Fryette ZMACS 4x4 - Impedance Matching Amp Selector

[@livefromstudioa8245]

Ok. Ok. This is good. Does this mean I can put my Power Station in the attenuation “loop” and use the effects loop in the Power Station to share effects across all the amps in the Zmacs? My head is about to explode.

[@FryetteAmps]

Yes, that's what it means. And if it's a PS-100, you can program the channel selection to set two different volumes as well. We'll discuss the ramifications of using the PS loop for effecting multiple amps vs switchers that offer dedicated amp look switching on The Malcontents on Sunday at 6PM pacific. Watch for it on the Fryette YT channel.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

100%

[@livefromstudioa8245]

@@FryetteAmps I have the PS-2A (not the PS-100), but if that will still work to insert an effects loop that all amps hooked up to the Zmacs can use, then I think you’ve taught me how to live and love again. Thank you.

[@FryetteAmps]

@@livefromstudioa8245Yes, you can. In the switchable loop or the non-switchable loop, in which case you can manually bypass it using it’s own Bypass switch. There is an accessory box coming that will allow you to bypass a PS-2 using the ZMACS EXT function.

[@miguel_casagrande]

@@FryetteAmps If I have multiple amps and cabs of various impedances and want to utilize the PS-2A with them as a Master Volume and Effects Loop, would I still have to power down and manually adjust the PS-2A impedance settings before switching between the amp and cab combinations?

[@ITheFight]

I love that Fryette is making all this really cool stuff!

[@rzk2755]

This is EVERYHING I've ever wanted. Kudos to Fryette. I'll be the first customer of SelectGuitars for this one :D

[@plugnplaybaby]

Please just tell Steve to just build the Pittbull again

[@Yeahwhoduh]

@@plugnplaybaby if you are ok with used, I have an ultra lead I’m selling

[@Terry_Aki]

Yep. KT88s

[@davidfaustino4476]

For reals. Also a Sig X reissue w/MIDI would be nice :)

[@rocketsauce5067]

Man that looks so helpful, Especially if you fully utilize all of its features. Wow.

[@juhalehtonen9000]

That deliverance sound!

[@joebarkan]

Very cool! Best for those in cold climates looking to keep the room warm :).

[@chrisquinn9104]

It’s been a while, good of you to check it.

[@AnalogTiger]

Looks neat, well done Fryette. I have KHEs, power station in the attenuator loop, and a few Weber zmatcher to get my speakers to the right impedance. Not as smooth but does the trick !

[@musicmann1967]

This is cool! The attenuation loop is an awesome feature. Of course Fyette WOULD think of that!! haha

[@PeterUrbanPhoto]

Thanks for sharing, just what the doctor ordered for my studio :)

[@SimonHosford]

So Fryette has done it again!! An incredibly useful, versatile, and NEEDED solution to pro players problems.. UNREAL! I didn't even know he was working on this lol. Great video as always Michael! Killed it.. explained very simply and concise. Looks like something I need for the studio for sure. All the best from Down Under sir. 🤘(If only it had the capability of running 32 amps and 32 cabs, had options for 2 Ohms and 64 Ohms, a built in power station, an espresso maker, and could be remote controlled via Wifi from my other studio in another suburb ... kidding of course, just reading through all the comments.. oh my lord)

[@EduardoSantosf5Gwx]

Steven has done it again! Damn...

[@M3dicineYT]

This is exactly the direction of hardware I will be needing in the very near future. It's a little low on the number of channels to justify replacing my current amp switchers with the number of amplifiers that I have (10). It looks like it has linking capabilities to hook together multiple units, but I'd have to use four 4x4 units to replace my current channels available using 2U of space...so I probably won't replace my switchers just yet. Hopefully, Fryette will release an 8x1-4, 16x4-8 or 1x8 other similar units with this technology. If 16x4 total channels could fit into a 3U space or less, it would be perfect for my needs. My current issues are routing struggles are putting SS heads before my load/attenuator/IR loader (likely to be done w/ a loop switcher to put the preamp as a selectable preamp going into a tube power-amp then into the load... ...this is a separate issue... but the other issue is the attenuator takes 8ohm along with the amp switchers... it can output in 4, 8, or 16 ohms from the attenuator output, but cannot be controlled via MIDI. When I add a couple more cabinets in the next year, this device will allow me to have them selectable to all my other amps and the attenuator... just beautiful. I'll have to get ahold of the manual as soon as they put it up on the web site and do a little thinking on how to have things work. I'm not sure it would work to put my attenuator in the attenuator loop (it probably depends on where that loop is... either before or after the transformers in relation to the cabinets) This will definitely be going into the rack when I order my next cabinet... if to serve as nothing more than a 1x4 impedance matching cabinet selector. VERY COOL.

[@FryetteAmps]

We appreciate your comments and perspective!

[@AgentBlackCrow]

I was looking for an ‘elegant’ solution to do just this. Can’t wait to be able to get one in the 🇬🇧 .

[@darrenbrooks440]

Hi Michael, I would love a Guitar magazine flip thru and commentary sometime soon 😊 Thanks

[@derek_d]

This is very interesting. I already have a de Lisle 4x4 Deluxe, so I don't NEED this... But the ability to independently set impedance on the amp and cab is intriguing. There's long been a debate that certain speakers sound better at specific resistance ratings... But I'm very curious if that's actually true of the speakers, or just the different load on the amp. This switcher could definitively answer that question... *Edit:* Didn't see you could run multiple cabs at once, too. Epic!

[@bradolsen9935]

Can we get a studio tour with all your amps / rack gear / guitars please?

[@ianfurqueron5850]

Looks interesting and seems better suited to live performances than an Ampete. The Ampete has more amp inputs, tho... I wonder if Fryette would consider a version that is "stackable" so you could have more than 4 amps running into one or two cabs.

[@FryetteAmps]

There is a LINK feature not covered here allowing you to run multiple units from a single input source. Check our overview video dropping on YT tomorrow morning.

[@BtR76]

This, I need. So cool. Great review too🤘🏼

[@thehoppo]

Ok, so the PS-100 meads to be matched to the switcher impedance? that means a lot of reaching around the back to change it on the PS-100, still the zmacs seems great bit of kit by the looks of it

[@axisofevil4105]

Beautiful job Michael as always!! Fryette kind of late to the game on this one. I was hoping he would break new ground, but it’s no different than Ampete and KHE. Just less amps and cabs??!!

[@Skoora]

This would alleviate the PS100 only having one speaker out which is why I got a PS2a instead. I always run two cabs at once. Granted though, I don’t need the impedance matching feature on the switcher. All heads are always running 8 with two cabs at 16 each (8 total). I had a De Lisle for a short while but it didn’t play nice with a couple of my amps. After all the effort I put in custom making cables, for it to be a dud, I’m pretty wary of bothering again.

[@dangolguitartech]

This is super cool, even though I don’t need it… But man, that Deliverence!🌭🌭🌭

[@jeremywilson5647]

There is something right with the sound turned up amps produce, even with the attenuation.

[@michaelrefalo5682]

Can I run three amps (2 combos, 1 head & cab) with power station & pedal board through the effects loop in PS?

[@Rpaterson33]

Is there a limit to how many cabs an amp can put out to? For example, could amp 1 run all 4 cabs?

[@mmarchi21]

This would be great if it supported more than 4 amps. Can you daisy chain two units together to support 8 amps?

[@Thunderwolf2099]

It’s cool. If an attenuator is hook in. Does it work for all the amps in the unit.

[@18JR78]

This is an analog Quad Cortex hahaha. Badass, but you need a serious road crew!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

HA! Yes, it's either for Slash / Mark Tremonti live setups, or for studio / man-cave use. 🤣🤘

[@JorisGriffioen]

@@BigHairyGuitars weeelll, Tremonti's checking out Synergy now haha

[@davidgray8796]

Awesome! Been waiting for word on this since Stevie mentioned it a while back. Been holding off on getting an Ampete to see what Fryette came up with.

[@worldwarmini3919]

Will it still work with solid state power amps? I have a Jerry Garcia rig with a ripping solid state power amp that I use beside all my tube amps. Can I still route it in the ZMACS?

[@ste3594]

What if I run a PS100 in the attenutator loop....would I need to have a cab connected to the cab out of the ZMACS? Or this would still protect the power section of the ps100? If yes I could have the ps100 always hooked up with all cables for live situation and silent recording at once....

[@scotthall8502]

this in fact solves many problems for me - esp w/a power station hooked in

[@moverofobjects]

@Michaelnielsen what is the rack unit you have the power station housed in?

[@BigHairyGuitars]

vintageking.com/instruments/instrument-accessories/fryette-psrc-1-rack-case-for-fryette-power-station

[@podespault]

The impedance matching makes it very appealing but whyyyy no shared fx loop instead of two attenuator loops and maximum 100 Watt amps😢 been looking at switchers for a while and it made me want to try wet/dry instead because of all the limitations or workaround all the units on the market require.

[@FryetteAmps]

There is no specific 100W maximum. We'll discuss the pros and cons of shared loop concept in an tech video coming in the next week.

[@alexnuzzi4780]

if I run my power station in the loop at all times will it defeat the purpose of the impedance matching since the ps2 is what the switcher is seeing? So if I have four heads all set at 16ohm and 4 16ohm cabs I would then have everything set to 16 including the ps2…what if I want to run 2 cabs? Would that only work if I bypassed the ps2? Wouldn’t the speaker or the amp be seeing the 16ohm load of the ps2 as opposed to the zmacs?

[@jazz_grooves]

Can you select more than one amp at a time and share a cab with them? Also, with a Powerstation in the attenuator loop can you have two amps selected to go through the Powerstation? Thanks.

[@jimmywilliams9396]

Where did you get the case for the Power Station? I've been looking for something to mount mine in too.

[@romanshredz]

Is this compatible with the Captor X ? (in the Attenuator loop) looking for amp switcher… my amp collection is getting a bit insane and I’d like to switch and play several amps without having to manually switch cables 😅

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Yes. Any attenuator will work in that loop

[@Yeahwhoduh]

Is there going to be a version with more amps?

[@m.a.6478]

Good question, depends also if you need impedance matching. If not there are quite a few options. If you need a quick solution with more amps and matching you could use a switcher like one from KHE electronics and multiplex multiple amps to one amp input of the ZMACS. You could use an ACS 8x4 and put 8 amps into the ZMACS. You would plug the guitar into the ACS then plug the amp into the ACS, use the speaker out of the ACS route it into the amp out the ZMACS. The cab and the rest would be connected like normal. Then use MIDI to switch both units to the correct settings and you're good to go.

[@Yeahwhoduh]

@@m.a.6478 I know about the khe one- it’s more if I’m gonna get one of these, it would have to have more amps available with the same functionality- otherwise I’d just get khe or something like that

[@sgw1507]

This is awesome... but I need a 16x4 🤣

[@Billywagner22]

This is a guitar tech’s worst nightmare. 😅

[@joeygomez-benito3122]

This looks cool, but I feel like the ohm selection would get annoying when using the attenuator which has the ohm selectors in the back. I wonder why some of these switchers like the KHE 4x4 don't need the user to manually select the appropriate ohms, while this one does.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

I believe the other amp switches don't change the impedance, any mismatches are ignored... I THINK. Please correct me if I'm wrong

[@AnalogTiger]

@@BigHairyGuitarscorrect ; you set all your heads to the same settings - the one from your cab. In case of mismatch, it can get ugly

[@BBQgeek]

Where and when can we buy Mike????

[@PeterUrbanPhoto]

When are these going to be available?

[@FryetteAmps]

Now!

[@jutukka]

If Yngwie wants to switch between 27 Marshall heads to figure out which one sounds the best, how many Zmacs'es does he need?

[@208414]

Any idea on MSRP? I don't see it on the Fryette site yet.

[@olric63]

999$

[@derek_d]

It's on the site, $1000. Not bad considering the impedance matching.

[@fxdfxd]

I want the same thing with effect loop !

[@BigHairyGuitars]

FX loop in the amp switcher is possible, but for each head, you'd need another send and return coming to and from each head. So it would have to be 2u size at least, and a tone more patching. It's just a can of worms. The power station loop fixes that IMO.

[@fxdfxd]

@@BigHairyGuitars yeah ampete for example have models with effect loop, but this one with the matching impedance looked great.

[@ryanpullin]

@@BigHairyGuitarsKHE has a 4x4 with an FX loop that’s a 1U. No impedance matching though, unfortunately.

[@darrylweller6143]

What monitors do you use in your studio?

[@BigHairyGuitars]

ATC SCM25 and a subwoofer

[@darrylweller6143]

@@BigHairyGuitars thanks would love to know how you record your guitars