Skip navigation
Up to Discussions in Pod HD User's Group
2560 Views 11 Replies Latest reply: Jul 13, 2011 6:51 PM by Aeolianreflex RSS
Aeolianreflex Just Startin'
Aeolianreflex
57 posts since
Feb 14, 2010
Currently Being Moderated

Jun 7, 2011 5:48 AM

Opinions on Tech 21 Power Engines

I am looking at the Tech 21 for an FRFR system and would like to hear from anyone who has had experience with them. I have seen demos of the 60 watt 1X12 and they sound really good with modeling units but do they have enough power to keep up with a drummer?  I know they have a 60 watt 4X10 model and I think that would be a better choice than the single 12. I really want something that will take my patches and amplify them without coloring them too much and still be loud enough for a small gig.

  • jtatwood Just Startin'
    jtatwood
    70 posts since
    Mar 18, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jun 7, 2011 2:26 PM (in response to Aeolianreflex)
    Re: Opinions on Tech 21 Power Engines

    I've used my PE-60 for about 2 years know. Love it. Have no experience with the 4x10. I never see it avail (or the 2x12). Have never had a volume problem with one, but the real cool thing with the PE-60 is that for the price of a mid-line tube amp, you can own 2 PE-60s, and ether run them stereo or bridge for 120 watts. I use mine with the HD500. Very happy with mine.

  • Amperzand Just Startin'
    Amperzand
    118 posts since
    Mar 22, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jun 7, 2011 7:40 PM (in response to Aeolianreflex)
    Re: Opinions on Tech 21 Power Engines

    I have one PE60 1x12 and its a geat with my HD500. It's loud enough to drown out the rest of the band when I hit the wrong settings. :-)

    I might get a second PE60 for stereo one day. They aren't FRFR though - has ample frequency range for guitar amp modelling, but not enough highs for acoustic sounds (from my variax 500).

  • Aeolianreflex Just Startin'
    Aeolianreflex
    57 posts since
    Feb 14, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jun 9, 2011 6:50 PM (in response to Aeolianreflex)
    Re: Opinions on Tech 21 Power Engines

    Thanks for your feedback. I am going to try the 4X10 and see how it sounds. I put in my order today. And the waiting begins.....

  • merman_96 Just Startin'
    merman_96
    34 posts since
    Feb 12, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jun 15, 2011 11:08 AM (in response to Aeolianreflex)
    Re: Opinions on Tech 21 Power Engines

    I have 2 Power engine 60's, and think they are quite loud enough. I suggest trying various output settings on your HD 500. I continue to use the Studio Output that includes mic and speaker emulations 90% of the time, while on some settings the Combo Power amp in settings are more appropriate. I actually use both inputs on the Power engines, the HD 500 into the Balanced inputs, and my Roland GR -55 Guitar Synth into the Unbalanced inputs.

     

    IMG_0087.jpg

    • Aeolianreflex Just Startin'
      Aeolianreflex
      57 posts since
      Feb 14, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jun 15, 2011 6:15 PM (in response to merman_96)
      Re: Opinions on Tech 21 Power Engines

      Thanks for the suggestions!

      What is the reason you use the balanced inputs rather than the unbalanced inputs?

      Do you use the XLR or 1/4" outs from the HD500?

      BTW are those the 4X10 versions in your pic?

      • merman_96 Just Startin'
        merman_96
        34 posts since
        Feb 12, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jul 2, 2011 7:19 AM (in response to Aeolianreflex)
        Re: Opinions on Tech 21 Power Engines

        Actually, those are the 1x12 units. My understanding is that the 4x10's are no longer manufactured, but are still available as New Old Stock, at some retailers.I have played through the 4x10's and really liked them.

        The power Engines have dual inputs, an unbalanced, and a balanced. The GR-55 only has unbalanced 1/4 outputs, so I connect it to those inputs, and then connect the Balanced XLR connectors from the HD 500 to the remaining inputs. It saves me having to use a submixer, or having to connect the GR-55 to the Aux inputs of the HD 500, in able to have two discreet sound sources being used. Honestly, I have tried many configurations and they all worked well. But the main concern was that I wanted the Synthesizer tones to not be effected by the HD500 Amp modeling.

         

        I just received my DT 50 back from Line 6 so I have my set up a bit different now. I still run as before but in addition, I am using the Line 6 Link from HD 500 to DT 50. It is amazing. http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/7094/photoer.jpg

        • jtatwood Just Startin'
          jtatwood
          70 posts since
          Mar 18, 2006
          Currently Being Moderated
          Jul 2, 2011 7:28 AM (in response to merman_96)
          Re: Opinions on Tech 21 Power Engines

          Really nice rig. When do you use the DT50 and when do you use the PE-60's? Do you play alot of stereo patches? Do you ever use 500 through a PA? (Wow... sorry for it sounding like an interagation )

           

          I use dual PE-60's and think I'm very happy. I'm trying to imagine how life would change if I though a DT50 in the mix.

           

          Thanks

          • merman_96 Just Startin'
            merman_96
            34 posts since
            Feb 12, 2007
            Currently Being Moderated
            Jul 2, 2011 8:01 AM (in response to jtatwood)
            Re: Opinions on Tech 21 Power Engines

            Keep in mind, I just got DT-50 back this week, so I'm basically still setting it all up the way I prefer it. Realize that I am not even having to change the parameters of my Patches. The DT-50 takes the AMp Models from the HD500, and configures itself accordingly. When I select a Vox patch, the DT-50 changes the Topology and Triode/Pentode mode to emulate the Vox patch I already have set up. Crazy huh? Im loving it.

             

            The only thing I really need to do is turn off Reverb on the amp, (I already have Reverb in the patches) and set the master volume on the amp to match Master on HD-500. The HD500 Master controls the Tech 21's.

             

            Ive been playing around with creating new patches on/from the DT-50, and then saving them on the HD 500. It remembers everything.

             

            The one thing Im not sure about yet is I'd eventually like to have the DT-50 dry, and send amp models and effects to the Tech 21's. I know it can be done with several DT-50's, but haven't found how to do it with 1 DT-50 and two Tech 21's.

             

            One other thing,..The DT -50 isnt going anywhere. Its heavy, HEAVY. when I go on gigs, its going to be the Tech 21's. My studio is up two flights of stairs. Not Happening ! The Tech 21's are easy to move, very light, and sound great. Until I find a used Japanese Stair Dolly for sale cheap, its not moving.

             

            All in all, I could do just fine without the DT-50. The Tech 21's do the job very well. If I had to choose the DT-50 would have to go, because its Heavy. But luckily I dont have to choose.

             

            I hope this helps.

        • Aeolianreflex Just Startin'
          Aeolianreflex
          57 posts since
          Feb 14, 2010
          Currently Being Moderated
          Jul 2, 2011 7:33 AM (in response to merman_96)
          Re: Opinions on Tech 21 Power Engines

          Thanks for the info. I hope that 4X10 is not discontined. I have one  on back order through Guitar Center. It's been a couple of weeks and now  I am a bit concerned.

          Has anyone elseheard that they are discontinued? When I check the site they only list the 1X12 model but the owners manual lists a 2X12 and the 4X10 model as well.

  • Aeolianreflex Just Startin'
    Aeolianreflex
    57 posts since
    Feb 14, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 13, 2011 6:51 PM (in response to Aeolianreflex)
    Re: Opinions on Tech 21 Power Engines

    I found a brand new PE 4X10 on Ebay and recieved it yesterday. I am completely stunned by how good it sounds with the HD500. After tweaking my EQ's a bit because I was using my Spider IV before, it actually sounds exactly like it does through my headphones. I tried it out at about 50% volume and it sounded so much better than the Spider did at the same volume. There is not going to be a probem being heard with a drummer and still maintain the articulation that I was losing using the Spider. The highs sound chimey without being harsh and the lows growl without sounding muddy. Now I just need to find another one to run them in stereo....

More Like This

  • Retrieving data ...

Bookmarked By (0)