Fishman PowerTap Rare Earth and Infinity Acoustic Pickup Systems | Acoustic Guitar Gear Demo

Summary

In this video, Emil Menache reviews Fishman’s PowerTap Body Sensor Pickup System, showcasing two models: the PowerTap Matrix Infinity and the PowerTap Rare Earth. He demonstrates how both systems blend traditional magnetic pickups with body sensors to create a unique stereo output. The Matrix Infinity offers adjustable tone controls for the under-saddle pickup, while the Rare Earth model provides simpler controls but a broader sound gap between the magnetic and body sensors. Both systems excel in blending tones, with some preference for stereo output, though the absence of a master volume control in mono is noted as a minor drawback.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video features Emil Menache reviewing Fishman's new PowerTap body sensor pickup systems.
• 😀 Two guitars are used for the demo, each equipped with a Fishman body tap system: one with the PowerTap Rare Earth and the other with the Matrix Infinity.
• 😀 The PowerTap Rare Earth combines a rare earth magnetic pickup with body sensors, while the Matrix Infinity uses a Matrix soundhole pickup with body sensors.
• 😀 Both systems allow for blending a traditional pickup with the PowerTap body sensor for a versatile sound.
• 😀 The guitars can be run in mono using a regular instrument cable or in stereo with the two pickups separated into different channels.
• 😀 Emil uses a UA Apollo interface to run the pickups in stereo, with the left side representing the traditional pickup and the right side for the body sensor.
• 😀 The Matrix Infinity system includes a balance control, volume control, and a tone control for the under-saddle pickup, which helps tailor the sound to suit the mix.
• 😀 A bass boost switch on the Matrix Infinity pickup allows users to tweak the response based on the guitar's size.
• 😀 Emil demonstrates adjusting the balance between the body sensor and the piezo pickup, showcasing different tonal options.
• 😀 The Matrix Rare Earth system has a simpler control setup with just a balance control, but still works well in stereo, with the magnetic pickup on the left channel and the body sensor on the right.
• 😀 A potential improvement for the Matrix Rare Earth would be a master volume control for more precise adjustments when running in mono.

Q & A

What is the primary difference between the PowerTap Body Sensor Pickup System and the Matrix Infinity or Matrix Rare Earth systems?

The PowerTap Body Sensor Pickup System combines a traditional magnetic pickup with body sensors, allowing for a more integrated and natural sound. The Matrix Infinity and Matrix Rare Earth systems also combine body sensors with magnetic pickups, but the Matrix systems have additional features like tone and balance controls specific to each model.

How are the pickups connected to the amp during the demo?

For the demo, the system was set up in stereo mode, with each pickup (the traditional magnetic and the body sensor) running into separate channels on the UA Apollo interface. This allows for a distinct separation of the two sounds, with the left channel dedicated to the magnetic pickup and the right channel to the body sensor.

What is the purpose of the balance control in the Matrix Infinity system?

The balance control in the Matrix Infinity system blends the sound of the under-saddle piezo pickup with the body sensor pickup, allowing the user to fine-tune the mix between the two. This helps sculpt the overall tonal character of the guitar, adjusting the emphasis on either the body sensor or the piezo.

How does the tone control in the Matrix Infinity work?

The tone control in the Matrix Infinity only affects the under-saddle pickup, not the body sensor. This allows for tonal adjustments specific to the piezo pickup while maintaining the natural sound of the body sensor.

What is the advantage of having a stereo output for the pickups?

A stereo output allows the user to run the magnetic pickup and body sensor pickup through separate channels, providing a more nuanced sound. This separation helps emphasize the different tonal characteristics of each pickup, which can be useful for achieving a more dynamic and versatile sound.

What is the bass boost feature in the Matrix Infinity, and how is it used?

The Matrix Infinity features a switch that presets a bass boost to enhance the low-end response of the pickup system. This feature can be used to adjust the tonal response of the guitar to suit different performance environments or styles, though in the demo, the user left it flat for a more neutral tone.

How do the Matrix Rare Earth and Matrix Infinity systems differ in terms of control features?

The Matrix Rare Earth system has simpler controls, featuring just a balance control for mixing the magnetic and body sensor pickups. In contrast, the Matrix Infinity offers more detailed controls, including a tone control for the piezo and a bass boost switch, allowing for more precise tonal adjustments.

What was the user's main complaint about the Matrix Rare Earth system?

The user's main complaint about the Matrix Rare Earth system was the lack of a master volume control, particularly when running the system in mono. This made it difficult to adjust the overall volume when shifting the balance between the magnetic and body sensor pickups, as the volume could change with the balance setting.

What is the purpose of the body sensor in the PowerTap Body Sensor Pickup System?

The body sensor in the PowerTap system captures vibrations from the body of the guitar, providing a more natural and organic sound that complements the traditional magnetic pickup. This allows for a more full-spectrum tone by blending the warmth of the body sensor with the clarity of the magnetic pickup.

How does the Matrix Rare Earth system compare to the Matrix Infinity in terms of tonal balance between the pickups?

The Matrix Rare Earth system has a wider gap in sound between the magnetic and body sensor pickups, resulting in a more distinct difference in tonal qualities. In contrast, the Matrix Infinity system provides a more blended and balanced sound between the two pickups, thanks to its more refined control options.