Suhr Reactive Load Vs Two Notes Vs Rockcrusher

[Viljami]

The Suhr sounds fantastic to my ears, but I'm still looking for something a bit easier to lug around, like a rack unit, so the Two Notes appeals to me. I'm worried that it'll sound different to what I've already got (Suhr RL and Torpedo CAB with Redwirez IRs). I understand that IRs will sound the same, but the load - according to Pete's demo, sounds different to my ears and I prefer the Suhr.

Has anyone tried both and still use the Torpedo Live?

Cheers

I sold my SRL and Torpedo C.A.B. after I bought my Torpedo Live. In a perfect world (surplus $$$) I would have kept the SRL to have an easy way to get a dry guitar sound into my computer (and use the speaker sims in the computer and be able to try them out). The Torpedo Live allows this, but requires a setting change. In a direct comparison between the Suhr RL (using the Live's Speaker sims), the Live, and using my Mesa 412 Traditional cab as the load, and using a line out of the amp into the Live for cab sims, I preferred the cab as a load (so not silent in the room) then the Live, then the SRL. You can hear my recordings here.

https://soundcloud.com/user-344581039/t ... hrampclean

https://soundcloud.com/user-344581039/t ... hrampdirty

Please excuse the flubs.
First set of sounds is the Torpedo Live, then SRL->Live, then cab as a load and amp Slave send to the Live.
Amp is my Mesa Roadster, with stock Traditional/Stiletto 412 cab on channel 3 vintage. The Live's cab sim was set to the CaliStd setting.

The slave out may sound different and this may have affected this test. It think a better comparison would be if the signal chain would be as same as possible with all the loads. For example connecting the amp's speaker out to Torpedo and when using the two other loads, just keeping the Torpedo where it is, but connecting the SRL or the cab via Torpedo's Thru connection.

 

[Hung Huy Tran]

The Suhr sounds fantastic to my ears, but I'm still looking for something a bit easier to lug around, like a rack unit, so the Two Notes appeals to me. I'm worried that it'll sound different to what I've already got (Suhr RL and Torpedo CAB with Redwirez IRs). I understand that IRs will sound the same, but the load - according to Pete's demo, sounds different to my ears and I prefer the Suhr.

Has anyone tried both and still use the Torpedo Live?

Cheers

I sold my SRL and Torpedo C.A.B. after I bought my Torpedo Live. In a perfect world (surplus $$$) I would have kept the SRL to have an easy way to get a dry guitar sound into my computer (and use the speaker sims in the computer and be able to try them out). The Torpedo Live allows this, but requires a setting change. In a direct comparison between the Suhr RL (using the Live's Speaker sims), the Live, and using my Mesa 412 Traditional cab as the load, and using a line out of the amp into the Live for cab sims, I preferred the cab as a load (so not silent in the room) then the Live, then the SRL. You can hear my recordings here.

https://soundcloud.com/user-344581039/t ... hrampclean

https://soundcloud.com/user-344581039/t ... hrampdirty

Please excuse the flubs.
First set of sounds is the Torpedo Live, then SRL->Live, then cab as a load and amp Slave send to the Live.
Amp is my Mesa Roadster, with stock Traditional/Stiletto 412 cab on channel 3 vintage. The Live's cab sim was set to the CaliStd setting.

The slave out may sound different and this may have affected this test. It think a better comparison would be if the signal chain would be as same as possible with all the loads. For example connecting the amp's speaker out to Torpedo and when using the two other loads, just keeping the Torpedo where it is, but connecting the SRL or the cab via Torpedo's Thru connection.

Good points.

 

[V2a]

Anyone try out the Radial Headload?

 

[JMMP]

The Suhr sounds fantastic to my ears, but I'm still looking for something a bit easier to lug around, like a rack unit, so the Two Notes appeals to me. I'm worried that it'll sound different to what I've already got (Suhr RL and Torpedo CAB with Redwirez IRs). I understand that IRs will sound the same, but the load - according to Pete's demo, sounds different to my ears and I prefer the Suhr.

Has anyone tried both and still use the Torpedo Live?

Cheers

I sold my SRL and Torpedo C.A.B. after I bought my Torpedo Live. In a perfect world (surplus $$$) I would have kept the SRL to have an easy way to get a dry guitar sound into my computer (and use the speaker sims in the computer and be able to try them out). The Torpedo Live allows this, but requires a setting change. In a direct comparison between the Suhr RL (using the Live's Speaker sims), the Live, and using my Mesa 412 Traditional cab as the load, and using a line out of the amp into the Live for cab sims, I preferred the cab as a load (so not silent in the room) then the Live, then the SRL. You can hear my recordings here.

https://soundcloud.com/user-344581039/t ... hrampclean

https://soundcloud.com/user-344581039/t ... hrampdirty

Please excuse the flubs.
First set of sounds is the Torpedo Live, then SRL->Live, then cab as a load and amp Slave send to the Live.
Amp is my Mesa Roadster, with stock Traditional/Stiletto 412 cab on channel 3 vintage. The Live's cab sim was set to the CaliStd setting.

The slave out may sound different and this may have affected this test. It think a better comparison would be if the signal chain would be as same as possible with all the loads. For example connecting the amp's speaker out to Torpedo and when using the two other loads, just keeping the Torpedo where it is, but connecting the SRL or the cab via Torpedo's Thru connection.

That won't be happening any time soon, as I have sold the SRL.
And while it may be a more accurate test between loads, the truth is that I would not run the SRL from the through of the Live, as the goal is to only have one load device. Running the SRL line out into the Live more accurately replicates the SRL-> C.A.B. setup many seem to use. Same for the Amp-> cab with the slave out driving the Live. In real life, I would run one speaker cable to lower chances of failure between my amp and the speaker cab.

 

[errrrrl]

I sold my SRL and Torpedo C.A.B. after I bought my Torpedo Live. In a perfect world (surplus $$$) I would have kept the SRL to have an easy way to get a dry guitar sound into my computer (and use the speaker sims in the computer and be able to try them out). The Torpedo Live allows this, but requires a setting change. In a direct comparison between the Suhr RL (using the Live's Speaker sims), the Live, and using my Mesa 412 Traditional cab as the load, and using a line out of the amp into the Live for cab sims, I preferred the cab as a load (so not silent in the room) then the Live, then the SRL. You can hear my recordings here.

https://soundcloud.com/user-344581039/t ... hrampclean

https://soundcloud.com/user-344581039/t ... hrampdirty

Please excuse the flubs.
First set of sounds is the Torpedo Live, then SRL->Live, then cab as a load and amp Slave send to the Live.
Amp is my Mesa Roadster, with stock Traditional/Stiletto 412 cab on channel 3 vintage. The Live's cab sim was set to the CaliStd setting.

Very interesting... So if I were to try to replicate your Slave test with my equipment (SRL) I would plug my amp into a cab, plug the line out of my amp into my Suhr RL? Then plug SRL into my interface/daw? Is that right? Heck I'll try it, curious on the sound. Did you happen to notice if it made any difference how soft or loud you cranked your amp up?

 

[JMMP]

I had three separate tests. One was the amp plugged straight into the Live. The next test was Amp plugged into the SRL, then SRL line out (balanced) to the line input of the Live (not the reactive load portion). The final test was Amp plugged into cab with the amp's slave out plugged into the Live's line input. Running a slave output into the SRL's speaker input shouldn't damage anything, but my guess is that there won't be enough signal for the SRL to have a meaningful output.

I turned the Amp up enough to get the speakers moving, but not so loud that I was uncomfortable in the same room, and only tried the test at that one volume setting.

 

[Viljami]

That won't be happening any time soon, as I have sold the SRL.
And while it may be a more accurate test between loads, the truth is that I would not run the SRL from the through of the Live, as the goal is to only have one load device. Running the SRL line out into the Live more accurately replicates the SRL-> C.A.B. setup many seem to use. Same for the Amp-> cab with the slave out driving the Live. In real life, I would run one speaker cable to lower chances of failure between my amp and the speaker cab.

Live won't work as a load device if it is the Thru output is being used. Then the load section is bypassed and it works like a DI box. Still, I understand that you wanted to use the SRL's DI out because of mimicking the use with C.A.B.

In my Dual Rectifier i have noticed that the sound is slightly different when taken from the Slave Out, compared to the DI'd signal taken from the speaker out. Although it doesn't explain the huge difference in your test. In Pete Thorn's test the difference between loads and the real cab was much smaller.

I appreciate you doing this kind of experiment. I'm just wondering what would explain the outcome of your test. I'm a Torpedo Live user also BTW.

 

[JMMP]

That won't be happening any time soon, as I have sold the SRL.
And while it may be a more accurate test between loads, the truth is that I would not run the SRL from the through of the Live, as the goal is to only have one load device. Running the SRL line out into the Live more accurately replicates the SRL-> C.A.B. setup many seem to use. Same for the Amp-> cab with the slave out driving the Live. In real life, I would run one speaker cable to lower chances of failure between my amp and the speaker cab.

Live won't work as a load device if it is the Thru output is being used. Then the load section is bypassed and it works like a DI box. Still, I understand that you wanted to use the SRL's DI out because of mimicking the use with C.A.B.

In my Dual Rectifier i have noticed that the sound is slightly different when taken from the Slave Out, compared to the DI'd signal taken from the speaker out. Although it doesn't explain the huge difference in your test. In Pete Thorn's test the difference between loads and the real cab was much smaller.

I appreciate you doing this kind of experiment. I'm just wondering what would explain the outcome of your test. I'm a Torpedo Live user also BTW.

By "only have one load device" I meant to imply ownership of only one load.

 

[JerEvil]

I have the Torpedo Studio. Recently sold my Fryette Power Station. The Two Notes is great. I have been getting some VERY convincing recorded tones from it. I am using a mix of Two Notes, OwnHammer, SinMix and Celestion IR's with it and could not be happier. I could not get recorded sounds direct that I was satisfied with using the Power Station TBH.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I have the Torpedo Studio. Recently sold my Fryette Power Station. The Two Notes is great. I have been getting some VERY convincing recorded tones from it. I am using a mix of Two Notes, OwnHammer, SinMix and Celestion IR's with it and could not be happier. I could not get recorded sounds direct that I was satisfied with using the Power Station TBH.

Hey Jer, how did you find the fryette power station for attenuation and then a load for cab impulses?can't decide which way to go, attenuators or load and cab impulse. I might just wait for the captor and then get an attenuator as well.

 

[JerEvil]

I have the Torpedo Studio. Recently sold my Fryette Power Station. The Two Notes is great. I have been getting some VERY convincing recorded tones from it. I am using a mix of Two Notes, OwnHammer, SinMix and Celestion IR's with it and could not be happier. I could not get recorded sounds direct that I was satisfied with using the Power Station TBH.

Hey Jer, how did you find the fryette power station for attenuation and then a load for cab impulses?can't decide which way to go, attenuators or load and cab impulse. I might just wait for the captor and then get an attenuator as well.

I used it about 90% of the time as a power amp for the Kemper which was great. I only used it a handful of the time for attenuation or direct recording. I'll say that for using to record with Ir's I was not happy with it. MUCH happier with the Torpedo Studio (and even was with the Live)

I have some new Butterslax vids in the works with the Studio and honestly it is some of he best recorded tones I've ever gotten.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I was just reading through the twonotes Live documentation, although you can only run one impulse at a time, they thought it through well as you can also get the raw unprocessed amp di into your DAW for later processing with diff impulses at once. You just set one of the ownhammer impulses from the premixed pack to track with and go. I was considering also going cab combined with suhr réactive load but might make more sense to just go Live or Reload. 1400$ canadian for the Live though. Our dollar is getting beat like a mule.

 

[JerEvil]

I was just reading through the twonotes Live documentation, although you can only run one impulse at a time, they thought it through well as you can also get the raw unprocessed amp di into your DAW for later processing with diff impulses at once. You just set one of the ownhammer impulses from the premixed pack to track with and go. I was considering also going cab combined with suhr réactive load but might make more sense to just go Live or Reload. 1400$ canadian for the Live though. Our dollar is getting beat like a mule.

Yeah man, the Live is great. I only returned it as I wanted some of the extra features of the Studio and it is in a "live in" rack. I have been using more Two-Notes cabs as of late and have some pretty good presets. I also have some OwnHammer and Celestial IR's loaded in the unit. Really a killer piece of kit. Especially if you use your head and match your pics and cabs like you would in the real world. I really dig the Two Notes Friedman 25/30 cab using both speaker. 57 on the GB and Royer on the V30. Plus add in the room verb and EQ/Compression, it offers a whole lot.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Have you tried making your own impulses of your speakers?

 

[brianiac5150]

Having spied the forum and elsewhere regarding the Suhr Reactive Load - after having owned the excellent Torpedo Live and CAB units and selling them; I pulled the trigger this week on a SRL and am really lovin' it. One big/obvious difference is the need to have a DAW/cab sim app open to use it versus the Live's ability to just plug into speakers.

Where a load is needed, one can't go wrong with either units (I've no experience with the Rockcrusher), however - as Rockinchippy suggested in another posting - the SRL is the perfect, least expensive tool for home recording.

Here's a couple quick clips I did with my Shiva 20th and V-Plex 50:
Shiva 20th
Voodoo V-Plex 50 clean and with MXR EVH in front

Edit note: having gone through most of the modeling options, I'm extremely pleased to have come full circle back to tube amps, while super happy to have the load option back where I can get these results without slaying the family when tracking at home.

 

[JerEvil]

Having spied the forum and elsewhere regarding the Suhr Reactive Load - after having owned the excellent Torpedo Live and CAB units and selling them; I pulled the trigger this week on a SRL and am really lovin' it. One big/obvious difference is the need to have a DAW/cab sim app open to use it versus the Live's ability to just plug into speakers.

Where a load is needed, one can't go wrong with either units (I've no experience with the Rockcrusher), however - as Rockinchippy suggested in another posting - the SRL is the perfect, least expensive tool for home recording.

Here's a couple quick clips I did with my Shiva 20th and V-Plex 50:
Shiva 20th
Voodoo V-Plex 50 clean and with MXR EVH in front

Edit note: having gone through most of the modeling options, I'm extremely pleased to have come full circle back to tube amps, while super happy to have the load option back where I can get these results without slaying the family when tracking at home.

I hear you. I have had all the top tier modelers and am loving recording my tube amps way more. Many ways to skin the direct recording cat and I have explored most of those as well. Love my Torpedo Studio but the Suhr certainly seems to be a crowd favorite and I have heard some killer clips using it.

 

[PBGas]

I sold my Live and moved up the Studio a few months back. An awesome unit! Really happy with what I am able to get out of it. The two IRs in stereo are fantastic when playing live!

 

[StereoFile]

Is latency an issue when using a solution that uses IRs in the DAW versus IR's in the unit itself (such as the Two Note Studio)?

Obviously latency is dictated largely by the settings in the DAW but, on the whole, does a totally outside the DAW setup feel smoother to play?

 

[nigelpkay]

I recently got a Suhr Reactive Load and I think it's amazing. I have not used a Torpedo Live but whatever they've done inside the Suhr it's amazing and reacts as close to a speaker cab as you can get. Maybe one small note is that it's engineered to react like a greenback, while the Torpedo has a more general curve. Ownhammer impulses are easily the best and I've tried tons. Celestions are good too but they seem more geared to rock rather than metal. My fave OH is the Marshall CB cab with v30s and also the EVH greenbacks pack.
One weird thing about the Suhr is that it has a balanced and unbalanced out, and I find it sounds better and less noisy on the unbalanced out. I go into a Torpedo CAB to offload my IR processing from the DAW.

 

[StereoFile]

That's my concern, that the IR plugin might tax the DAW.