Captor X

[Meanjoegreene]

If just used as an attenuator is there any way to add or use basic effects like reverb or delay ?

I’m saying amp to X to cab

 

[Simon Dorn]

If just used as an attenuator is there any way to add or use basic effects like reverb or delay ?

I’m saying amp to X to cab

I'm lazy. I asked grok.
"
Using the Two Notes Torpedo Captor X as an Attenuator with EffectsThe Two Notes Torpedo Captor X is a versatile reactive loadbox and attenuator designed primarily for taming high-volume tube amps while preserving their tone. In your described setup (amp → Captor X → physical cabinet), it functions as a pure analog attenuator, reducing the power sent to the cab (up to 38 dB of attenuation in the lowest setting). However, none of the Captor X's built-in digital effects—like reverb, delay, EQ, or the Twin Tracker—will be audible through the physical cabinet in this configuration. This is because those effects are processed in the digital domain and only route to the unit's XLR DI outputs, headphone out, or amp out jack—not the speaker output to your cab. The manual explicitly states: "None of the effects or cab sim within the unit (Enhancer, Reverb, Twin Tracker, EQ) can be heard through the cabinet."That said, yes, there are straightforward ways to incorporate basic effects like reverb or delay while still using the Captor X as your attenuator. These methods leverage the unit's parallel signal paths (attenuated analog to cab + processed digital DI) to keep your stage/backline volume controlled without sacrificing wet effects in your monitors, PA, or recordings. Here's how, broken down by scenario:1. Built-in Captor X Effects (Easiest for DI/PA/Headphones)

• The Captor X has 13 onboard stereo reverbs (e.g., room, hall, spring-like simulations) with adjustable mix, room size, reflections, and tone. There's no dedicated delay effect, but the Twin Tracker provides a subtle doubling/delay (up to ~50ms tightness adjustment) for rhythmic thickening.
• How to use: Enable them via the hardware knobs (Space for reverb width, etc.) or the free Torpedo Remote app (iOS/Android/PC/Mac) for deeper editing, including IR loading and custom EQ. These only apply to the XLR DI outputs (stereo L/R) or headphone jack.
  
  • In practice: Run amp → Captor X. Connect the XLR outs to your PA, audio interface, or in-ear monitors. You'll hear the full attenuated amp tone + reverb/doubling through those, while the dry attenuated signal hits your cab.
• Pros: No extra gear needed; stereo imaging is excellent.
• Cons: No true delay; effects aren't in the cab signal (but that's by design for safety—digital effects can't safely pass high-power speaker-level signals).
• This is ideal for silent practice (headphones) or direct-to-PA live setups.

 

[Simon Dorn]

I'm lazy. I asked grok.
"
Using the Two Notes Torpedo Captor X as an Attenuator with EffectsThe Two Notes Torpedo Captor X is a versatile reactive loadbox and attenuator designed primarily for taming high-volume tube amps while preserving their tone. In your described setup (amp → Captor X → physical cabinet), it functions as a pure analog attenuator, reducing the power sent to the cab (up to 38 dB of attenuation in the lowest setting). However, none of the Captor X's built-in digital effects—like reverb, delay, EQ, or the Twin Tracker—will be audible through the physical cabinet in this configuration. This is because those effects are processed in the digital domain and only route to the unit's XLR DI outputs, headphone out, or amp out jack—not the speaker output to your cab. The manual explicitly states: "None of the effects or cab sim within the unit (Enhancer, Reverb, Twin Tracker, EQ) can be heard through the cabinet."That said, yes, there are straightforward ways to incorporate basic effects like reverb or delay while still using the Captor X as your attenuator. These methods leverage the unit's parallel signal paths (attenuated analog to cab + processed digital DI) to keep your stage/backline volume controlled without sacrificing wet effects in your monitors, PA, or recordings. Here's how, broken down by scenario:1. Built-in Captor X Effects (Easiest for DI/PA/Headphones)

• The Captor X has 13 onboard stereo reverbs (e.g., room, hall, spring-like simulations) with adjustable mix, room size, reflections, and tone. There's no dedicated delay effect, but the Twin Tracker provides a subtle doubling/delay (up to ~50ms tightness adjustment) for rhythmic thickening.
  • In practice: Run amp → Captor X. Connect the XLR outs to your PA, audio interface, or in-ear monitors. You'll hear the full attenuated amp tone + reverb/doubling through those, while the dry attenuated signal hits your cab.
• Pros: No extra gear needed; stereo imaging is excellent.
• Cons: No true delay; effects aren't in the cab signal (but that's by design for safety—digital effects can't safely pass high-power speaker-level signals).
• This is ideal for silent practice (headphones) or direct-to-PA live setups.

2. External Pedals or Multi-FX (For Post-Attenuation Effects)

• Insert pedals after the Captor X's speaker output but before your cab, or in a wet/dry rig.
  
  • Basic setup: Amp → Captor X (attenuated speaker out) → effects pedals (e.g., delay/reverb) → cab. This adds effects to the attenuated signal going to the cab, but only if your pedals can handle speaker-level power (most can't—line-level pedals will distort or fail). Not recommended without a power soak or line-level converter.
  • Better: Wet/Dry Rig: Use the Captor X's XLR DI outs as your "wet" path. Run amp → Captor X → cab (dry attenuated). Then, take a splitter from the DI outs → effects pedals → PA/monitors (wet with reverb/delay). Or, if your amp has an effects loop, place time-based effects (delay/reverb) there before the Captor X—they'll pass through the amp's full signal and appear in both cab and DI outputs.
• Example with your gear: If you have a multi-FX like the Mooer GE300 (as mentioned in some user setups), put it in the amp's FX loop for pre/post effects. The Captor X's DI will output the effects in mono (unless added post-DI), but you can stereo-ize via mixer.
• Pros: Full control over any pedal-based effects.
• Cons: Adds cabling/complexity; ensure pedals are rated for your signal level.

 

[Simon Dorn]

2. External Pedals or Multi-FX (For Post-Attenuation Effects)

• Insert pedals after the Captor X's speaker output but before your cab, or in a wet/dry rig.
  
  • Basic setup: Amp → Captor X (attenuated speaker out) → effects pedals (e.g., delay/reverb) → cab. This adds effects to the attenuated signal going to the cab, but only if your pedals can handle speaker-level power (most can't—line-level pedals will distort or fail). Not recommended without a power soak or line-level converter.
  • Better: Wet/Dry Rig: Use the Captor X's XLR DI outs as your "wet" path. Run amp → Captor X → cab (dry attenuated). Then, take a splitter from the DI outs → effects pedals → PA/monitors (wet with reverb/delay). Or, if your amp has an effects loop, place time-based effects (delay/reverb) there before the Captor X—they'll pass through the amp's full signal and appear in both cab and DI outputs.
• Example with your gear: If you have a multi-FX like the Mooer GE300 (as mentioned in some user setups), put it in the amp's FX loop for pre/post effects. The Captor X's DI will output the effects in mono (unless added post-DI), but you can stereo-ize via mixer.
• Pros: Full control over any pedal-based effects.
• Cons: Adds cabling/complexity; ensure pedals are rated for your signal level.

3. Post-DI Processing (For Live/Recording Flexibility)

• Send the Captor X's XLR DI to a mixer, DAW, or powered monitors, then apply effects there.
  • Live: DI → mixer → add reverb/delay via aux sends or plugins (e.g., board-mounted effects like TC Electronic Hall of Fame or software like Ableton).
  • Recording: DI → audio interface → DAW (add free plugins like Valhalla Room for reverb or stock delays).
• Pros: Infinite options; keeps everything digital and low-noise.
• Cons: Latency if not monitored properly; effects won't bleed into the cab (which is often desirable for stage clarity).

 

[Simon Dorn]

3. Post-DI Processing (For Live/Recording Flexibility)

• Send the Captor X's XLR DI to a mixer, DAW, or powered monitors, then apply effects there.
  • Live: DI → mixer → add reverb/delay via aux sends or plugins (e.g., board-mounted effects like TC Electronic Hall of Fame or software like Ableton).
  • Recording: DI → audio interface → DAW (add free plugins like Valhalla Room for reverb or stock delays).
• Pros: Infinite options; keeps everything digital and low-noise.
• Cons: Latency if not monitored properly; effects won't bleed into the cab (which is often desirable for stage clarity).

Quick Comparison of Methods

In summary, while the Captor X won't pipe its internal effects to your cab in attenuator mode, its DI path makes adding reverb/delay seamless for everything else. If your amp lacks an FX loop, prioritize the DI route—it's what the Captor X excels at. For more details, check the official manual or Two Notes' Torpedo Remote app for tweaking. If this doesn't match your exact setup, drop more details on your amp/pedals!

 

[7704A]

@Simon Dorn eww, you got AI all over it.

only if your pedals can handle speaker-level power

I don't know of any that can, especially time-based stuff. You're basically asking for the pedal to have a built-in power amp at least, possibly also a load. I've seen speaker-level crossover stuff and EQ's, but only for PA's.

I’m saying amp to X to cab

As far as I can tell, no. Would need some sorta of re-amping setup, like the Fryette Powerstation does.

 

[Meanjoegreene]

Appreciate the advice

I probably just need a delay that works well in front of the amp. I don’t mind other than when you set it right then need a little boost and it makes it too much

 

[Simon Dorn]

@Simon Dorn eww, you got AI all over it.
I don't know of any that can, especially time-based stuff. You're basically asking for the pedal to have a built-in power amp at least, possibly also a load. I've seen speaker-level crossover stuff and EQ's, but only for PA's.

The manual explicitly states: "None of the effects or cab sim within the unit (Enhancer, Reverb, Twin Tracker, EQ) can be heard through the cabinet.

Basic setup: Amp → Captor X (attenuated speaker out) → effects pedals (e.g., delay/reverb) → cab. This adds effects to the attenuated signal going to the cab, but only if your pedals can handle speaker-level power (most can't—line-level pedals will distort or fail). Not recommended without a power soak or line-level converter.

Next time i just write: No.
Google: Captor X PDF

 

[Simon Dorn]

Appreciate the advice

I probably just need a delay that works well in front of the amp. I don’t mind other than when you set it right then need a little boost and it makes it too much

I did not like the Attenuator in the Captor X, btw. What Amp do you have?

 

[Meanjoegreene]

I use it with a 2204 and a 5e3 type that sounds killer maxed out…neither has an effects loop

It’s solid just wish I could add a little reverb or delay using it straight up

 

[fusedbrain]

If just used as an attenuator is there any way to add or use basic effects like reverb or delay ?

I’m saying amp to X to cab

No

 

[LeftOurEyes]

The St Rock React II has build in effects that can be used.