What amp load boxes are you using for direct recordings?

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vultures

vultures

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Seems there are so many more options out there than there was a few years ago. I've been through a handful and I'm wondering what else everyone is using? I'm looking for something to just record an amp's direct signal, no cab sim needed. Mostly just for capturing amps with a Quad Cortex.

I've had
  • Captor X: Made any amp sound extremely digital whenever I dialed it in
  • Mesa Cab Clone IR: Similar Results to the Captor X
  • Mesa Cab Clone IR Plus: Much better it seems, but amps sounded a bit brighter. The unit I have access to broke, however.
  • Suhr Reactive Load: Sounded the most accurate, maybe a tiny bit more sizzle. Not fully convinced this didn't cook my Archon 100.
  • Suhr Reactive Load IR: Same as the regular, but my unit was so damn microphonic / feedback ridden. I had it plugged in opposite sides of the room of an amp, isolated power conditioners, multiple different cables, etc.. I could never get that weird high pitched droning note out unless I had amps turned low.
So yeah, I'm curious what other units people are using that are accurate and.. safe?
 
Checked out a bunch and settled on the Fryette Power Load IR.
The onboard eq and routing possibilities are second to none. Built like a tank.
 
Suhr RL

I use it pretty much every day. I pair it with Mesa, Bogner, EVH, Peavey, and Marshall amps and it's never given me any trouble whatsoever.
 
pipboy90 said:
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Wow I’m surprised they sound so different. The Captor def has more highs/high mids and the Driftwood is at the other end of the spectrum. Suhr def has a little more sizzle, that’s why I got rid of mine.

IMLE, when reamping often the balls of the amp are cut off so they can already sound a little mid-heavy and less punchy. So I would think the last thing I’d want is more highs/upper mids like the Captor. But I’m just playing the amp, not recording.
 
I have React IR, Suhr and Fryette, and just ordered a Driftwood. Honestly, its so dependent on the amp and sound you are going for. I dont think any one single box is always going to be best.

I would however say any of the designs like Two Notes or UA Ox simply dont sound as good or accurate because of their impedance curve shape. Go for one with a resonant bass peak and itll feel a lot more natural on palm mutes.
 
I’m happy with the regular captor, but that’s all I’ve ever tried.
 
easstudios said:
I have React IR, Suhr and Fryette, and just ordered a Driftwood. Honestly, its so dependent on the amp and sound you are going for. I dont think any one single box is always going to be best.

I would however say any of the designs like Two Notes or UA Ox simply dont sound as good or accurate because of their impedance curve shape. Go for one with a resonant bass peak and itll feel a lot more natural on palm mutes.
Click to expand...
Best advice here and why the former are superior to the latter.
 
SpiderWars said:
Wow I’m surprised they sound so different. The Captor def has more highs/high mids and the Driftwood is at the other end of the spectrum. Suhr def has a little more sizzle, that’s why I got rid of mine.

IMLE, when reamping often the balls of the amp are cut off so they can already sound a little mid-heavy and less punchy. So I would think the last thing I’d want is more highs/upper mids like the Captor. But I’m just playing the amp, not recording.
Click to expand...

I'm really surprised at the differences. Confirms my experiences with the captor x adding that high end making it almost sound like a modeler. I'm really digging the red seven out of the bunch in this video.


easstudios said:
I have React IR, Suhr and Fryette, and just ordered a Driftwood. Honestly, its so dependent on the amp and sound you are going for. I dont think any one single box is always going to be best.

I would however say any of the designs like Two Notes or UA Ox simply dont sound as good or accurate because of their impedance curve shape. Go for one with a resonant bass peak and itll feel a lot more natural on palm mutes.
Click to expand...

I'm starting to figure out it's indeed amp and/or player dependant. My classic rock buddy loves his captor x, my modern metal buddy loves the Mesa. We had a UA Ox Box in our gear room for a long time, could never really get a great modern metal high gain thing out of it. It did clean, crunch and rock stuff perfectly though. Ended up tossing it for a Mesa Cab Clone IR Plus
 
vultures said:
I'm really digging the red seven out of the bunch in this video.
Click to expand...
The brightest and dullest all seemed a little flawed and I think that’s what I went in listening for. But the Red Seven I kept thinking, yeah that’s right there in the middle. Goldilocks of the bunch.
 
Mark IIC++ clip via captor X….
Palm mutes sound good to my ears ?

 
To my ears Suhr is the most convincing and punchy at the same time. I've tried the torpedo reload, captor and the fryette one. Those didn't do it for me.
 
I have a St Rock React IR and a Suhr.

Based on tests so far the St Rock is absolutely killer... love that piece of gear
 
Are y’all with strong preferences keeping other variables (Software,IRs) consistent? I’d love to hear comparison clips!
 
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