Probably the best tool out there for those of us who have loved ones who don't want to hear you noodling around. The sounds are fantastic and make recording into GarageBand a joy. I never thought I would have a need for the attenuator, but holy hell, if I have it on the lowest setting during the summer, the AC in the basement actually drowns out the guitar noise in my workshop. The middle position is perfect. Still almost too loud, but good when you want to move some air, but not drive yourself across the basement. Using a Boogie Fillmore 25. Got 68 extra cabinets in a deal about a year ago. I can now listen to my non-headphone tube amp in headphones.
So many great ways to get great tones these days. Low/mid power traditional amps (tube and even some solid state). Modeling amps (Tone Master, Catalyst, etc.). Traditional amps through various types of load boxes / cab sims / etc. Full blown modeling (HX, AXE, etc). Take your pick, and stick with it for a while, and you will find your tones. I am old enough to remember when most guitarists were afraid to use an attenuator or load box for fear that their amp would blow up. These days, it is quite commonplace, even with vintage amps - the state of the art of building these boxes has really progressed. I am also old enough to be thrilled by not having to drag out a giant pedalboard AND my amp :) But I do like using a guitar cab and power amp with my modelers to get a more familiar feel/experience. So I am still in the Stomp / Iridium camp (for now). But the thought of playing through my Bassman clone or my vintage HiWatt is very tempting....Nice vid as always Steve.
Love the Two Notes stuff! I put my low-wattage tube amp and pedals through a Weber attenuator with line-out into my interface. Two Notes Wall Of Sound takes care of the cabs. I can get pretty much any tone and it’s a great “hybrid” setup. Great review Steve!
Same…but I now have a second Captor X on the way and my AxeFX3 is on Reverb 😂 IMO the fractal is an insane piece of gear but I was using like 1/10th of its potential and just kept trying to dial in the sound to sound like the amps I already own 😐
Steve, if you haven’t tried a Bluguitar Amp1, I highly recommend it. You can combine it with an HX Stomp or HX Effect and have the best of both worlds in terms of a modeler and a real amp. And since the power section is solid state, you don’t need a loadbox.
@@SteveSterlacci I'll keep watching your channel for the upcoming review. 😄 Better yet, hook up a Stomp XL to it in 4 cable method and then post a video that shows everyone how awesome that setup can be. (That's my pedalboard, basically.)
Great video! I have the original version. Not as many features, but I use it every day. With recording, I like that I can use the Wall of Sound software for cabs or any other cab sim software. I was just using it with the cabs in Neural DSP plugins today. Very flexible and I can use my real amp and pedals.
Hey @steve sterlacci. I have a helix and a captor and use the helix in 4 cm with the Mesa fillmore and captor. It’s been really great to use them both and I love them both for different situations. Great video!
I had the same experience. I love amp modeling and still use it all the time, but the UA Ox Box brought my real amps to life. 100 watt fire breather at midnight with kids sleeping in the next room?? No problem.
If you like this unit, go check out the Freyette PowerStation. Much better reactive load AND a killer tube power amp but you would need to use your own IR loader (box or software).
I know EXACTLY what you mean…I have an AxeFXIII,and an HX Stomp…I got burned out myself,and wanted to just use my amp and pedals…..I bought a couple of different load boxes,including the Captor X….it’s great…I eventually settled on a Fryette PS2 …from that I run into the AxeFXIII….so I am only using the Fractal for FX,routing,and IR’s…..It’s really cool being able to marry the two technologies,analog and digital…..
My favorite is the Fractal Lb-2. It doesn't do Ir's, so I run in into the hx stomp for IRs. The Captor is great, but the impedance curve doesn't emulate any speaker, so it sounds a bit dull. I was blown away when I plugged in the LB-2 after using the captor for a year, the tone had a lot more chime and lower end.
I have read about this in forums. I don't really hear a difference between it and the RL IR. Havent done a ton of testing, but really havent been disappointed with it
@SteveSterlacci Will the Captor X affect a 20 w tube head enough to allow you to gig with it (small clubs, slightly larger outdoor shows) since it is like mic-ing a combo? I have been using a Helix for years and have a Quad Cortex that I have barely touched. Modelers are great but I'm tired of the option overload and am in the market for a tube head. I sold my Fender (HRD, Blues Jr) tube amps years ago.
I have used one at band practices and never really got a tone I like. So borrowed one from a friend and have been messing with it; still not that happy with the tone. Fizzy, compressed. And yours sounded similar. I do need to experiment more with the EQ settings and cabs. If you use a pedalboard, it’s unlikely you’d use the effects in it, either. To me, it’s an ‘in between’ product that is NOT the best of both worlds. I’m sure I need to work with it some more…
well, realistically, what's on youtube is just stuff people are selling now. As in, paid to show, or with link through revenue. Any video talking about any solution should be taken with a grain of salt. YT with people sharing objective information and not just trying to get nickels out of their views was gone 10 years ago.
Steve.....how could you do this to me?!!! After coming to you for advice on my Helix, buying your Tones and pretty much being my HELIX MENTOR FROM AFAR via emails, you've turned your back on me!!!...lol... Seriously, a friend of mine bought one of these directly from the Designer before they became a "Household Name." He swears by it and has been gigging with it for almost 2 years now. He has a Warehouse collection of Marshall's, Supro's, among many others. His favorite set-up, I believe, is his 5 Watt Hand-Wired Marshall and his 2 Notes. Live, he adds a little 112 Celestion Creamback Marshall Cab for getting what little feedback he needs and uses InEars...that's his Rig. He has a Wah and a CLEAN BOOST for his "Pedalboard." Needless to say, he's not much of an Effects guy, more of a Hard Rock Purist. Thanks alot for ABANDONING ME!! Now, I gotta go grab 1 of these and see, as well as listen to what he's been going nuts over and now making you turn to the DARK SIDE!! WHAT'S NEXT? YOU QUITTING THE GUITAR AND STRICTLY PLAYING A UKULELE???
This is excellent peace of gear, but I can clearly hear some artificial clicking. I hope so it's RUclips to blame, but my guess is because of the DAC. Anyways excellent presentation and thanks for beinging my attention.
Hey toni. What are you listening on? All sounds clean and no clicks both raw file and the one uploaded. If you can clearly hear it, please let me know time examples to see
@@SteveSterlacci at 10;35 for example. I'm an audio engineer and sometimes when I work exclusively with digital (software), vst plugins, I can hear the same artificial clicking in the high frequencies. Especially if I work with lower sample rate, 44.1khz or 48khz.l, or when I lower the buffer to reduce latency if I'm recording. And especially when dealing with reverbs,cause on EQ', like fabfilter or Neutron for example I use (hi res or resampling). I can hear it on my PC as well while listening on my monitors. It may be RUclips resampling software or conversion software that causes to happen this harmonic distortion in upper frequencies due to resampling or conversion/compression.
@@tonicvetkovski1562 i will double check in my video editing software for that section. The only VST is fab filter L2. Maybe i rode the limiter too high there or something. It is my first time using it on a vid ironically
let me get this straight, it has midi to control it so if im using a helix to swtich channels on my real amp, can i also switch the captor x to a different speaker or mic sim when at the same time with one button?
The technical definition is a bit over my head to explain but from my understanding, it reacts more like an amp plugged into a cabinet than it does an amp loaded down to a line level
@@SteveSterlacci Of course I get it. I wish those existed in the in the olden days then I might still have the 1974 Marshall 50watt lead head I purchased new ($399)when I was 16. It was just too damn loud. I sold it for $2500.00 though. ✌️
Am I one of the only ones out there that has the issue of the fan on the Captor X being too loud? It gets picked up microphonically and is coming through my speakers. Sounds like a ghost in the background saying, “ewwwwwwwwww.”
@@SteveSterlacci It just seemed to me that much of the video was about you setting things up on a phone. Yes, once you get it set up it is good to go, but isn't that also true about an amp model? I think we just get bored with stuff and want to mess around with new stuff after a while. I was just trying to point out that setting up the captor x had a lot in common with setting up an amp model.
Get one here photosavings.com/products/two-notes-torpedo-captor-x-reactive-loadbox-di-and-attenuator-16-ohm
I'm really new to IR's, just got the Captor. I'm wondering how did you purchase and import the Bassman cab sim?
Make sure you have your account set up, buy it and it appears in a list where you can drag and drop within the software
@@SteveSterlacci Your bassman setup sounds really good BTW.
@@SteveSterlacci I can purchase it in the Captor software?
@@willdenham off their website. Then its in your account
Probably the best tool out there for those of us who have loved ones who don't want to hear you noodling around. The sounds are fantastic and make recording into GarageBand a joy. I never thought I would have a need for the attenuator, but holy hell, if I have it on the lowest setting during the summer, the AC in the basement actually drowns out the guitar noise in my workshop. The middle position is perfect. Still almost too loud, but good when you want to move some air, but not drive yourself across the basement. Using a Boogie Fillmore 25. Got 68 extra cabinets in a deal about a year ago. I can now listen to my non-headphone tube amp in headphones.
Agreed!
"I got this tool to make playing tube amps a real joy..." ME: what? a dolly cart? *rim shot*
think of all the humping you save without the cabinet! 😅😂
So many great ways to get great tones these days. Low/mid power traditional amps (tube and even some solid state). Modeling amps (Tone Master, Catalyst, etc.). Traditional amps through various types of load boxes / cab sims / etc. Full blown modeling (HX, AXE, etc). Take your pick, and stick with it for a while, and you will find your tones. I am old enough to remember when most guitarists were afraid to use an attenuator or load box for fear that their amp would blow up. These days, it is quite commonplace, even with vintage amps - the state of the art of building these boxes has really progressed. I am also old enough to be thrilled by not having to drag out a giant pedalboard AND my amp :) But I do like using a guitar cab and power amp with my modelers to get a more familiar feel/experience. So I am still in the Stomp / Iridium camp (for now). But the thought of playing through my Bassman clone or my vintage HiWatt is very tempting....Nice vid as always Steve.
Love the Two Notes stuff! I put my low-wattage tube amp and pedals through a Weber attenuator with line-out into my interface. Two Notes Wall Of Sound takes care of the cabs. I can get pretty much any tone and it’s a great “hybrid” setup. Great review Steve!
Thank you Steve for the awesome review!
Thank you for watching and checking out the video!
I just love the Captor X Steve...glad you're using it now as well
Its an awesome unit!!!
I actually went in the opposite direction; started with the Captor X and then went to Fractal. I love the Captor X, great piece of gear.
I still have all my modelers too! They will always be my touring rig
Same…but I now have a second Captor X on the way and my AxeFX3 is on Reverb 😂
IMO the fractal is an insane piece of gear but I was using like 1/10th of its potential and just kept trying to dial in the sound to sound like the amps I already own 😐
Steve, if you haven’t tried a Bluguitar Amp1, I highly recommend it. You can combine it with an HX Stomp or HX Effect and have the best of both worlds in terms of a modeler and a real amp. And since the power section is solid state, you don’t need a loadbox.
I've heard nothing but good things about that! Definitely need to try one
@@SteveSterlacci I'll keep watching your channel for the upcoming review. 😄 Better yet, hook up a Stomp XL to it in 4 cable method and then post a video that shows everyone how awesome that setup can be. (That's my pedalboard, basically.)
Great video! I have the original version. Not as many features, but I use it every day. With recording, I like that I can use the Wall of Sound software for cabs or any other cab sim software. I was just using it with the cabs in Neural DSP plugins today. Very flexible and I can use my real amp and pedals.
Can definitely see myself using this daily! Thanks for adding this to the convo 🤘🤘🤘
Hey @steve sterlacci. I have a helix and a captor and use the helix in 4 cm with the Mesa fillmore and captor. It’s been really great to use them both and I love them both for different situations. Great video!
Thanks Jim! Sounds like a great rig!
I had the same experience. I love amp modeling and still use it all the time, but the UA Ox Box brought my real amps to life. 100 watt fire breather at midnight with kids sleeping in the next room?? No problem.
Great video! Same thing happened to me a few months ago. The Captor X is so great! Use it mostly for silent practicing and recording.
If you like this unit, go check out the Freyette PowerStation. Much better reactive load AND a killer tube power amp but you would need to use your own IR loader (box or software).
I have only heard fantastic things about that power station! I'd love to try it
I know EXACTLY what you mean…I have an AxeFXIII,and an HX Stomp…I got burned out myself,and wanted to just use my amp and pedals…..I bought a couple of different load boxes,including the Captor X….it’s great…I eventually settled on a Fryette PS2 …from that I run into the AxeFXIII….so I am only using the Fractal for FX,routing,and IR’s…..It’s really cool being able to marry the two technologies,analog and digital…..
Nice ! . Love the double tracker sound .
I use it with a deluxe reverb and a Marshall jcm900 both live and at the studio, really useful tool.
My favorite is the Fractal Lb-2. It doesn't do Ir's, so I run in into the hx stomp for IRs.
The Captor is great, but the impedance curve doesn't emulate any speaker, so it sounds a bit dull. I was blown away when I plugged in the LB-2 after using the captor for a year, the tone had a lot more chime and lower end.
I have read about this in forums. I don't really hear a difference between it and the RL IR. Havent done a ton of testing, but really havent been disappointed with it
Glad to see that Corky Romano found a new outlet. :)
Thats a first! 🤣
Very cool! Thanks for sharing!
@SteveSterlacci Will the Captor X affect a 20 w tube head enough to allow you to gig with it (small clubs, slightly larger outdoor shows) since it is like mic-ing a combo? I have been using a Helix for years and have a Quad Cortex that I have barely touched. Modelers are great but I'm tired of the option overload and am in the market for a tube head. I sold my Fender (HRD, Blues Jr) tube amps years ago.
Nice review
Thank you!
It's not crazy money for what it does. I think if I had more than two tube amps I might consider it. Very cool product.
For real!! The included package is insane for the cost
@@SteveSterlacci It definitely is. When I saw what it does, I thought it'd be four figures.
You should check out the bluguitar amp 1.
Can you capture like the tonex capture box. With the torpedo captor x in tonex capture software?
Dont you have to use both XLR outputs for the twin tracker to work for FOH?
I love my captor X so much i got a second one!
I have used one at band practices and never really got a tone I like. So borrowed one from a friend and have been messing with it; still not that happy with the tone. Fizzy, compressed. And yours sounded similar. I do need to experiment more with the EQ settings and cabs. If you use a pedalboard, it’s unlikely you’d use the effects in it, either. To me, it’s an ‘in between’ product that is NOT the best of both worlds. I’m sure I need to work with it some more…
well, realistically, what's on youtube is just stuff people are selling now. As in, paid to show, or with link through revenue. Any video talking about any solution should be taken with a grain of salt. YT with people sharing objective information and not just trying to get nickels out of their views was gone 10 years ago.
Thanks! Enjoyed the video. Where did you get your guitar strap?
Steve.....how could you do this to me?!!!
After coming to you for advice on my Helix, buying your Tones and pretty much being my HELIX MENTOR FROM AFAR via emails, you've turned your back on me!!!...lol...
Seriously, a friend of mine bought one of these directly from the Designer before they became a "Household Name."
He swears by it and has been gigging with it for almost 2 years now.
He has a Warehouse collection of Marshall's, Supro's, among many others.
His favorite set-up, I believe, is his 5 Watt Hand-Wired Marshall and his 2 Notes.
Live, he adds a little 112 Celestion Creamback Marshall Cab for getting what little feedback he needs and uses InEars...that's his Rig.
He has a Wah and a CLEAN BOOST for his "Pedalboard."
Needless to say, he's not much of an Effects guy, more of a Hard Rock Purist.
Thanks alot for ABANDONING ME!!
Now, I gotta go grab 1 of these and see, as well as listen to what he's been going nuts over and now making you turn to the DARK SIDE!!
WHAT'S NEXT? YOU QUITTING THE GUITAR AND STRICTLY PLAYING A UKULELE???
This is excellent peace of gear, but I can clearly hear some artificial clicking. I hope so it's RUclips to blame, but my guess is because of the DAC. Anyways excellent presentation and thanks for beinging my attention.
Hey toni. What are you listening on? All sounds clean and no clicks both raw file and the one uploaded. If you can clearly hear it, please let me know time examples to see
@@SteveSterlacci at 10;35 for example. I'm an audio engineer and sometimes when I work exclusively with digital (software), vst plugins, I can hear the same artificial clicking in the high frequencies. Especially if I work with lower sample rate, 44.1khz or 48khz.l, or when I lower the buffer to reduce latency if I'm recording. And especially when dealing with reverbs,cause on EQ', like fabfilter or Neutron for example I use (hi res or resampling). I can hear it on my PC as well while listening on my monitors. It may be RUclips resampling software or conversion software that causes to happen this harmonic distortion in upper frequencies due to resampling or conversion/compression.
@@tonicvetkovski1562 i will double check in my video editing software for that section. The only VST is fab filter L2. Maybe i rode the limiter too high there or something. It is my first time using it on a vid ironically
sounds good but better on you newer videos with Warm audio units, thanks
Thanks. I've also gotten more comfortable with the software since then. I have a lot of great cabinets in there now
let me get this straight, it has midi to control it so if im using a helix to swtich channels on my real amp, can i also switch the captor x to a different speaker or mic sim when at the same time with one button?
Yes absolutely!
Can I use analog pedals with torpedo captor x??
Its meant to be used with a tube amp, but of course you can use pedals with the amp like you normally would
Which is better or more versatile, the 8ohms or 16ohms model.??
Depends on your amps. Usually, they say a 16ohm speaker can take a lesser ohm amp. So I assume that is the same principal
That clickbait worked on me.
At least this ones true and not misleading! Lol thanks for watching 🤘
Is this the same as the Uad ox box?
Similar!
Do you have anything for the Pod Go yet?
I have a lot of pod go videos
@@SteveSterlacci do you have a preset pack for Pod Go?
@@JoePariseauMusic i have a few presets for sale on the L6 marketplace, yes
What exactly does "reactive load" mean?
The technical definition is a bit over my head to explain but from my understanding, it reacts more like an amp plugged into a cabinet than it does an amp loaded down to a line level
Thanks Steve. It seems to work great. I don't understand the signal path. Do we here your sound through a DAW? Is it something like The Oxx?
You're hearing stereo out into my interface direct in with no post processing
@@SteveSterlacci Thanks! Will it work with my Fender Vibrolux Reverb combo tube amp? I will have to disconnect the built in speakers I guess?
@@SjaakShirly6559 Yes this is something I'm a bit confused about myself.
So you got tired of modeling and switched to modeling with pretty pictures with no amps? Still love you. Keep up the good work. Gale
But i get to use my expensive toys with it!
@@SteveSterlacci Of course I get it. I wish those existed in the in the olden days then I might still have the 1974 Marshall 50watt lead head I purchased new ($399)when I was 16. It was just too damn loud. I sold it for $2500.00 though. ✌️
Am I one of the only ones out there that has the issue of the fan on the Captor X being too loud? It gets picked up microphonically and is coming through my speakers. Sounds like a ghost in the background saying, “ewwwwwwwwww.”
Can this box really handle all of my hot load?
If it fits in the 1/4 inch jack, i would say you have bigger problems to worry about. Or should i say smaller?
@@SteveSterlacci haha
Wouldn't it be cool if the next helix had a torpedo built in
YES! Or at least the flexibility of the cab m
@@SteveSterlacci ya but why create mediocrity when you can license genius?
@@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender they've been doing things like that with a few amp companies! Wonder if theyd paid with L6! Id buy
Lots of app tweaking to get away from amp sims...
Hardly any at all. What looks like a lot of tweaking? Plus, once the cab is set, thats really it lol
@@SteveSterlacci It just seemed to me that much of the video was about you setting things up on a phone. Yes, once you get it set up it is good to go, but isn't that also true about an amp model? I think we just get bored with stuff and want to mess around with new stuff after a while. I was just trying to point out that setting up the captor x had a lot in common with setting up an amp model.