Tech 21 Power Engine 60

The Tech 21 Power Engine 60 is an all-purpose, multi-function, powered extension cabinet. Available in 3 configurations, each packs 60 watts of transparent power. They can be used with any direct recording device or pre-amp, analog or digital, tube or solid state, in stompbox or rackmount formats --including our very own line of SansAmps. When plugging your favorite device into a Power Engine, the tone is unaffected. So there's no need to labor over readjusting all your parameters that would otherwise be colored by a conventional amp.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Tech 21
• Tech21
• Power Engine 60
• Power Engine
• Amplifiers

[Krumbzbassman]

I have a Rickenbacker 4003 Bass that has a stereo output. Each pickup signal can be sent to a different power source. I would channel that bridge pickup (scooping out the mid's while raising the high's and low's) to my Markbass rig while channeling the neck pickup to to a power engine (cut the high's and low's while turning up the mid's) What is your opinion on this setup? Can it work in a live band application?

[Tech21nyc]

@Krumbzbassman

Not sure if we understand you correctly. The neck pickup would run to an open-back, 60 watt Power Engine with a 12" guitar speaker, without any preamp? Sorry, but we don't really see that working...

[vicvic19841]

I just bought one for me a week ago, I'm thinking of plugging my Boss DR-880 with it but I want to know if there will not destroy the amp and the speaker?

[Tech21nyc]

@vicvic19841

With a Celestion speaker, you're not going to get the same clarity of the DR-880 that you would from a PA. And the percussive attack could, in fact, punish the speaker. Many of us have plugged things into things that weren't designed to be used that way, but we knew not to push our luck by turning up the volume or using too much bass, etc. So proceed cautiously.

[Tech21nyc]

@vicvic19841

With a Celestion speaker, you're not going to get the same clarity of the DR-880 that you would get from a PA. And the percussive attack could, in fact, punish the speaker. Many of us have plugged things into things that weren't designed to be used that way, but we knew not to push our luck by turning up the volume or using too much bass, etc. So proceed cautiously.

[Thazzmaname]

Now my question would be: how far will those 60 solid state watts get you? To me, 2:00 kind of implies that, with one of these alone, you will be wiped away by an average drummer. Or am I completely wrong and this thing is perfectly able to pull of a small gig?

[Tech21nyc]

@Thazzmaname

The Power Engine 60 is plenty loud for small to medium-sized gigs. It's 60 watts RMS via analog power section.

[gtarmn75]

I did mention the lack of a indicator light for on/off on the front and the eq placement. The rep mentioned they strategicly placed every thing where it is to minimalize hum. Sounds like a great answer to me. At first I didn't like the small knobs. But thinking how many times I've banged amps on doors ways. Now I see it as a great design.

[gtarmn75]

I've had mine a few days now. I've been cranking it for hours. The pw60 isn't over heating its a solid amp. I called their tech support just to complement them. I was patched right through with no hassles. Between the great sounds the pw60 creates and the great tech support this is a great product for anyone.

[gtarmn75]

And yes I'm a metal guy. In a band stone park ritual. You can check us out on reverberation nation. I'm the lead guitarist. I've been playing for going on 22 years and have owned or had friends that have played everything. At least buy one for studio and practices you won't regret it. And its made in the u.s.a.

[gtarmn75]

I can't emphasise how great the pw60 sounds. And every time I pick it up its like picking up a case of beer rather than a amp. My halfstack all tube head weighs 57lb alone not to mention the cab. I promise you that the pw60 won't disappoint you. If your a guy that mic's your amp live. This amp will make life easier and probably get you a better and that much more full tone you are looking for. But the real key is to get multiple pw60's and your covered for any venue you play.

[gtarmn75]

I received my pw60 today. Plugged in the podhd500 made some adjustments on the pw60's eq and wow it had the same tone I got on my full stack but better. Clearer and more responsive. As far as volume the pw60 is loud enough to keep up with a halfstack as far as competeing with a drummer. Not as full sounding but just as loud. If you had 4 pw60's you could probably get a tone better than a halfstack due to the pw60's eq capabilities. If your a pod user you should atleast get one for studio use.

[vicvic19841]

is it okey to plug in my Dr. 880 Drum Machine on power engine 60?

[gtarmn75]

4 pe60's together will give you a 6db boost boost your podhd500 output a 6db boost and you equal a 120watt halfstack. Or change the pe60's speakers to eminance wizards that have a db sensitivity of 103db. You can't add more than four together or you get phase cancellation equals no more db gain but will push more air and add fullness but won't be any louder.

[gtarmn75]

I ordered one today. I read every single review and every forum on the web dedicated to frfr units and atomic wedges,dt-50,and it sounds like the power engine is the way to go. P.a./monitors have to much highs,wedges aren't loud enough and are heavy.dt-50 is heavy and not as compadable with the podhd500 as advertised. At 33lb with a realistic guitar freq.range of 60hz to 5k and 60watts with a speaker with a sensitivity of 98db power engine wins.

[franciscomeza11]

well I pulled the trigger, I ordered one through Cosmo Music in Toronto, I'm really looking forward to playing with this unit hope it does not dissapoint :)

[Bflatest]

I stopped tweaking and twiddling my preamp device when I was 12

[gtarmn75]

When are these companies gonna realize we need jazz cleans. And a amp like this that take processors well. But we need 100 or 150 watts. Most of us don't have a $6000 p.a. to mic up and run through. I've been bitching to line6 also. More power more volume. Great video though. Great playing.

[Nestorslanding]

@freakybuzz

well depends what for I suppose. can't really pull off metal or heavy rock on a tube amp well. though as a general rule i'd have to agree, tube has a nicer tone than any solid state, though this I think is my favourite so far.

[IPushHard]

I LIKE it.

If I make the decision that the current generation of modelling devices has actually reached the point of cutting the mustard, then I will have my sights on one of these.

There has been a need for these since modelling hit the scene. Congrats to Tech 21 for bringing such a solid product to market.

[freakybuzz]

Hmm... IMO;

Sounds better than Digital.

Doesn't sound as good as tube.

[letsmakeitgreatin88]

1:40 he shuts up and starts playing jazz...

[Tech21nyc]

@TheRussloner

The Trademark 60 and 2 Power Engine 60s would. The Trademark 60's speaker emulation comes AFTER the Effect Return. The emulation is present in the XLR, Headphone and Speaker Outputs only. So the signal from the Effect Send through the stereo effects processor and to the Power Engine, won't have it --only the side going back through the Trademark 60 will. You can refer to the diagram in the manual showing 2 Power Engines with a Trademark 60 (left wet/dry/right wet).

[TheRussloner]

if i were to buy a trademark 60 and a power engine 60 would they work together as one stereo amp? My goal is to have identical tone and volume but be able to use stereo delay and a custom made stereo panning pedal to move my sound from one side of the room to the other for a sort of ping pong effect via two seperate speakers placed on either side of the room. would the tm60 and pe60 work for that?

[Tech21nyc]

@stankwho

Unless it's just for quiet practice or low volume "unplugged" gigs, I would tread lightly. Using guitar speakers with bass is tricky, as they're not as "heavy duty" and the percussive attack of playing might damage them. Additionally, you'll never get as much low end with an open-back cabinet as you would with a closed-back, which might cause you to keep turning up the Low control, to no avail, punishing the speaker even further.