Hi. I play in rock band and I'm lookin for power amp for Axe II. I've been thinking about Matrix. Does it have kick/punch like the tube power amp or will I loose it using solid state?
Matrix knows Kung Fu.
I have both, and havent blown anything yet. I got the 300watt ZW EVs and they sound good, but I really like my mesa 1x12(c90) and then mix in either a vintage30 or whatever is in my other 1x12. Nothing high powered in any of those. I also like to the sound of my egnater 2x12. Those speakers arent original-not sure what I left in there, but again-nothing high powered. I set the level on the 1K to slightly blinky red. Then use out2 for my level.
Keeping up with a drummer has noting to do with the Matrix, or the cabs as such. Its how much volume you need to match the drummer. If you can get that volume from a pair of 2x12s powered by a 100w head - you can do it with a SS power amp.
FWIW, I play with a single 60W 2x12 cab - again set for the red led to blink - which is putting out around 40W. Its loud enough for me BUT theres room for 3 times that power into a single 120w cab (one with 2xV30s), and if you use two cabs you getting a little more apparent power. I think youd be fine with that setup.
Right. So correct me if I am wrong but my understanding is that volume is determined by how many watts is being pumped in to a cab, which is determined by which ohm input you are plugged into, which is determined by how many watts the cab can handle, which is determined by the speakers power rating. So in the end, the amount of watts a cab can handle equates to how loud it can be. Which is why I am considering high powered speakers.
That's a common misunderstanding. Decibels is what you're after. You should be able to find information on how many db's your speakers deliver at 1w from a 1m distance and the maximum db (and how many watts it takes to get you there). Also look up SPL or sound pressure level.
As far as why tube amps can be driven harder yet still sound good has to do with headroom AFAIK and there are many threads on here with good information on that.
Sent from my phone.
Right sorry, decibels are what I am after. Perceived volume is what I am after.
So if tomorrow when I crank both, I perceive the volume of my atomic 5050 tube amp to be louder than the matrix through 120w cabs. Pumping the matrix through higher wattage cabs would equate to higher decibels and higher perceived volume, correct?
It depends on the cabs of course but assuming that everything is the same such as efficiency etc, then, yes I would think so.
How are you measuring this though? It sounds like it might not be very scientific. Are both amps maxed with the same input or are you assuming that e.g. 12 o'clock on the atomic means half power and possibly the same with the Matrix?
Sent from my phone.