Stop using amp sims and try THIS...

So you can't record guitar amps and cabinets and full volume in your home studio? No problem! Nick Pilotta explains how attenuators and load boxes (resistive or reactive) can help, using the Mesa Boogie Cab Clone and Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander (a reactive load box, cab emulator, attenuator and power amp all in one).

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[URMAcademy]

What's your go-to solution for recording guitars at low volume?

[mvyper]

I just bought a Torpedo Captor and I'm just waiting to be able to try it. That said, I used to record the send signal from the FX loop of the head and pass it through a power amp plugin and an impulse response.

[hoboroadie]

A lot of love for the different options that folks are using. One feature that not every unit has, the Fryette Power Loads have an adjustable input for four, eight, or sixteen ohm loading. Your needs may vary.

[djabthrash]

Other units to consider for a similar purpose :

- Two Notes Torpedo Reload
- Two Notes Torpedo Captor
- Universal Audio OX Amp

[glennnmurphy]

I have the suhr reactive load which is pretty cool, but after buying the Waza tube amp expander.... its amazing !

[brianvillage]

i had a hard time not switching to a floor unit. i just play straight into my computer and jam out of my monitors or IEMs now. it sounds great

[bryanharrison]

attenuators are ok, but the attenuators, even the best ones, change the way the output transformer behaves in a tube amp, so even the best attenuater is an approximation. also, since the speakers themselves are not moving to the point of excursion, then you're getting even further from a wide open amp sound. add to this, you're not pushing the mic diaphragm, so its even further away. does it work and can you use it? yes. but a quality amp sim and quality i.r. will get you much closer to the tone you want for less hassle and less money.

[rassimkr]

My rig :
i5/8gb ram pc + 24 bit audio anterface and cracked guitar rig 5 amp sim + 1 studio monitor + foot controller midi
With some delay and reverb
the sound is good and real for me
Let's chugge

[allendean]

Cab Clone; got one built into my Mark V/25, and it sadly sounds like a bag of

[verstimmtegitarre]

I use the Torpedo Captor for my recordings and even live. It erases so many Problems on Stage and it‘s way better if you use in ear systems on stage. With the right IRs I get huge guitar sounds for my recordings. So I love load boxes and IRs.

[AndrewStonerock]

Nick! I love micing a cab. I've been doing that in my studio. I'll run that along side an IR and lock in my tones their. I'm not a fan of using di. If I wanted a different tone on the record, I'd record a different amp sound.. lol. Load boxes are amazing. Reactive loads are the best. The boss waza tube amp expander is one of the best. The 2notes stuff is also great. Aux box is good. Loads of ways to get great tones.

[MMiniprize]

where's the link to that IR, it was nice!

[ClementsAudio]

Great video Nick! I've always been curious about these mysterious (to me) boxes. Awesome explanation!

[johnmurphy]

Good stuff! That riff sounds very like Enslaved !

[Syklonus]

I have a load box and a Tube amp (6505) and I still use amp sims becasue the difference (not quality - difference) is negligible...almost indistinguishable. Who cares what is used as long as the results are good, and trust me - real amps can sound like shit too if they are set, recorded, adn mixed wrong.

[louderthangod]

I record at home with an Ox when I go with a tube amp. I’ve also get a Kemper but this video is about tubes. The Synergy units can also work for this.

[Liberal_tears_in_my_cup]

I built a Celestine into a sealed subwoofer box, built a box around that box, layered that in dynamat and then 2 inch dense foam, built another box around that. Mounted two gooseneck mic stands inside. Added foam inside. Mic outputs and speaker input wired to the top for easy access. I can crank my Mesa triple recto or peavey 5150II and not wake up my 1 yr old.

[planetside]

Been wanting a load box for a long time. The cab clone doesn't always implement its cab IR does it? You can run it to just your straight up cab with no impulse attached right?

[xsonicassassinx]

there's also the option of a DI between the head and cab. it sounds pretty similar to the resistive load box. i've used it for live recording and it gets the job done. not exciting, but it gets the power amp tone involved.

[somedudekyle]

Probably a dumb question, but can this be done with a combo amp? Tube or otherwise? Thanks!