Attenuator/load box question...

[jlbaxe]

Use a THD hot plate. it also has a line out on it, not that you need it.

I use the Torpedo Live and sold off my Axe II. I prefer real effect pedals or rack gear and my real amp. I got tired of tweaking the axe. Just wasn't for me.

 

[TrueTone500]

Seems like a waste of a perfectly good Fortin Cali if you ask me. From the clips I've heard, the Axe II is more than capable of emulating any modded JCM out there, so your inquiry is somewhat baffling. Instead of going line-out, why not just reduce the amp output of the Fortin via a Rockcrusher or other attenuator, and then input that signal into the Axe II? Why waste a perfectly good amp output signal? Line-out signals usually sound like ass anyway.

 

[TrueTone500]

Seems like a waste of a perfectly good Fortin Cali if you ask me. From the clips I've heard, the Axe II is more than capable of emulating any modded JCM out there, so your inquiry is somewhat baffling. Instead of going line-out, why not just reduce the amp output of the Fortin via a Rockcrusher or other attenuator, and then input that signal into the Axe II? Why waste a perfectly good amp output signal? Line-out signals usually sound like ass anyway.

Hey I'm just trying to incorporate what I have without spending a load of cash on a one trick pone component.

I'm all about using as much of what I have.

This is how Mike described the line out on my amp: "The DI is stock that came on that amp. It is tapped off the speaker jacks." So I'm trying to find out the best method to incorporate my Cali with the Axe Fx. I was thinking maybe using the 4 cable method.

So that's why I'm here looking for ideas not criticism. Amd NO the Axe cannot emmate a Fortin Cali. If somebody has that dime on, please forward me that patch so I can use it.

I didn't mean to be critical, and I have little to no experience with the Axe II. I've heard some incredible tones from players here who own them though. JFYI, Rivera is coming out with a new version of the Rockcrusher specifically designed for recording - but it is pricy! S799.00

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RockCrushREC/

 

[guitarobert]

I've been doing this using an Aracom attenuator as a load box, and running the DI signal into a computer running impulses. It works really well! For best results you may need to look at a load box that advertizes itself as having a reactive impedance curve similar to a real speaker. Aracom and Rivera are two that seem to claim this. But a purely resistive load may work as well. I'd also look at a Weber Mass as a pure load. In fact, in past years you could buy the Mass driver itself and mount it inside your head as an always-available load to plug into.

On the ultra-cheap here's an option for a resistive load. Several people in the review comments say they are using this as a guitar amp load with a DI in between. This is an 8 Ohm 100W dummy resistor. For $15!
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=019-020

Sounds like you already have a DI built in to your amp. If not, try the Whirlwind Director+. It's a passive DI (no battery needed) and sounds great. It goes between the amp and the load, tapping the signal out as a line-level line out.

Regarding using an attenuator, just make sure it advertizes having a load mode. Not all do. But any that does should work fine as long as the wattage is sufficient and the impedance is correct for your amp (8 ohm, 16 ohm, etc.). I'd use a load that can handle 100W or more. Even though you are using a 50W amp that will provide you with some headroom.

 

[TrueTone500]

Regarding using an attenuator, just make sure it advertizes having a load mode. Not all do.

The Rivera Rockcrusher is advertised as having a load mode, but I don't see any setting for that?

 

[Mudder]

Check out the Weber Mass. It's pretty reasonably priced and is a very solid attenuator I use the mini-mass and with some tweaking it sounds great.

 

[MrDan666]

Hookup the DI on the Cali into your AxeFX and for a load, you can use any Attenuator that has a 'Load' setting like the HotPlate or PowerBrake etc

 

[MrDan666]

If you want to go cheaper (and if you're into DIY) you can build a resistive load box fairly easily. You just need an enclosure like a Hammond and an aluminium wire wound power resistor like an 8ohm/250w and a jack socket.

Alternatively you can take 10 smaller resistors and hook them up in parallel to achieve the correct resistance value and power rating, say 10 of the 25w rated 80 ohm resistors all hooked up in parallel for an 8ohm/250w load. That often works out cheaper than buying one massive 250w rated resistor.

 

[guitarobert]

Regarding using an attenuator, just make sure it advertizes having a load mode. Not all do.

The Rivera Rockcrusher is advertised as having a load mode, but I don't see any setting for that?

Looks like it acts as a load box if the attenuator switch is on but no speakers are connected to its output. That's what I'm seeing in the manual although I don't have one. They also recommend setting it to 16 ohms if the amp supports it because it can handle a higher wattage at that setting.

 

[joepete77]

What about the badcat unleash? I think That may have what you are looking for, and it also has many other cool options.

 

[dstroud]

I much prefer an attenuator with my 1987 and 1959 than any ppimv. And I tried a couple different ppimv circuits. I got an ultimate attenuator direct from HO and it's worked great for many years with lots of use. However that Bad Cat Unleash also looks very cool too. - SORRY, I posted in the wrong thread

 

[Jeremy]

Regarding using an attenuator, just make sure it advertizes having a load mode. Not all do.

The Rivera Rockcrusher is advertised as having a load mode, but I don't see any setting for that?

Looks like it acts as a load box if the attenuator switch is on but no speakers are connected to its output. That's what I'm seeing in the manual although I don't have one. They also recommend setting it to 16 ohms if the amp supports it because it can handle a higher wattage at that setting.

There's a video on Facebook (can't link from work) that Paul Rivera Jr. did up called "How to hook up your Rock Crusher to an amp" and he goes through running as a load with no cabinet hooked up. It's not on the 'Rivera Amplification' Facebook page, but this other one simply called 'Rivera.'

 

[BC Audio]

THD Hot Plate will do it and are readily available used for about $200.

 

[TrueTone500]

I just spoke with Rivera. I mentioned that I didn't see a 'load' option on the Rockcrusher as you see on the THD, Weber,etc... Rivera informed me that both the standard RC, and the Recording Rockcrusher is a load-box regardless of the control settings. You just have to make sure that the switch is set to 'Attenuate'. I was also told me that both the RC and RC Recording can be used as a DI with no speaker cabinet connected to the RC device. The standard RC line-out will need cabinet emulation, unless of-course you get the RC Recording model. With the Weber and THD, I believe you must also have a speaker cabinet connected unless you are using it in the 'load' mode. Whether or not you can still use the line-out, I do not know?

Line-out from your amp is not an attenuated signal from both your pre and power amp sections... It is post-preamp only. Line-out from an attenuator however gives you a complete attenuated amplifier signal from both the pre and power amp sections. I'm just trying clarify any contradictions I may have made in-regards to the normal operation of the Rockcrusher. Also, the Rockcrusher Recording does not convert your amplifier signal to digital... It is 100% analog cabinet emulation.