Quote:
Originally Posted by martingitdave
The Matrix/Aura combo is great. I have used it in the past. I now tend to prefer more organic sounding pickups that I can use without a pedal, straight into a PA. But, even in Chicago, the guys who I see play with bands are using mostly using Fishman Matrix/Aura systems, with a handful using Anthem. When you're being paid to play, you don't have the luxury of wasting time and money on the pickup hunt. The same can be said for folks using K&K systems with their preamps. The stuff just works. Normally, my HFN can sound awesome, but now and then it can sound thin and feedback prone.
|
It's funny, I too wanted a more organic sound but after trying numerous pickups and then testing this new set up, I can safely say the Matrix/Aura is very natural and in many ways equal to some of the more organic sounding pickups. I have the HFN in this guitar as well and in comparison, it takes a ton of gain to get it to the same level and it just doesn't have the body. Still a very good option but if you want your guitar to sound huge, it's not the best.
After using the Anthem SL and full Anthem, I feel as though I have come to the conclusion that although the aura/matrix system doesn't have an internal mic, in many ways it's a very comparable system. It might even be more consistent. Here's my thinking...even with the Anthem SL, there's always a bit of piezo tone and I do find as though the tru-mic often has a processed/hollowness to it. The aura/matrix is quite the same but then there's the ability to play around with numerous images. I still want to try the tonedexter though to see if I can get an even more natural tone.