All the IRs that I have tried have something weird always. I saw this video and the ACE took away that weird thing right away! Just got one right now and it sounds and feels GREAT!!! There is no way to make it sound bad!... It feels closer to the real thing!
I totally agree with you about IRs. I have an ACE and love the sound. To me, the analog box sounds more immediate and "up front" in a more realistic way because that what it sounds like when I am standing in front of my amp. I think you can hear that in this video as well.
Ace makes studio monitors or PA speakers like a guitar amp cabinet that's really cool. We've experienced almost the same thing with SansAmp in the past but you can play an actual tube amp you have with Ace and the loadbox.
Great explanation. Now I must decide on the never ending debate: -To mic my amp (Suhr Badger 18) -To use reactive load and IR. This would also require the purchase of good monitors -To sell the amp altogether and just use Helix/Axe/Ax8/Kemper and IR direct plus buy a powered speaker for jamming.
Great video. Very informative. Peter is the most knowledgable source of information as he is so experienced and loves to experiment. He knows what works.
I pick digital IR...all analog cabsim have this shrill and ice pick that won't get warm whatever it's dial...it's just the opposite from analog amp (warmer) vs digital amp (shrill and thin). That's weird...
I used to like the hardware stuff as it's a bit more robust and you're not relying on files and software but in my experience IRs sound and feel best. I've played all sorts by Palmer, Tech 21, AMT, Marshall and Suhr but it never quite gets there. The hardware stuff tends to have the problem where if you get the sound right it's doesn't feel right and vice-versa.
Thanks for the video! What happen if I use a load reactive box with 20db reduction and I mic the amp? I want to avoid using IR, but I would like to see how could sound managing the reduced amp results.
You can use a thing like the Marshal Power Brake to do that. Sounds pretty good.The only thing is don't turn the volume so down that the speakers don't react.
I’m told If you go out your preamp out of the preamp loop into let’s say a two notes cab pedal with a custom ir then you can skip the load Box? Keep in mind head is connected to speaker cabinet and dummy jack is plugged into effects loop return so effects loop gives output to two notes cab pedal but does not go to speaker cab! Will this harm the head? is heat transfer still taking place from head to cab since it’s still connected?
The Line In on Ace shouldn't be a balanced Input? Are you using an instrument cable from Reactive Load's unbalanced Out? Shouldn't this connection be balanced? Thanks
Jim Beam the line input was designed to work with unbalanced outputs, like the unbalanced 1/4” output on the reactive load, or other line level effects.
Hi, Kris here! The ACE would sound the same both ways, because the Suhr Reactive Load doesn't shape the amps sound at all. It just brings the volume down to line level.
The ace could technically be between the load if you use the thru jack, where the thru connection goes to the load. It would be the same as plugging the ACE and load in parallel. Either way, it’s the same, but it won’t change the sound.
@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses Actually the Reactive Load plays a huge part in the final tone because it's "voiced" to respond the same as an actual guitar cab. Otherwise you could use any cheap loadbox.
If we are talking about using these for the stage, the comparison should really be listening on a PA with a live drummer and bass player and maybe having a room mic. Sounding good in your headphones or monitors DOES NOT equate to working well with a live band. I found this out the hard way. Spoiler alert: an amp and cabinet is the best by far, 2nd place goes to analog cab sim. IRs have done nothing but completely flop for me on stage as a player and listener. I had so much hope but was so disappointed every time. However, IRs are great for recording, just not the stage.
Bin völlig beeindruckt ob des Sounds!! Welche Rolle spielt denn der Amp in dieser Signalkette, also "geht" das mit jedem Röhrenamp oder braucht es hier schon wieder etwas im höheren Preissegment? Rede nur vom Gebrauch zuhause, also nicht live.
Maybe you should try to write in English, I you want any answers. You can use any guitaramp, but the quality of course depends on the amp. And now in some kind of German: Herr Ensteiner, du kannst oder Sie können jeden Amp vervenden, aber das resultat wird natürlich vom Amp abhängen.
kudos for developing an analog speaker sim these days. but, in a IR world, with very affordable things like Mooer Radar.... going full analog is really not the most adequate way in IMHO.
This Suhr Box is overpriced and outclassed, IMHO. Torpedo CAB is way more versatile, you can use Two Notes AND/OR custom IR's ... and it's cheaper now. ... or you can just buy a Mooer Radar and stick a good IR in there and have it done for a third the cost, with less pedalboard footprint ... and still higher quality!
Pete, I meant, after the loadbox, only the IR/emulation section. I’m using a torpedo captor into a C.A.B., and you are correct, the CAB is slightly pricier (399€ vs 363€), but the C.A.B. is way more versatile. I use ownhammer plugins and it sounds awesome, I never got anything remotely close to that with fixed analog emulations. I could use the stock two notes stuff and save some money but these IR’s are just fantastic. If price is the issue, the Mooer Radar is the clear winner, it load IR’s and costs 120€. If versatility is key, the CAB clearly wins, so .... summarizing my point: I see no market for this Suhr emulation device, if it where cheaper, maybe, but not like this. PS: Huge respect for all your work, Pete. Best Regards!
Michael Nielsen you probably mean the cab simulation of the Captor, and if that is what you mean, I agree, its not that great. I only use the Captor as a loadbox, its also a reactive load. I use a IR loader for the cab sim part, after the Captor.
All the IRs that I have tried have something weird always. I saw this video and the ACE took away that weird thing right away! Just got one right now and it sounds and feels GREAT!!! There is no way to make it sound bad!...
It feels closer to the real thing!
I also think the ACE sounded brilliant.
I totally agree with you about IRs. I have an ACE and love the sound. To me, the analog box sounds more immediate and "up front" in a more realistic way because that what it sounds like when I am standing in front of my amp. I think you can hear that in this video as well.
Ace makes studio monitors or PA speakers like a guitar amp cabinet that's really cool. We've experienced almost the same thing with SansAmp in the past but you can play an actual tube amp you have with Ace and the loadbox.
Pete Thorn is an AWESOME guitarist, very humble, knowledgeable and down to earth person! Cool interview!
Great explanation. Now I must decide on the never ending debate:
-To mic my amp (Suhr Badger 18)
-To use reactive load and IR. This would also require the purchase of good monitors
-To sell the amp altogether and just use Helix/Axe/Ax8/Kemper and IR direct plus buy a powered speaker for jamming.
The amp is best by far.
Great video. Very informative. Peter is the most knowledgable source of information as he is so experienced and loves to experiment. He knows what works.
This Suhr sounds really good.
Thus the Thomann coffee cup at Pete's Sunday chat. I'd wondered about that.
I pick digital IR...all analog cabsim have this shrill and ice pick that won't get warm whatever it's dial...it's just the opposite from analog amp (warmer) vs digital amp (shrill and thin). That's weird...
For recording, yes, it sucks.
It’s far better than IRs for live though.
IRs are great for recording.
Different tools for different jobs.
Need a surf green, 24 fret version of Pete’s sig suhr, with the new Wilkinson trem.
Great post guys... be well.
Can you also get me one please? Or let me share yours?
//Andy
Great video guys !
I used to like the hardware stuff as it's a bit more robust and you're not relying on files and software but in my experience IRs sound and feel best. I've played all sorts by Palmer, Tech 21, AMT, Marshall and Suhr but it never quite gets there. The hardware stuff tends to have the problem where if you get the sound right it's doesn't feel right and vice-versa.
Amazing video! Keep up the good work!
Pete Thorn playing trve kult black metal for the 5 first seconds. 🤣
It's the future!
//Andy
Thanks for the video! What happen if I use a load reactive box with 20db reduction and I mic the amp? I want to avoid using IR, but I would like to see how could sound managing the reduced amp results.
You can use a thing like the Marshal Power Brake to do that. Sounds pretty good.The only thing is don't turn the volume so down that the speakers don't react.
I’m told If you go out your preamp out of the preamp loop into let’s say a two notes cab pedal with a custom ir then you can skip the load Box? Keep in mind head is connected to speaker cabinet and dummy jack is plugged into effects loop return so effects loop gives output to two notes cab pedal but does not go to speaker cab! Will this harm the head? is heat transfer still taking place from head to cab since it’s still connected?
That will not damage anything since you have a cab (load) attached to your amp
So much better than the Mesa Cab Clone
David yup. Cab clone is resistive load.
The Line In on Ace shouldn't be a balanced Input? Are you using an instrument cable from Reactive Load's unbalanced Out? Shouldn't this connection be balanced? Thanks
Jim Beam the line input was designed to work with unbalanced outputs, like the unbalanced 1/4” output on the reactive load, or other line level effects.
Pete, "no backup for god knows how many days" on your Mac is very baaad! Backup! We need your stuff!))))
IMO the IRs sounded much much better in every way.
Would the ACE sound better between the amplifier and the Loadbox?
Hi, Kris here! The ACE would sound the same both ways, because the Suhr Reactive Load doesn't shape the amps sound at all. It just brings the volume down to line level.
No you CANNOT put anything between an amp and a speaker/loadbox, otherwise the amp won’t be safely loaded down and you can blow it.
The ace could technically be between the load if you use the thru jack, where the thru connection goes to the load. It would be the same as plugging the ACE and load in parallel. Either way, it’s the same, but it won’t change the sound.
@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses Actually the Reactive Load plays a huge part in the final tone because it's "voiced" to respond the same as an actual guitar cab. Otherwise you could use any cheap loadbox.
@@kevinsuhr6342so the ace would have enough headroom to take all that load before the signal gets attenuated ?
If we are talking about using these for the stage, the comparison should really be listening on a PA with a live drummer and bass player and maybe having a room mic.
Sounding good in your headphones or monitors DOES NOT equate to working well with a live band. I found this out the hard way. Spoiler alert: an amp and cabinet is the best by far, 2nd place goes to analog cab sim. IRs have done nothing but completely flop for me on stage as a player and listener. I had so much hope but was so disappointed every time. However, IRs are great for recording, just not the stage.
XLR D.I out on the right side of the Suhr box? that's not a good design to be put on a pedalboard. Signal chain goes from right to left!!
Inma Anwar it was more intended to go on top of an amp. It’s not a pedal
Ok this had made me want to sell my Torpedo cab and get a Suhr ACE!
why? What makes the Torpedo worse?
Bin völlig beeindruckt ob des Sounds!! Welche Rolle spielt denn der Amp in dieser Signalkette, also "geht" das mit jedem Röhrenamp oder braucht es hier schon wieder etwas im höheren Preissegment? Rede nur vom Gebrauch zuhause, also nicht live.
Maybe you should try to write in English, I you want any answers. You can use any guitaramp, but the quality of course depends on the amp.
And now in some kind of German: Herr Ensteiner, du kannst oder Sie können jeden Amp vervenden, aber das resultat wird natürlich vom Amp abhängen.
kudos for developing an analog speaker sim these days. but, in a IR world, with very affordable things like Mooer Radar.... going full analog is really not the most adequate way in IMHO.
This Suhr Box is overpriced and outclassed, IMHO.
Torpedo CAB is way more versatile, you can use Two Notes AND/OR custom IR's ... and it's cheaper now.
... or you can just buy a Mooer Radar and stick a good IR in there and have it done for a third the cost, with less pedalboard footprint ... and still higher quality!
Paulo Remigio torpedo cab is not a load box dude. Plug your amp into that only and it will explode, but anyway details details
Or maybe you’re talking about the little ACE box but there’s no way a torpedo Cab is cheaper
Pete, I meant, after the loadbox, only the IR/emulation section.
I’m using a torpedo captor into a C.A.B., and you are correct, the CAB is slightly pricier (399€ vs 363€), but the C.A.B. is way more versatile.
I use ownhammer plugins and it sounds awesome, I never got anything remotely close to that with fixed analog emulations.
I could use the stock two notes stuff and save some money but these IR’s are just fantastic.
If price is the issue, the Mooer Radar is the clear winner, it load IR’s and costs 120€.
If versatility is key, the CAB clearly wins, so .... summarizing my point: I see no market for this Suhr emulation device, if it where cheaper, maybe, but not like this.
PS: Huge respect for all your work, Pete. Best Regards!
Michael Nielsen you probably mean the cab simulation of the Captor, and if that is what you mean, I agree, its not that great.
I only use the Captor as a loadbox, its also a reactive load.
I use a IR loader for the cab sim part, after the Captor.
What do you think of the Mooer Preamp Live?
I own every guitar I have ever wanted .....except for the one Pete is playing
best of all is - Red box 5