Captor X Low Level Input (limiting?)

[ghxstghxst]

Hi there, thanks for everyone posting on here it's been so helpful!
I'm noticing something with use of the Low IN level setting on the Captor X, and its -15dB input pad.
On the High IN level setting, I have full dynamic range - until of course I start clipping the input with my amp (Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue) above 2-3 on it's volume knob.
Once I flip into Low IN level, the red clipping indicator on the Captor X's grill goes away, and the bulk of the audible digital clipping does too, so it's mostly ok. My issue is with the dynamic range on the Low IN level. On the Torpedo Remote app I can see the -15dB pad at work - my input signal never passes the green into the yellow, ever. This is where I feel the issue is - I'm not sure if the pad is too far down the signal chain in the Captor X? Or if there is some sort of user error on my part, or if this is just the nature of the beast, but my signal is completely brickwalled at -15dB. No matter how hard I push my amp or pedals or how hard I play my guitar, the signal never accesses the remaining 15dB of headroom on input. This just completely squashes my tone and the dynamics of any performance, even if it's not clipping in the way that it would be on High IN level. It's clearly cutting way more than 15dB once I drive my amp for some breakup, since no matter how much wattage I push into the Captor X, the signal never goes into the yellow. Am I missing something here? I love this unit but it's been incredibly frustrating to have to choose between super low wattage and HIGH In level, or a squashed and flat waveform when pushing my signal into LOW In level and therefore the -15dB pad/limiter.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Mackenzie

 

[RossJohnDavies]

Hi there, thanks for everyone posting on here it's been so helpful!
I'm noticing something with use of the Low IN level setting on the Captor X, and its -15dB input pad.
On the High IN level setting, I have full dynamic range - until of course I start clipping the input with my amp (Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue) above 2-3 on it's volume knob.
Once I flip into Low IN level, the red clipping indicator on the Captor X's grill goes away, and the bulk of the audible digital clipping does too, so it's mostly ok. My issue is with the dynamic range on the Low IN level. On the Torpedo Remote app I can see the -15dB pad at work - my input signal never passes the green into the yellow, ever. This is where I feel the issue is - I'm not sure if the pad is too far down the signal chain in the Captor X? Or if there is some sort of user error on my part, or if this is just the nature of the beast, but my signal is completely brickwalled at -15dB. No matter how hard I push my amp or pedals or how hard I play my guitar, the signal never accesses the remaining 15dB of headroom on input. This just completely squashes my tone and the dynamics of any performance, even if it's not clipping in the way that it would be on High IN level. It's clearly cutting way more than 15dB once I drive my amp for some breakup, since no matter how much wattage I push into the Captor X, the signal never goes into the yellow. Am I missing something here? I love this unit but it's been incredibly frustrating to have to choose between super low wattage and HIGH In level, or a squashed and flat waveform when pushing my signal into LOW In level and therefore the -15dB pad/limiter.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Mackenzie

Hi Mackenzie, Thanks for reaching out. The Pad on Captor X is simply an input pad (similar to that on a mixing desk) and should not be limiting your amplifier. This may be the amplifier's poweramp reaching saturation and as such the perceived volume would increase but the actual volume would stay more static — this is quite common with amplifiers where the actual volume is reached considerably lower than the maximum value of the dial. I have actually seen your support ticket this morning on our Help Desk; Dilan is now out of the office on annual leave, returning on November 28th 2025 — I have left him a note and he will be jumping on this as soon as he is back! If you have any other questions, dont hesitate to let me know!

 

[ghxstghxst]

Hi Mackenzie, Thanks for reaching out. The Pad on Captor X is simply an input pad (similar to that on a mixing desk) and should not be limiting your amplifier. This may be the amplifier's poweramp reaching saturation and as such the perceived volume would increase but the actual volume would stay more static — this is quite common with amplifiers where the actual volume is reached considerably lower than the maximum value of the dial. I have actually seen your support ticket this morning on our Help Desk; Dilan is now out of the office on annual leave, returning on November 28th 2025 — I have left him a note and he will be jumping on this as soon as he is back! If you have any other questions, dont hesitate to let me know!

Hi Ross thanks so much for getting back to me! I definitely understand the point about my amp reaching saturation, that was one of my first thoughts as I know the output volume won’t increase linearly as I turn up the actual knob. I know that in theory my signal should just be padded like any other pad on a mixing desk.
I’ve tested it quite thoroughly though, and through any range of settings on the amp, including max volume, including several pedal boosts, neck pickup on the guitar, sharpest and loudest picking I can muster, the signal stays absolutely firm at -15dB.

So it reaches that -15dB limit with moderate playing at 2.5-3 on my amp, and stays there no matter what - this seems to rule out regular pad functionality as the net reduction of gain far exceeds 15dB.

Thanks very much for leaving a note! Maybe there is still something I’m missing, but as of now it seems like a limitation of the dual input setting and maybe I need a unit with fully variable input or something

 

[RossJohnDavies]

Hi Ross thanks so much for getting back to me! I definitely understand the point about my amp reaching saturation, that was one of my first thoughts as I know the output volume won’t increase linearly as I turn up the actual knob. I know that in theory my signal should just be padded like any other pad on a mixing desk.
I’ve tested it quite thoroughly though, and through any range of settings on the amp, including max volume, including several pedal boosts, neck pickup on the guitar, sharpest and loudest picking I can muster, the signal stays absolutely firm at -15dB.

So it reaches that -15dB limit with moderate playing at 2.5-3 on my amp, and stays there no matter what - this seems to rule out regular pad functionality as the net reduction of gain far exceeds 15dB.

Thanks very much for leaving a note! Maybe there is still something I’m missing, but as of now it seems like a limitation of the dual input setting and maybe I need a unit with fully variable input or something

Thanks so much for getting back to me.

It definitely sounds like there might be an issue there and our specialists will need to do a deep dive on this to get to the bottom of this. I have prioritised your ticket so could I ask that you keep an eye on your inbox for their suggestions and test procedures?

Thanks so much!

 

[ghxstghxst]

Thanks so much for getting back to me.

It definitely sounds like there might be an issue there and our specialists will need to do a deep dive on this to get to the bottom of this. I have prioritised your ticket so could I ask that you keep an eye on your inbox for their suggestions and test procedures?

Thanks so much!

I’ll keep an eye out, thanks so much Ross!

 

[RossJohnDavies]

I’ll keep an eye out, thanks so much Ross!

No problemo! Happy to help!