What are Sources?

A core component of your CasaTunes music system is an audio matrix or switch (like the CasaTunes 6X6 matrix amplifier). The role of the audio matrix is to switch, or connect, any of the six input sources on the CasaTunes 6X6 matrix amplifier to any combination of outputs (or rooms). A Source is simply an abbreviation for an Input Source. Although a CasaTunes CT4-xxZ system can contain more than one CasaTunes 6X6 matrix amplifier, these system are always limited to a maximum of six sources. Each additional matrix amplifier allows you to play music in up to six more rooms, but it does not increase the number of sources available. For example, the CT4-12Z system includes 2 matrix amplifiers. It allows you to switch any of the six input sources to any combination of twelve rooms.

What is connected to the Source Inputs?

When your CasaTunes CT4-xxZ system leaves the factory, the first four Sources on your matrix amplifier are pre-configured for use by the four HD streamers or players on the CasaTunes music server. Each player (aka CasaTunes Media Player) can play music from any music service supported by CasaTunes (AirPlay, disc music, Calm Radio, Deezer, SHOUTcast, Spotify, Tidal, TuneIn, etc). Out-of-the-box you can listen to four different streams in any combination of rooms in your home.

How do I know which source is being used in a room?

In the Now Playing screen, the source being used for a room is shown under the room name in the App header. In this example, the “David’s Player” source is being used to play music in the “Office”.

Figure 1 - The source "David's Player" is being used in the "Office"

How do I chose a different source for a room?

There are 2 ways to select a different source for the room. The first way is to open the Menu (by selecting the reveal menu icon), select the menu option “Select Source or Player”, then select the source to use.

Figure 2 - Steps 1 & 2: Open the menu and "Select Source or Player"


Figure 3 - Step 3: Select the source to use in the room

The second way to select a source is to press on the room name in the App header, then select the “Sources” option, and finally select the source to use. This method is new, and if it is not currently available in your App, it will be coming in the next release.

Figure 4- Selecting sources from the App header

How about the remaining unused sources?

When your CasaTunes CT4-xxZ system leaves the factory, the first four Sources on your matrix amplifier are pre-configured for use by the four HD streamers or players on the CasaTunes music server. Each player (aka CasaTunes Media Player) can play music from any music service supported by CasaTunes (AirPlay, disc music, Calm Radio, Deezer, SHOUTcast, Spotify, Tidal, TuneIn, etc). Out-of-the-box you can listen to four different streams in any combination of rooms in your home.

Google Chromecast Audio
Amazon Echo
Cable or Satellite set top box Audio Output
TV Audio Output

Just make sure you verify the connector required for your Source is supported by the matrix amplifier. The CasaTunes 6X6 matrix amplifier Source Input 5 supports a stereo analog input only (2 x RCA Jacks, Left and Right), while Source Input 6 supports either a stereo analog or digital (S/PDIF) input. If the connector you need is not supported, you can usually purchase a low cost converter/cable to resolve this.

In addition to physically connecting your source to the matrix amplifier, you will also need to configure these sources using the CasaSetup administration utility.

Although you will not be able to control these sources from your CasaTunes App, you will be able to control the power and volume for the room, including features such as wake up to music.

While Sources might be confusing at first, once you understand how they work, they allow you to quickly switch the music in a room simply by selecting a different source.