The new MATRIX GT800FX. THE amp for THE Axe-Fx

LukeTheMore said:
do you use it in MONO / bridged configuration ?

how about the "custom" cable for the cab ? do you use a "standard" cable ?


thanks !
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Irts not a custom cable as such - its a standard cable that has a jack plug on one end and a speakon on the other - wired slightly different from a standard speakon in order to take the bridged output of the MAtrix. Its really not that difficult - just like soldering any other plug on a cable. Its just that a cable wired that way isnt available "off the peg" so its attracted the "custom" tag.
 
Mark's sound is usually a brown-out of distortion. The Matrix kept his sound tighter than
any of his other video's I've heard. Sounded fantastic. Maybe his best recorded Axe tone
yet.
 
Paul, are your suggested settings (see below) still current?

----

Power amp sim on.

63 hx +0.5bd
125hz +1.0bd
250hz +0.3db
500hz -0.3db
2k +0.5db
4k +1db
8k +0.5db

Increase the Sag for patches with high master. if you want more openness, increase the damp - if you want it more compressed decrease the damp.

Raise the prescence in the amp sim slighty (a full point or so) and look at the B+. increasing it will make it tighter and more defined, decreasing will add roundness and bounce.
 
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If you want it to sound like a valve power amp - yes pretty much. you could lower the 250 and 125hz to suit, but pretty much. It adds that prescence and takes some thickness from the low mids that valve amps tend to display.

Personally, Im running flat global EQ now but have compensated my amp settings on a patch to patch basis. The advanced tweeks I still incorporate though.
 
Matrix GT800FX On ROUTE TO AUSTRALIA FOR ME :) Big shout out to Matt and Pamela from Matrix for their help!
 
Wow an 83 page thread. I had no idea that when I introduced everyone to Matrix amplification that this would take off in the way that it did. I even explained to the inventor why guitar players with an Axe FX would want such an amp. I am pleased that this has all worked out.
 
Penge said:
Wow an 83 page thread. I had no idea that when I introduced everyone to Matrix amplification that this would take off in the way that it did. I even explained to the inventor why guitar players with an Axe FX would want such an amp. I am pleased that this has all worked out.
Click to expand...

We Matrix users are all indeed indebted to Senor Penge :)
 
Hi everybody!
As a non AxeFx user, I still read the forum from time to time. While I was looking for a light weight power amp for my PodHD500, I found this thread about the GT800FX. Here is my story:
I while ago, I bought a AxeFX Standard, tested it very intense with all kinds of amps and speaker, and returned it after 6 weeks. It just couldn't do what I wanted. Looking for a second amp for playing stereo with my Marshall JVM I ran into a Crate power block. Very interesting little thing. I also needed I light weight small setup for travelling. The crate was just right. Because this little thing was so tiny but still very powerful, I thought it could be also good to drive a modeller. Since the AxeFx is just toooo expensive for me; I checked the new PODHD500 and for the money it was quite good.
But dialing in the right tones ended with the lack of high frequencies of the Crate and the untight bass. I had another SS amp laying arround unused (Samson Servo 260). Better, but still not good. So I ordered a Rocktron V300 and it was moving into the right direction. Disadvantage: Too heavy for my travelling idea.
Next idea was a Marshall 20/20 or a Brunetti Rockit. I didn't get to try it. Brunetti is hard to find and about the Marshall I wasn't really sure, because of tube maintenance and the 20 Watt which might be not enough headroom.

So I gave the GT800FX a try. I ordered on sunday and received the paypal invoice on monday - paid - and today (thursday) the amp arrived. Very good service. Friendly and very fast. I unpacked it and soon it was clear to me:
This amp is a pure sh....



... sharp weopon!!! I compared it A/B with my Marshall JVM. I used the exact same speaker for each. I had to tweak a bit, but I came real close. This amp brings all what I was missing from the others. For me the higher frequencies are very important because you need them for shaping the right tone. This sizzling and grain gets into the right form. The punch is there due to the big headroom of the amp. So - I know, having it just for a couple of hours is sure talking honey moon. Yes - but I know right away if something fits or not. 800 watts into one rackspace and 3,7 kg - at the moment unbeatable!!! Great product.

The A/B was just to have a starting point for my sounds. From now on, I will not compare anymore. Instead, I look at a modeller as a independent sound device. A tube amp is a tube amp and it will sound like. A modeller will not sound exactly the same, not even the AxeFX. But if you look at it without comparing, it is a very interesting sound generator for guitarists.

So - keep on rocking!
 
Great story!

Just back from holiday and the first thing I did was ordering the GT800FX. Sorry Atomic but the specs and price got topped by Matrix.
I just hope it sounds as good as you guys are saying!

Thanks for al the info out here!
 
Great story. The matrix is designed with all modellers in mind not just the Axe, it was something I talked about wihth Mat and Andy while it was in R&D. However this is the first account os its use with a Line 6 Unit. My mate has a Degitech GSP1101 that he uses a Matrix with - again with great success. Hes A/Bing an Orange thunderverb and the GSP/Matrix is just as good to his ears and the Orange is gathering dust.

In fact it will be gathering more dust as hes been informed by Sussi at G66 he will have his AFX2 in 10 days. Sooooo Jealouse cos Im not getting mine until the next shipment :(

Still - I REALLY hope this amp gets into the wider modelling comunity - its a top class product and the guys at Matrix deserve it. Please post your findings in the Line 6 Forums if you can.
 
As I just wrote in another thread:


Played my II yesterday and today with two bands.
Combined with the Matrix and EVMs it moved the earth.
Crisp cleans, shattering hi-gain, I'm verrrrry happy.
We compared it to a Mesa Road King with 4x12 and it held up easily.
I tried the EVMs also with cab sims, but I prefer them 'pure', no doubt.
 
Hi Guys

I have been a tube amp guy my entire playing life (20 years). Recently I decided to head down the Axe Fx route for my rig. After trying a few different power amps with the Axe, I ended up taking the plunge and ordered the Matrix GT800FX. I have never used a SS power amp before and at first I was underwhelmed by my tone to say the least. How ever, being the Axe Fx noob that I am, I realise my patches were EQ'd for a tube power amp. So after a few little EQ tweaks, WOW I am now definitely impressed by this unit! I run the Axe Fx and Matrix through a 412 cab with V30's and it sounds awesome! Can't wait to try it with a band!!

I must give a massive shout out to Matt and Pamela from Matrix for making my purchase esay and stress free!! Not to mention fast shipping - England to Australia in a little over 3 days!! It is a rarity to find such great service in this day and age!! (And I work in the service industry lol) Cheers Guys!!!

Gavin
 
Im pleased you like the amp. im also pleased you realised that it needed different EQ and even advanced parameter tweeks if your used to a tube power section. Ive lost count how many times Ive said that over various forums and various threads. How anyone can expect a SS amp to sound/feel exactly like one with tubes in without a little tweek is beyond me as no matter how neutral, the two work in different ways. The Mark day clips actually show it real well. Same set up bar the power amps and while both are nice the Atomic probably does take it sonically - But thats with no adjustments. The fact it IS so good with no tweeks speaks volumes for this little amp, and if perspective buyers understand this, and listen to first had accounts like mine, smilefans and yours there would be a lot more happy Axe users.

Anyway - enjoy the amp and let us know how it gets on with the band.
 
For those still curious about the fan noise with the GT800FX, Matrix posted this over on their sub forum on Rig Talk so I'd thought I'd share here too.




and also




Hope this helps put a figure to those who are wondering. :ugeek
 
Just ordered one from Tone Merchants yesterday. They said that the first shipment is in transit from the UK.

Thanks to all who posted your impressions here. It certainly helped me to take the plunge.

I will be trying it out with my Ultra (still awaiting my II coupon), as well as my home stereo system.
 
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