Hey Two Notes Live, C.A.B, or Reload users..

[Kapo_Polenton]

So far the Reload has caught my attention because i tend to attenuate with a hotplate but will be in the market for a reamp box with level matching in the near future. I figure why not take advantage of the cab impulses while I am at it and get an all in one box. Question is, a lot of folk run these with some sort of preamp out or preamp pedal. I have had success running the line out from my hotplate into my DAW and using RedWirez .. this means i crank my jcm800 up to 7 or 8 and take advantage of the real power amp/ power stage. Does the reload unit allow me to do the exact same thing? I was perusing the manual but not sure if it is an XLR out that replaces what is the line out on my hotplate. I'm guessing in this scenario, you don't really bother with power amp simulation as you already have it. Is this more or less correct? I'm guessing there are no issues with getting a line out from the output of the amp to feed into DAW?

 

[Rogue]

I have the Reload and really like it. Yes, it will load your amp and give you line level signal into the DAW for cabinet simulation. I had to get a XLR to TRS cable because the line out signal is hot, and the mic input would clip, but the TRS input was fine. It will depend on you interface.

Your comment is worded in that something needs to be made clear...the Reload is an attenuator, functions like you hotplate (but better). It does not have cabinet simulations on board the unit. That will be done in the DAW, or if inclined an outboard hardware IR loaded like the CAB or Logidy EPSi.

I dno't think people are not using the Reload with preamps, that would be the CAB. The Live, Studio, and VB-101 are load boxes with onboard cab sims.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I have the Reload and really like it. Yes, it will load your amp and give you line level signal into the DAW for cabinet simulation. I had to get a XLR to TRS cable because the line out signal is hot, and the mic input would clip, but the TRS input was fine. It will depend on you interface.

Your comment is worded in that something needs to be made clear...the Reload is an attenuator, functions like you hotplate (but better). It does not have cabinet simulations on board the unit. That will be done in the DAW, or if inclined an outboard hardware IR loaded like the CAB or Logidy EPSi.

I dno't think people are not using the Reload with preamps, that would be the CAB. The Live, Studio, and VB-101 are load boxes with onboard cab sims.

Thanks for the clarification, it is still the right tool for me to use I think. I might have gotten confused on Pete thorn's vid because in the beginning he used just the DI into some amp sims vs using the actual output from the amp with cab impulses which would be what I would tend to do. Would be even more kickass if it had some on board cab sim/impulses for live use but maybe they can save that for version 2.0.

 

[Rogue]

Thanks for the clarification, it is still the right tool for me to use I think. I might have gotten confused on Pete thorn's vid because in the beginning he used just the DI into some amp sims vs using the actual output from the amp with cab impulses which would be what I would tend to do. Would be even more kickass if it had some on board cab sim/impulses for live use but maybe they can save that for version 2.0.

Just making sure you got it. Since their other products have on board cab sims, and really their hallmark, people often confuse the Reload with having them.

I think you'll like it more than your hotplate and the line out is really nice. It comes with the Two Notes WOS plugin. It will load third party IRs like Red Wires or OwnHammers. So in addition to the Two Notes cabs, you still have those options. You can also make a IR of your own setup cab/mic/mic pre and it gets pretty danged close.

The attenuator itself is solid.

 

[nwright]

I was considering the reload ifnit had on board sims.

if you already have a load box or attenuator, you could just try using the wall of sound plug in for impulses and not have to worry about the reload at all. Just buy a nice reamp device.

I use a palmer dacappo reamp device and love it. DI's are built into my interface, so no additional cost there.

the wall of sound plug in is a free demo and you enable a fully unlocked version when you purchase 1cab from the WOS library. Cost is $10 per cab model.

that would be a lot lower investment then getting the reload since you already have the most expensive piece of the puzzle. My dacappo was 125...plus 10 bucks for a full feature WOS plug in. 135 dollars vs. The cost of a reload.

 

[born_hard]

The Speaker Signal (Active Reactive technology of Two Notes) of the Reload which you send to your DAW/computer is MUCH better than the Speaker Signal of the Hotplate. Plus, with the Reload you get far more features as with your Hotplate.
Get rid of the Hotplate and buy a Reload or Live. read through the manuals of these 2 devices and make a decision which one you prefer. Reload is a Load Box and attenuator without cabsims (plus LineOut of guitar signal + LineOut of spéaker signal, Reamp possibility and different impedance 4,8 and 16Ohm). Live is a Loadbox, but with built in cabsims.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

That's the catch... I had better REALLY like using cab impulses over a mic if I spring the $ for the reload line out feature. I think the hotplate sounds pretty good with the redwire impulses but would the Reload really be THAT much of an improvement. I have DI capability into my interface as well (presonus) so the largest cost would be something like the palmer to play the music back or red eye etc.. I think i won't totally get away from a live mic though so i have to decide whether or not i want to spend 800$.

As for the Wall of Sound, i get confused by how they advertise it. It says it is a "trial version" for 30 days. After 30 days does it just lock up it's cabs but you can still use 3rd party cabs that you have like Red Wire? Can the Red Wire impulses be loaded up in the WOS and the GUI interface used to move the mic around the cab/speaker?

 

[Rogue]

If you're going to use impulses, get the WOS (comes with Reload). It's a solid, feature rich, low latency plug in. You also have the option of shooting your own IRs.

Impulses will not replace a miced cab, IMO. However, shooting your own IRs will get you pretty close to your own rig, plus you have tons of other options for cabs, speakers, mics, etc. If you can record with a miced cab whenever you want to, there is no need in messing with IRs. If you are wanting to record at anytime without disturbing anyone, IRs are adequate.

The Reload is better than the Hotplate. Is it that much better? That's going to depend on your own taste and finances. I struggled with the cost over my Alex. I still have the Reload, so I guess the answer is yes for me.

So, questions...

Do you want to, or need to, record silently?

Do you need an attenuator to get the amp sounds you like?

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Yes. Need the hotplate or attenuator to get the tones i want out of my 2204.

I can record a mic'd cab at select times , I wouldn't say all the time

I don't plan to fully replace a mic/cab setup. Just nice to get ideas or combine the two for final recording.

 

[Rogue]

Your current setup would work fine for getting ideas down, maybe not as well for final recordings. The Reload is going to give you a top notch load box and line out for the purpose of using DAW cab sims. As an attenuator it is pretty transparent, with a continuous volume control (I've grown to really love this), ability to mix different impedance amps and cabs, and the contour knob is pretty interesting itself. I haven't used the reamping portion yet, I just don't have the need, but there's that.

One thing to be aware of, it is a reamper with a solid state power amp. Your max output is determined by your amp and cab impedance.

If you have a 16 ohm cab, your maximum output will be 25 watts, or -3db. Into a 4 ohm cab, you actually would increase to 70 watts. Just an important FYI to know.

There's only one to know and that's to try it. I didn't catch if you mentioned, are you located as such you can order it and send it back if you don't like it?

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Yes I think i can order it within Canada and I think depending on the place, that i could return it. I'm just doing the math now because i am in the middle of another house reno and although i am doing most of the work myself, the costs are still there. As mentioned above, 125$ for the daccapo or 850$ canadian before tax. I will be using small gobos and a tent around my cab so i am really only knocking a few db's off the 2204 so that I can crank it. No need to really get it low so that i can have a conversation. Love the features of the reload but i don't think i necessarily really need it. I see hotplates on Ton Keifer's backline all the time so i have to think, with a few notches knocking off the volume, they aren't affecting the tone that much. In a perfect world though, i'd probably just buy the rack mounted with the cab sims.. maybe i'll start with the daccapo and see where that takes me.