Amplifier Load Boxes - Which Is Best?
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- čas přidán 1. 07. 2024
- Load boxes and attenuators have become a lot more popular over the last few years. The top three names for these units are Boss with their Tube Amp Expander, Universal Audio with Their OX Amp Top Box and the many devices from Two Notes. In This video, I look at the three different brands and go through the plus and minus on each unit. The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.
- Hudba
Excellent comparison. I have owned both the Ox and now Waza and for me, Boss wins hands down. My Marshall SV20 seems to love the Waza and didn't love the Ox. I also am loving the features of the Waza like running internal Waza fx straight to cab and of course loading my own IR's. Love your channel!
@@0megalul309 I don't see the difference.....at the end of the day, the attenuator is looking at load and reactance, I don't think it cares if your amp has one channel or 20 channels
Fantastic video… as usual! I read somewhere that the Ox Box is amazing, but not the best when used as an attenuator. So I’m thinking of using the Tone King Iron Man 2 for load box/attenuator into the UA Stomp for cab simulation. The idea being to have the best of both worlds. Would love to see a demo of that set up!
This is a great review. To my ears the Ox sounded a bit muffled. The Two Notes had a wider spread to it. It was brighter, but I can't tell if the original sound was bright and thus the Two Notes was more transparent or if it was adding the brightness itself. The Waza was in the middle. My only beef with this review is the amp used. I was more curious to see how it did with an amp like a SLO or JMP than an already small amp.
The Captor x arrived today and I haven't stopped playing since it arrived. At first I just wanted to see how it sounded and what the features were like, I also wanted to try it on a few of my valve amps; but once I got passed lets play with the new toy and settled on a sound I liked ( and there's a lot to choose from ) I just kept playing. IMHO playing my valve amps through this even using the headphone out is far more satisfying than playing my digital amps. This could honestly be one of the best pieces of gear I've purchased, especially as I've not really played my valve amps since lockdown began last year. It comes loaded with 32 cabs and a selection of 8 mics per cab, looking forward to doing some recording this weekend :)
Brilliant, have fun!
Can you use the built in amp of the Boss and plug directly into a mixer and through the PA without going through an amp?
Good video sir. May I ask you a question? I wonder if it is better to use a audio interface after the Boss than using the built in interface in the unit?
Thanks, I’ve never used it as an interface I’m afraid. I run it out of the unit straight in to an interface.
How does the D20 built in Two Notes compare to the stand alone version and the AU and Boss alternatives. I’m looking for simplicity in my setup, would like to know if the D20 or G20 is all I need.
Hi Gabriel, Yeah its really good. If you're just looking for amp tones, it works perfectly.
can you post a link to the specific celestion irs you purchased? please? :D
The boss tube amp expander definitely looks interesting, and I'd probably bought it. I already have the OX box and I don't really feel the need to spend another $1000+ on another unit that does the basically the same thing.
Excellent review. I already have the Boss TAE which I love using. I think it sounds more live than the others. The built in effects are really good, and the TAE multi effects pedal works great with it, definitely worth getting, that's a few less pedals to carry and setup. I don't need the 100 watt power amp, but I'm sure some will find it useful. It sits nicely on my desk and records to my DAW perfectly. Being able to load good aftermarket IR's is really good. The only downside for me (and it's really disappointing) is that I cannot use it with my Fender Bassman amp. The Bassman amp uses a 2 Ohm speaker output and the TAE has only 4, 8 and 16 Ohm speaker selections as does the Ox.
Just an update on my TAE and Fender Bassman some may find helpful. I made up a harness for the four 10 inch speakers so I could connect to the TAE. I set the TAE to the 4-ohm input and switched on the Bassman. It sounded beautiful with all the classic tones a Bassman. I don't detect any issues with the impedance miss-match, although I won't run the Bassman flat out just to be on the safe side, not that I ever needed too.
I think you may be able to use the Weber Z-Matcher , it’s made to connect mismatched heads and speaker setups .
Itl Match the ohms properly . I’m assuming you could connect it to the tae.
I’m actually interest in the tae too , I wonder how it sounds as an attenuator and how it feels.
I feel the fryette, since it uses tubes, alters the tone of the amp naturally .
The ox seems cool but sounds kinda too midrange-y and unnatural to me , ontop of the fact you need WiFi to use it as an attenuator etc
@@heythere6983 Thanks for that. Actually I have been using it with my Bassman lately, as Boss state 2Ohms is OK when set to the 4 Ohm selector. Sounds good and hasn't shown any sign of overheating the amp.
Yea as far as I know the main issue is if your pushing your amp into less ohms. Iv heard of people putting into higher ohms without any real issues . Only thing to note would be different ohms alter the tone but if you like the sound then it’s cool.
As an attenuator have you found the boss doesn’t alter the tone ? Or do you just use it for direct recording
@@heythere6983 I use it for both. The tone sounds same to me, but this is with my 77 year old ears, so don't go by my opinion. Also the perception of tone could alter between the Bassman live and loud on stage and live in your home studio.
UA for me. It seems to do the more vintage tones better and its effects sound more authentic. To me the Two Notes and the Boss while very very good seem to have a slightly more modern edge which is less to my tastes.
Hey Paul - Jeremy from Two notes here. Thank you for including the Torpedo Studio. Have you tried the Torpedo Captor X in the studio or live yet? This unit was released in 2020 and features an attenuator plus a lot more such as new stereo reverb, twin tracker, dual XLR out which can be configured as stereo, dual mono (so different EQ / reverb for FOH and in-ear) and wet / dry for recording plus it's super compact for gigging. The Torpedo Studio is no longer in production but remains fully supported. Thanks again for featuring Two notes.
Hey Jeremy, thanks for the comment. I did get in contact with Two Notes support and Jason via email. I was waiting for one for the review but I haven’t heard anything since June. I’d be happy to do a review if you’d like me too.
I apologise it was Jason Wilding I was speaking too.
Gotcha .. sorry about that but back in June, the demand was so off the scale (price point may have had something to do with it being half less than half the price of Ox and Waza) that we ran short on review units. I’ll dm you. Thanks again for including us.
Any time Jeremy, talk soon.
That really sucks for the people that paid almost TWICE as much for the Torpedo Studio at $1900 and discontinued. You guys should offer an upgrade trade-in program at least on that product lol.
Sadly, I found that the software connection between the Ox Box and my iPad/computer was far too flaky to make it useable in the studio. It sounded great, when I wasn't wasting time getting it to reconnect!
Waza TAE is outstanding in tone AND features.
how do these compare to Aracom-DAG Attenuator (PRX150-DAG) in your opinion ?
For me it seems as if the TWO Notes was louder than the others. That made the comparison difficult.
Great video! Where do you put the load box in the chain? Is it between the amp switcher and the speaker?
Exactly.
Then you can use the switcher to switch not only the amps but the load boxes as well:
@@TheStudioRats Thanks! I have the Boss TAE, two amp heads and one cab but no switch. Planning to get one.
Per Johansson nice one, let me know how it goes.
Of all the demo people, yours is the only into I don't skip.
Cheers Jason
The problem with loadboxes is, do they account for that different speakers have different dynamic impedance curves?
If not, the amp with an IR will not sound exactly like a mic'ed up cab.
So... which loadboxes do?
Waza TAE does exactly that.
That gorgeous intro tone! I'm pretty sure that was the TAE. What speaker type did you go for in this comparison? Thanks Paul, love your vids!
Hey Dino, Cheers. I wish I could remember, I’m pretty sure it was a 4x12.
Since there’s a picture of the TAE on the screen when he’s playing, I’d bet it was the TAE too.
Can you use a load Box without an amp
I blew my load when I saw the title for this video!! You did not dissapoint Sir, best comparison of these products out there X
Cheers my man.
If you just want to plug in and play go for a two notes captor. The ox and waza suffer from choice paralysis. I had the waza and hated it. Sent it back and got a captor 8. Heaps better sounding with one IR only. And it’s one fifth of the price of an oz or waza which cost more than most normal amps. You will spend more time trying different cabs than playing. If you are a CZcams demonstrator it’s fine to spend all day playing with this stuff. However if all you want to do is play through your amp silently go for the cheapest two notes box and you will not be disappointed. Especially if you can get one 2nd hand. Can’t be beaten for quality or value. However the attenuation at -20 decibels is way too much volume loss for a live situation. They need to add an option here. But it does mean you can play your amp asweet spot at low volumes.
How does the Freyette Power Station compare to these?
Great question
The Fryette Power Stations (50w and 100w versions) are closest to the Boss in that all have a built-in power amp for increasing output of the source amp without altering its tone. The deal-killer for me is that the Fryette power amps are analog tube while the Boss is a solid state A/B design power section. While the Fryette is able to maintain the tone of the source tube amp, the Boss has a noticeable "digital" ambience. So it's the Fryette for me.
As far as other features go, you'll need to compare the specs because each product has a lot of options.
There are lots of first-hand comments in the subReddit GuitarAmps for example the "Boss Tube Amp Expander - current opinions?" thread. I think that the Time Pierce "Tube Amps Have a BIG Problem. This Device SOLVES It." CZcams channel episode is the best I've seen. Next on my list to view is Pete Thorn's take on the Fryette.
Fryette ps 2 is killer!
Hey, what about the Mesa Cab Clone?
I’m going with the Boss.
You’re on a desert island! Which one you going to take?
I think I’d grab the Tube amp expander.
Interesting, I’ve always liked the look of the OX, plus being very much n the UA ecosystem. but this is great food for thought 👍🏻
@@noelblackman7570 you shouldn't just gear like this strictly on looks LOL.....I had both, the Waza rules in my opinion; Studio Rats seems to agree.
LOL but sex sells ;-)
I didn't know Jason Strathern plays guitar.
I get that a lot.
The UA OX was the worst sounding one….
For me :Ox,Torpedo,Boss.
If the tube amp expander is preferred, why not just buy a Boss Katana
It’s a completely different thing