LostInSpace
Inspired
So last week I posted a thread asking for opinions on getting a Matrix NL12 to replace the EVM 1x12 Thiele I've been using, in an effort to save some weight. Based on the favorable responses I went ahead and ordered one. I've been able to use the cab for a few days and at full band volume at practice last night, so I thought I'd post a few impressions. In summary, it's a great cab and does everything I hoped it would; more detail below.
First, shipping was very fast, I received it from the UK in only two days (I'm on the US east coast). Cab arrived well packed.
My rig at this point is just AxeFxII -> Matrix GT1000FX -> Cab (no cab sims). I connected the NL12 to one side of the GT1000 and the Thiele to the other so I could easily compare the cabs. At 17 lbs, the NL12 felt so light when I set it up that I couldn't help expecting that it would sound like a speaker mounted in a cardboard box. It was very surprising when I started playing... I was immediately struck by the quality of the sound and the volume it can produce. It sounded good on all my main patches, which span the range from squeaky clean to high gain (I play in a cover band where we cover everything from funk/pop to classic rock to 80's hair metal), so I have quite a range of sounds. What I've always liked about the EVM was that it has kind of a balanced sound that works with a lot of different tones, even though it's not flat (and I don't want it to be), it doesn't seem to impose a signature on the tones. It isn't excessively bassy, or scooped, or boxy. To my ears, the NL12 has the same generic quality, so my existing patches all translated quite well. It's hard to accurately describe the tonal difference between two cabs, but I would say the NL12 was a little brighter (but not excessively so), maybe with slightly less bass (but again, not excessively so and it produces considerable bass for it's size). The cabs had slightly different voicing in the midrange, but not to a large diegree, and both sound good. Probably the best way to summarize the sonic comparison is to note that I didn't feel the need to tweak my patches at all for the NL12, which shows they're fairly close. Of course it helps that my patches were developed on a 1x12.
At practice I was able to play the cab at full stage volume and it held up well. The signal lights on the GT1000 weren't even lighting up. The tone was consistently good, even at the elevated volume, and my tones were cutting as well as ever. Most of the time my cab is mic'ed, but occasionally we'll play a smaller room where we only run vocals and drums through the PA, and in that situation I'd probably use a second cab just to ensure I could carry the room from stage without pushing things too hard.
I am very happy. I want to congratulate Matrix on developing a great product!
First, shipping was very fast, I received it from the UK in only two days (I'm on the US east coast). Cab arrived well packed.
My rig at this point is just AxeFxII -> Matrix GT1000FX -> Cab (no cab sims). I connected the NL12 to one side of the GT1000 and the Thiele to the other so I could easily compare the cabs. At 17 lbs, the NL12 felt so light when I set it up that I couldn't help expecting that it would sound like a speaker mounted in a cardboard box. It was very surprising when I started playing... I was immediately struck by the quality of the sound and the volume it can produce. It sounded good on all my main patches, which span the range from squeaky clean to high gain (I play in a cover band where we cover everything from funk/pop to classic rock to 80's hair metal), so I have quite a range of sounds. What I've always liked about the EVM was that it has kind of a balanced sound that works with a lot of different tones, even though it's not flat (and I don't want it to be), it doesn't seem to impose a signature on the tones. It isn't excessively bassy, or scooped, or boxy. To my ears, the NL12 has the same generic quality, so my existing patches all translated quite well. It's hard to accurately describe the tonal difference between two cabs, but I would say the NL12 was a little brighter (but not excessively so), maybe with slightly less bass (but again, not excessively so and it produces considerable bass for it's size). The cabs had slightly different voicing in the midrange, but not to a large diegree, and both sound good. Probably the best way to summarize the sonic comparison is to note that I didn't feel the need to tweak my patches at all for the NL12, which shows they're fairly close. Of course it helps that my patches were developed on a 1x12.
At practice I was able to play the cab at full stage volume and it held up well. The signal lights on the GT1000 weren't even lighting up. The tone was consistently good, even at the elevated volume, and my tones were cutting as well as ever. Most of the time my cab is mic'ed, but occasionally we'll play a smaller room where we only run vocals and drums through the PA, and in that situation I'd probably use a second cab just to ensure I could carry the room from stage without pushing things too hard.
I am very happy. I want to congratulate Matrix on developing a great product!
