Matrix Amplifcation review
Picture "Borrowed" from a Matrix Amplification entry on Facebook.
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Review of what I found at the Matrix Amplification display area.
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Matrix demo setup of their new FR212 cabs with some pre-production amps.
Each cabinet is setup with two 2x12's and a crossover horn. The white amps on each cabinet are preproduction models with a programmable DSP that has been tuned to the cabinet to provide the flattest frequency response possible. Each amp had a single speakon connector out to each cab. The amps were rated at approx. 1000 watts each. The amps were preproduction models and I think they were painted white to label them as preprod. I was told they were also going to be building a 1000w power amp block that would be mount inside the cabinet, similar to the Q12a's.
There was also a Q12a and a Q12 wedge on display in the picture also. Sitting just below the Axe-FX was a 5000w amp they brought along just in case the neighbors wanted to get into a volume contest. They never hooked it up and I think it was just a toy one of the staff built to show they could do it if they wanted.
Neil Turbin from Anthrax was there and did a little volume check on the rig. It was definitely one of those times when you could feel your insides moving around. It was loud and clear. I can't believe the windows didn't blow out in the room. Did I mention it was scary loud? Then John from Matrix showed us the volume knob on the amps. Almost half-way. Made me really think twice about "turning it up to eleven". It was too much and funny loud. It had so much power and yet was so clear, no flub, no mud, no woofing. Neil seemed to keep it blasting for at least 30 min. You knew any minute something is going to give. Eventually it was me. Funny to watch people run past the doorway to the room holding their ears with a look of terror in their eyes. Amps barely got warm..
Matrix also had on display their new NL12 and NL212 speaker cabinets. Everyone was invited to pick them up and could not believe how light they were. I mentioned "hey, you forgot to put the speaker in this thing". It felt like a empty cabinet. They hooked them up to a GT1000 amp and they sounded great. Many people were surprised how much volume was put out of the NL12.
Both John and Pete from Matrix were there to assist anybody with any questions they had, help hook up any Matrix Cab to any Matrix Amp, try any Axe-FX preset they wanted. Some people brought in their own guitars, someone even brought in their own Axe-FX preset to try with all the cabs and amps. Lots of chug chug chug, Van Halen, then finally late Sunday one gentleman played a super wide variety of sounds/tunes. VH, Pink Floyd, Ethereal Sounds, U2, GNR, RHCP, etc. Lots of different stuff and it was great to hear how well the amps and cabs responded to all the different styles.
Andy Hunt was also there to answer any engineering questions, but most of the time he was busy smiling watching people's look of amazement when playing with the Matrix gear.
Great people, great equipment.
