Reactive Load (Loadbox) Comparison! (Captor X, Fractal LB-2 & RedSeven AC)
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- čas přidán 3. 07. 2024
- Thanks for checkin out my comparison of these 3 excellent reactive loads / loadboxes. We compare the Two Notes Captor X, the Fractal Audio LB-2 X-Load and the RedSeven Amplification Amp Central. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section!
My review & demo of the RedSeven Amplification Amp Central: • AMAZING Reactive Load!...
My review & demo of the Two Notes Captor X: • Most Versatile Loadbox...
York Audio Impulse Responses: www.yorkaudio.co/
Thanks for watching! Please subscribe along with the bell and follow SDS at:
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#twonotescaptorx #redsevenampcentral #reactiveload
Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
00:38 RedSeven Amp Central Feature Overview
01:47 Two Notes Captor X Feature Overview
03:04 Fractal Audio LB-2
05:10 Classic Rock Crunch Comparison (Marshall SC20H)
07:13 Classic Rock Crunch Comparison Isolated
09:10 Modern High-Gain Comparison (EVH 5150III 50W 6L6)
11:00 Modern High-Gain Comparison Isolated
12:30 Conclusion
REALLY great video, and super-helpful John, thank you! This was very helpful to me in picking up a reactive load box recently. The Two Notes boxes have not held up well in this or any of the other head-to-head comparisons I've seen lately. As in not even close. I ultimately went with the Suhr Reactive Load, which I found to sound the most natural (and closest to the RedSeven in this video--at much less than half its price!). It doesn't have many features, but definitely nails the main point of getting the sound right. Thanks for another great sounding, well-produced and informative vid.
I was actually shopping for these when it came up on my notifications, thank you!
I hope it helps!
Thank you for actually comparing tones in a mix!
Thank you, this comparison is very helpful! It's not that big a deal, but a demo of how close you could get the Captor X to the others via tweaking it, would be of huge interest :)
Great video as always!
Keep it up!
Red Seven is the most natural to my ears as everybody said, the Impedance curve is the key.
I have a Suhr RL IR though and that ended my RL search as well :)
Hopefully you will be able to try it and compare it to the Amp Central.
Biggest difference I noticed was in the low end. From least to most: Captor, Fractal, Red7. Seemed like the Red7 is a bit warmer with the highs as well. Every now and then I think about trading my Captor (OG black model), but in the mix it's fine and thankfully the differences are subtle. Thanks for the comparison video! Full mixes sounded great as always.
Captor X was VERY specifically designed with post EQ and Enhancer to further tighten and tweak a stock IR file for the user preference. When a listener hear's a bit of a bump in 80hz or a dip in 125/250hz etc- that's just eq filtering. We very directly ensure our platform works well for every user and not one specific audience, giving the user control to tighten the IR's however they like. The other boxes have NO controls to adjust so it's not exactly apples/ apples. I do appreciate you mentioning this in the beginning... if the viewer just skips to the straight to the listening examples. Thanks for your review!
Justin, I own the older (non X) Captor, how would you it compares in tone vs the X model?
@@mrparkinson - we keep abut of a flatter EQ responsive - again intentionally- to work with all speakers and cab types … it’s very easy to tighten the frequency’s w/ a bit of EQ. To be direct - a reactive load is a very simple circuit and implies a ‘feel and response’ differentiation than a ‘resistive load’. There’s a lot of voodoo about the ‘curve’ that’s often more marketing hype than anything.
@@JustinBryantdotcom Thats cool. I appreciate the flatter curve actually. A 4x12 cab is going to have a different eq response than a 1x12 open back combo anyhow. Its probably best that the curve is more neutral because of this. Thanks for the response.
@@mrparkinson Correct- again you can tweak the response as needed w/the Enhancer/ EQ
I've just compared my Suhr RL with my Captor 8 and the difference is basically an EQ Curve. First I thought the Captor was a bit muffled and with way less transients. Sounded fine with a Strat, but not so much with a Les Paul and the settings I was using on the amp. So I've used Fabfilter Match EQ feature and found that it's a 3~4dB Boost on 15KHz, broad bandwidth, starting at 1.5KHz, almost a Shelf. And a 3~4dB bump at ~150Hz with low bandwidth. The mids are ~0.5dB scooped as well. If you do that, voila, both sound pretty much identical. Even the waveforms becomes extremely similar.
Great stuff, Jon! I really like my Two Notes Torpedo Studio personally!
I have the Suhr reactive load and i really enjoy it!
They all sound fine, the captor X cuts through in the mix the best and doesn't compete with the bass guitar. The others sound better in isolation. Just my opinion. Thanks for providing quality content.
Gosh!….. I missed that Fractal sound mate…. Those good old sounds of your channel I felt in love with…. Haha!!
Amazing music mate!! It sounds f*** HUGE!!!. Amazing comparison!
I have the suhr reactive load too and it sounds amazing, I really love both sounds!!
same was blown away by the ol' fractal
I have the first capture and I also have the capture X built into my Revv 100R. I know everyone says two notes stuff sounds bad but it works fine for me. I am able to get plenty of low end out of amps. I know Two notes uses a flatter curve than the other too. I do like the Red7 though its cool.
nice comparison video!
Definitely the Amp Central. I have the Fractal and its decent but the AC is better. I also have a homebrew Aiken load box built with premium components that sounds a lot like the AC. But despite being a homebuilt, cost only slightly less than a new Fractal. Your vid inspires me to do a full on head to head re-amp recording test.
I've just picked up a Captor X after selling my Captor. I really wanted the Shur RL IR, but I just couldn't justify the extra £250, especially with the Captors features (Still just using York Audio IRs and not the Two Notes ones). I definitely prefer the Red 7 tone straight out of the unit, but in a mix, you can easily sort the Captor out. Plus I'll dial in the amp a little different and to be honest, I was happy with the Captor and happy with the Captor X. Great comparison to really highlight the differences. and my want for another load box just for having more options in the studio!
This is very enlightening, i own the captor , but i definitely prefer the others as well , the fractal is more decent option for the price
sounds fantastic! 👌🎸🚀
I prefer RedSeven in this comparison. Good review!
I have the Red Seven and Captor X.
LOVE the Red Seven.
That x-load sounds really good.
Hey man! love your videos big time!
How about a video about lunchbox amps preamp (Mesa mini rectifier, ENGL etc..) --> a 100W power amp (for example: mesa 2:90 or Marshall 9200) VS using a 100W amplifier?
I don't think anyone has ever done such a comparison. :)
My vote goes to Redseven. Thanks for the vid man!
Very interesting.
I believe Redwirez put out some impedance curves IR's a while ago. Would be interesting to put that into the equation.
The load boxes I have are a TAD Silencer 8ohms and a cheap (but somewhat effective) Harley Benton but I don't think they are "reactive" per se. I also have a Tube Town Tone hound which has a small "fake" speaker inside (I guess that makes it reactive) but absolutely zero features, so you have to use a DI with it and also it makes a low but annoying noise.
oh yes! thank you very much for this John, I've been waiting this one for a while :)
I'm using a LB-2 with the 6505MH and I like it a lot and was curious how it would compare with the RedSeven. With EVH the RedSeven seems to be somehow a bit "smoother" as the LB-2, but it doesn't justify to change to the RS. :)
cheers!
Was not ready for such difference between the load boxes, especially at the high gain tone. Two Notes Captor X sounds more dry and it may be really nice for a down tuned stuff. The RedSeven with the lower mid range sounds in-place at the crunch section. But as the well balanced winner here for my ears is the LB-2 X-Load. Just a beast at the palm mutes.
Wow - the difference in the heavy track is insane. Not a surprise looking at the impedance curves, of course but you can clearly hear the missing resonant peak of the 2Notes in palm mutes parts, just doesn't sound realistic there and the video matches my experience and mesaurements. Amp Central and Fractal were two different sides of being great, with more low mids and a bit mellowed out top end on the RedSeven, which may be my favorite here! You should definitely take a look at the St.Rock react:IR! Great sounding Loadbox with a lot of great features (can mix up to 8 IR's and adjusts phase automatically in real time!), some of the best IR's I know already built in and really affordable!
You forgot to mention long IR length (188ms) of REACT:IR :)
But rack format is not for everyone, of course.
Wow that's a complex unit!
Or the parametric EQ, the noise gate, the master room/reverb IR, the power amp simulations, the possibility to create your own IRs and a bunch of other things - guess a full run down would be overkill for a comment section… it’s definitely the unit that won by far for me after trying all the big players. It’s a bit sad that they’re not getting more coverage on CZcams but I guess we as users can be happy if a company invests more into making their products better than into marketing 😅
@@danielringl8501 Still "PA simulation" is nothing compared to Amperium approach.
czcams.com/video/OwDJOQSqmXM/video.html
And HW unit will have 177 ms IR in stereo :)
The St rock is great, a little lacking in high end compared to my cab but eq can fix that plus the resonance curve is amazing (off it sounds flatter like my weber did).
Red 7 sounds the best out of these 3 in every example to me. I also use 3 load boxes, React IR, Suhr and Fryette. They all sound great to me and offer slightly different responses and features. I’d recommend checking out all 3 as well as the driftwood box.
Haven't read any long term reviews, but the Boss load box always seemed like the one to get since you can adjust the impedance curve.
I had captor and the fractal at the same time. I ended up selling the fractal. I just preferred the captors brighter sound.
Great video
It would be very interesting for the comparison to use an actual speaker as the impedance load as a reference to the reactive dummy loads. At least with a Captor X when you connect a speaker to the speaker out it will bypass the internal reactive load and use the speaker as the load seen by the amp (This of course will no longer allow silent recording). If you turn off all processing in the Captor X it becomes just a DI box from which you can then put the signal through an IR just like you did with the load boxes in the video. Of course different types of speakers have a unique impedance curve as well but it would still be cool to hear how the dummy loads would compare against the real thing.
I have the Fractal X-Load and a Fryette PS2…I used to have a Captor,but it wasn’t for me…the curve doesn’t come close to resembling a real speaker,and it doesn’t sound or feel like one either….I love the X-Load,it sounds and feels almost like my real cabs…..The Fryette is very good too..It’s a little warmer sounding,and more punchy in the mids than the Fractal…it’s also adjustable so you can change the amount of “reactiveness “…..I use the Fractal when a need purely a load box,and the Fryette when I want to add attenuation to a real live amp….Load boxes are the most useful thing you can have in my opinion..
The Amp Central sounds the best to my ears but I think the Fractal sounds great and is about a 1/3 of the price. The Captor X would be great in a mix for many unless you are in need of super heavy, percussive tones. Nice demonstration of all three. Well done.
Would love to see you review the RedSeven amps...
Wouldn't that be something ;)
The only problem is availability. The Captor X is the only one available on Thomann and locally. For warranties and assistance I’d have to go with that one, but I truly would prefer the RedSeven. Sounds like the real deal!
Fractal is my preference. Decent low end and much clearer than Red.
#1 red seven #2 LB-2 #3 Cap X but they all get the job done thanks for sharing
great. wish had a suhr releoad in there too.
I like X Load the best! I’d like a comparison with the UA OX Box
Fascinating! Such a huge difference with the higher gain/higher wattage amplifier.
How long have you had the two notes?
I'd love to see a comparison between a high gain amp with low volume, unattenuated, with the same amp, attenuated with a cranked power section. Maybe for several amps. Like, do you really need an attenuator to get better tones at low volume for high gain metal?
My recommendation boils down to cost and availability. For me the Captor X wins because I have it. With the app, you can really dial it for studio ready sounds. Not sure about the others since I don't have them.
I was able to pick up the captor locally, the others, not so much.
Same sentiments. Captor X being available through Thomann and other mainstream retailers - even if it does require initial configuration via run-of-the-mill skeuomorphic UI phone/laptop/desktop app ... for players that just want to set up a direct studio/headphone emulation of their mic'd cab model/live rig for recording/headphones/whatever - that's a one-time process.
Great comparison! I understand why you don't want an OX, sound-wise it's not very good as I've seen on other comparisons, especially considering the price. I would love to hear your thoughts on the Tube Expander and the Fryette Power Load IR. Are these also not interesting to you or just haven't bought them yet? :)
Fractal Audio LB-2 X-Load - th best sound!!!!
I got the Suhr RL, it's amazing, straightforward and simple and sounds great. Doesn't allow for re-amping, but who cares, I like to re-record guitars anyways
I like X-Load most
Red Seven AC for me. Sounds a lot more natural and full and not as cold as the rest.
Redseven AC sounds the most pleasant to my ears
Hmm....I'm using Torpedo Captor X for more than a year and I wonder what DynIR you used. There is a huge difference between DynIR and what MIC options. For me, If I don't satisfied with the sound I change the DynIR and some options. It seems like others do not have many options.
I usually prefer the Ironman 2 loadbox/attenuator, but those others are pretty nice as well.
The problem with the ironman is the line out is super dull. Amazing attenuator though.
No Fryette PowerStation. I have the PS and love is as it has a tube power amp built-in
I preferred the Captor X for it's clarity, as the other two often sounded a bit muffled in the low end. I usually like warmer sounds, so the Captor X might sound thin after a while.
I'm considering the suhr one but now there's a redseven dealer in the US too. If the fractal could load IRs I would prob go with that but I guess they want you to go from the load into the axefx.
I've never tried the Suhr but it's supposed to be pretty good
So, I came into this video thinking captor X would totally suck, mostly based on forums and this comment section, but sincerely I still like it and they cater different markets. I must say RedSeven sounds amazing (Fractal sounds very similar), but is it worth it for me to jump boat and get one at this point? Not really, I hear the lacking of definition on the captor X palm muting side, but I like the mid push open chords have. In reality, I've recorded amazing demos with my captor x and consistently get complements on my guitar tone. So far, no one has said: “your IR sounds cheap lol”.. Now, if I was playing Death metal, I would prob want a RedSeven just based on the palm muting response. But anyone who owns a Fractal, you are good yo.. no need to "upgrade"
I wonder how the St. Rock React:IR and the Suhr React Load would compare?
The Red Seven was the one i prefered, then the Fractal and then Two Notes(and i LOVE the two notes DynIR cabs)
Check czcams.com/video/7sFIkI7_DK4/video.html (there is comparison) and also czcams.com/video/1fNwdAoEUiY/video.html
From technical standpoint Suhr uses stock inductances which gives low resonance peak at slightly higher than typical 4x12 cab. REACT:IR has custom wound inductances to better represent impedance curve. But some people prefers Suhr`s for more scooped tone.
As for digital part REACT:IR has 188 ms IR length while Suhr has 20 ms (the same AMT module also used in Red Seven, it was chosen over st.Rock AMP:IR module).
hey john, can you do a tutorial about finding the "sweet spot" by using a real amp and a loadbox? would be nice :) greets
haha glad to see the EVH 5150 6L6 is back again from repair.
No, I recorded this before it broke on me again
I must say..the Red Seven really sounds the best in these clips..more complex, bigger..just more real. I might have to get one 🙈lol
I have the Captor X now, but I prefer the sound of the Red Seven after seeing your great comparison here.. Best balance of tone and I totally dig how simple it is to operate also. Any chance of doing this same comparison with a Dual Rectifier also?
I have the Captor X and a Dual Rectifier as well. You notice any tone sucking going on when using your Captor X with the DR? I always feel like something is missing when I run it as just a load box into a cab at the lowest attenuation.
@@thet740 Can't say about the attenuator, I use it for direct recording only. I will say that my own IR of a Mesa C90 speaker sounds far more realistic than the Two Notes version. I'm not crazy about any of their Mesa cab simulations unfortunately.
Hey Jon, Did you decide to keep the EVH 5150 you were sending back due to issues or did this video before sending it back...??
Oh! I have both two notes captor & captor X that I use... The Rivera Rock crusher is a great load box (NO IR function)..?
This video was made before it broke down again
would love to get the redseven, but financially for me, I found a used torpedo for a good price, so it is what it is : )
Nothing wrong with the Torpedo! It will serve you good! I have the regular version without the integrated IR loader and it's a solid piece of gear.
Is voicing knob on Captor X made to add you low end and high end if you want it to, sort of to scoop tone?
I'm surprised you didn't include the Universal Audio OXBOX. Not a fan?
They are close enough for me to just choose whatever is the cheapest :)
Hey John I noticed quite a difference here with the redseven it definitely sounds the best. I’m looking at getting 1 now to upgrade from my captor x. Is there any issue running 100 watt amps with masters up at 5 or 6? I notice there is no way to control the output level but in Hennings video he acted as if he could barely turn the input up at all. I’m running a Friedman BE100 deluxe and I like all volumes at about 5 or 6 I know you use this with a lot of amps is there any issue running 100 watt heads at about 60-70 percent volume without having an output control? I’ll be running straight to interface with nothing else in the signal chain.
I use mine passively and with the line out level on the back I've never had issues so far. Works fine with 100w amps for sure!
THANX ... The Fractal just straight up is more punchy. It is substantially cheaper at $300. The Red is 3 times the price and the Captor is twice the price. Add to that it is easier to cut frequencies you have than to add ones you do not have. They all sounded adequate. In the real world they all would get EQ to record or live to deal with both the sound system was capable of and the sound of the room. The other thing is with the Factual is you are not paying for any extras you would not use.
Interesting...did you film this before you got rid of the second 6l6 EVH?
Yeah
How about a clean-tone comparison?
Fractal is the best in my opinion.
Did you film this before the 5150 6L6 broke down or did you get yet another one?
I filmed this before
I see you have a lot of 2x12 cabs in the house and was wondering 1. What’s your fave 2x12 cab. Orange? Engl? 2. If you have any 4x12, what is your fave as well.
Mesa
I use a Suhr RL (simple, no IR) and it's soo good; went with the "plain" version (no IR) because it made more sense for the $$. Try it out if you get the chance. Also, I can't seem to find info on the RedSeven impedance curve(s) - do you happen to know if this data's published anywhere?
i also use the suhr rl I would love to see a comparison between it and the red seven amp central currently there is nothing available.
The Suhr clips at the input... try some heavy palm mutes, you will hear it clip.
@@luisguimaraes2176 Then you are doing something terribly wrong. The only way that's even possible with with the IR version when you are using IRs loaded into the box, and even then all you would need to do is turn down the output from the load or use the hp. I exclusively record metal, and the Suhr RL is the best sounding box I have found for the application. I did a pretty large comparison of a lot of boxes to come to that conclusion. (This was before the RedSeven existed, so I don't know how it compares to the Suhr)
@@Sound_Stable I currently own a Captor, a Reload, a weber mass, a Suhr RL (non IR), a fractal LB-2, a Driftwood Reactive load and a Fryette Powerload (non IR) so I also have some experience with differente types. I can assure you the Suhr clips, so does the regular captor. Fryette is the cleanest of them all. The driftwood has the best amp + cab like feeling under the fingers. Need to try the red seven.
@@bearonguitar they sound similar but feel different. The suhr is stiff under the fingers compared to the driftwood. The driftwood is also more fuller sounding.
This is kind of dumb, but in what krder to hook these up to in, what wires go where? Explain to me like a total NEWB. Would really appreciate it. Can you record that skund and a miced cab and mix them together for a fuller sound?
waiting to hear the 100 watt comparisons.
captor x to me is the most appealing, mainly as i'd like to use live with attenuation of my speaker box at times. they all sound great, i don't like too much editing options, which is a possible negative for the captor, yet, once i'm happy, i'd set and forget hopefully.
evh amp sounded great and better with the other two units though. hopefully a tweak of the captor will bring it out better
The Captor doesn't sound like the gold standard - which is putting a microphone in front of a cab, with a real amp plugged into it. The other two DO sound like the gold standard - IMHO.
The Captor sounds like an "effect".
I liked the red seven the least with the 5150.
two notes, and the ox box use lot of software to make up for their weaker reactive load design/construction imo, that's what I gather from owning a captor and a suhr and from ox box owners who also use the fryette ps.
Why dont you put subscribed links of the products that you review?
Maybe you can do some profit, and you deserve it.
If the Red came with attenuation I would replace my captor X in a minute! A shame that they have that stupid resistive feature that nobody uses instead of attenuation! The red sounds better, but I the captor wins for me due to its versatility! Seriously that resistive option is just a waste of space...
The amp central wins, hands down.
I thought they all would be the same 😂 and the tone was from the IR, not from the unit i wanted to buy a lunchbox amp n use it with ir but checking prices those thing its like buying another amp 😭😭
So does the RedSeven have a head phone out? I need one that I can plug headphones into, and use an IR to play silently at night. Is he attenuator variable on the RedSeven as well?
Why no ox box?
Don't have one, don't want one
@@SonicDriveStudio : I would love to hear the reasons why you don’t want one. Thinking about getting one. They were very highly praised when they were launched, and now they seem to get a lot of hate…
Captor: Grainy
RedSeven: Gooey
Fractal: Full and articulate
I can’t tell the difference in any mix
I hear zero differences...