX has achieved several significant milestones and advancements in the field of LED lighting control. Here are some of the key highlights:

Introduction of MADRIX 1.0

The success story began in 2005 at Prolight + Sound with the release of MADRIX 1.0, marking the company’s entry into the LED lighting control market. In 2005, the presence of LED products at Prolight + Sound was quite limited. To the best of my recollection, there were only two exhibition stands showcasing such technology. One belonged to us, MADRIX, and the other to GLEC. Coinciding with this event, Coldplay released the music video for “Speed of Sound” along with the single on May 23, 2005. I remember this distinctly because I must have watched that video over a hundred times, each viewing reinforcing my aspiration to one day see a magnificent LED installation, akin to the one in the video, being orchestrated by MADRIX.

Coldplay – Speed of Sound

Release of MADRIX 2.0

In 2007, MADRIX 2.0 was launched, introducing a modern graphical design and laying the foundation for multi-layer technology and creative, complex LED patches. In 2008, we implemented an astounding MADRIX system with 36,240 DMX channels using MADRIX 2 at Baiyoke Tower II in Bangkok, which was Thailand’s tallest building at the time. Remarkably, the “vintage” MADRIX 2 system continues to operate flawlessly to this day.

„People who are really serious about software should make their own hardware.“ — Alan Kay

At MADRIX, we embody this philosophy by creating hardware and software that are not only powerful but also incredibly user-friendly. By developing our own hardware alongside our software, we ensure seamless integration, optimal performance, and a tailored user experience. This approach allows us to push the boundaries of what is possible in lighting control, providing users with a robust and reliable system that meets their
specific needs and expectations. We began developing our own hardware products in 2008. A year later, we released the MADRIX NEO, our first independently developed hardware product. All our products are made in Germany and come with a 5-year warranty.

MADRIX 3.0

Revealed in spring 2012 at Prolight + Sound and released on July 11, 2013, MADRIX 3.0 brought significant changes, including the ability to control real 3D matrices.

MADRIX 3.0 was honored with the LIVEDESIGN Product of the Year 2013-2014 Award. This accolade was bestowed upon it for being a full 3D pixel-mapping software solution. It was lauded for its groundbreaking ability to map across all three spatial dimensions—X, Y, and Z—introducing a level of programming intricacy that was previously unattainable in the market. This innovation has unlocked a new realm of possibilities in LED programming and effects, setting a new standard for the industry.

MADRIX 5

The launch of MADRIX 5 in 2018 marked a significant advancement in LED control technology. It introduced sophisticated 2D pixel mapping and 3D voxel mapping capabilities, powered by a robust 64-bit engine. Coupled with an intuitive interface, MADRIX 5 provides an extensive array of features. The 2018 Winter Olympics, held in PyeongChang, South Korea, was a significant international winter sports event that took place from February 9 to 25, 2018. We take immense pride in having participated in both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 Winter Olympics with our MADRIX LED lighting control software. We dazzled the audience with 35,000 LED panels across 206 DMX universes, showcasing real-time pixel mapping and dynamic eWects.

These milestones reflect our commitment to innovation and responsiveness to user feedback, solidifying our position as a leader in creative LED lighting control solutions. Our company’s products, known for their quality and versatility, are used in stunning installations worldwide, bringing creative visions to life with high-quality software and hardware made in Germany.

As you celebrate your 20th anniversary during the upcoming year, what special events are your customers and employees looking forward to? Can you give us a sneak peek?

We are excited to announce an upcoming Open House event in 2025 in Dresden, exclusively for our esteemed customers, partners, and MADRIX distributors. This engaging gathering will feature a delightful selection of beer and BBQ, alongside live product demonstrations and interactive sessions. In addition, we are proud to unveil a captivating video that chronicles the evolution of our company and MADRIX products. This visual journey through our history will offer an immersive experience into our brand’s legacy. It will also be showcased at various trade fairs and events, allowing everyone to explore the milestones and achievements firsthand. Maybe we will also create a time capsule including all current MADRIX products, messages from our team, and predictions for the next 20 years, to be opened on our 40th MADRIX anniversary.

Are there any new products or updates that you are planning to unveil?

We are diligently working to finalize the development of new software updates and hardware products. We are confident that we will soon be able to unveil several innovative and exciting new products.

Looking ahead, what are MADRIX’s plans and goals for the next decade?

We are dedicated to pioneering the LED lighting control industry with our cutting-edge software and hardware solutions. Our goal is to simplify the tasks of lighting professionals, enabling them to unleash their creativity with ease. Ultimately, we strive to enrich our customers’ experience, offering them a world of endless possibilities and even greater enjoyment with all our products.

What are some of the biggest trends you are currently seeing in the LED lighting and control industry?

Integration: Nowadays, LEDs are everywhere. The rise of IoT has led to the development of smart lighting systems that can be controlled remotely through apps or voice commands. Integration is paramount. Therefore, it is essential that we ensure our products are designed for straightforward and effortless integration by system integrators.

Energy Efficiency: There is a strong push towards more energy-efficient products, with advancements in LED technology leading to lower power consumption. Additionally, these energy-efficient LEDs need to be controlled in a smart and efficient way.

RDM

RDM’s revision of the
DMX512 standard to include bidirectional communication is significant, enabling not just control but also feedback and configuration. Smart RDM software like MADRIX RADAR can now automatically discover and
configure RDM-enabled devices, streamlining the setup process. Status reporting from RDM enabled lighting fixtures enables operators to view the status of their devices, including faults, which improves maintenance and uptime.

What challenges has MADRIX faced in the industry, and how have you overcome them?

Usability First: Our software design prioritizes usability over traditional lighting control solutions. Instead of focusing on faders and DMX channels, we think in terms of effects and possibilities. The user interface of MADRIX is designed with a unique approach. Due to its distinct design, which sets it apart from all other lighting control software and consoles, it was challenging to convince users that our approach was superior.

Today, the scarcity of RDM-compatible LED fixtures presents a notable challenge. Our innovative software, MADRIX RADAR, is meticulously crafted to provide efficient RDM
functionalities. It not only saves time and money for our customers but also delivers a multitude of benefits. While the limited availability of compatible fixtures may temper immediate success, we are confident that MADRIX RADAR is poised for triumph. It’s not a matter of ‘if,’ but ‘when’—as the industry inevitably advances towards embracing comprehensive RDM solutions.

Customer support and training are significant aspects of your business. How do you ensure that your customers are well-supported and trained in using MADRIX products?

We provide an extensive array of support and training services designed to empower users to maximize the potential of our LED lighting control software and hardware. Our offerings encompass online training, in-house training, as well as video and text tutorials. Additionally, we take pride in our industryleading documented user manuals.

Today, the LEDSCONTROL team handles some of the world’s largest club projects using our products, winning multiple awards for their extraordinary designs.

Amnesia club in Ibiza, Spain – 3D RGB LED night club lighting

 

Award-Winning nightclub design: Dragonfly Jakarta mind-blowing night club

 

Blowfish Bar & Nightclub Jakarta

 

Ce la Vi, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore

As we can see, Prolight + Sound has always been a very special event for us. We have had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful people who have become successful business partners and, in many cases, close friends over the years.

How does MADRIX incorporate feedback from users into the development of new features or products?

MADRIX highly values user feedback to guide the development of new features and products. We participate in numerous trade fairs globally, including Prolight + Sound. These events allow us to connect with our distribution partners and dealers, as well as listen to client feature requests and feedback. User feedback enables us to deliver what the market demands. We appreciate both positive and negative feedback, as every piece of feedback counts!

Through our MADRIX Beta Testing Program, a select group of talented individuals can see and test features and products before they are released to the public. Customer support feedback helps us analyze common issues and requests received through support channels, identifying areas for improvement. This information is crucial not only for product development but also for creating educational posts on social media. Additionally, we offer feedback opportunities via our MADRIX community forum at madrix.com and through social media channels.

If you could give one piece of advice to new startups in the technology and lighting control industry, what would it be?

Passion and Commitment! Passion and commitment are the heartbeats of any successful startup. Starting with limited resources, we worked tirelessly, often late into the night and weekends, driven by our passion
and commitment. We faced numerous challenges, from technical hurdles to market skepticism. But our unwavering belief in our MADRIX brand and products kept us going. The management team, consisting of
Sebastian Wissmann, Sebastian Pinzer, and Christian Hertel, all hold degrees in computer science. This educational background has likely been a crucial factor in MADRIX’s continued existence. In the early years, we didn’t make any money with MADRIX. Every cent we earned from software projects was reinvested into the company, rather than taken out, to shape what MADRIX represents today. The three of us take immense pride in our exceptionally talented MADRIX team in Dresden. We firmly believe that our unwavering commitment will continue to inspire and drive us for many years to come. Have fun #madrixing

 

 

Many thanks to the MADRIX team for the exciting insight!