TEST: Engl Pedals

 Only rarely have I observed the industry waiting impatiently for the release of a series of pedals, in this case the Engl effects pedals. Of course, there are great expectations when one of the world's most successful amplifier manufacturers, especially from Germany, brings a new series of effects pedals onto the market under its own name, but some people will be surprised that the pedals should generate such great interest .

In the first edition, Engl devotes itself exclusively to standards such as distortion, chorus, delay and compressor, which we also have for testing in exactly this constellation - nothing really out of the ordinary at first glance. Nevertheless, there must be something special about the products, otherwise the rush for the pedals made in Russia would not have been so great that people had to wait months to receive a test sample.

So let's take a closer look at the Rooky when it comes to pedals.

construction

Let's jump straight into the door when it comes to real innovations. If you look at the pedals from the bottom, you will notice the RJ45 socket, which is completely unexpected in this segment and which you would otherwise see on your LAN hub or home router. Connect pedals to the router? Don't worry, there is no network interface here, but rather a useful connection port, which we will go into in more detail in a moment.

That's why I would first like to look at the matching Engl PB-6 pedalboard, which really shows off the innovation in the pedal sector. The board, which weighs only 1 kilogram and has dimensions (W x D x H): 392 mm x 113 mm x 33 mm, contains 6-way RJ45 cabling, which ensures both the sound signal and the power supply in the daisy chain process becomes. Patch cables of any kind are not required when using these pedals.

In times when FX pedals are shrinking more and more for reasons of space, but still cannot fall below a minimum width due to the unavoidable use of patch cables, Engl leaves the pedals in the standard dimensions of 59 mm x 110 mm x 34 mm, but can then use them Place the multi-effects pedals right next to each other. This ensures that the controls remain clear while minimizing lateral expansion. An excellent detailed solution!

The pedals themselves are screwed firmly onto the board, and the cabling of the board, which is also made in Russia, disappears behind a solid base plate. What's left is a board with up to six pedals, which makes a very compact and road-ready unit. With the Engl PB-4 the board is also available in a 4-way version.

What the pedals have in common

Now let’s get to the pedals themselves. All pedals are in the same housing, only the number of controls and switches varies. All pedals have a true bypass, which means that if the power supply fails, the signal will still continue. In this context, I would like to briefly point out that if the cable is more than 2x 3 meters, you should consider a separate buffer in the signal path or a buffered FX pedal; with 2x 6 meters, this is essential!

Judging by the precision of the holes, it seems that a lot of manual work is still used in the production in Russia. The alignment of the hole is occasionally “a little out of the spirit level”, but this is not a big deal if you have the right attitude towards the product. One less robot in the value chain!

The basic tonal character of all effects can be given the attribute “Vintage”. All effects sound comparatively warm and soft, although the Overdrive Retro and Distortion Reaper can bite and scratch a lot. The only thing left to do here is to test it in your personal setup to finally assess the sound.

All sound files were recorded with a Fame Forum IV, a 73 Marshall Superlead, a 260 watt Marshall box (65 watt Celestion) and a Fame MS 57 microphone, a setup that supports the vintage charm of the pedals with its angular basic sound. The signal went through a Mackie 32-8-8 console without any tone control.

English Compressor

The effect is basically self-explanatory for all interested newcomers: a compressor reduces the dynamics in guitar playing by lowering the dynamic peaks and raising the basic volume. This makes the sound sound more condensed and compact. A guitar compressor can only be used sensibly if the sound is clean, as the same effect occurs when the distortion increases.

The Engl Compressor has the control options Level (volume), Tone (sound), Attack (response speed) and Sustain (volume ratio control). The device does what it is supposed to do. Especially with clean picking parts, the compressor compresses pleasantly evenly and compensates for the musician's different attack volumes. When setting, pay particular attention to the attack control. If it speaks too late, the first note will sound unpleasantly loud; if it speaks immediately, the sound will sound unpleasantly artificial.

English Chorus

The Engl Chorus comes with only 3 controls (Speed, Depth, Detune) and is characterized by the fact that you can choose between the Chorus or Vibrato functions using a small slider.

In terms of sound, the chorus impresses with a very dense sound, which finds its tonal sweet spot especially on instruments with single coils. The sound is very warm with a high vintage content and the vibrato function can also generate a wonderfully “egging” sound, which exudes a great Sixthies/Seventhies charm.

Engl Delay

The Engl Delay is basically an extended slapback delay that works according to the bucket brigade principle, i.e. with each repetition the treble portion of the sound produced decreases. The effect is based on the first analog delays that came onto the market almost 40 years ago, as the processors of that time often could not work differently.

Similar to the chorus, the delay only has 3 controls (level, repeat, delay time) and a slide switch that lets you choose between the delay time of 20 - 320 ms or 40 - 640 ms. The sound can again be described as very warm and yet neutral.

English Retro

The name is program. The Engl Retro is a very flexible distortion that can really push a full tube amp that has easily reached saturation. Even if the name suggests it, in my opinion it is not an overdrive, the pedal bites too hard in the highs and the compression is rather subtle.

The Volume, Dist, Treble and Bass controls are self-explanatory and can be used according to personal taste and equipment. A special feature is the low cut, which can reduce excessive bass swing and the associated resonance pumping.

In terms of sound, the retro goes in the old AC/DC, pre-Razor's Edge Angus Young corner, in which a non-master JMP was blown with a booster or something similar to tickle more gain from the preamp. The result is a biting, edgy sound with a very high level of assertiveness, which is, however, far removed from the high gain of today.

Engl Reaper

The Grim Reaper from Engl is a classic distortion, the sound of which is based on the heyday of the hard'n'heavy sector, i.e. the eighties. With its three-band tone control you can bend the frequency curve quite a bit, but the basic character remains the same. Nothing is more pointless than discussing the advantages and disadvantages of a sonic decade, but the fact remains that in times of poser, hair and cock rock, the always nasal midrange with comparatively little compression was absolutely necessary, even at high gain.

Anyone who is a child of the eighties, was one or would have liked to be one, is way ahead with this distortion. Order spandex pants at the same time ;-)

Conclusion

With development in Upper Bavaria and production in Russia, the new Engl effects pedals really impress. With a very solid construction, an always retro-sounding sound and a brilliant pedalboard detail solution, the pedals immediately place themselves in the first row of German effect pedals.

Anyone who is looking for a successful bread and spread constellation at their feet should definitely give the products a try!

———————

Additional Informations:

Effects pedals are the unsung heroes of the modern guitarist's arsenal, offering a vast array of sonic possibilities that can transform a simple guitar signal into a kaleidoscope of tones and textures. From subtle enhancements to wild sonic experiments, effects pedals empower musicians to express themselves in new and creative ways. In this comprehensive exploration, we'll delve into the fascinating world of effects pedals, examining their history, types, applications, and notable examples, while highlighting their role in shaping the landscape of contemporary music.

**A Brief History:**

Effects pedals have been an integral part of popular music since the mid-20th century, with their origins tracing back to the innovations of pioneering guitarists and engineers. The first commercially available effects pedal, the Maestro Fuzz-Tone, was introduced in the early 1960s and famously used by Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones on the iconic riff of "Satisfaction." This marked the beginning of a revolution in guitar tone, as musicians began experimenting with new sounds and effects to push the boundaries of creativity.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, effects pedals continued to evolve, with companies like Electro-Harmonix, MXR, and Boss leading the way in innovation. From fuzz and distortion to delay and modulation, a wide range of effects became available to guitarists, each offering its own unique sonic character and expressive potential. The rise of rock, blues, and psychedelic music during this period further fueled the demand for effects pedals, cementing their place in the guitarist's toolkit.

**Types of Effects Pedals:**

Effects pedals can be broadly categorized into several main types, each serving a distinct purpose in shaping the guitar's sound. These include:

1. **Gain-Based Effects:** Fuzz, distortion, and overdrive pedals alter the guitar signal's gain structure, adding grit, sustain, and harmonic richness to the tone. Examples include the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi, the Ibanez Tube Screamer, and the Pro Co RAT.

2. **Time-Based Effects:** Delay, reverb, and echo pedals manipulate the guitar signal's timing, creating spatial depth and ambience. These effects range from subtle repeats to lush, atmospheric textures. Notable examples include the TC Electronic Flashback Delay, the Strymon BigSky Reverb, and the Boss DD-7 Digital Delay.

3. **Modulation Effects:** Chorus, phaser, flanger, and tremolo pedals modulate the guitar signal's frequency and amplitude, adding movement and dimension to the sound. These effects can range from subtle warbles to swirling, psychedelic textures. Popular examples include the MXR Phase 90, the Boss CE-2 Chorus, and the Electro-Harmonix Small Stone Phaser.

4. **Filter and EQ Effects:** Wah-wah pedals, equalizers, and envelope filters shape the frequency response of the guitar signal, emphasizing or attenuating specific frequencies for tonal sculpting and expression. Iconic examples include the Dunlop Cry Baby Wah, the MXR 10-Band EQ, and the Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron Envelope Filter.

5. **Pitch-Based Effects:** Pitch shifters, octavers, and harmonizers alter the pitch of the guitar signal, allowing for creative pitch manipulation and harmonic exploration. Notable examples include the Digitech Whammy, the Electro-Harmonix POG, and the Boss PS-6 Harmonist.

**Applications and Creative Uses:**

Effects pedals offer guitarists a wide range of creative possibilities, allowing them to craft unique sounds and textures that enhance their musical expression. Some common applications and creative uses of effects pedals include:

1. **Tonal Enhancement:** Effects pedals can be used to shape and enhance the guitar's natural tone, adding warmth, depth, and character to the sound. This can include subtle EQ adjustments, dynamic compression, and harmonic saturation.

2. **Ambience and Atmosphere:** Time-based effects like delay and reverb can create immersive sonic landscapes, adding depth and space to the guitar's sound. These effects are often used to create lush, atmospheric textures that enhance the mood and emotion of a musical composition.

3. **Expressive Techniques:** Effects pedals can be used to expand the guitarist's expressive palette, allowing for techniques such as volume swells, tremolo picking, and pitch bends. Modulation effects like chorus and phaser can add movement and dynamics to the sound, while filter and EQ effects can emphasize specific frequencies for added punch and clarity.

4. **Creative Experimentation:** One of the most exciting aspects of effects pedals is their potential for creative experimentation. Guitarists can combine multiple pedals in unique ways, explore unconventional signal chains, and push the boundaries of traditional guitar sounds to create something entirely new and unexpected.

**Conclusion:**

Effects pedals play a crucial role in shaping the sonic landscape of contemporary music, offering guitarists a vast array of creative possibilities to explore. From classic fuzz and distortion tones to lush reverbs and psychedelic modulations, effects pedals empower musicians to express themselves in new and innovative ways. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring bedroom guitarist, the world of effects pedals invites you to unleash your creativity, experiment with sound, and push the boundaries of what's possible with the electric guitar. So plug in, stomp on that pedal, and let your imagination run wild. The possibilities are endless.

TEST: Engl E600

 It is what it is, all guitarists love the thick phallus in the form of the ultimate full stack, everyone wants it, everyone wants to play it, but no one wants to transport it, let alone set it up before the show or, even worse, take it down after the show. If you are in the fortunate situation of being able to call up a correspondingly high fee in order to pay the corresponding backliners, the problem is put into perspective. However, since perhaps only one per thousand of active musicians are in this position, in times of in-ear monitoring people are more inclined towards the practice-oriented version, the smallest possible but still very good-sounding version that fits in every trunk and can be used by the musician alone can be transported without back damage. One of the most successful German amp manufacturers, the Engl company, offers a very practical variant with the Engl E600 Ironball Combo, which has some very interesting details.

The structure of the Engl E600 Ironball Combo

When the Engl company quotes a retail price of 1,099 euros for a 20 watt combo, you can count on five fingers that this is not a Schrammel-class practice amp. In fact, Engl has also recognized that a practical concept can reach significantly more groups of buyers than just planning for battleships in the style of Invader or Powerball. Nevertheless, Engl will probably never make the mistake of offering products in the low budget range with a corresponding loss of quality for cost reasons.

This combo, which is also available as a top part https://www.thomann.de/de/engl_ironball_head_20_bundle_306938.htm, is manufactured in Germany and thus maintains the level of production that has distinguished Engl for years. The combo offers a two-channel all-tube amplifier that essentially offers half a third channel via a boost switch. Channel switch, boost and the internally installed digital reverb can also be accessed via footswitches.

Even though the Engl E600 Ironball Combo was designed for mobile use, due to the solid construction plus all-tube components, you can't avoid the impressive weight of almost 19 kilograms, which is due to the powerful housing compared to the Head with almost 8 kilograms. But there is also solid plywood plus the legendary speaker protection metal grille, which in terms of stability could easily have come from an American prison series. With the dimensions (W x H x D): 49 cm x 44 cm x 25 cm, however, for a 12" it is just in the league of a 1x12" cabinet, which means it is very handy. The construct rests on 4 pleasantly soft rubber feet, which actually offer a high level of stability against lateral forces on smooth surfaces and not just hope that the weight of the combo provides enough support for the amplifier.

The top of the Engl E600 Ironball Combo

When it comes to channel management, the Engl E600 Ironball Combo is classic, meaning the two channels share a three-band tone control plus the presence control in the power amplifier. The clean and lead channels each have a gain control, with the lead channel having its own volume control. As expected, both channels are managed at their final volume via a master volume. Power switch, standby, done! Just classic.

The back of the Engl E600 Ironball Combo

Like many other combos with top controls, the Engl E600 Ironball Combo also shares the problem of rear access to the connections. To get to the respective sockets, you have to reach through the combo that is open at the back and do a little fiddling upwards, which is made easier by the assignment printed on the back. The fact that this is an identical version of the top in terms of amplifier technology can already be seen from the speaker outputs, which, in addition to the internally installed Celestion G12 Vintage 30 with 8 ohms, also offer the operation of 2x 16 ohm speakers. A luxurious but rather unusual circuit for a combo.

For speaker-less operation, the Engl E600 Ironball Combo also offers the option of a frequency-corrected D.I. output and headphone operation. Please note the ohm number of 8-32 ohms, high-end studio headphones with 600 ohms or more are not the amplifier's target group. Then we have the reverb control, a serial FX loop and the footswitch connections. IEC plug, main fuse, done!

There is a switchable power soak at the top left of the back of the case, which greatly expands the flexibility of the product. However, this is only available at the 8 ohm output of the power amplifier. The 20 watts supplied by default, which are generated from 4x ECC83 plus 2x EL84, can be reduced to 5 or 1 watt, or the speaker can be completely deactivated. With this trick, the amp can range from a stage volume (20 watts of all-tube power is VERY loud in a club) down to the overused term “bedroom amp” (if you've ever hit your loved one with 1 watt in the bedroom, you'll definitely be thrown out of it! ) cover a wide range of applications. The practical test will show to what extent he, like many of his colleagues, may have to accept loss of sound.

The Engl E600 Ironball Combo in practice

Combos that open to the back have an advantage and a disadvantage. The advantage is that approximately half of the loudspeaker's vibration energy is delivered tonally to the front and back and a musician placed at the back of the stage, such as B. the drummer can hear a lot of the guitar tone without having to use his own monitor path. The disadvantage is that an open combo generally generates less bass and forward thrust than a closed cabinet, possibly even with a bass reflex opening.

Now the Celestion G12 Vintage 30 is an established loudspeaker that has its supporters all over the world, but it is generally characterized by an always nasal, high-mid-heavy tone, which is very well established in the bang structure, but also has a latent “bite” in it heights are noticeable. This sound character is noticeable from the first note with the Engl E600 Ironball Combo. There is a tendency to always set the bass control to full, but this only colors the character, not changes it. The comparatively low excursion and the headroom of the speaker, which is reduced due to the wattage, are always present and give the combo a very unique character.

Let's start with the clean sound first. If you are looking for an ultra clean Fender tone, the Engl E600 Ironball Combo is the wrong choice. The clean channel already has extremely high gain reserves (see sound files 01 - 03) and can only be persuaded to produce a really clean sound with a gain control setting of up to a maximum of 8 o'clock. The sound is clear, crisp and very slim.

At 9 a.m. the first crunches start, which generate a very nice sixties vintage tone. Crisp and snappy, nice classic rock.

When the boost is switched on, the compression of the sound increases. The tone becomes softer and gains sustain. In this sound file you can hear very well the basic character of the Vintage 30 loudspeaker, which is known to always have a latent high-mid-heavy effect.

In the lead channel you can immediately see which company emblem is on the protective grille. The fact that Engl is famous for his high gain sounds can also be seen in this combo.

The finale is a sustained solo guitar with the boost switched on in the lead channel. Here the Engl E600 Ironball Combo can show its full strength in the high gain range.


The following assessment is not meant to be judgmental as it is based on the author's own personal preferences, but I personally believe that a slightly more powerful speaker in the style of e.g. B. the Vintage 60 would be good for the combo. The combination with a pair of EL84 power tubes, which for structural reasons also tends to have a strong treble presence, could generate more bass and low-mid range, which would bring the strengths of the Engl E600 Ironball Combo even more to the fore.

The amp performs excellently in the high gain range at room volume with 1 watt output power. While many competitors only emit a thin preamp chirp as the final volume decreases above a certain level, the Engl E600 Ironball Combo actually manages to produce a structured and, above all, dynamic tone even at minimum volume. You could actually “misuse” the amp as a luxurious practice amp; I have rarely played an amplifier that performed so well at low volumes. This is where the slim design of the Vintage 30 can show its strengths.

Of course, a 12" loudspeaker sounds different at minimal deflection than when the cardboard is really pumping, but the amplifier section performs excellently despite the speaker's almost non-existent return currents. By the way, 1 watt power amplifier is opened up strongly and then a moderate preamp distortion, preferably via the clean channel, and you have an excellent AC/DC rhythm sound at club volume. Now if the drummer joins in...

Conclusion

With the Engl E600 Ironball Combo, one of Germany's most successful amp manufacturers has a very hot iron in the fire. The combo is a real rocker that serves all the nuances of rock music in very high quality, from the many shades of crunch to real high gain.

In addition, the Powersoak works with only minimal sound changes and delivers the very good basic sound even at room volume if required. If you are looking for a very good all-tube sound at all volumes, you should definitely give the combo a try.

———————

Additional Informations:

**Exploring Engl Amplifiers' Comprehensive Lineup of Combo Amplifiers**

Engl Amplifiers has long been revered in the guitar community for its commitment to crafting high-quality, versatile amplifiers that cater to the diverse needs of musicians. While Engl is often associated with its iconic head and cabinet setups, the company also boasts an impressive lineup of combo amplifiers. These all-in-one units offer the convenience of a compact design without sacrificing the signature Engl tone and performance. In this detailed exploration, we'll delve into Engl's range of combo amplifiers, examining their features, tonal capabilities, and suitability for various playing styles.

**RockMaster Series:**

The RockMaster series represents Engl's foray into the realm of combo amplifiers designed specifically for rock guitarists. Models like the RockMaster 20 and RockMaster 40 feature all-tube designs that deliver the dynamic response and harmonically rich tones that define the Engl sound. With switchable wattage options, these amplifiers are equally at home in the studio, rehearsal space, or on stage, offering ample power for gigging musicians while remaining manageable for bedroom practice sessions. The RockMaster series boasts versatile EQ controls, built-in reverb, and responsive dynamics, making it an ideal choice for players seeking classic rock tones with modern flexibility.

**IronBall Series:**

Compact yet powerful, the IronBall series embodies Engl's commitment to portability without compromise. These all-tube combo amplifiers pack a punch with their 20-watt designs, making them suitable for both stage and studio use. The IronBall E606 and IronBall E606/2 amplifiers feature a streamlined control layout that prioritizes ease of use, making them ideal for players who crave simplicity without sacrificing tone. With selectable gain stages, built-in power attenuators, and onboard reverb, the IronBall series offers a wide range of tones ranging from pristine cleans to searing lead tones, making it a versatile option for guitarists on the go.

**Thunder Series:**

For players seeking a versatile all-in-one solution, the Thunder series offers a compelling blend of power and flexibility. Models like the Thunder 50 and Thunder 50 Reverb combine Engl's renowned tube-driven tone with modern features designed to meet the demands of today's guitarists. These combo amplifiers feature multiple channels, onboard effects loops, and footswitchable boost functions, providing players with the tools necessary to cover a wide range of musical styles and applications. Whether you're performing on stage or recording in the studio, the Thunder series delivers reliable performance and exceptional tone in a compact and portable package.

**Classic Series:**

Drawing inspiration from vintage amplifier designs of the past, the Classic series combines timeless tone with modern functionality. Amplifiers like the Classic 50 and Classic 60 offer a blend of vintage warmth and responsiveness, making them ideal for blues, rock, and country guitarists seeking authentic vintage tones. These combo amplifiers feature tube-driven spring reverb, selectable output wattages, and responsive EQ controls, allowing players to dial in their desired sound with ease. With their compact yet robust construction, the Classic series amplifiers are equally suited for home practice sessions and live performances, making them a versatile choice for players of all skill levels.

**Conclusion:**

Engl Amplifiers' lineup of combo amplifiers showcases the company's dedication to craftsmanship, tone, and versatility. Whether you're a rock guitarist in need of dynamic tube-driven tones or a blues player seeking vintage warmth and character, Engl offers a combo amplifier to suit your needs. With features like selectable wattage options, built-in effects, and responsive EQ controls, Engl combo amplifiers provide players with the tools necessary to unlock their creative potential and achieve their desired sound. From the rehearsal room to the stage, Engl combo amplifiers deliver uncompromising performance and exceptional tone, earning them a place among the industry's most respected amplification solutions.

TEST: Engl Retro 50

 There are only a few German manufacturers who can hold their own in the amplifier sector against the seemingly overpowering competitors from the USA and the UK, and what's more, can sometimes even give them a run for their money. The story is too powerful, the accumulation of well-selling artist names under the respective labels is too large, if it weren't for the Engl company, founded in 1985 by Edmund Engl and based in Tittmoning, Upper Bavaria.

Through a consistent model policy and a complex development history, the manufacturer was able to earn a place in the upper league of amplifier construction and, with only a few competitors, occupies the front row in the metal sound storm area. Life is good here, as this style of music can count on a loyal group of users with comparatively stable sales. However, Engl would not be Engl if one were to rest on such laurels and become dependent on one market segment.

So what could be more obvious than to open up to the counter-trend and advance into previously unimagined regions. The diametrical orientation to the high-gain metal area is retro, or vintage, which means bony, dry, honest, biting and, above all, uncomfortable, coupled with maximum assertiveness. But we are curious to see whether the 50 watt version of the Retro Head series, which like all of its colleagues is consistently developed and built in Germany, can successfully poach in foreign regions.


construction

Like almost all other heads, the Engl Retro 50 comes in the typical briquette shape, this time with the dimensions width 708 mm x height 260 mm x 270 depth mm and a reasonable weight of just under 20 kilograms. Equipped with 4 pieces. ECC83 (12AX7) in the preamp and 2 pieces. EL 34 in the A/B push-pull power amplifier is based on a very popular design known from many other manufacturers. Four strong rubber feet, eight corner protectors and a hard-wearing synthetic leather are part of the standard equipment and don't exactly make for bright looks, but Engl wouldn't be Engl if you didn't have a few little tricks on board when it came to its visual appearance.

Your head is visually quite crisp, but you're missing that special kick? Or would you also like to be able to “change” your head every now and then? No problem with the Retro 50, as you get a total of 3 different front panels in Shadow Black, Rocking Red and Vintage Vanilla. Simply swap the clip fasteners supplied and vary the look depending on your personal taste or occasion. Nice idea. Regarding the cabinet connection options, the standard 1x 16 ohm, 2x 8 ohm and 2x 4 ohm are offered, which cover the entire combination range.

The Retro is designed with two channels (gain, treble, middle, bass, volume), with all channel controls being present exactly twice. However, as expected, the channels are designed differently when it comes to gain. A gain boost acting on both channels expands flexibility, a bright switch in channel 1 boosts the highs if necessary, and a tone control in channel 2 boosts the low-mids. At first glance everything is quite simple, but a look at the back of the top reveals further special features that Engl always keeps up his sleeve.

The head has a serial/parallel loop path (balance can be adjusted), a switchable noise gate and a second master volume control, all of which can be switched via a total of three stereo jack sockets. There is also a foot switch connection for the in-house Engl pedals in the form of an S.A.C. ports. The artist is happy about so many individual management options. The general workmanship corresponds to real Made-in-Germany guidelines, which means flawless, enriched with a few small extras such as optical power amplifier monitoring.



Practice

Where it says retro, there should also be vintage in it, which means that anyone who is looking for the ever-popular, very soft English sound here will probably be quite frightened at the first notes they hear from this head. Ohhh, that comes out of the speakers in a really bony and honest way, the whole man is in demand. Personally, I don't even know this form of sound from the Engl company. Here you can't hide behind the nicely compressed basic design of the head, here it's hard to reveal what finger exercises have been neglected in recent times.

If you miss a note halfway through due to an unclean fingering or an imperfect vibrato, then you'll hear it. There's no good-natured 6L6 to catch you in a motherly manner, there's an EL34 that's going to kick you in the ass and call for a report. The reward for this sergeant-like design of the product is also gun-by-foot. Woe betide you, you hit the note perfectly, then you will be rewarded with an almost sweet sound development. The amp responds extremely quickly and leaves behind a distinctive sound that can be easily located in the band structure. Woe betide the bandmate who competes against you with a chorus-filled fabric softener sound at the same volume, he has no chance, the Retro 50 is guaranteed to be heard more clearly. Unfortunately, you can hear your gambles all the more clearly, but that remains a question of personal preparation.

With his top, Engl succeeds very well in maintaining the assertiveness of a Plexis or a JTM 45 and yet making it a bit more flexible in order to leave the AC/DC channel in the direction of gain if necessary. The infamous scratching of the aforementioned protagonists was also skilfully avoided, subtly defused and yet not neutered. Anyone who has dealt with the adjustment of an amplifier's tone control knows how difficult it is to find the exact middle ground. Bite but don't annoy, press but don't make you uncomfortable, assert yourself but without a middle nub, the Retro 50 manages all of this with excellent quality.



Conclusion

Some people will rub their eyes in surprise and take a second look to see whether the name Engl is actually on the logo. Once you have played the first note, you may not believe that this vintage-influenced sound is actually generated by Germany's flagship brand of soft metal sound. Once again, Engl shows how sophisticated and competent their engineers approach the conception of an amplifier and are able to go beyond their core competence and produce excellent products that are diametrically opposed to their external perception.

The Retro 50 is an adornment of its sound design and rightly deserves its model name. The difficult task of peppering a vintage tone with modern elements without one or both worlds becoming tonally irrelevant has been achieved brilliantly here and deserves high recognition.

————————-

Additional Informations:

Engl Amplifiers, a renowned name in the world of guitar amplification, has been at the forefront of producing high-quality, versatile amplifiers since its inception. Founded by Horst Langer in Germany in the early 1980s, Engl has consistently pushed the boundaries of amplifier design and innovation, catering to the diverse needs of guitarists across various genres. With a commitment to craftsmanship, tonal excellence, and technological advancements, Engl has garnered a loyal following among musicians worldwide. Let's delve into the extensive product range offered by Engl Amplifiers, encompassing a diverse array of amplifiers tailored to different playing styles and preferences.

**Savage Series:**

The Savage series embodies Engl's pursuit of delivering aggressive and high-gain tones suited for modern metal and hard rock genres. Models like the Savage 120 and Savage 60 offer a potent blend of raw power, tight response, and articulate distortion, making them a preferred choice among metal shredders and heavy riff enthusiasts. These amplifiers feature versatile EQ controls, built-in noise gates, and switchable voicing options, allowing players to sculpt their ideal metal tones with precision.

**Powerball Series:**

Catering to the demands of progressive metal and high-gain aficionados, the Powerball series delivers a potent combination of sonic versatility and crushing distortion. Amplifiers such as the Powerball II and Powerball E645 offer four distinct channels, each meticulously voiced to cover a wide spectrum of tones ranging from crystal-clear cleans to searing lead tones. With features like adjustable presence controls, assignable FX loops, and programmable MIDI functionality, the Powerball series empowers guitarists to explore new sonic territories with ease.

**Fireball Series:**

The Fireball series embodies Engl's commitment to delivering uncompromising tone and performance in a streamlined package. Models like the Fireball 100 and Fireball 25 offer a simplified yet potent platform for achieving high-gain excellence, making them ideal choices for modern rock and metal players seeking a no-nonsense amplifier with a focused sonic character. With features like built-in reverb, tight/loose voicing switches, and responsive EQ controls, the Fireball series delivers punchy, aggressive tones that cut through any mix with authority.

**Ironball Series:**

For players in search of portable yet powerful amplification solutions, the Ironball series offers a compact and gig-friendly option without sacrificing tone or versatility. The Ironball E606 and Ironball E606/2 amplifiers pack a punch with their 20-watt all-tube designs, delivering a wide range of tones suitable for studio recording and live performance alike. Despite their small footprint, these amplifiers boast features like built-in power attenuators, selectable gain stages, and onboard reverb, making them versatile tools for guitarists on the go.

**Classic Series:**

Drawing inspiration from iconic vintage amplifiers of yesteryears, the Classic series pays homage to timeless tones while incorporating modern features for enhanced flexibility and reliability. Models like the Classic 50 and Classic 60 offer a blend of vintage warmth and modern functionality, making them suitable for a wide range of musical styles from blues and rock to country and beyond. With tube-driven spring reverb, selectable output wattages, and responsive tone controls, the Classic series delivers authentic vintage tones with modern convenience.

**Invader Series:**

Designed to meet the demands of today's most discerning metal guitarists, the Invader series stands as a testament to Engl's dedication to sonic innovation and engineering excellence. Amplifiers like the Invader 150 and Invader 2 E642/2 offer an expansive palette of high-gain tones, featuring multiple channels, customizable voicing options, and studio-grade effects loops for unparalleled sonic versatility. Whether it's bone-crushing rhythm tones or soaring lead sounds, the Invader series provides the tools necessary to dominate the stage or studio with confidence.

**Signature Series:**

In collaboration with some of the world's most celebrated guitarists, Engl has developed a range of signature amplifiers tailored to the unique preferences and playing styles of renowned artists. From the Steve Morse Signature to the Marty Friedman Inferno, these amplifiers offer a glimpse into the sonic world of legendary musicians, providing fans and players alike with access to their signature tones and sonic signatures. With meticulous attention to detail and input from the artists themselves, the Signature series amplifiers capture the essence of their namesake's sound while offering modern features and reliability.

**Conclusion:**

Engl Amplifiers' diverse product range caters to the needs and preferences of guitarists across all genres and playing styles, from aggressive metal and hard rock to vintage blues and beyond. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and sonic excellence, Engl continues to push the boundaries of amplifier design and performance, earning the trust and admiration of musicians worldwide. Whether you're a bedroom enthusiast, studio professional, or touring musician, there's an Engl amplifier ready to unleash your sonic potential and elevate your playing to new heights.

TEST: Engl E670FE

 It is truly rare enough that a manufacturer or a product range from Germany has achieved world fame in its segment. The same can be attributed to the Engl company, which has succeeded with its guitar amplifiers, which are predominantly built on an all-tube basis and are entirely developed and built in Germany. If you want to define the tonal weight class “Boliden”, the Engl company is clearly part of it with its product packages and has actually managed to define and establish the typical Engl sound, especially in the high gain range. I have often asked myself whether the company from Tittmoning will once again be able to go one step further in terms of flexibility in the 4-channel heavyweight class in the style of Powerball or Savage, something that has always been denied up to now. However, with the Engl E670FE available for testing, the manufacturer adds a fifth channel and, with the Founders Edition, makes explicit reference to the company's founder and namesake, Edmond Engl.

The concept of the Engl E670FE

When you look at the Engl E670FE amplifier for the first time, the typical Engel trademarks immediately appear. The front of the housing is dominated by the classic Engl lettering, the steel bars, which protect the interior of the amplifier as well as provide a view of the innards of the 5 12AX7 / ECC83 preamp tubes and the four output tubes, which are very pretty are underlit in red and are available in the variations 6L6 or EL34. A 100 watt amplifier of this performance class naturally also comes with a corresponding weight. At 22.5 kg, it requires strong arm/shoulder muscles to balance the product onto a corresponding 412 cabinet. For the few musicians who still have the privilege of a full stack, they may also have 4 hands to raise.

The workmanship of the amplifier is typically Engl, which means that the quality of the workmanship is more than just appropriate for the Made in Germany label. The housing is designed to a very high quality, with a durable imitation leather cover, with four metal corner protectors taking over their function in the normal frame. The amp sits on four solid rubber feet, so that the amp can be easily placed over any carrying handle, should you actually use a 2x12 cabinet.

Declaring the amplifier as a pure all-tube amplifier would certainly not do justice to the extensive functions of the amplifier. Rather, we have to talk about a guitar control center that offers pretty much all the flexibility that is possible today in the form of a top part. Anyone who has already dealt with an Engl amplifier is aware that the front of the amplifier, with its countless variation options within the individual channels, guarantees maximum tonal flexibility on the one hand, but somewhat less experienced musicians are left screaming on the other hand can beat. 22 mini pressure switches alone enable the amplifier to be controlled at the touch of a finger. However, all functions can also be taken over by a MIDI bar, which can only be recommended, especially due to the sound possibilities.

Anyone who has ever dealt with the 4-channel Engel amplifiers will probably find their way around the front panel of the Engl E670FE quite quickly. Engl has more or less combined two channels, which is reflected in the fact that the clean and crunch channels and the two lead channels 1 and 2 each share a tone control, with two different treble controls in both areas gives. The amplifier also works with various contour, bright and frequency shift options in order to adapt the respective sound to your personal preferences.

Two channels each share a reverb control, with each channel having a separate volume control within the channel management. In the master area there are two differently switchable presence controls as well as two switchable master volumes, for example to temporarily turn the amp louder during a solo passage. The product also has several bass boost switches in the form of depth boost and mega low punch and a general switch between modern and classic mode.

The back of the Engl E670FE

As impressive as the front of the amplifier is, the real eye-opener for the expert is on the back of the amplifier. In addition to the standards such as MIDI IN and MIDI OUT and a corresponding adjustment to the special Engl MIDI strips, regular foot switches can also be connected. There is also the threshold control of the noise gate on the back, which allows you to continuously adjust the level at which the noise suppression is activated. However, the first aha effect comes from the amplifier's effect loops, which produce a fairly large murmur with the number 3.

There is one serial and two parallel loop paths, with the parallel loop paths having a corresponding balance controller. By the way, as a little tip, if you have an amplifier with a reverb spiral and are perhaps annoyed that the amplifier doesn't have a loop-in path, it does have a loop-in path. Each reverb spiral is connected to a parallel FX loop, so if you set your pedal to 100% wet in the effect portion, you can mix in your effect accordingly.

Above the effect loops there is now also the new fifth channel, which has been named Tube Driver. This is a deliberately spartan pure tube amplifier route, in which all the sound technical tricks that come into play in the other four channels have been deliberately left out. The channel only consists of a level, bass, middle, treble and sensitivity controls plus a small contour switch. The channel is intended so that if the amplifier is used in some form by different musicians, for example in relatively stationary operation, and a musician brings an extensive effects board with them, they can be integrated into the Engl's sound path without any major problems.

As is well known, distortion, booster and overdrive pedals in particular like to work with amplifiers whose sound options are quite spartan, which is, among other things, one reason why most old Marshall models and similar amplifiers can handle all the boost pedals very well, while Ultra-modern and sophisticated amplifiers tend to have weaknesses here. However, the extent to which an Engl user will ever work with boost and overdrive pedals remains to be seen. For my part, I almost exclusively meet English amplifier players who tell me “Overdrive? Distortion? I don't need it, I'm playing an English amplifier.

It is possible to control additional power amplifiers via a line output if you really want to make an entire wall of 412 cabinets shake or implement a wet-dry-wet setup. There is also a power tube monitor in the form of a red LED, which indicates the failure of a power tube. In this case, however, you can still finish the gig with two power tubes. Finally, on the right side you will find five different speaker outputs, which, with the circuit options 1x16 Ohm, 2x16 Ohm, 1x8 Ohm, 2x8 Ohm and 1x4 Ohm, exploit the entire range of circuit options from half to full stack. It couldn't be better!

The Engl E670FE in practice

To tell the reader something about the classic Engl sound would be to take owls to Athens. It's not for nothing that the Engl sound is an integral part of every hard and heavy guitarist. Even if you don't own an amplifier from this company, you've definitely heard it or tried it out in a music store. The sound is still very independent and offers an extreme boost in the bass range due to the various options available. However, you should be careful with this as you will quickly succumb to the temptation to create an ultra-fat sound, which can be achieved in solo operation At home it creates a very fat sound, but in a band context it quickly reaches frequency ranges that are not intended for the guitar.

As expected, this amplifier also focuses on everything that has to do with gain. Even the channel labeled Crunch can produce heavy rhythm sounds in its maximum gain orientation, which would already be clearly in the high gain range with other amplifier manufacturers. With the two lead channels you can then roughly imagine what ultra-high gain reserves the amplifier already offers. It goes without saying that in practice these sounds can no longer be accessed without a noise gate, but in practice this does not pose any problems because the noise gate works well and can be adjusted very sensitively.

Although most typical Engl players probably won't use the Tube Driver channel very often, for me it is a real highlight of the amplifier. This circuit expands the possible uses of the amplifier many times over, although it may miss the target audience, but for represents real added value for the typical guitarist. For example, anyone who was hesitant about purchasing an Engl amplifier in the past, but didn't want to do without their typical boost and overdrive pedals, can now finally integrate their beloved pedals into their sound concept using this circuit and switch between them as needed Switch back and forth between different sound worlds via midiboard or, if necessary, manually.

All in all, the Engl E670FE has to be said to be probably the best Engl amplifier on the market at the moment. Although this is of course reflected in a retail price of €3,490, in return you also get a sound output that would otherwise require up to 3 all-tube amplifiers and you are contributing to the “Support Your Local Dealer” movement can't be valued highly enough these days.

An outstanding amplifier!

Conclusion

The Engl E670FE is probably currently the best Engl amplifier on the market, which can now reproduce the entire range of guitar sounds with a focus on gain sounds with 5 channels.

An outstanding product in every respect!

——————-

Additional Informations:

In the realm of guitar amplification, few names evoke as much reverence and admiration as Edmund Engl. As the founder and driving force behind Engl Amps, Edmund Engl's contributions to the world of music are nothing short of legendary. From humble beginnings to global acclaim, his journey is a testament to passion, innovation, and unwavering dedication to sonic excellence.

**Early Beginnings and Passion for Music:**
Edmund Engl's love affair with music began at an early age, fueled by a deep fascination with sound and its transformative power. Born and raised in Germany, he immersed himself in the vibrant music scene of the 1960s and 70s, drawing inspiration from iconic bands and pioneering guitarists of the era. It was during these formative years that he developed a keen interest in amplifier design and electronics, laying the foundation for his future endeavors.

**The Genesis of Engl Amps:**
In 1983, fueled by his passion and expertise, Edmund Engl founded Engl Amps with a singular vision: to create amplifiers that would elevate the sonic capabilities of guitarists worldwide. Armed with innovative designs and a relentless pursuit of perfection, he set out to redefine the standards of amplifier craftsmanship. The early years were marked by experimentation, as Edmund tirelessly tinkered with circuits, components, and configurations to achieve the elusive perfect tone.

**Innovations and Breakthroughs:**
One of Edmund Engl's most significant contributions to amplifier technology was his pioneering use of MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) integration in guitar amplifiers. By incorporating MIDI capabilities into his designs, he revolutionized the way guitarists controlled their rig, offering unprecedented flexibility and control over their sound. This innovation cemented Engl Amps' reputation as a trailblazer in the industry, earning accolades from musicians and critics alike.

**Signature Sound and Artistic Collaboration:**
Central to the success of Engl Amps is its signature sound, characterized by rich harmonics, responsive dynamics, and unparalleled clarity. Edmund Engl's meticulous attention to detail and uncompromising standards ensured that each amplifier bearing the Engl name delivered a sonic experience that surpassed expectations. Furthermore, his collaborations with renowned artists such as Marty Friedman, Steve Morse, and Ritchie Blackmore further enriched the Engl legacy, resulting in signature amplifiers that captured the essence of these iconic musicians' tones.

**Global Recognition and Continued Innovation:**
Over the years, Engl Amps has garnered widespread acclaim, earning the trust and loyalty of musicians across the globe. From professional touring artists to bedroom enthusiasts, players of all levels rely on Engl amplifiers to deliver uncompromising performance in any musical setting. Despite their success, Edmund Engl and his team remain committed to pushing the boundaries of amplifier design, constantly striving for new innovations and advancements to meet the evolving needs of guitarists.

**Legacy and Influence:**
As a visionary entrepreneur and amplifier pioneer, Edmund Engl's impact on the music industry is immeasurable. His relentless pursuit of tone perfection and commitment to quality craftsmanship have left an indelible mark on the world of guitar amplification. Today, Engl Amps stands as a testament to his enduring legacy, inspiring future generations of musicians and amplifier designers to reach for new heights of sonic excellence.

**Conclusion:**
In Edmund Engl, we find not just a master amplifier designer, but a visionary whose passion, innovation, and unwavering commitment to quality have shaped the landscape of guitar amplification. His legacy lives on through Engl Amps, a testament to his enduring influence on the world of music. As guitarists continue to seek the perfect tone, they can rest assured that Edmund Engl's spirit of innovation and dedication to excellence will guide them on their sonic journey.

TEST: Engl Cabloader

 Let's not kid ourselves, we all love to strike the fat rock star poses in front of a fat tube full stack, THE phallus symbol par excellence, and to give ourselves a feeling that is only surpassed by real coitus. We love leaving the assembly and dismantling to a qualified technician who not only treats your equipment as if it were their own, but can also identify and correct even the smallest error in a split second. Let's let this dream state affect us for a moment and now turn to reality. Any of the aspects mentioned above, be it the purchase of a full stack, its volume, its transport, its care and its storage requirements, are only an issue for a small, illustrious circle of professionals or enthusiasts in 2020 due to the immense costs. In order to at least ease the issue of microphone pickup a little, one of the big names in the all-tube market, the Engl company, has set out to shrink the extremely complex and complex form of miking a guitar loudspeaker to the size of a pedal with the Engl Cabloader.

The concept of the Engl Cabloader

Although they themselves are in the first ranks of the full stack protagonists, the Engl company is also aware of the signs of the times and relies on the possibility of using IR technology to recreate the complex transmission range in the last three signal components of the guitar pickup.

First of all, the Engl Cabloader is NOT a loadbox and NOT an attenuator! The pedal clamped between the amp and cabinet means the immediate death of the product! It's more about sending the signal range of the distortion pedals and / or the preamp via a power amplifier / loudspeaker / microphone emulation, packed in a hardware housing and immediately sending it to a PA or studio monitor. Well, what situations come into question for this.

1.) Very small club stage:
We all know the problem: when using a “real” amplifier, it simply cannot go below a minimum volume. Even a 5 watt amplifier needs a minimum of speaker deflection and moving air, otherwise it sounds like a cell phone speaker. However, there are situations where even this performance is too loud (keyword “playing as background music”… ugh) and you have to play directly into the PA/vocal system in order not to “disturb” the guests too much.

2.) Complete Inear System:
If the band also has an electric drum set, every garden party organizer's dream is fulfilled; you can actually turn the band's overall volume up and down as you wish. For this you need very good sound in the earphones, or the fun will be almost zero.

3.) Recordings without a recording room:
For many musicians and even some hobby studio operators, a room in which you can work as you like, regardless of the time of day and volume, is still an insurmountable problem. A recording solution with appropriate volume control is also available for this purpose.

4.) Transportability:
Traveling by public transport with a guitar, a small pedalboard and stage clothes? Gladly seen when it comes to the artist's transport costs themselves.

5.) Live direct recording without microphone:
If you want to avoid the sonic imponderables of a slipped microphone, you can place the cabloader in the FX loop of your amplifier and use the sound of the preamp plus the simulated power amp presets for the PA sound.

Well, let's see what the cabloader has to offer.

The construction

The Engl Cabloader really isn't above doing any dirty work and tackles the sound where it hurts. Not only will you mess up everything that you have laboriously coordinated in advance if you use the microphone incorrectly, but there are also almost unlimited possible combinations of speakers and microphones, which really doesn't make it any easier to find the sound in the end.

In order to give the user the widest possible spectrum, the cabloader offers 12 different IR-based loudspeaker, 10 microphone and 4 power amplifier simulations from the factory, which corresponds to a selection of 480 sounds and which are accessed via three gridded controls can. The power amplifiers have their own presence control, the microphones can be adjusted in orientation (center / edge) and distance from the speaker (distance). A master volume control regulates the final volume. You can also save your own combination of the aforementioned parameters or 3rd party IRs (can be charged via a USB port on the front of the housing) using 4 free storage spaces.

The Engl Cabloader offers a jack input that allows either direct instrument feed or a line signal via a push button. There is also a thru pass-through on the right side of the housing if the product is to be inserted into an FX loop. On the left there is an unbalanced jack line out, a balanced XLR out with ground lift and a mini jack headphone output. There are also 2 pressure switches for controlling the presets. The pedal rests on 4 pleasantly soft rubber feet and didn't slip a millimeter even on the glass top of my desk. The construction of the case is solid and the workmanship is flawless.

In practice

Cabloader-like products have been and have been around for years, but never before have such a wide variety of sounds been offered as this product. In order to be able to name the various possible combinations, Engl fortunately does not have to indulge in the “trademark description egg dance” but rather calls the emulated products, in this case the targeted loudspeakers and microphones, by name. A good thing, but in this case you also have to face a direct comparison, which is a real challenge. In the loudspeaker segment, products from Celestion are used without exception, and in the microphone area, in addition to the classics from Shure and Sennheiser, there are also the rarely used large diaphragm speakers from Neumann, as well as some exotic models from Marshall, Rode and AKG.

For the sake of fairness, we should clarify one point in advance. It was, is and perhaps never will be possible to acoustically reproduce a complex construction of power amplifiers, loudspeakers and microphones and their complex interactions with each other 1:1 using IR technology. The return current behavior of a loudspeaker in cooperation with the power amplifier with reference to the volume is already a topic in itself. The Engl Cabloader is about being able to add or remove a good sound as quickly and easily as possible, so no one should expect to get a constellation that costs around €3,000 in the real world at the Cabloader's retail price of €239 € to be able to break it down.

In order to be able to put the maximum demands on the Engl Cabloader, I put together a very sophisticated setup. On the one hand, Engl explicitly points out that you can also go directly into the cabloader with an overdrive / distortion pedal, and on the other hand, a real high gain sound still represents the maximum challenge for any loudspeaker emulation due to the numerous overtones. To achieve this, I placed my IRONFINGER Signature Distortion pedal directly in front of the cabloader and set a very fat high gain sound. Now the question is, does the Engl Cabloader manage to maintain the dynamics and does it manage the balancing act between a muddy sound on the one hand and a circular saw sound on the other.

In order to keep the different sounds in A/B comparison as much as possible, I played a standard riff several times in a row and changed the parameters each time. We start with the power amplifier simulation EL34, EL84, 6L6, 6V6.

What confused me a bit was the discrepancy between the two “American” output tubes 6L6 and 6V6. I had to look twice to be sure that the names weren't mixed up; from what I heard, I would actually have swapped the names of these two variants.

We continue with the presence control from dull to sharp.

Here are the loudspeaker variants, which were all assembled in Engl Cabinets when they were created: 112 V30, 112 G12-65, 112 G12M-65, 212 V60, 212 V30, 412 V60, 412 V30, 412 XXL V30, 412 G12M-25, 412 G12M-65, 412 V30/T75

It continues with the movement of the microphone from the edge to the center of the speaker and away from the speaker.

Finally, the microphone variants Shure SM 57 and 58, Sennheiser MD 421 and 441 U, Marshall MXL 2001P and 2003, Rode NT-1, AKG C 4000 B and Neumann U87 and U47.

As you can easily see, there is something for everyone in terms of sound. With the above The tonal variations can actually amount to thousands of parameters. If you don't find something there, you should reconsider your setting. Even if the emulations don't always match the originals perfectly in terms of sound (as is the case...), they do come shockingly close to some combinations.

The compression behavior and dynamics are generally somewhat different from an analog combination, but I don't know of any setup where you can produce such high-quality sounds with a distortion pedal played directly into the emulator. The Engl Cabloader leaves an excellent impression, especially for mobile use on a small board or simply for pre-production in songwriting mode.

Conclusion

With the Engl Cabloader, the German company currently has the most flexible and probably best-sounding speaker emulation on the market. The workmanship is very good, the tonal variation options are extensive and the sound itself is excellent. The pedal is the definitive secret weapon if you want something quick and easy.

Be sure to try it out!

————————

Additional Informations:

**Exploring the Comprehensive Product Range of Engl Amplifiers**

Engl Amplifiers is a renowned name in the world of guitar amplification, revered for its innovative designs, uncompromising quality, and remarkable versatility. Since its inception, Engl has consistently pushed the boundaries of amplifier technology, catering to the diverse needs of guitarists across various genres. From pristine cleans to blistering high-gain tones, Engl's product range covers a wide spectrum, ensuring that every player finds their perfect sonic match. Let's delve into the comprehensive lineup offered by Engl Amplifiers:

**1. Classic Series:**
The Classic series pays homage to the timeless tones of yesteryears while incorporating modern features for contemporary players. These amps boast a vintage-inspired design coupled with robust build quality. Models like the Classic 50 and Classic 100 deliver rich, warm cleans and creamy overdriven tones reminiscent of iconic rock and blues sounds.

**2. Ironball Series:**
The Ironball series is designed for players seeking portability without compromising on tone. These compact yet powerful amplifiers pack a punch with their high-gain capabilities. Featuring a straightforward control layout and a built-in power soak, the Ironball series excels in delivering aggressive distortion suitable for modern metal and hard rock styles.

**3. Powerball Series:**
The Powerball series is synonymous with brute force and sonic versatility. These amps are engineered to handle high-gain settings with finesse, making them a favorite among metal and progressive rock guitarists. With multiple channels, comprehensive EQ controls, and onboard effects loop, the Powerball series empowers players to sculpt their tone to perfection while maintaining clarity and definition even at extreme gain levels.

**4. Fireball Series:**
The Fireball series embodies the essence of aggression and power. Engineered for the most demanding players, these amplifiers excel in delivering tight low-end response and searing lead tones. Whether you're chugging palm-muted riffs or unleashing blistering solos, the Fireball series ensures uncompromising performance across the entire frequency spectrum.

**5. Savage Series:**
The Savage series stands at the pinnacle of Engl's amplifier offerings, catering to the discerning needs of professional musicians and tone purists. These amplifiers combine relentless gain with unmatched clarity, allowing players to articulate every note with precision, even in the most complex arrangements. With features like MIDI compatibility and programmable switching options, the Savage series offers unparalleled flexibility for stage and studio applications.

**6. Retro Tube Series:**
The Retro Tube series transports players back in time with its vintage-inspired design and tube-driven warmth. These amplifiers draw inspiration from classic circuitry while incorporating modern enhancements for enhanced reliability and performance. Whether you're seeking the creamy overdriven tones of the '60s or the crunchy bite of the '70s, the Retro Tube series delivers timeless sounds with a touch of nostalgia.

**7. Signature Series:**
The Signature series celebrates collaborations with renowned artists, delivering amplifiers tailored to their specific sonic preferences. From crushing metal tones to soaring lead sounds, each Signature model is crafted to capture the essence of the collaborating artist's style and musical identity. With input from artists like Marty Friedman and Steve Morse, the Signature series offers a glimpse into the sonic worlds of guitar legends.

**8. Artist Editions:**
Engl's Artist Edition amplifiers are designed in collaboration with esteemed musicians, offering a glimpse into their signature tones and playing styles. These limited-edition amplifiers feature custom aesthetics and specialized features tailored to the preferences of the collaborating artist. From boutique cleans to high-octane distortion, Artist Edition amps provide a unique sonic experience endorsed by some of the industry's most respected players.

**In Conclusion:**
Engl Amplifiers' product range epitomizes innovation, quality, and versatility, catering to the diverse needs of guitarists worldwide. Whether you're a bedroom enthusiast or a touring professional, there's an Engl amplifier that meets your requirements. With a legacy built on relentless pursuit of tone perfection, Engl continues to set the standard for excellence in the world of guitar amplification. Explore their lineup, unleash your creativity, and elevate your sound to new heights with Engl Amplifiers.

TEST: Elysia XFilter

 Anyone who has spent time in the professional signal processing segment in recent years will most likely have come across the company name Elysia. Due to their outstanding quality, the various products from the Nettetal company enjoy great respect in the scene, which, among other things, attracts attention with consistent production in Germany. The stereo EQ XFilter in particular has made a very good impression in recent years, which prompted the company to now bring the Elysia

The differences of the Elysia XFilter Mastering Edition

What distinguishes the Mastering Edition from the regular ?

To be honest, Elysia remains completely silent regarding further detailed information. Only the information that the internal components are now selected by computer and that the manufacturing tolerances could be further reduced was found, unfortunately nothing more. It is therefore a little difficult to explain the difference in the retail price of almost 50% compared to the regular version, especially since I unfortunately could not analyze the sound in a direct comparison using an A/B method. The only option left is to examine the filter itself without being able to point out any further differences.

To put it bluntly, apart from the slightly darker front panel, the two versions are identical in terms of their operation, control options and connections. The Elysia XFilter Mastering Edition is still a stereo equalizer that accesses both sides equally with its 4 bands. Of course, the product can also be operated in mono, but its true strength comes as outgear in the mixdown or mastering strip. Dual mono is possible in principle, but makes little sense due to the design.

The 8 controls, made of brushed aluminum, are all gridded to 41 steps and run pleasantly sluggishly. 4 controls are responsible for the overlapping frequency bands, 4 for the gain behavior. 6 pressure switches in the middle of the 1U rack unit access the different bands in different functions. On the far left, a bypass switch takes the EQ completely out of the signal path, a high pass and a low pass filter take bass and highs out of the sound, with 2 pressure switches processing the quality of the low and high mids.

The pressure switch on the right, which has the humorous name “Passive Massage”, adds an increase of approx. 3 dB at approx. 12 kHz and thus ensures a certain “airiness” in the signal, which is often referred to in the Anglo-American context “Air” is referred to. In contrast to the other bands, this height processing works purely passively.

The sound of the Elysia XFilter Mastering Edition

Even after the first rotation, it becomes clear that the Elysia XFilter Mastering Edition is a filter of the top league. Although the filter intervenes comparatively finely in the sound, the control options for the surrounding material are almost dramatic if necessary. Listing the individual options in detail would go beyond the scope of a test report, but you can be sure that you will find something suitable for you.

For the audio examples I used a neutral, dry recorded drum set, which on its own sounds relatively inconsequential. Only one frequency band was processed per audio example. You can hear the pearly resolution of the filter and its outstanding sound quality very well.

On the other hand, I once used the filter in a completely different context, although unfortunately I am not allowed to post audio examples of it online because it is a recording that has yet to be published. My job was to “repair” as much as possible a miserable bootleg of a live concert in order to place it under a very good accompanying video recording. Here too, the Elysia Filter Mastering Edition was convincing across the board and was not above converting the crashing and overdriven basic material into a more bearable version.

Conclusion

With the Elysia XFilter Mastering Edition, the Nettetal company has a very hot iron in the fire when it comes to high-end stereo filter work. The filter shines with an outstanding basic sound, very good workmanship, an extremely low weight of less than 2 kilograms and very practical suitability. If you are looking for a very musical filter, you should definitely check out the Elysia XFilter Mastering Edition.

———————-

Additional Informations:

Elysia Audio is a German manufacturer of high-end audio equipment. The company was founded in 2005 by two engineers, Ruben Tilgner and Dominik Klaßen, who shared a passion for audio technology. Elysia's products are known for their innovative design, superior sound quality, and exceptional build quality.

Elysia's product range includes a variety of products, such as:

* **Mic Preamps:** Elysia's mic preamps are known for their pristine sound quality and wide frequency response. They are perfect for a variety of applications, including recording, mixing, and mastering.
* **Compressors:** Elysia's compressors offer a variety of features and controls, making them ideal for a variety of tasks. They can be used to add punch and clarity to vocals, tighten up drums, and glue together a mix.
* **EQs:** Elysia's EQs offer precise control over the frequency spectrum. They can be used to correct tonal imbalances, add excitement to a mix, or create a variety of special effects.
* **Filters:** Elysia's filters offer a variety of filter types and slopes, making them ideal for a variety of tasks. They can be used to remove unwanted frequencies, add emphasis to certain frequencies, or create a variety of special effects.
* **Limiters:** Elysia's limiters offer transparent limiting and peak protection. They are perfect for mastering and live sound applications.
* **Stereo Processors:** Elysia's stereo processors offer a variety of features and controls, making them ideal for a variety of tasks. They can be used to widen the stereo image, add depth to a mix, or create a variety of special effects.
* **Summing Amplifiers:** Elysia's summing amplifiers offer a variety of features and controls, making them ideal for a variety of tasks. They can be used to add warmth and punch to a mix, improve the stereo image, and increase the overall loudness.

Elysia's products are used by a wide range of audio professionals, including recording engineers, mix engineers, mastering engineers, and live sound engineers. Elysia's products are also used by a variety of educational institutions, such as Berklee College of Music and the SAE Institute.

Elysia Audio is committed to providing customers with the best possible audio equipment. The company's products are made from high-quality materials and are designed to meet the highest standards of performance. Elysia Audio also offers a variety of warranties on its products, so customers can be confident that they are making a sound investment.

**Here are some of the benefits of using Elysia Audio products:**

* **Superior sound quality:** Elysia Audio products are known for their pristine sound quality. They are designed to capture and reproduce audio with the utmost accuracy and detail.
* **Innovative design:** Elysia Audio products are designed with the latest audio technology in mind. They offer a variety of features and controls that are not found on other audio equipment.
* **Exceptional build quality:** Elysia Audio products are built to last. They are made from high-quality materials and are designed to withstand the rigors of everyday use.

## Deep Dive into the Elysia Audio Product Palette: Unveiling the Power of Analog Magic

Elysia Audio carves a distinct path in the professional audio landscape. Founded in 2005 by passionate engineers Ruben Tilgner and Dominik Klaßen, the company stands for a philosophy of "rethinking the classics" – crafting modern, high-quality analog processors that elevate sound and inspire creativity.

This article delves deeper into the specific products offered by Elysia, exploring their functionalities and the unique sonic signature they bring to the studio or mastering suite.

**Elysia's Mic Preamps: Capturing the Essence of Sound**

The journey begins with Elysia's mic preamps, renowned for their pristine transparency and ability to faithfully capture the nuances of any microphone. Flagship models like the **alpha compressor** and **kinder equalizer** feature discrete Class-A circuitry, ensuring a warm, rich sound with exceptional headroom. These preamps are perfect for a variety of microphones, from delicate condenser mics to dynamic workhorses.

**Elysia's Compressors: Sculpting Dynamics with Precision**

Elysia's compressor range is a playground for dynamic control. The legendary **mpressor** series offers a variety of flavors, from the transparent character of the **mpressor elysia** to the more aggressive, punchy personality of the **mpressor //SE**.  These compressors excel at adding subtle compression for vocals or taming transients on drums, while also providing the ability to create vintage-style pumping effects.

**Elysia's EQs: Surgical Precision Meets Musicality**

The world of tonal sculpting comes alive with Elysia's EQs. The **alpha compressor** and **kinder equalizer** feature meticulously designed passive filters, offering smooth and musical control over the entire frequency spectrum.  For more targeted adjustments, the **pressor EQ** combines a transparent compressor with a versatile 3-band parametric EQ, allowing for precise control over specific frequency ranges.

**Elysia's Filters: Shaping the Spectrum with Character**

Elysia takes a unique approach to filters, offering models like the **phaser x** and **museq** that go beyond simple high-pass or low-pass filtering.  The **phaser x** utilizes a state-variable filter design to create a wide range of classic phasing effects, while the **museq** utilizes shelving filters with variable slopes and a unique "Air" function for adding subtle high-frequency enhancement.

**Elysia's Limiters: Mastering with Confidence**

When it comes to mastering and live sound applications, Elysia's limiters provide transparent brickwall limiting and peak protection. The **limiter X** utilizes a unique "brick wall" mode for transparent limiting, ensuring signals stay within a defined level without sacrificing sonic quality.  This makes it ideal for final stage mastering or live applications where maintaining consistent levels is crucial.

**Elysia's Stereo Processors: Expanding the Sonic Canvas**

For widening the stereo image, adding depth, or creating special effects, Elysia's stereo processors offer a wealth of possibilities. The **stereo widener** utilizes a psychoacoustic approach to enhance the perceived stereo width without introducing phasing issues.   The **karacter** is a more versatile tool, offering a combination of mid/side processing, stereo compression, and a unique "Air" function for sculpting the stereo image in creative ways.

**Elysia's Summing Amplifiers: Analog Glue and Power**

The final piece of the puzzle comes in the form of Elysia's summing amplifiers. These units take multiple audio signals and sum them together, adding warmth, punch, and overall power to the mix.  The **masterplan** summing amplifier utilizes an innovative transformerless design to maintain pristine sonic quality, while offering features like variable gain and a stereo image control for fine-tuning the final mix.

**Beyond the Gear: The Elysia Philosophy**

Elysia Audio isn't just about creating individual pieces of equipment – it's about fostering a workflow that celebrates the power and character of analog processing. Their products are meticulously hand-crafted in Germany, utilizing high-quality components and a focus on long-term reliability.

The user experience is another key aspect. Elysia's intuitive controls and clear layouts allow users to focus on their creativity without getting bogged down by complex menus. This philosophy resonates with a wide range of audio professionals, from seasoned engineers seeking that special analog "glue" to up-and-coming producers who appreciate the sonic signature and ease of use.

**Conclusion: Elysia Audio – An Investment in Sonic Excellence**

Elysia Audio stands as a testament to the enduring power of analog processing in the modern audio world. Their meticulously crafted products offer superior sound quality, innovative design, and exceptional build quality.  Whether you're a recording engineer, mix engineer, mastering engineer, or live sound professional, Elysia Audio has the tools to take your sound to the next level.

TEST: AES Elite Acoustics M2-6

 Battery-operated micro multifunctional amplifiers are currently popping up like mushrooms on a damp autumn day. With the Elite Acoustics M2-6 Acoustic Amplifier, the Californian manufacturer with production in the USA also has an amplifier in its ranks that attracts attention with its small dimensions and a variety of inputs.

The construction of the Elite Acoustics M2-6 Acoustic Amplifier

The Elite Acoustics M2-6 Acoustic Amplifier is a 4-channel mixing amplifier which, in addition to a complete effects device, also offers the option of Bluetooth streaming. When you pick up the amplifier for the first time, you notice at first glance that it weighs just under 11 kilograms, which is unexpectedly heavy, which is hardly noticeable for the amplifier, which is only (W x D x H): 330 mm x 279 mm x 229 mm would have believed. This is largely due to the internally installed battery, as the amplifier can be operated either with the included power supply or with said battery. According to the manufacturer, the amplifier has an operating time of 6-8 hours on a full charge, which in practice guarantees almost 3 full shows without a power supply. Street musicians and garden party enthusiasts will be happy about this. The accessories also include a 12 V car adapter.

At first glance, it is really difficult for me to define the exact area of application of the Elite Acoustics M2-6 Acoustic Amplifier, although this is a very positive review. Although the amplifier is marketed as an acoustic instrument amplifier, the extensive input section allows you to think outside the box. Conceptually, the amplifier is designed as a floor monitor / wedge due to its trapezoidal shape, but thanks to the additional rubber feet on the sides it can also be driven upright as a backline or in high stand mode thanks to the 35 mm flange.

The Elite Acoustics M2-6 Acoustic Amplifier works in mono and uses a 6.5 inch bass/midrange driver and a 1 inch diameter Silk Dome tweeter driver, which are protected from external influences by a solid, white metal grille. According to the manufacturer, the frequency response of the product is 70 Hz - 22 kHz, although both key data are more of a mathematical nature. In the low-frequency range, housing dimensions of this size should perhaps, with good intentions, allow a realistic perception down to around 150 Hz, and in live operation anything above 16 kHz is obsolete anyway. The Class D power amplifiers together produce an output of 30 watts with 103 dB SPL. Whether this is sine, RMS or peak could not be elicited from the manufacturer anywhere. Let's therefore start with the lowest value and assume 30 watts peak.

The top of the Elite Acoustics M2-6 Acoustic Amplifier

The first thing that stands out is the solid plastic carrying handle, as it is connected to the screwed side panels via metal rails. Wearing out like soft rubber, or worse, unnecessary leather handles? Not possible, 10 out of 10! The housing is covered with a durable carbon-look film, and four metal corners protect the product from the front. Due to the amplifier section and the trapezoidal shape of the housing, the corners of the product are unfortunately unprotected towards the back.

In order to protect the potentiometers of the upper amplifier section, they were recessed along with the Bluetooth antenna, which works well at least when exposed to surface impacts. In general, I recommend a transport case for products of this and similar design, especially since EAE unfortunately does not have a transport case available for purchase for the M2-6. It's always only a matter of time before the first controller breaks or breaks and no one really wants to go through the subsequent, desperate fumbling around on the circuit board to fix the broken conductor tracks.

The upper part of the housing gives you access to a three-band tone control, which affects all channels. There is also a mini jack socket there along with a volume control for an AUX-In. You also have access to the master volume control, a hum mute switch and an internally installed FX device, which has 16 different reverb, delay, chorus and flanger programs and is controlled by 3 controls. A total of 8 LEDs provide information about an applied signal, clippings and switched 48 V phantom power.

The back of the Elite Acoustics M2-6 Acoustic Amplifier

The sloping back has a lot of sockets and controls to manage a total of 4 channels, with channel 1 receiving the most attention. In addition to a three-band tone control with parametric mids, the channel has a notch filter that can be tuned between 100 - 450 Hz, a combined FX or AUX control, phase switch, PAD switch and three different inputs for guitar, line or XLR. Channel 2 has to do without any tone control, with the combined channels 3 and 4 only receiving one TRS socket as an input.

In the sum area there is also an FX loop, a footswitch input for FX activation, a monitor output for daisy chain and 2 XLR outputs for other active speakers or similar. A USB port allows you to charge a smartphone, a 5-digit LED provides information about the Amplifier charge level and a recessed switch allows battery operation to be blocked.

The Elite Acoustics M2-6 Acoustic Amplifier in practice

Let's start with the primary setup of the system, as a floor monitor. This is where the first limitation in ease of use becomes apparent, which is due to the extensive connection panel. Setting or readjusting a sound proves to be very complicated due to the downward-facing control surface on the back of the housing. A typical sequence is as follows: plug in an acoustic guitar (or similar), stand in front of the amp, test play, step behind the amp, place the amp on your face, adjust the settings, put the amp back on its feet, stand in front of the amp pose, rehearse, … repeat.

Especially when using the parametric filter, setting a sound can often involve up to 20 of these sequences or more, which means it doesn't work that way. The only solution is to position the amplifier upright on a case, table or similar, adjust the sound and then move it to its monitor position on the floor. Inconvenient, but unfortunately unavoidable.

In terms of sound, the Elite Acoustics M2-6 Acoustic Amplifier is quite pleasing in the neutral position at low volumes, although the amp has to struggle with two problems at higher volumes. On the one hand, the amplifier has a clear high-mid bias, which further increases the already existing weak point of the pickup systems, especially in acoustic guitars with piezo systems. The amplifier's tone control, on the other hand, works very tastefully and with extremely little background noise, but cannot compensate for the somewhat harsh basic sound of the amplifier. Unfortunately, even using the parametric midrange control on channel 1 in the form of lowering the midrange peak cannot help, but simply robs the instrument of its midrange frequencies and thus its assertiveness.

The amplifier's second shortcoming explains the very sparse mention of the power specifications. The amplifier is quiet, not to say very quiet. Whether this is due to the optional battery operation remains to be seen, but while the comparable competition often comes with 200 watts of output power or more, the 30 watts of the Elite Acoustics M2-6 Acoustic Amplifier have almost no headroom. The power amplifier reaches its performance limit even at moderate volumes and, as saturation increases, linear transmission suddenly comes to an end.

In the case of an acoustic guitar, the amplifier was able to easily exceed the natural volume of the acoustic guitar, but only with neutral tone control. If you wanted to boost the bass accordingly, the channel's clip LED would light up again. Unfortunately, this significantly limits the area of application of the amplifier. The amplifier will have a difficult time as a backline for a normally playing folk band; it will be completely impossible to use it in conjunction with a drummer. The volume of the Elite Acoustics M2-6 Acoustic Amplifier should only be sufficient for a quietly playing unplugged band.

Despite all the criticism, one should not forget the positive impressions of the amplifier. The extensive entrance section is ideal for the singer / songwriter who wants to act as a street musician with guitar / singing with the help of MP3s or playbacks. The triple connection peripherals for external sound sources (Bluetooth, AUX-In, Channel 3-4) alone offer many possible uses for players of all kinds. The workmanship of the product is exemplary, the sound control is sensitive and the built-in FX device impresses with its tasteful sound, which in particular can shine with the reverb presets.

Conclusion

The Elite Acoustics M2-6 Acoustic Amplifier impresses with well-thought-out connection peripherals, very good workmanship and extensive signal management. If you don't need high volumes on stage and aren't put off by the basic sound of the amplifier, you should definitely give the product a try.

—————————-

Additional Informations:

AES Elite Acoustics is a leading manufacturer of soundproofing products for a variety of applications. The company's products are used in homes, businesses, and industrial settings to reduce noise levels and improve sound quality.

AES Elite Acoustics offers a wide range of soundproofing products, including:

* **Soundproof panels:** These panels are made from a variety of materials, including fiberglass, mineral wool, and foam. They are designed to absorb sound waves and reduce noise levels.
* **Soundproof curtains:** These curtains are made from heavy-duty materials, such as velvet or suede. They are designed to block sound waves and prevent them from entering or leaving a room.
* **Soundproof blankets:** These blankets are made from a variety of materials, including fiberglass, mineral wool, and foam. They are designed to absorb sound waves and reduce noise levels.
* **Soundproof mats:** These mats are made from a variety of materials, including rubber, foam, and cork. They are designed to reduce noise levels and improve sound quality in a variety of settings.

AES Elite Acoustics also offers a variety of custom soundproofing solutions. The company's team of experts can work with customers to design and install soundproofing solutions that meet their specific needs.

AES Elite Acoustics is committed to providing customers with the best possible soundproofing products and services. The company's products are made from high-quality materials and are designed to meet the highest standards of performance. AES Elite Acoustics also offers a variety of warranties on its products, so customers can be confident that they are making a sound investment.

If you are looking for a way to reduce noise levels and improve sound quality in your home, business, or industrial setting, AES Elite Acoustics has the products and services you need. Contact the company today to learn more about its products and services.

**Soundproofing Products for Homes**

AES Elite Acoustics offers a variety of soundproofing products for homes, including:

* **Soundproof curtains:** These curtains are made from heavy-duty materials, such as velvet or suede. They are designed to block sound waves and prevent them from entering or leaving a room.
* **Soundproof blankets:** These blankets are made from a variety of materials, including fiberglass, mineral wool, and foam. They are designed to absorb sound waves and reduce noise levels.
* **Soundproof mats:** These mats are made from a variety of materials, including rubber, foam, and cork. They are designed to reduce noise levels and improve sound quality in a variety of settings.

AES Elite Acoustics also offers a variety of custom soundproofing solutions for homes. The company's team of experts can work with homeowners to design and install soundproofing solutions that meet their specific needs.

**Soundproofing Products for Businesses**

AES Elite Acoustics offers a variety of soundproofing products for businesses, including:

* **Soundproof panels:** These panels are made from a variety of materials, including fiberglass, mineral wool, and foam. They are designed to absorb sound waves and reduce noise levels.
* **Soundproof curtains:** These curtains are made from heavy-duty materials, such as velvet or suede. They are designed to block sound waves and prevent them from entering or leaving a room.
* **Soundproof blankets:** These blankets are made from a variety of materials, including fiberglass, mineral wool, and foam. They are designed to absorb sound waves and reduce noise levels.
* **Soundproof mats:** These mats are made from a variety of materials, including rubber, foam, and cork. They are designed to reduce noise levels and improve sound quality in a variety of settings.

AES Elite Acoustics also offers a variety of custom soundproofing solutions for businesses. The company's team of experts can work with businesses to design and install soundproofing solutions that meet their specific needs.

**Soundproofing Products for Industrial Settings**

AES Elite Acoustics offers a variety of soundproofing products for industrial settings, including:

* **Soundproof panels:** These panels are made from a variety of materials, including fiberglass, mineral wool, and foam. They are designed to absorb sound waves and reduce noise levels.
* **Soundproof curtains:** These curtains are made from heavy-duty materials, such as velvet or suede. They are designed to block sound waves and prevent them from entering or leaving a room.
* **Soundproof blankets:** These blankets are made from a variety of materials, including fiberglass, mineral wool, and foam. They are designed to absorb sound waves and reduce noise levels.
* **Soundproof mats:** These mats are made from a variety of materials, including rubber, foam, and cork. They are designed to reduce noise levels and improve sound quality in a variety of settings.

AES Elite Acoustics also offers a variety of custom soundproofing solutions for industrial settings. The company's team of experts can work with industrial facilities to design and install soundproofing.