I used to be so strongly against the Amp Sim thing but the technology has just gotten undeniably good. I was talking to a friend the other day and he is still a purist and I told him that if he isn't convinced now, give it 5 more years there will be no real audible markers of a sim that he will reliably be able to pick out. It was the Helix that first made me take a second look and I use the Neural plugs from time to time with good results. Speaker sims, to me aren't quiet as reliable to me, but it's probably picking the fly shit out of the pepper. Re-amping a DI recorded guitar through a PA or poweramp into a Speaker cab (I use a Peavey 50 watt tube rackmount power amp for home recording reamp shit, get one they are cheap) Sounds as real as any guitar amp I've ever played through. It's handy to be able to play loud ass guitar into a daw at night, it sound pretty good but doesn't wake the wife, and if I really feel like I need that moving air I can reamp it later.
Re: Home Recording: Reactive Load Boxes & Impulse Responses
12Related...
Not exactly sure how this DynIR business fits into the bigger picture with their "Wall Of Sound" software.
Not exactly sure how this DynIR business fits into the bigger picture with their "Wall Of Sound" software.
Re: Home Recording: Reactive Load Boxes & Impulse Responses
13Isn't the dynir thing just their branding of impulse responses for their torpedo thingy?numberthirty wrote: Fri Jul 23, 2021 12:33 am Related...
Not exactly sure how this DynIR business fits into the bigger picture with their "Wall Of Sound" software.
Re: Home Recording: Reactive Load Boxes & Impulse Responses
14OK, follow up on my experience.
I eventually picked up 2 used Two Notes CABs... one is the oldest model, the other is the older M model. I didn't get the CAB M+, but from what I can really tell, the biggest difference with the M+ is the ability to connect via Bluetooth and use the Torpedo Remote Android/iOS app. This is super handy, especially if you are using Linux like me. However, I have a Mac Air that I can connect via USB with both the CAB and CAB M with no issues.
The differences between the boxes is really just the form factor and some slight UI differences when loaded into the Torpedo Remote via USB; the Cab takes a USB-A connection, and the CAB M takes a USB-A mini; the headphone jack on the CAB is quarter inch, whereas the CAB M is eighth inch; the CAB has a switch for input/ouput types (line/guitar) and only quarter inch for both, the CAB M quarter inches have no switches but support different inputs/outputs (line/guitar), but also has a DI XLR out. The CAB looks more like something you'd put on a desk rather than a pedalboard, whereas the CAB M looks like a pedal. I personally like the CAB M form factor and the screen is more black and less bright and I like the feel of the knobs more. The CAB does have a clipping light, which is nice, whereas the CAB M only shows you line in/out on the LED screen, unsure if it shows clipping.
Aside from these physical differences, they are essentially the same and have access to the same IRs in the Remote, albeit a slightly different UI (for some reason). I believe they are both 24bit out as well. (The original CAB is the best bang for your buck, if you don't need to connect via Bluetooth and don't care about unbalanced XLR out.)
I started playing with the stock sounds and immediately found a few things that work really well with guitar and bass. I then fired up the Torpedo remote and really got to tweak them for more my personal taste. I didn't even have to buy any cabs or IRs, because what came for free was pretty damn good. I haven't really tried this yet, any IR you build on the Remote has a optional power amp and a preamp sections. These were unnecessary, since I'm already going through my Traynor heads through the reactive load boxes. My main concern here was using the Traynors, but I'd like to check this out later.
I picked up a Two Notes Captor 8ohm and a Suhr Reactive Load for the load boxes. The Captor is pretty nice, is a little cheaper than the Suhr, but it requires a power supply unless you have it powered through phantom (which is kinda cool, but not really). The Suhr doesn't require a power supply. The Captor sounds great, but the Suhr definitely has a little more depth. I wouldn't say one is better than the other, it really comes down to preference. However, I personally like the Suhr more. (I did see a graph of these load boxes that showed their impedance curve, and the Captor is much flatter, whereas the Suhr has a more natural, high peak curve.)
The Torpedo Remote app is essentially a more versatile control for the CAB box and is totally invaluable. I like that you can move the mics around and change the sound of the space, mic placement, mic types, cabinet type, optional preamp and power amp sections, power tube flavors (6L6, EL34, KT88), and enhancer/EQ sections.
While I don't think the CABs are necessary for a setup like this, since you can do IRs in software, I really like that they are not on the computer. I have a plan to use a mixer for practice and recording direct to an SD card, bypassing the computer for the purpose of zero-latency, and then later get import into the DAW for overdubs and mixing. Having the CABs gets me everything I need before processing on the computer. I also don't want to fret over the overwhelming options of IRs, I just want a few good ones to switch between. Cost-wise, going for the older models saved me some money, I was able to get them below $200 each. But, if money was not an option, I would get the CAB M+ or the Captor X to use with my android phone, for the simple BT connection for control.
Overall, I have to say that I'm really blown away by this set up. It sounds amazing and the guitar and bass do have a lot of depth. They have exceeded my expectations and although I haven't played around much with amp and cab modeling pedals, I don't think I am interested in going that far. This setup sounds great in headphones and on the studio monitors.
Some notes aside:
If you are interested in this kind of setup and money is no option, I would suggest the Suhr Reactive Load with the CAB M+. You can save money if you get the original CAB, but it's really hard, if at all, to find a used Suhr Reactive Load. If money is tight, the Captor will do just fine if you stick with the fixed resistance models.
Two Notes makes some preamps. Two of them look interetsing: Le Lead and Le Bass. From the samples I heard, they can sound great. I might try to pick these up and see how they sound compared to the Traynors with reactive load boxes. I love the Traynors and all, and I'm emotionally attached to them. Just unsure if I need an entire amp rig these days. In the meantime, I put my cabinets away in a closet and have the Traynors on a heavy duty shelf, with the CABs on a small table for tinkering, then out to the USB interface into the computer.
I eventually picked up 2 used Two Notes CABs... one is the oldest model, the other is the older M model. I didn't get the CAB M+, but from what I can really tell, the biggest difference with the M+ is the ability to connect via Bluetooth and use the Torpedo Remote Android/iOS app. This is super handy, especially if you are using Linux like me. However, I have a Mac Air that I can connect via USB with both the CAB and CAB M with no issues.
The differences between the boxes is really just the form factor and some slight UI differences when loaded into the Torpedo Remote via USB; the Cab takes a USB-A connection, and the CAB M takes a USB-A mini; the headphone jack on the CAB is quarter inch, whereas the CAB M is eighth inch; the CAB has a switch for input/ouput types (line/guitar) and only quarter inch for both, the CAB M quarter inches have no switches but support different inputs/outputs (line/guitar), but also has a DI XLR out. The CAB looks more like something you'd put on a desk rather than a pedalboard, whereas the CAB M looks like a pedal. I personally like the CAB M form factor and the screen is more black and less bright and I like the feel of the knobs more. The CAB does have a clipping light, which is nice, whereas the CAB M only shows you line in/out on the LED screen, unsure if it shows clipping.
Aside from these physical differences, they are essentially the same and have access to the same IRs in the Remote, albeit a slightly different UI (for some reason). I believe they are both 24bit out as well. (The original CAB is the best bang for your buck, if you don't need to connect via Bluetooth and don't care about unbalanced XLR out.)
I started playing with the stock sounds and immediately found a few things that work really well with guitar and bass. I then fired up the Torpedo remote and really got to tweak them for more my personal taste. I didn't even have to buy any cabs or IRs, because what came for free was pretty damn good. I haven't really tried this yet, any IR you build on the Remote has a optional power amp and a preamp sections. These were unnecessary, since I'm already going through my Traynor heads through the reactive load boxes. My main concern here was using the Traynors, but I'd like to check this out later.
I picked up a Two Notes Captor 8ohm and a Suhr Reactive Load for the load boxes. The Captor is pretty nice, is a little cheaper than the Suhr, but it requires a power supply unless you have it powered through phantom (which is kinda cool, but not really). The Suhr doesn't require a power supply. The Captor sounds great, but the Suhr definitely has a little more depth. I wouldn't say one is better than the other, it really comes down to preference. However, I personally like the Suhr more. (I did see a graph of these load boxes that showed their impedance curve, and the Captor is much flatter, whereas the Suhr has a more natural, high peak curve.)
The Torpedo Remote app is essentially a more versatile control for the CAB box and is totally invaluable. I like that you can move the mics around and change the sound of the space, mic placement, mic types, cabinet type, optional preamp and power amp sections, power tube flavors (6L6, EL34, KT88), and enhancer/EQ sections.
While I don't think the CABs are necessary for a setup like this, since you can do IRs in software, I really like that they are not on the computer. I have a plan to use a mixer for practice and recording direct to an SD card, bypassing the computer for the purpose of zero-latency, and then later get import into the DAW for overdubs and mixing. Having the CABs gets me everything I need before processing on the computer. I also don't want to fret over the overwhelming options of IRs, I just want a few good ones to switch between. Cost-wise, going for the older models saved me some money, I was able to get them below $200 each. But, if money was not an option, I would get the CAB M+ or the Captor X to use with my android phone, for the simple BT connection for control.
Overall, I have to say that I'm really blown away by this set up. It sounds amazing and the guitar and bass do have a lot of depth. They have exceeded my expectations and although I haven't played around much with amp and cab modeling pedals, I don't think I am interested in going that far. This setup sounds great in headphones and on the studio monitors.
Some notes aside:
If you are interested in this kind of setup and money is no option, I would suggest the Suhr Reactive Load with the CAB M+. You can save money if you get the original CAB, but it's really hard, if at all, to find a used Suhr Reactive Load. If money is tight, the Captor will do just fine if you stick with the fixed resistance models.
Two Notes makes some preamps. Two of them look interetsing: Le Lead and Le Bass. From the samples I heard, they can sound great. I might try to pick these up and see how they sound compared to the Traynors with reactive load boxes. I love the Traynors and all, and I'm emotionally attached to them. Just unsure if I need an entire amp rig these days. In the meantime, I put my cabinets away in a closet and have the Traynors on a heavy duty shelf, with the CABs on a small table for tinkering, then out to the USB interface into the computer.
Re: Home Recording: Reactive Load Boxes & Impulse Responses
15i've been using the wall of sound for a few years, in conjunction with overloud's th-u. at its core, wall of sound is just a gui for selecting one's cabinet IRs. it can load their proprietary dynIRs, or homebrewed static IRs.numberthirty wrote: Related...
Not exactly sure how this DynIR business fits into the bigger picture with their "Wall Of Sound" software.
Re: Home Recording: Reactive Load Boxes & Impulse Responses
16Significantly better than using the THU impulses? I quite like the THU thing and haven't really tried any external IRs...hench wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 12:01 pmi've been using the wall of sound for a few years, in conjunction with overloud's th-u. at its core, wall of sound is just a gui for selecting one's cabinet IRs. it can load their proprietary dynIRs, or homebrewed static IRs.numberthirty wrote: Related...
Not exactly sure how this DynIR business fits into the bigger picture with their "Wall Of Sound" software.
Re: Home Recording: Reactive Load Boxes & Impulse Responses
17i don't know about significantly better sound-wise, so much as the cabinet selection in wos better matches my tastes. small 1x10s from the '40s, '50s movie projector cabs, etc. i've not messed with the new 'super cabinet' feature in th-u yet.Adam_I_III wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 2:16 pm
Significantly better than using the THU impulses? I quite like the THU thing and haven't really tried any external IRs...
Re: Home Recording: Reactive Load Boxes & Impulse Responses
18Interesting! I'll have another look at it. Thanks!hench wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 3:53 pm
i don't know about significantly better sound-wise, so much as the cabinet selection in wos better matches my tastes. small 1x10s from the '40s, '50s movie projector cabs, etc. i've not messed with the new 'super cabinet' feature in th-u yet.
Re: Home Recording: Reactive Load Boxes & Impulse Responses
19I got the captor and it's great, I'm having a bit of trouble getting used to the wall of sound software though. If anyone has any good advice on that it would rock.
sparkling anti-capitalist
Re: Home Recording: Reactive Load Boxes & Impulse Responses
20What's the trouble?Ace K wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 8:35 pm I got the captor and it's great, I'm having a bit of trouble getting used to the wall of sound software though. If anyone has any good advice on that it would rock.