Hear the amplifier and cabinet simulations from your modeling amplifier exactly as intended.
Oxnard, CA (September 30, 2016) -- Matrix Elements has introduced their new, highly anticipated-speaker cabinets, the FR10 and FR12. The FR10 and FR12 are lightweight, powered full-range, flat-response (FRFR) cabinets designed for use with modeling amplifiers such as Line 6ās Helix, the Kemper Profiling amp and Fractal Audioās AX8 and Axe FxII.
The use of FRFR speakers is becoming increasingly popular with modeling solutions and the FR10 & FR12 from Matrix Elements offer a couple of unique features. The new speakers do not change or color your sound in any way, like traditional guitar cabs would. This allows you to hear the amplifier and cabinet simulations from your modeling amplifier exactly as intended. You get more control over your tone by mixing and matching amps and cabs, letting you use the amp modeler of your choice to its full potential.
The FR10 & 12 boast a new power module specially developed and now built in their US factory in Ventura alongside their other amps. The Bi-amped design makes the FR10 & 12 a self-contained unit. No other amp is necessary and they provide a great match for floor-based modelers, making your rig simple and incredibly portable. The new power module is Class AB as always from Matrix. Itās also fan-less, making them silent for home or recording use.
The speakers deliver 300W of power with the 8 ohm rated drivers ā and they offer plenty of volume when youāre competing with a loud drummer. Matrix have also added DSP (Digital Signal Processing) technology to the module and one of the new features is a mode that gives an approximation of the Equal Loudness curve, allowing you to use sounds dialed-in at higher volumes at bedroom volumes. This feature is very useful for players who donāt want to alter their patches and keep that stage tone at home.
One of the other unique features of the FR10 & 12 is their light weight. Taking inspiration and knowhow from their NeoLight range of guitar cabs, Matrix have used similar construction techniques coupled with modern Neodymium drivers to build some of the lightest full range speakers out there. The FR10 in particular weighs in at just over 21lbs (9.7kg) and is easily a one handed carry meaning if youāre taking advantage of one of the newer floor mounted modelers, your load in could be done in one trip with a guitar on your back and the speaker and modeler/lead bag in each hand. The FR12 is no heavyweight either at just under 29lbs (13kg). Both speakers can be interchangeably stacked so mixing and matching isnāt a problem and their backline inspired design means they wonāt look out of place behind you on stage like many pro audio solutions do.
With the addition of DSP into Matrixās new amp module theyāve been able to add time and phase alignment to the two way design of the drivers as well as adding some EQ correction to the unit meaning you get the flattest possible canvas on which to paint your tones. The DSP functions are controlled by a simple button which gives an audible signal of which mode youāre in. Mode 1 is a single beep, mode 2 is 2 beeps and mode 3 is 3 beeps. First is standard flat mode which is the default setting on powering on, second is the Equal Loudness mode we mentioned earlier and third is a low shelf/bass reduction mode, useful for boomy stages or when youāre treading on the bass players toes sound wise and need to cut through a little more. The DSP button also doubles as a limiter indicator which flashes strobe like if you should ever get to the point where the amp is at full power. A nice safety net which just keeps the volume even and without clipping so no damage to the amp or drivers occurs. Completing the set of useful features is an XLR link out so you can pass the signal sent to the cab on to something like a mixing desk or in ear monitor system. Great to have if your modeler is short on outputs or theyāre used up for other things.
As always, Matrix Elements have produced a product thatās simple, functional and fills a niche for a lightweight, cost-effective solution to complement todayās new technology modelers. These cabs paired with your favorite modeler will give you access to the widest choice of tones available. Youāll get power, portability and versatility -- without compromising on toughness or sound quality. Once you have tried your modeler through an FR10 or 12, youāll wonder why you ever put up with heavy cabs and amps in the first place.
FR 12 Specs:
- The FR 12 comes in at just under 28.9lbs (13kg)
- 20.5ā x 12ā x 17.5ā (dwh)
- 52cm x 30cm x 45cm
FR10 Specs:
- FR10 comes in at 21.2lbs (9.7kg)
- 20.5ā x 12ā x 12ā (dwh)
- 52cm x 30cm x30cm
Pricing: FR12 - $749 FR10 - $679
For more information:
Matrix Amplification
The all-valve preamp is based on a classic British single channel amp from early 1980s.
London, England (May 19, 2014) -- Matrix Amplification have released their long-awaited lightweight valve head, the VB800.
The 'Vintage British 800' combines classic British valve tone with their lightweight amplifier technology in a "lunchbox" sized amp. Size is where the lunchbox similarity ends, as this litte box packs a real punch. Delivering 420 watts into 4 ohms (150W into 16 ohms) it drives anything from a small practice cab in your bedroom up to a 4x12 at full gig volume.
Matrix may be a name you have not heard of, but they are certainly not a new name in the guitar world. Their "GT-FX" series amplifiers are a massive hit with pro-players when used alongside modellers such as the Fractal AxeFX and Kemper, and their artist list is pretty stellar. Their latest creation takes their proven power amplifier technology and adds a classic valve pre-amp to bring you classic tone and volume without the classic hassle.
The all-valve preamp is based on a classic British single channel amp from early 1980's and gives an accurate reproduction of the sound, feel and quality of that amp, which provided an iconic guitar sound for so many players worldwide. The power section is based upon their Class A/B MosFet which when married together give all the tone, feel and power without the weight, size or maintenance issues of heavyweight amps. Hybrid amps did get a bad name for themselves in the 80's and 90's but this one really look set to break that image, after all if the Matrix amp technology is good enough for the likes of Steve Stephens and Chris Broderick they may well be onto something.
There is just a single channel on the amplifier, but you do get high and low gain inputs, so while it delivers great overdriven tones, clean tones are not a problem and there's an effects loop with adjustable send level, so patching in a pedlaboard or delay unit is easy. Being a classic valve input stage, it works beautifully with pedals in the front end too, just like it's heavyweight brothers did back in the '80s.
The unit itself is very portable and could easily fit in your gig-bag, measuring 11.8ā x 7.09ā x 3.15ā and weighing in at an astonishing 4.2lbs / 1.9kg. Matrix also have a range of lightweight speakers too that have been very well received and are stupidly light, put the two together and you have a fully giggable solution that you can carry in one hand with ease.
The VB800 retails at Ā£549 inc VAT ($749 USD).
For more information:
Matrix Amplification
The FR212 is a lightweight mono cab specifically designed to serve as a traditional backline for guitar amp modelers.
London, UK (October 18, 2013) -- The FR212 is an FRFR cab (Full Range, Flat Response) in a traditional backline style for guitarists who want the big look and sound of guitar backline coupled with the technology to use the full features of today's guitar amp modelling products.
The FR212 is a mono cab featuring 2 custom built, high powered (500w continuous power handling) lightweight 12" neodymium drivers and a single 1" HF compression driver with a custom designed passive crossover network handling the overall signal. The cabinet is tuned and ported as you'd expect to give the optimum sound with as much bottom end as possible to handle 6 strings and beyond. It achieves this impressive bass performance with a flat response inherent in the design of the cabinet and porting, rather than an artificial, electronically boosted bass.
We worked with one of Europe's leading driver manufacturers on this project, trialing a number of custom built drivers before settling on one which met our exact specifications. The emphasis on this design was in matching the bass to the treble in a manner that allowed the best transient response and maintaining a linear phase relationship throughout the working range of the cab. Minimising the phase shifts and getting the flattest possible response greatly assists in accurate reproduction of impulse responses, providing minimum coloration to the signal.
The HF compression driver we chose is particularly flat and accurate, and again, is custom built for us, specially for this speaker.
The FR212 is capable of handling the loudest band and stage situations with ease whilst providing a big full sound that feels like a 4x12 with a wide sound coverage and great off axis sound reproduction. The combination of the two custom built bass and HF drivers provides a consistent, even response throughout the frequency range, put well recorded music through the cab and you will appreciate the work we have put in. Clean, detailed and accurate - sounding like a large, well controlled studio monitor or large hi-fi system ... yet with the power to fill a stage and ruggedness to cope with the working life of band backline.
Our passive version is designed to be used with the existing range of Matrix amplifiers, matching their highest power ratings to deliver uncompromising sound.
Weighing in at an impressive 23.7kg (52.2lbs) the FR212 is comparable with other 2x12's on the market but few can match the 1kw programme power handling or impressive sound quality of the FR212.
Rated at 4 ohm and featuring Matrix's hardwearing black paint covering with a traditional black grille cloth and gold piping.
For more information:
Matrix