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Megalith Beta is Almost here!
The Megalith is a high gain amplifier like no other. The very nature of the task that we set ourselves meant that we had to start with a blank sheet. Virtually every aspect of amplifier is unique.
Firstly, the Overdrive channel has more gain on tap than any other amp we know of. But sheer amount of gain is not the only way to judge the performance of this fire-breathing monster. We made a deliberate decision to 'look forward', and to create an amp for a new decade. Whereas the high-gainers of the past achieved their sound by taking the original guitar tone, mushing it up, filtering it and spitting out an unrecognisable mess, the Megalith works on the exact opposite principle. It's tight, fast, articulate, detailed, and true. This allows every nuance, touch and expression to be transmitted faithfully and musically. You've worked hard to create your own sonic identity, so why cover it up? But this doesn't mean that the OD channel is a one trick pony. By adjusting the extremely flexible EQ, setting the attack switch (for 3 different 'tightness' settings), the EQ shift (3 different EQ voicings), the gain mode (Low - a detailed, articulate crunch, Mid - a momentous high gain sound, High - the craziest, tightest high gain sound you could ever imagine), and the Contour control (see below), you can create a remarkably varied range of overdriven tones.
The Clean channel is a real surprise on the Megalith. Lets face it, most clean channels on high gain amps are a throw away, an after thought. The clean channel on the Megalith is the most balanced clean channel we've ever designed on a few different levels. Firstly, the channel is balanced across all frequencies. The lows are full and rich, the mids are in no way lacking, and the high end is detailed. Also, by using the bright switch, EQ shift and contour control, an amazing array of cleans are available. Secondly, this is the most pedal friendly clean we've ever made. It is possible to achieve a seamless transition from the clean channel with an OD pedal to the high gain sound of channel 2. This also makes the Megalith a remarkable, high headroom platform for pedals and effects. Thirdly, we have achieved a wonderful synergy between the clean circuit and it's power supply. So despite the gigantic power reserves of the power amp, the clean channel is surprisingly 'warm'. If you hit the strings hard, this channel won't take your head off. Fourthly, there's enough gain in this channel to get a great old school crunch with typical humbuckers, which will start to produce dirt above 12 O'clock. Single coils produce that wonderful 'in between' sound ("is it clean or dirty?")
The contour controls in the Megalith are the most powerful tone shaping tool in the whole amp. In fact, I would suggest using the contour control as your main EQ. Start with everything at 12 O'clock, except gain (set to taste). From there, adjust your contour control to get as close as possible to the tone you require. Want to fatten things up and make things a bit looser? Turn up the contour. Want to add a huge, tight low end with cutting highs? Turn down the contour. From there, you can then make slight adjustments to the EQ to nail your sound.
Then there's the power amp. This is a highly evolved design. We started off with a more traditional power amp design, but it just wouldn't cut it. Given the amazing low end achievable with the Megalith, we found that traditional power amps just mushed out. We needed more headroom, output power and clarity. So we completely redesigned the power supply and power amp to achieved huge output power, amazing punch and authority, and no ghost noting. Also, by running the power tube screens at a lower voltage, we've reduced the chance of the most common type of tube failure. To top this off, the output power can be adjusted from full power to half power from the front standby switch.
Do you like to get your gain sounds old-school (i.e. with power tube distortion)? Not a problem (although your speaker cabs may disagree!). The huge, ultra low noise, double shielded toroidal power and output transformers can take anything you dish out at them.
Finally, there's a tube driven and buffered series FX loop, as well as the dual master volumes, both of which are foot-switchable via the included 3 button footswitch (Channel/FX/Master).
Is this just a 'metal' amp? Whilst the primary and uncompromised objective was to create a high performance, high gain amplifier for the new decade, the Megalith is much more than that. For starters, the clean is a wonderful all-round clean, all the way through to vintage crunch. Secondly, the remarkable clarity of the OD channel means that you can hear the sonic signature of any guitar, and even any pickup that you choose. So for example, if you use a Tele, you'll hear a Tele,... and as long as don't do something crazy with the EQ settings (e.g., dial in a metal scoop and wonder why don't sound like SRV), you'll actually get a wonderful, woody lower gain blues tone.
We will do our best to update this site in the very near future with more photos, information, audio and video samples, so please come back soon to check out more about the Megalith. In the meantime, please contact us if you have any questions. |
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