Matrix Amplification: GT 1000FX 2U Power Amplifier

uk.matrixamplification.com/rac...
Lately I've been drawn in (happily) to the world of Axe-FX II along with its diversity, convenience and inspiration. There's no doubt in my mind that it is one of the most important tools I've owned in my entire career. It can't power a cabinet on its own, though; you need a power amplifier for that job.
A quick look at what other Axe-FX II users were using for power amps, particularly the pros, soon told me that Britain's Matrix Amplification was the top choice due to its sound, weight, functionality and adaptability (in terms of speaker configuration options).
I took a punt and bought for myself the GT 1000FX 2U because it offered mammoth output and studio quietness thanks to its dual-speed 80mm fan. I couldn't be happier so I've made a quick video to show you how it works with a simple mono 4x12 setup.
I know that Matrix Amplification are building specialist speaker boxes also aimed at the Axe-FX II brigade. These I hope to demonstrate in the future.
Today's recording gear:
Guitar: Larry Corsa modified Gibson Les Paul Std.
Amp: Preamp: Axe-FX II; Power Amp: Matrix Amplification GT 1000FX 2U; Speaker cabinet: Laney L412 with greenbacks
Cables : Providence and Free The Tone (speaker cable)
Mic : Violet Design 'The Amethyst' (cab); Samson Airline77 (me)
Camera : Canon 60D (GT 1000FX) and Sony HDR CX150 (me)
Soundcard : AVID Mbox Pro 3
Computer : Apple iMac 27" i7 3.4 GHz 16 GB RAM
Software : Pro Tools 10 LE, Waves CLA Guitars (slight comp over input track), Waves L3-16 Limiter (to keep levels in check at output), Apple Final Cut Pro X (video editing and KZbin compression).

[@MrDavemiley]

I have gone full circle again. Late 80's to 1996 my rig was an Engater IE4 pre-amp and or Bogner Fish and a mesa 2:90 power amp. Then for the last 18 years , I went with a more traditional set up Matchless & Fender amp with pedals, now i am getting back into High Tech rig and will be using a Kemper Rack . This amp is one of the ones I am considering using when I need to use cabs with my Kemper set up. I enjoy Brett Kingman's demo"s . Always very thorough and informative and a great/tasteful guitarist .

[@krowland7584]

I have the 800 plus axefx 2. Great power amp combo for studio composition at very controllable volume.

[@BrettKingman]

Yeah, I'm an old-school hired gun for many of Australia's better known top artists from the 70's, 80's and 90's. James Reyne, Ross Wilson, Joe Camilleri, Daryl Braithwaite and many others are all friends and employers. I spend at least half of every month interstate or overseas on tour which is great, but it makes it hard to deliver as many videos as people want and also puts a strain on the family. So I'm going to cut the touring back to special stuff only later in 2014 for the good of all.

[@BlvckjvckRecordings]

Awesome tones man!

[@BrettKingman]

Thanks! Yes, if you're using an external cabinet you'd want to globally defeat the speaker emulator blocks inside the Axe-FX II as I have show here. If you're running to FOH and the monitoring system direct from the Axe-FX II as I often do, then you'd want to switch them back on. I favour the smaller cab emulations like 1 or 2 x 12's - they're tighter and work better for the stuff I have to play. Cheers! B.

[@podxtv]

great stuff as usual Brett - sounds sweet - who needs tubes :-)

[@antonymapplethorpe9997]

Pablo - I run my AFX full up and control the vol from my Matrix. AS long as the patches dont clip its perfectly fine. Bretts Matrix "signal" light was JUST flashing at some points which indicates the Matrix is at -9bd from its max output - or around 12.5%. In watts terms that depends on the cab - but in Bretts case around 30 Watts.

[@rickfeith6372]

Good playin and tasty toneage!!

[@adgreyx]

Sounds great! This is all you need!

[@red240red2]

How do you set the matrix to 8ohms mono . For a 8ohm cab I'm confused.

[@erimahmet4461]

cool stuff do u guys know of ant more budget power amps that are any good

[@CLELDKFKEJ]

Did you get a rack case for those two pieces of art?

[@BrettKingman]

Yeah, I guess you could call it conventional as I've made most of my 1200 or so videos this way. I use a Violet Design 'The Amethyst' studio condenser. It's primarily a vocal mic but some engineers including this amateur have found it particularly flattering with guitar cabinets. I place front on to the Greenback centre about 2" back. Does the job every time. Captures presence & bottom end. I use Waves CLA to bring back the room sound and, wham, that's it. Works every time. Yes, I like it loud.

[@findingredcloud]

Good with passive monitors like xitone and keep AX speaker ir on?

[@FlightSimDude]

How do you get the Axe Fx Ultra to sound good going direct?

[@PabloLaFrossia]

Great tone! Noticed you had the OUTPUT level dimed on the Axe FX. Do you noticed any clipping when running it that high. I try not to get it past 3 o'clock; think I read somewhere on the Fractal boards anywhere between 9 and 3 o'clock is safe.

[@red240red2]

Is the extra 1u really worth having the better fan. How quiet is it .

[@markbuilder7395]

What if my 4x12 is only rated for 100 watts? would I need something between the amp and the cab so my speakers don't bow out? Thanks.

[@cammlayne]

just ordered one i hope it does the trick and is plenty loud,

[@BrettKingman]

That wasn't a bad demo, actually ... if I do say so myself! It's a great amp but I didn't keep it because I didn't want to be limited to the one cabinet when I could have them all by simply jacking the Axe-FX II into some trustworthy powered monitors ... which is exactly what I do to this day. The monitors chop and change, especially when you're at the mercy of available backline at any given spot around the world, but if you go for one or two decent quality 12" wedges you'll be OK. 15" are more common but I don't like them because they're slow for guitar attack and don't focus on the all important guitar mids properly. So go for 12's. And you'll have the versatility of the different cab emulations. If you want one cab like the Laney in this video behind you and you're happy to live with that as your sole medium, go for the Matrix as they're pretty hard to beat. Rock on.

[@TheSteveSteele]

I'm looking for a poweramp so I can tri-amp my Bogner Ectasy. I've got a Crown power amp laying around that has all of the same features as this amp. What makes the Matrix better? It's not a tube amp. Does it have FET circuitry and/or is this amp built specifically with amplifying a guitar? Thanks.

[@jhep1]

Bret are you still using a cab or gone FRFR yet?

[@hometycoon1]

Hi, you've listed the cab mic, where is that going? i.e into monitors?

[@Kunstx1]

Do you have to turn off the cab block in the AxeFX? I'm thing of going AX8 GT1000FX into a 2x or 4x 12 Marshall cabinet. using the FX return on a JVM410H has been underwhelming.Thank you.

[@rastourda7170]

Hallo, I am also the owner of Matrix gt1000fx. Can you advise me how to set the tone treble and bass since the matrix you can not. Because your sound is great. Well thank you

[@PeterhoveOlsen]

HI. I really thinks you have some nice sounds. It would be great if you could make a video with some vox ac30 samples? Any way. Thanks for the video.

[@daveman6307]

Thanks for this video. I just ordered the GT1000FX 2U amp this week, and looking forward to hearing it thru a 4x12 and 2x12 cabinet in my little studio. There's nothing quite like running real speakers behind your *ss, rather than in-ear (in-*ss as some call) monitors. LOL. Thanks

[@seehowirock]

brett who do you play for live? are you a session musician for signed artists?

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Very nice, I am not as a rule a user, or fan of solid State, but they are sure handy when you need a baseline power to run hi-tech rigs such as yours...I am still not convinced though-i could achieve a similar range of sounds with a Fender Twin and a decent pedal board, and still have my tube sound in-tact...nice though

[@BrettKingman]

I haven't really investigated but I'm sure they're out there. This one, however, runs at 150w RMS per channel @ 16 ohm - a little extra! It's enough to be heard and there's plenty of headroom on tap if you want to be REALLY heard.

[@bigleemac]

I've just scored a 1000 1U to go with my Axe II, still finding my way with both but your patches are sounding killer, did you conventionally mic the cabinet? Also it looks like you had the poweramp pretty cranked there too! \m/

[@MegaBrebis]

Nice demo as usual. If you create sounds with a guitar cab, your reference is not neutral so those sounds could be good with your cab but bad in the PA. Am I right? Also Brett, what do you prefer and why - Modeler or real amp?

[@hawg427]

I was wondering how that worked when you pick a different cab than what your actually using. LOL I guess that all the different cabs choices are there for direct recording purposes right? At 150 watts RMS how would that translate over in Tube power? Great demo.

[@BrettKingman]

I've never tried a Crown so I'm not in a position to answer your question. Anyone who is is invited to chip in here. As for the circuitry, all the available info in on the Matrix Amplification site (link above). The amp is all-purpose but Andy works closely with Fractal Audio and its customers so there is a leaning towards guitar amplification, yes.

[@entr0py1]

Thanks, great demo Brett! I was just wondering if you could use this for bass as well as guitar. I have an Axe-FX II in my guitar rig, but I occasionally fill in as a bassist for other bands. I was wondering if I could maybe use the bass amp sims in the Axe-FX II and pair it with the Matrix and a bass cab since the Matrix has a lot of power in mono and Speakon. Any suggestion?

[@BrettKingman]

Sure you could use it. The Matrix is full range. Hell, you could drive a drum kit through it! Go for it.

[@BrettKingman]

Right on.

[@BrettKingman]

Hey Pablo, thanks for the kind words. I didn't notice any clipping but I'm still fairly new to the world of Fractal and Matrix so I may have missed something. However, I did try diming the Matrix first and controlling the overall volume with the Fractal; then I reversed that configuration - Fractal dimed, Matrix controlling the level. I could be imagining things but it sounded better to me the way you see it in the video. I'll continue to experiment. Thanks for the heads up! :)

[@damienhutchinson]

Stuff just gets better.....

[@BrettKingman]

Short for kilogram. The metric weight measurement we use over here.

[@phantomofoaktown]

I just bought the matrix gt 1000 fx 2u after watching this video

[@funkystudiocat]

They are pretty good amps, but a bit sterile IMHO especially on clean tones. I went back to my Matchless in order to get the sag and squish of tubes that I like. However, that is the price you pay for Flat response. Best wishes, Mike

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Room On The Broom then?

[@rustyskies9718]

IS YOUR POWER AMP MODELLING ON OR OFF?

[@fullmetalsal]

Paul Bhamra you can leave it on or off but you will hear a difference. Pick your preference basically. There is no right or wrong option.

[@curtwinetaster7495]

Brett. First, I feel you do a fantastic, and thorough job with your informative videos, so, "Thank you." I have a Fractal AXE FX2. I could use your advice. I know this is personal preference, but will ask. I have never run my AXE through a cabinet or a FRFR speaker. I live in an apt and run my AXE through my studio monitors. I want to start gigging so here is what I am thinking. Option 1: Get a power amp and guitar cabinet to use with the Fractal Option 2: Run the Fractal into a powered FRFR like an Atomic, or Friedman ASM Option 3: Get a powered Kemper, and use the Fractal only for effects Your feedback would be appreciated Curt

[@BrettKingman]

+Curt Sassak Hi Curt. Thanks for the kind words. I can only recommend my own method as it's really the only experience I've had at length. I run my Axe FX direct to house and use two monitors in front of me, in stereo, to monitor through. Preferably those monitors have 12" speakers (like your average guitar cab) but if not I simply roll the Global EQ off at around 120Hz and about 6.5kHz at the other end. Additionally, I make sure that all the virtual cabs I'm using, be they 1x12, 2x12, 4x12, 4x10 or whatever, also have the same high/low pass filtering. This gives the monitors and house a much better chance of getting something that a typical 'real' guitar cab would push out. At home I run a single Active CLR to calibrate stage presets (at battle volume) or desktop monitors (Blue Sky Mediadesk 2.1) for all the KZbin stuff and floaty indulgent stuff. There's no way known I'd use a power amp/cab on stage because that would limit me to that cab - and I want them all! :D Hope this helps. Cheers, B.

[@curtwinetaster7495]

+Brett Kingman Thank you for that. Funny how there is such a debate on Kemper vs AXE vs real amps. I was considering buying the Friedman ASM that was recently released, and I may give it a shot. Thank you

[@curtwinetaster7495]

+Brett Kingman OH, one other question please. How did you get to do all these demos? I assume you just started on your own, and then people took notice at the great job you do, and then started sending you gear so you could test it for them?? Is that correct? I like the idea of trying that at some point

[@BrettKingman]

+Curt Sassak Yep. That's pretty much how it happened - tenacity and perseverance. Go for it.

[@rock-vt1yg]

It's sounds kind of harsh and flat to me . if you pick very hard how does it respond?

[@BrettKingman]

I sold it not long after the video was made. I much prefer the flexibility of FRFR.

[@call4sorrow1]

***** hey brett, what do you mean when you say FRFR, are u saying you sold the axe fx and power amp, or do you mean that the axe fx is good as long as it has a better power amp??

[@eduardocervantesaca]

brian bridges I think he means a speaker that is powered and that gives you a full range of frequencies with a flat response. There is a company called atomic amps that sell FRFR (full frequency, flat response) cabinets. I have one that I use with my Kemper amp and Im very happy with it. They are not cheap, though. I paid 1000 bucks as I needed the powered version. If you buy the non-powered version you will need a power amp like the one demoed on this video.

[@call4sorrow1]

thnks dude!, yeh i was thinking about getting the matrix flat response 2x12, it seems like a very good flat response cab, and maybe get the matrix power amp thats in this video aswell, it is very costly though, i was also thiking about getting the axe fx preamp, but how do you find the kemper compared to the axe, the kemper seems to be a lot cheaper at least.

[@eduardocervantesaca]

brian bridges Sorry. It took me so long to reply. Both, the Axe and the Kemper are great pieces of gear. The Kemper will will you great versions of amps but the Axe would have also great effects. It is not strange that people like Petrucci and Steve Vai use the Axe to get most of their effects. I have a Kemper which I plug to an Atomic one speaker FRFR. I have never plugged it into a Matrix 2x12 but Im curious because I still feel that I need the bigger sound that a 2x12 gives you. I don't think the Kemper would be cheaper that an Axe because in my opinion you still need to invest more on effects.

[@russwilson2305]

5:13 I caught that! Sean Spicer is running these, huh?

[@MrEmohdee]

ROCK ON

[@Zeewanzeewan]

why do we need power amp for guitar

[@sacredgeometry]

to make it loud?

[@bigleemac]

Ask Misha and Tosin!

[@BrettKingman]

Get yer own, Dorothy!

[@AvonJunkies]

What the hell is a kilo?

[@JackCarver10]

But will it djent?

[@scottclaremont4164]

Not really impressed with the Matrix stuff. Might be because of my prejudice towards the axe-fx, but more so looking forward to Atomic amps SLR400 Power amp *wink

[@KeistasZmogelis]

What exactly do you have against Axe-Fx?

[@scottclaremont4164]

Paulius Mscichauskas I'm just too biased towards the Kemper for my own good....

[@KeistasZmogelis]

Haha.... :D That's silly. :) Conclusion I've got in this topic - They are both good, just that Axe FX is more fun.

[@scottclaremont4164]

Paulius Mscichauskas Yeah the CrApXE FX is funnier then the Kemper ;) You got to remember that Christopher Kemper made Access virus. Remember this my son....

[@KelsterVonShredster]

Kemper sucks compared to Fractal. I've owned both, multiple times. You cannot beat Fractal's tone sculpting and editing.

[@BrettKingman]

Or join the coven. Much more fun. :)

[@sk4forum]

anoint him!

[@Grant_Ferstat]

HERESY!!! BURN THE WITCH!!!! :-)

[@dressedtosmellgood]

Dunno why people think they need this overpriced power amp. Plenty of class d power out there. Its all the same