Amp Loadboxes: Reactive VS. Resistive - Explained

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  • Опубликовано: 26 авг 2024
  • Today in Plague Scythe Studios, I discuss the applications for amplifier loadboxes, the difference in models, and why everyone with an amp head should own one!
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    Two Notes Torpedo Captor: reverb.com/mar...

Комментарии • 72

  • @thiccchungus588
    @thiccchungus588 4 года назад +3

    Killer explanations for the layman my dude, underrated channel. I was on the fence about the variety of load boxes on the market for so long but this helped me make a final decision. One step closer to letting my Blue Deville live up to its full potential within the confines of my apartment :)
    Cheers!

  • @sixstringsamurai55
    @sixstringsamurai55 5 лет назад +4

    Appreciate the demo and explanation. Been eyeing Two Notes and now I feel like it'll cover all my bases thanks to your vid.

  • @kevinmusso2397
    @kevinmusso2397 5 лет назад +5

    You do an excellent job of explaining gear. I learned a lot from this video.

  • @rommelrivera1186
    @rommelrivera1186 5 лет назад +1

    Tons of great information in your video! Thank you. I picked up a Rivera RockCrusher for attenuation, and the new Suhr Reactive Loadbox IR for recording/headphone use. It will be a new experience for me as I am an amateur musician who has never been able to get past 4 in the volume dial. Can't wait to experience the true tone of my amps and instruments. Great playing, btw!

  • @mr.esabsurditiesatrocities1805
    @mr.esabsurditiesatrocities1805 6 лет назад +6

    Damn. The Thrasher sounds great in this video. The Thrasher and Satan are really starting to pull away from the pack as the real amp I plan on buying next. I've been putting cash away towards an Axe FX II, but will just go with a III now before the head, but should hopefully have the actual amp by year's end.
    I'm looking forward to more of what you do with the heads and the load box/AX8 set up as I'll eventually be running something very similar.
    Another really good video man.

    • @PlagueScytheStudios
      @PlagueScytheStudios  6 лет назад +1

      I plan to demo more of this setup in a couple more videos from now. I would definitely get a Fractal unit first, but this line of Randall amps are very servicable for their price. A retrospective on my Thrasher and Fortin designed amps is on my list so you'll get a full picture of my opinions on it.

    • @mr.esabsurditiesatrocities1805
      @mr.esabsurditiesatrocities1805 6 лет назад

      One of the things that is starting to stand out to me upon multiple listenings is that there's more distinction between the cab as the load and the Two Notes. Both sound great, but the bigger, freer sound of the cab load is nice to hear. Makes me wonder how something like the Randall or Jet City ISO boxes would fare. I'm not a huge fan of Celestions, and it would be great to get a load on the amp that responds more like the speakers I like then say the typical Greenback or V30 that many of the reactive load boxes mimic.
      And cool to hear about the Thrasher and Fortin stuff. I remember way back when I first heard Mike's stuff. It was a modded Marshall a forum buddy of mine got that switched him from his beloved Mesa Mark amps. It's funny because Mike's designs are doing the same for me somewhat in the current time. Mike then released the Bones head and before I took a break from heavy playing, unleaded the Meathead. That thing was so damn impressive to me at the time.
      I'd love to get a Natas one day, but I know Mike has said he wants to stop building them or at least put them on the far back burner while they're doing the Meshuggah amps. The Thrasher and Satan will have to be the go to for now.

  • @toroamps
    @toroamps 5 лет назад +2

    Great explanation, I will show this video to my clients.

  • @philipleigh
    @philipleigh 8 месяцев назад

    I've tried a few attenuators and the difference beteen a good quality resistive and most of the reactive ones is not big enough to justify the price difference. It's 2023 and there are more good resistive options now than 5 years ago.

  • @NShomebase
    @NShomebase 4 месяца назад

    You weren't kidding about the difference, that resistive box sounded muffled in comparison to the Torpedo.

  • @JSustain
    @JSustain 3 года назад

    I was planning on buying the Two Notes Torpedo Captor 8 in a couple of weeks. Now, after seeing your great video I see that emptying my pockets on this would not be the end of things. To get that higher quality recording sound, I will have to get some sort of IR box that gives good cabinet simulation ( I am trying to make a recording in a portable recorder rather than using a computer DAW).

    • @byque
      @byque 3 года назад

      I use the Hotone Omni which can be cheap during discounts, and it’s good for silent midnight playing with the amp on 11. What you are looking for is a portable IR loader, and there are some options depending on your needs. You can also go for the more expensive torpedo X which includes an IR loader.

  • @derekec
    @derekec 4 года назад

    At 5:00 you began to state the single issue that I'd realized today but no one but one yt commentor stated inadvertently. If "reactive" is not stated anywhere, beware. I'd ordered a Koch DB60 a couple days ago but being unsure, I cancelled it earlier today and have been trying to confirm which you have. Thanks.

  • @Rael0505
    @Rael0505 2 месяца назад

    Great video

  • @frankdeblieck7478
    @frankdeblieck7478 4 года назад

    This a really good video , great information at least now i know what to look for my mesa rectoverb "bedroom" amp thanks!!!

  • @ShiningEyeBrigade
    @ShiningEyeBrigade 4 года назад

    Awesome explanation, thank you.

  • @TheDistortionPrinciple
    @TheDistortionPrinciple 4 года назад

    Great video. My need is a little more complicated though. I have a orange rocker 32 which due to being a stereo amp with two pre amps it needs two 16ohm loads. I will probably get one captor for the recording load and something resistive like a bugera power soak to mute the other speaker

  • @chuckcastle3200
    @chuckcastle3200 4 года назад

    great job of explaining this.......

  • @lushkordz6643
    @lushkordz6643 4 года назад

    M@n you R doing a really great job here explaining all these things

  • @ToneMasterGeneral
    @ToneMasterGeneral 11 месяцев назад

    What about a Rivera rock-crusher?

  • @johnmac8084
    @johnmac8084 2 года назад

    Very useful, thanks

  • @tiptizlode4995
    @tiptizlode4995 Год назад

    Hi there, great video 🙂 When using the Two Notes box, does the amp volume knob still effect the output volume from the speaker? In other words the box has a fixed -20db attenuation, can you still fine tune the volume with the amp control? Thank you.

  • @jamesbruno6266
    @jamesbruno6266 3 года назад

    Weber Speaker makes some good affordable reactive load boxes as well

  • @tonymarinelli7304
    @tonymarinelli7304 4 года назад

    What would be the best solution for low stage volume without sucking the town out of my victory amp? I am leaning towards the two note but not sure which one to get and I don’t mean which ohm value that I need. Thanks any input is welcome by the way fantastic job!!

  • @gudsitazen3578
    @gudsitazen3578 4 года назад +1

    Looks like I can record the amp without needing a cabinet if I use the 2 notes right?

  • @JRP3music
    @JRP3music 5 лет назад

    The Two Notes Torpedo Captor 8 has a decent analog sim. What is nice the option to use IR. I wouldn't say it is less than adequate. It is actually quite good. I have not even tried the IRs, I have downloaded yet. I have gotten some great sounding recordings with just the analog speaker sim.

    • @nivo6379
      @nivo6379 3 года назад

      Check Captor X

  • @underpressureman
    @underpressureman 5 лет назад

    Have you heard anything good/bad about the Rivera Mini RockRec? Basically I'm producing an album that I was going to use cabs/mic's for but now it's not going to work where I live so I'm going to buy a Load Box tomorrow, but my price range is only $400 US. The one's Ive found so far that look like contenders are the Rivera RockRec(I like it because it's 4/8/16 ohm, up to 300watts(they say it can handle an SVT which I have, and it's got an attenuator and optional Cab sims and headphones) and they call it a reactive/inductive load box so not sure what inductive means! - The Radial Headload Prodigy(8 ohm's/130watts/bass and treb eq/Headphones) and the Captor. Freyette has nice one's but the music store Im finnancing from doesn't carry Freyette! Any advice/ opinions on what I should get?

  • @Mcsteveberry
    @Mcsteveberry 4 года назад

    thanks man!

  • @arthurmarques3598
    @arthurmarques3598 3 года назад

    How does it sound compared to slave out of mesa boogie?

  • @DragonboltBlastter
    @DragonboltBlastter 2 года назад

    Thank you got making this video, i almost planned to buy a cheap harley benton attenuator (probably its resistive)... But why does the torpedo captor sounds so bad comparing to the real cabinet that you used in the video?
    Second question, does the 8 ohms version differ in sound comparing to the other ohms version? (Even if my amps have 4 and 16 ohm outputs as well. Which ohm version sound the best?)

  • @kow294
    @kow294 4 года назад

    How far can you crank your rectifier when using the attenuation of the captor for bedroom level? can you go pass 11 on the master volume?

  • @PEMAMETAL
    @PEMAMETAL 5 лет назад

    What about a rective attenuator? I don't hear much about them, just reactive load boxes. My main need is being able to turn my master volume up but still playing through a real cab (band rehearsal situation). The only ones I heard about are Iron Man Tone King, Rivera RockCrusher Power Attenuator, Universal Audio OX

    • @kimhansen6384
      @kimhansen6384 4 года назад

      They are not called rective, I think you mind could be full of something else :-) But you could look at Weber, Hotplate or Marshall, maybe even this one and probably a lot of other brands. It is still called a reactive load box, but includes an attenuator, so it is not strictly for tapping a line signal, but also to attenuate the signal to the speaker. But you loose a little of the
      quality.

    • @tamasnagy3723
      @tamasnagy3723 4 года назад

      Use Fryette Power Load, It's a reactive load with a tube power amp. Te power amp section amplifies the reactive load out signal. That's the only correct way and natural way, I think. Or use some other reactive load with an external amplifier.

  • @andrerll
    @andrerll 6 лет назад

    Hey, great video man!
    What would you say about volume or eq pedals on the amp's FX loop to attenuate the volume ? I know it would really decrease the volume but not sure if the quality of sound would worth the try (I'm aware that it would not be as good as a product for the specific task like the ones you presented... but I'm just searching for budget options)
    Thanks !!

    • @PlagueScytheStudios
      @PlagueScytheStudios  6 лет назад +2

      It really depends on the specific amp and how well the FX Loop behaves with other line level gear. I've resorted to putting my noise gate after my load box due to how the Thrasher interacts with pedals unfavorablely in the FX loop (the tone is greatly affected depending on the channel and SEND level). I wouldn't spend more than 60 bucks or so just to squash your channel volume through the loop unless you have other uses for a volume pedal, EQ, etc. I find the power amp (master volume) does just as much work to achieve the full sound I want.

  • @RobJMeronek
    @RobJMeronek 5 лет назад

    What's your opinion of the cab sims on the Two Notes box? Would they be usable to send to front of house for a live gig?

    • @PlagueScytheStudios
      @PlagueScytheStudios  5 лет назад

      In most venues, yes it's more than servicable, especially if you're using the stage volume as your primary sound. Perhaps the couple of guitarists in the room may figure out that isn't a mic'ed up guitar sound. Otherwise, spend a hundred bucks or so on the Mooer Radar or similar IR loader if you aren't happy. Still far cheaper than a torpedo live.

  • @stergioscozy9115
    @stergioscozy9115 4 года назад

    Hello and thanks for the great explanation video. I bought the two notes captor yesterday and i want to ask 1 question. I want to use the attenuator between my tube head amp and my cabinet to lower the volume. What cables should i use? amp to captor simple instrument cable and captor to cabinet speaker cable?

    • @PlagueScytheStudios
      @PlagueScytheStudios  4 года назад +2

      Speaker cable for both, as the signal path is low impedance and relatively high current for both sides.

    • @stergioscozy9115
      @stergioscozy9115 4 года назад

      @@PlagueScytheStudios thank you very much!

  • @RobinWatson27
    @RobinWatson27 6 лет назад

    The fizzy sound with the resistive loadboxes, can that also be handled with normal cabinet IR?

    • @PlagueScytheStudios
      @PlagueScytheStudios  6 лет назад

      In my experience, even the best IRs can't save the damage done by those fizz boxes. The Mesa Brohym IRs I use a lot have a lot of bottom and top end, which makes me think they were made with a tube power amp. Still, those don't help all that much with my Julius box.

  • @floydthebarber71
    @floydthebarber71 3 года назад

    I still don't quite get the reactive load thing if you're attenuating. You'll still have a speaker connected and that is your reactive component. Or did you mean for purely silent recording?

    • @PlagueScytheStudios
      @PlagueScytheStudios  3 года назад

      You still need a reactive attenuator because it works in parallel with the speaker. The more signal goes to the attenuator, the more the power amp reacts based on its impedance. Thats why purely resistive attenuators generally sound like crap the more you turn down the volume, and reactive ones retain the sound signature of a tube amp more accurately.

    • @floydthebarber71
      @floydthebarber71 3 года назад

      @@PlagueScytheStudios hey thanks for the quick response! Ah I see what you mean, even though I almost thought you meant connected in parallel haha! So the power amp reacts to feedback from the speaker at higher volumes/impedances..

  • @antropomorfizacja
    @antropomorfizacja 5 лет назад

    Do you have any comparison between captor and torpedo live sound quality? I know that there is one analog sim in captor, but is it good quality?

    • @PlagueScytheStudios
      @PlagueScytheStudios  5 лет назад +1

      The captor balances output is usable in a live situation, but hardly compares to the detail of a real impulse response found on the live or in a plugin. Its good for a quick backup option, but I would never record with jt

  • @metalheadmaynard2684
    @metalheadmaynard2684 6 лет назад

    What about wattages? My triple rec is 150 watts. I see alot of loadboxes and attenuators rated up to 100 watts

    • @PlagueScytheStudios
      @PlagueScytheStudios  6 лет назад +1

      Just don't turn up you're master volume too high and you will stay under that 100 watt threshold. My Thrasher is 120 watts.

  • @ryanAcumming
    @ryanAcumming 6 лет назад

    If I plug the send part of the FX loop of my amp into the return of a unit like the AX8 with some decent impulses would you consider this the same as running an amp into a unit like the torpedo?

    • @PlagueScytheStudios
      @PlagueScytheStudios  6 лет назад +2

      To be honest, not really. You would be missing the contributions of the power amp, which is crucial. Listen to an AXE FX or AX8 with the amp's power sag turned off, and that is more or less what it sounds like. You would have to have the flat "Tube Pre" amp model on but with another model's power amp, and STILL have to have a load on your actual amp. A loadbox with DI out is the more practical solution.

    • @ryanAcumming
      @ryanAcumming 6 лет назад

      What you say makes sense. I was actually thinking about using it for the purpose of going direct but still using a cab for monitoring.

  • @studio5547
    @studio5547 2 года назад

    Dude is right don't even bother with a Cab Clone, it's just like using a jar full of bees in a mic!

    • @ClaytonMRay
      @ClaytonMRay 9 месяцев назад

      Sounds amazing on bass though. People overlook it for that.

  • @Jin-st3mt
    @Jin-st3mt 6 лет назад

    If the loadbox says 16ohm and my head has switchable ohm 4-16 would my head amp be ok? Sorry for nob question

    • @punkpop101
      @punkpop101 4 года назад

      It depends on the amp. Rectifiers say in the manual that they won't have a problem with mismatched impedances.

    • @kimhansen6384
      @kimhansen6384 4 года назад

      Just put the heads switch to 16 ohms, and you are good to go. It just replaces the cabinet. Neglegt Nicks answer, he probably didn´t understand the question.

  • @scottdunn2178
    @scottdunn2178 3 года назад

    The Torpedo for $269 is a great deal for a reactive load device.

  • @brainwasher0
    @brainwasher0 6 лет назад

    wouldn't it cheaper and more practical to cover your speaker with sound absorbing material to lower there volume?

    • @PlagueScytheStudios
      @PlagueScytheStudios  6 лет назад +4

      Even if it were either of those things, and I certainly wouldn't say it's practical considering I've done it myself, that doesn't solve the problem of low frequencies escaping. You end up with a decent sounding "attenuated" guitar tone in the mids and highs, but the floor and walls will still be rattling. You dont see anyone in the industry doing that anyway. The speaker is either isolated in a room or portable chamber, or the amp is attenuated.

    • @brainwasher0
      @brainwasher0 6 лет назад +2

      Awesome information, thanks!

    • @kimhansen6384
      @kimhansen6384 4 года назад

      You would need a big stuffed box (search for isolation box) to place your cabinet in. It has to be big, to make the cab breath inside, so no it is not very practical, but can give
      good results.

  • @randomvlogs-24
    @randomvlogs-24 3 года назад

    Oh. Jesus.

  • @stratjunky
    @stratjunky 5 лет назад

    When used as loadbox-20dB then you lose much low in your sound the torpedo is absolutely not transparent!

  • @Polaris589
    @Polaris589 3 года назад

    Julius is getting out of the loadbox business.

  • @mandataify
    @mandataify 3 года назад

    Tor­pedo Captor 8 Ohms - Tor­pedo Captor 16 Ohms what's the difference between them? It the ohms that they work or I did catch something at all :D

  • @terrygrady8413
    @terrygrady8413 2 года назад

    With very high saturated guitar tones, it is hardly disenable, no matter what you do. Now put a player like Joe Bonamassa on one, you will be able to tell the difference. So if you are a high gain person , don't worry, it is all just noise.