GEARREVIEW
BY DOUG DOPPLER
FluxTone Speakers: Kill The Volume, Not Your Tone
DO THEY SOUND LIKE YOUR FAVORITE SPEAKERS?
proprietary VMT (Variable Magnet Technology)
The
using
control box designed to sit on top of your amp.
signature components from the most popular
With a twist of the volume control, you can pump
speakers on the market. The end result is a
down the volume without killing the tone, feel,
range of speakers that sound and behave like
or dynamics of your beloved tube amps in the
Up to 25dB Volume Reduction
your favorite speakers, with the exception of
process. The AC-powered VMT controller can
Classic Speaker Models
the fact that you can scale back the output
also be built into a speaker cabinet or chassis.
KEY FEATURES
Easily Control Speaker Volume
No Noticeable Change in Tone
Available Separately or in
Cabinets
FluxTone
line
is
constructed
by up to 25dB via the volume control on the
GOOD ENOUGH FOR BRAD PAISLEY
accompanying VMT box.
Ironically, even tone masters like Brad Paisley
have to turn down from time to time. In the
OVERVIEW
following video, Brad talks about how how his
Getting a number of the most iconic amps to
FluxTone-equipped Dr. Z cabinet enables him to
their sweet spot requires playing them at a level
solve the exact sort of challenges we face on
that is just too loud for most congregations–
Sunday morning.
and soundmen. Although we know that a key
part of being a team player involves playing at
a level that works for everyone else, it can be
frustrating to spend a small fortune on amp and
HOW DO THEY WORK?
not be able to open it up enough to start tickling
FluxTone founder Steve Carey holds patents
the power tubes. While I am a fan of most of
for “systems and methods” that can adjust
the volume reduction devices on the market,
a speaker’s volume by way of changing the
they tend to color your tone to varying degrees
magnet’s strength. As Carey points out, the
GOOD ENOUGH FOR US
or prevent you from easily adjusting your amp
underlying technology has been around for
Steve was kind enough to ship us a Denver
while playing. FluxTone speakers reduce stage
decades, “I went back in my memory to early
AmpWorks combo he designed that features a
volume
compromising
electronics class and thought, ‘What if I just
built-in FluxTone Celestion Gold and VMT. Scaling
the tone, feel, and dynamics that make tube
adjust the voltage on a field coil magnet?’ It has
back the volume on clean and dirty tones, even
amplifiers so special. While an entry point of
nothing to do with the signal. It has nothing to
when the amp was roaring loud, reduced the
$950 may be prohibitive for some, the freedom
do with the compression in the amp. It only has
volume with no noticeable compromise in tone.
to deliver the trademark sound of your favorite
to do with how far the cone moves!”
In standby mode the amp also allowed me to use
without
noticeably
tube amps at a volume everyone will love truly
is priceless.
the FluxTone speaker and VMT in combination
Individual FluxTone speakers ship with the
with my AC30. Once again, the tone was tip top,
regardless of where the VMT was set. Ironically,
scaling back the volume made it easier to hear
and, in turn, control the sound, since my ears
were not having to contend with the amount
of volume needed to get this amp to the sweet
spot. Super impressed!
AVAILABLE MODELS & CONFIGURATIONS
There
are
currently
seventeen
speaker
models in the FluxTone line that are available
individually (VMT included) or in a range of
Mojotone cabinets.
CONTACT
FluxToneSpeakers.com
36
Nov Dec 2016
WorshipMusician.com