Thanks for the kind words guys!
The Matrix amps have intrigued me for a while now and I couldn't resist anymore had had to try for myself.
For those not in the know, these Solid State amps are really popular with the modeler crowd (Fractal, Line6, Kemper, etc) because they are touted as having the feel and warmth of a tube amp but with completely flat response. So this is ideal for modelers as they impart no extra color and allow the modeler patch sound as intended.
They are also being used by some big names; Steve Stevens, Pete Thorn and Rack Systems to name a few for powering W/D/W rigs. For example, the dry signal gets tapped from the tube amp output to the speaker (to get the color of the output section) and feed effect processors, then the stereo output is sent to a Matrix amp to power wet speakers. Guys are ditching racks of heavy amps and using these very light and extremely powerful units with far better results. Steve Steven says he can?t tell the difference between his Matrix powered cabs and his Friedmans (he?s got some great ears and one of the best tones in the business).
I have three intended uses for it: 1. A monster W/D/W rig with my RT2/50 powering the dry. 2. Playing quietly at home and not wearing out expensive tubes. and 3. A light portable extremely flexible rig for small gigs, rehearsals and jams.
The configuration recorded fits uses 2 and 3 and goes like this: guitar > analog effects > switcher > preamps > switcher > digital effects > stereo in Matrix > stereo out to an Avatar cab with Celestion Greenback/Hellatone 30 mix and a Port City with Scumback M75/H75s.
My main concern was/is not having density and presence controls as I use these to dial in different rooms without having to tweak my modules much. Time will tell on this and I look forward to playing a familiar room to see how it feels.
I did have to tweak the settings on the modules to get the same sound but it wasn?t what I expected.
This is what I wrote in the Matrix forums about it:
I found there ended up being much more variance in the eq settings on each module than previous probably do to the color imparted by the EL34s and 6L6 tubes and how they contributed to the overall sound. My past experience with SS amps was that the high end was always harsh and very difficult to dial in a sweet tone; I'd have to cut the treble to the point where it would sound like a blanket over the amp. With the Matrix, I actually needed to boost the highs/mids to replicate the sound of the RT2/50 with EL34s but once that was dialed in, the sound a feel is ridiculously close. As far as low end, I had to slightly cut the bass in most modules but the depth and tightness really shined.
I don't mean to wax poetic but in terms of recording a tube preamp, there are times when different types of power tubes are ideal but I have no doubt that while I'd likely pick EL34s for most of my needs, there now is a new option I'd consider with the Matrix. For gigging purposes, this is a no brainer; I've gone from a 10 space 120 lb rack to a 6 space 65Lb rack, don't have to worry about tubes failing and have nearly the same sound and feel.
Sorry for the long post!
I thought I'd give my new Matrix GT1000FX a try at some real volume 8)