Let's talk load boxes!

[Alex Kenivel]

My PRS MT15 has overtaken my Helix in the Race To Tone©: High Gain® so much that I want to have it as an option to record and play at low levels. So far I've been using the MT15's preamp send into my DAW and running Ignite TPA-1 for power amp sim and Redwirez MixIR2 for cabs (leaving the MT15 on standby simply cuts the sound from the speaker so I can achieve quiet play) but I'm not sure if I should keep doing that or look into a Reactive load box.

What are some of the best low-cost load boxes that one could get? Are they all a tonal compromise somehow? I know there are some more simple solutions like DI boxes that can tap a line out from the speaker output (B3#$!^g$r has the GI-100 for example) -- are those any good?

 

[Blix]

If volume is no problem you could always get a Bray Line-out Box which goes between head and cab and apply IR to the signal in your DAW.
Cost= $55.

BRAY LO-1 Line-Out Box | Reverb

LO-1 Line Out Box, hand-built built here in California, USA since 2005. Great for running time-based effects (delays, reverbs) with amps that do not have reverb or loops, especially Plexi style amps. â¨â¨The LO-1 connects between your main amp and it's speakers, where it steals a small amount of...

reverb.com

 

[Alex Kenivel]

If volume is no problem you could always get a Bray Line-out Box which goes between head and cab and apply IR to the signal in your DAW.
Cost= $55.

BRAY LO-1 Line-Out Box | Reverb

LO-1 Line Out Box, hand-built built here in California, USA since 2005. Great for running time-based effects (delays, reverbs) with amps that do not have reverb or loops, especially Plexi style amps. â¨â¨The LO-1 connects between your main amp and it's speakers, where it steals a small amount of...

reverb.com

that's cool for cheap chips! I'd personally want to be able to silence the speaker

 

[Blix]

that's cool for cheap chips! I'd personally want to be able to silence the speaker

Then a used non-IR Suhr Reactive Load should be first on your list. I think I'll get buried with mine!

 

[James Freeman]

I'm not sure if I should keep doing that or look into a Reactive load box.

Since all the gain is from the preamp, I would say your current solution is more than good enough.
In all honesty you are not going to gain much tone variety form a reactive load with a high gain amp unless you want 100% accuracy.
The TPA-1 provides poweramp coloration and controls which is more than good enough to rock and roll.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

I've just bought a two notes captor and am planning to run it into my Helix as an IR loader. Unfortunately my JVM is away getting the OD channel modded to Od1 specs so I haven't been able to try it yet.

 

[laxu]

• Fryette Powerload/Power Station
• Suhr Reactive Load
• Bluetone Loadbox

These are units that I've had good results using. The Bluetone is unique in that it's both a 3-step attenuator and works as a loadbox. They make a Lite version without the honestly awful analog cab sim and headphones out. As a load it is IMO on par with the Fryette stuff, just not adjustable for impedance curve like the Fryette is.

Personally I don't use loadboxes anymore. To me if I want to go direct, a great digital modeler is just plain more convenient.

 

[Blix]

BTW, using your Helix for IR's/fx/interface is pretty ideal for use with a loadbox, you avoid the latcenty of using an IR-loader in your daw and can monitor directly off the Helix.

 

[TheTrueZoltan!]

Suhr Reactive Load FTW

 

[la szum]

Reactive Load Box?

Recommendations for a load boox to use with tube amps for silent recording? Ox Box probably out of my price range. Looking at Radial Headbone, Fractal X-Load, Suhr, and Two Notes right now. Anyone using one consistently? Thoughts? Opinions? :idk

thegearforum.com

Here's another thread on here about the same topic. Usual suspects are mentioned.

 

[ejecta]

I’ve had most of the load boxes, UA, Two Notes, Suhr but no Boss or Fractal… I prefer the Tone King Ironman Mini or the II.

 

[Steinmetzify]

Suhr RLIR for lyfe

 

[Alex Kenivel]

Since all the gain is from the preamp, I would say your current solution is more than good enough.
In all honesty you are not going to gain much tone variety form a reactive load with a high gain amp unless you want 100% accuracy.
The TPA-1 provides poweramp coloration and controls which is more than good enough to rock and roll.

I wouldn't say all the gain is from the preamp - especially on the Clean channel (yes I play the MT15's clean channel ). Turning up the clean volume toward "kill" gets pretty crunchy through the power section and pulling the boost knob on top of that gives a nice chunky overdrive. The preamp stays clean even in TPA-1 until I add another plugin with volume boost to help hit the virtual t00bs. The Depth and Presence knobs also don't work.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

No love for the Two Notes stuff? Cheaper and the Captor X has attenuation

 

[Blix]

No love for the Two Notes stuff? Cheaper and the Captor X has attenuation

Most seem to prefer the sound of the Suhr, including me. My first load was a Two-Notes Reload.

 

[FAKA!]

I have Suhr RL, Suhr RL IR, Waza TAE, and Fryette PS-100. The Suhr to me has the best articulation for the stuff I do. When I first started out the og Suhr was the first one I got, but I was always wondering how other load boxes were in comparison. So it was a costly adventure but now that I have a better perspective, Suhr all the way. Either model works well. Also handy when biasing your amps.

Never tried the two notes boxes, mainly cause I could not stand the WoS plugin.

 

[GuitarBilly]

I've tried all the main brands and the Suhr is my favorite.

 

[PBGas]

Two-Notes fan here. I've been using their stuff for a long time.

 

[NKP]

I used the two notes for some year and recording but I end selling it, as the axe does the job .
I wanted to try the fractal box or suhr but I give up in the end .

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Suhr, Driftwood or React IR