Controlling Extron Audio DSP Systems

Posted on 24 October 2025

Audio digital signal processing systems can be as simple as a small 4×4 mix matrix or as complex as large-scale processors with dozens of channels and Dante networking. In smaller systems, it’s often practical to control individual mix points directly. But as systems grow, managing every input and output one by one becomes inefficient. 

That’s where groups, presets, and macros come in, giving programmers powerful ways to streamline control and scale DSP management without rewriting code.

There are multiple types of groups that can be created: gain, mute, or filter groups. A gain group allows the programmer to adjust the gain of multiple points in the DSP simultaneously. Mute groups provide the means to mute multiple points in the DSP at the same time. Filter groups allow adjustment of the selected bass, treble, or loudness filter level. These controls can be accessed via an SIS command or using the Extron Device Module specific to the DSP model in the system.

Presets enable the programmer to recall what is essentially a snapshot of the DSP. A preset is created by selecting individual items in DSP view or selecting multiple items by dragging a fence around those items to be included in the preset. When the preset is recalled, the selected settings are returned to the values at the time the preset was saved. Be aware, however, that these values are not returned to the control system when the preset is recalled. Therefore, limit what is included in the preset and query the necessary items for the current values, or manually reset the required objects in the control system code when a preset is recalled. 

Macros are like presets but are composed of sequential actions that can affect almost any parameter of the DSP. These actions can be set to run with a timed delay, or after waiting for a response to the action. Unlike presets, each action will return the value of the result of the action, if applicable. 

Using groups, presets, and macros allows the DSP programmer to update the DSP without affecting the control code if the references to the groups, presets, and macros do not change.

Learn More about ControlScript Programming Utilities