Pete Thorn- Recording Guitar With Load Boxes and Impulse Responses

All about using load boxes and impulse responses with guitar amps to achieve great recorded guitar tones, without cabs or mics!
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[@PeteThorn]

If anyone wants to share the vid, please do, I'd appreciate it.

[@richardroncarolo7633]

+Pete Thorn would you mind sharing your impulse Pete ?

[@maximep3440]

+Pete Thorn I already did share your vid all around the world of guitarists ;). However, I was wondering: what do you think of "complete IR sets"? I mean, in your samples, you use a real amp and the IR instead of cab/mic. Some stuff like Kemper Profiler computes IR of both amp, cab and mic. It makes the whole idea of owning an amp "not mandatory anymore". In this particular case, what about the feeling, the tone? Is it still "close enough for rock n roll" to the real thing? I'm really wondering whether I should give Kemper guys a chance or stick with my Torpedo based gig... Thanks for the answer ;).

[@richardroncarolo7633]

+Maxime P , i'm not Pete, but i wen through the whole thing, axe fx, kemper, you name it ... and recently i bought a torpedo reload, as well as a tube amp, and this definitly different, and way more awesome than every one of those machines. Tone is definitly there, no questions about it. Of course the kemper is good, but it lacks that feeling of a real amp.

[@michaelparson-mcnamara782]

+Pete Thorn I did at the DigiFreq forum. I think it's the best one on this subject, by far.

[@PeteThorn]

+Michael Parson-McNamara Thanks Michael!

[@thepursuitband4672]

I've been recording this way for about 2-3 months with a Suhr Reactive Load (best $400 I've ever spent) going straight into Logic Pro X and loading up some Ownhammer IR's through the Space Designer Reverb plugin.......MIND....BLOWN!!! After having worked in a studio in LA for around 7 years with all kinds of great amps, cabs, top-notch mic pre's, fantastic mics and a great room.....I'm telling you this...I may never go through the trouble of mic'ing up a cab ever again! I use a Vox AC30TB6 and it literally makes me wanna weep tears of joy. Plus, if I don't particularly like where it's sitting in the mix at the end of the process, I just load up a different IR. It's way easier and way more efficient.

[@lc11s]

Sounds: 16:08 - Speaker Cab, 16:23 - THD, 16:38 - Airbrake, 16:54 - Suhr Reactive Load, 17:09 - Two Notes Reload, 17:23 - Fryette Power Station

[@RobChappers]

Hi Peter, really fantastic video - definitely going to look into the torpedo, actually sounded fantastic, really interesting stuff thank you for taking the time to make it :-)

[@kyleimlah2217]

Hey hey hey!

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks Rob!

[@napkinshoplifta5163]

How do I get that little check mark next to my channel name

[@PeteCalandra]

I have been using load boxes/ speaker simulators for years and just as Pete says, NYC apartment screaming amp head! I recorded all the electric guitar parts for most of the themes on the COMCAST Sports Net, FOX Sports FIFA WORLD CUP Theme, ESPN Special OLympics World Games Theme and many others originally with a Palmer PDI-03 and lately (Due to Pete's great review) the Rivera Rock Crusher. Fantastic video Pete

[@PeteThorn]

petercalandra wow you’ve done some great work! 👍👍

[@m0j0b0ne]

This clip made me a subscriber. It's all stuff I already knew (and learned at a cost, mostly) but it's explained here SO much better and more concisely than I can. (I have a tendency to digress) This is high-quality instruction from a master at his craft. Absolutely 20 minutes well spent.

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks! I’m glad you like the video!

[@zacate1983]

I come back to this video all the time to compare what I’ve learned with time since I first saw it, always blows me away!

[@scottanderson6807]

As someone who is very critical of digital approximations of analog gear, this is the best solution I’ve heard so far. For the perk of being able to deliver that sound at any volume, its great. Sure, there is a difference in sound (most noticeable in the push and compression of bass moving the speaker) but its really quite good. This may finally be the solution to staying friends with FOH engineers. lol Thanks so much Pete!

[@john_air]

The amount of work he had put in this video is just mind boggling Great great job pete thx for super detailed explanation and demos

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Great video Pete! and I agree that this is revolutionary technology, especially for home studios. I recently started using a Two Notes Torpedo Live and I have to say it's just awesome! Recording stuff at home through the speaker cabinet has been tough, always feel like I'm annoying somebody and no matter how many times people around me say they don't mind, I know that they are just being polite. End result is I have always felt "held back" by this. The Torpedo eliminates all of this and sounds amazing. I can crank my Egnater Renegade anytime of day or night through the headphones and not bother a soul. cheers

[@PeteThorn]

I always felt this way too, playing at home through amps- hard to just work on ideas and play freely if you feel like you are bothering others! So devices and techniques like this are a great solution

[@masque1313]

Pete, nobody on the internet makes videos as cool as you do. You really explain things in a way that makes sense and you know how to discuss the right things based on how an average home recording guitar player would approach these kinds of things. Thanks for the taking the time to do this video!

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks!!!

[@howardanderson3061]

Excellent video, IR's are amazing

[@jatin7361]

I certainly learned a great deal from this excellent video, Mr. Thorn. Thank you. What an amazing time we musicians are living in.

[@PeteThorn]

+Ja Tin Thanks!

[@seanconnorguitar5972]

It's really great how you manage to explain something that seems so complicated (to me) in a straight forward way. I love that about your videos, concise but detailed explanations. Completely understood all of that. Nice one 👍

[@PeteThorn]

Sean Connor Guitar thanks!!!

[@geraldhinson]

Very effective demo. You are a great teacher. Back in 2007 I took Bruce Egnater's amp building class and remember discussing the fixed load solutions with Bruce while soldering. Bruce was not a fan of them because they completely lost the nuances that occur between the output section of the amp and the speaker cab. I remember him commenting, "I don't know why they build them that way. It's not that hard to emulate what's really happening there." Apparently he was right. :) And, the difference in sound between the fixed and reactive is quite compelling as he predicted. It would be interesting to hear the recording you made at the beginning using the other reactive loads for comparison. Thanks for your work. I rarely comment, but I watch a lot.

[@davpat2112]

I have read many articles and watched many videos about impulse responses and this explanation and demo is the very best. Thanks very much Pete for such a clear and concrete example!

[@chrisfg71]

Pete, I can't than you enough. I just picked up the Suhr load box and I'm trying out some IR's with my tweed deluxe clone and it sounds better than I even thought it would. I can now record in my nyc apt at night without bothering the neighbors. Mixing close mics and room mics gives even more depth. I was concerned that it would not sound as good with a combo amp just breaking up as most demos are more saturated than I generally like.. but it sounds great! Way better than any amp simulator I've tried.

[@BadMotivator66]

OMG i just figured out why my JCM 200 was sounding like crap when i recorded it using my m-audio DI box and the amp's FX loop :D i was using it on the guitar level setting, not the line level setting! THANK YOU!

[@theHAL9000]

Super helpful informative video. Thanks.

[@PALMLINES]

Fantastic video

[@f.d.t.f.d.t.7310]

Thanks for this shootout, it is a vast and difficult subject very well explained! I own two hot plates, two two notes, a fryette and a ua ox... they all have their good and bad sides... I think the comparison between the hot plate and fryette was a bit unfair, the hot plate also has a "bright" and "deep" switch that could have been turned on for the test and, with some sympathetic eq on the amp and the right choice of ir, they can be made to sound pretty decent, they were definitely the best thing when there was nothing else around and IMO work pretty good as attenuators as well (at moderate att levels)

[@jamesprice6381]

Very kool, was doing this w/Mac n a Behringer Ultra G bk in 2008

[@AndrewErwin73]

Listening to the difference between the cab and the IR, it sounds like there was something a little flat around 4k... but, you could EQ that to be perfect... this really makes me want to explore IRs more!

[@wildbillpreston]

Pete, that sounds closer than any impulse I've ever heard side by side. Great job and keep up the good work.

[@chris.kee.]

So informative! Thanks for posting this and making so many comparisons. You have really shined a light on what is out there and what can be done with home brew IR. I recently got a fender bassbreaker which has an xlr out with speaker simulation button which has made it possible to play killer tones in my apartment.

[@VoxJ]

Really great and informative video!!! Thanks! simulation 7:34 Real Thing 7:59 On youtube I hear no difference.... I’m a big fan of the Rivera Rock Crusher… Best one I’v heard, missing that one… (it sits on the shelf?)

[@tiagoderrico]

+Robert Johnson III I have that one as well... wondering why he didn't include it on this video.

[@jjm9741]

to similar to criticize should satisfy the most demanding tone seekers

[@DavidSollows]

Dont for get the costume change @ 10:12

[@SuprachargerMusic]

Thanks man. This solved a long debate I had with myself and a friend about whether having a cab to mic was really that much better. It is. It was so much more harmonically rich, the real thing, not even close. The cabinet is necessary, the IR vs Cab itself might be a different debate (still using the cab itself as a load).

[@user-pu1jy1is4q]

Real thing sounds better, but the simulation is very good and far more reasonable for home use

[@lp1926.guitars]

A little late to the party... such an amazing video. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@rushyeskansas]

Excellent video Pete ... you make it understandable for everone, thanx a lot! greetz from Brazil.

[@JoeandAngie]

Helping this dad in understanding my son's need(s) as he heads off to music college. He's currently in a band, has lots of equip, but a Stomp xl, load box and IR will certainly simplify his life and limited space and amp cranking ability when he's in a hopefully apartment on his own. Your explanation is intelligently presented, concise and very informative. Thanks, man. I'm a 70s guy whose ears are still ringing from all the shows, car stereos and home stereos cranked. Old Led Head...live Jimmy 73. Can't be beat. Any of these gadgets do laundry?

[@spost26]

Great video Pete! The proof is in the tone. It's VERY close to a mic'd cab and the portability, reusability and ability to get a tube head into the sweet spot without going deaf or getting evicted is a game-changer for home recordists.

[@chrism8614]

Great video, Thanks for touching the technical details

[@NikolajChristensen]

Awesome video Pete. Thanks for making it available. Great real world examples.

[@markrodriguez4105]

Great Demo of information. A lot of people are going to love this video. Thanks for taking the time.

[@mulletmule]

Best video out there on this! Old school guy here looking into two notes. Thanks Pete

[@jolyoncox]

Really appreciate the effort you've gone to Pete. Cheers.

[@sliberty]

I know this is an oldie - but man - what a great video. Thanks Pete. You clarified so much in there.

[@giacomocicirello3538]

Thanks for all the info you share about IRs, the Suhr Reactive Load, and impulse response, and all other videos and comments at thegearpage were very useful! Cheers!

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks!

[@AlistairLindsay]

Great video! Thank you very much for explaining it all and making it easy to understand. I’m studio-only these days and have gone from years of recording only with virtual amps to real valve amps and real cabs and mics of late, but I can see how the load boxes and IR workflow is very efficient and I’m certainly going to try it after watching your video and hearing how good it can sound!

[@guitargeek57]

what's so cool about this is Pete has a top notch studio but he still chooses to do it this way because its just so stinking practical

[@Spidouz]

9:30 from my observations, I noted that people that will always complain that "they can hear differences", are often people that spend more time arguing about it on forum and comment section on youtube, than actually playing, recording and performing music to audience. It's the case for IR Cabs, Amps, but also outboard gear, analog synth, analog mixer, etc... My rule of thumb is that if_I_ can't hear any major difference to identify what is "good" and what is "bad", that's perfectly fine. Because "different" doesn't mean bad. You can have two different cabs, amps, guitars, synth, or whatever... supposed to be the same model, etc... and they won't sound the same anyway!

[@samaitcheson7057]

I came back to watch this video out of curiosity after getting my Captor X and being blown away by how easy it is to get killer tones into my DAW using it. This is a great video for being made over 6 years ago, and the tech details are really useful for me in understanding how my Captor X is actually working and how I can get the best out of it. Really appreciate the work that goes into these videos. I'm also digging the Malcolm Young hairstyle while rocking out those AC/DC like riffs👌

[@jeffainsley6000]

Brilliant video. Just brilliant.

[@jimmymemphis2379]

Hi Peter, You made a difficult subject easy to understand Science has a huge place in recording and the world of guitar. Thanks for making the video Hope to see more coming JIM

[@adrianobarco]

Hi Pete, that was very informative. You are a terrific player by the way. I'll share your video. Thanks

[@TheJeffcurran]

This video was invaluable for getting me up and running. I now have Amp(s) > Fractal Audio X-Load (reactive) > Atomic Ampli-Firebox (Celestion IR Host) > Wherever I want it to go. I can send the final signal to my Yamaha THR10C running in Flat mode at low volume, or I can send balanced XLR out to my channel strip, or both. I have been using modeling amps for the past 12 years because I live and play in a low volume environment. This set up allows me to get back into real tube amps and get that driven tube amp sound at a volume level similar to modelers. Great technology. The Fractal X-Load is the latest reactive load box on the market and it works very well.

[@jamesjzelaznyjr910]

Great video. Straight to the point with the best detail yet. I just bought a Torpedo Live ...literally waiting for FEDEX now :)

[@paulkillion7511]

Great explanation. Thank you for making this video. I learned so much. I use the Wall of Sound with my Marshall head and it sounds amazing. So much easier than miking cabs all the time.

[@eugeizquierdo]

Thank you, Pete, for all the incredibly informative videos and for the great great playing.

[@moosey62]

Very good presentation mate. Thanks

[@elricphares9731]

You are a a really smart guy Pete, thanks for the videos...

[@TavaresProject]

I was listening to this on my tv but I could not tell the difference at all! Amazing!!!!

[@tempjohn1111]

A slight drag that a PT video doesn't start with a sparkly, beautiful original tune, but this was a very informative and useful video. I still have my Scholtz Power Soak from 1983-4ish ... if you stop it all the way down, you can line lvl it into a console/interface, though I actually never have. I use it to (somewhat) impedance match the bridged outputs of a solid-state Yamaha 2050 (16 Ohms) to a Music Man 210RH with EVM 75 watt 10" speakers wired for 4 Ohms. The Power Soak has a switch to select the impedance shown to the amp, so I set it to 8 Ohms, which the 2050 is comfortable with, whereas it gets pretty hot into the 4 Ohm cabinet by itself. All 35 year old gear still going strong. :)

[@ragnarmar123]

Pete, thanks a lot for this video, I just bought and connected Suhr Reactive Load and this is by far the best innovation since sliced bread. You definitely sold me on this load box and I also bought Friedman BE OD because of your video :-)

[@slammingrooves]

Incredibly informative video. I had to go back and relisten to some sections several times to understand what's going on, but I learned a lot.

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

shared on my Facebook music page and personal page :)

[@SeventhStringHeaven]

Speaker Cab (as load) 16:07 THD (resistive) 16:23 Airbrake (resistive) 16:38 Suhr (reactive) 16:53 Two Notes (reactive) 17:09 Fryette Power Station (reactive) 17:24

[@musicmann1967]

EXCELLENT clip! Thanks very much.. The reactive loads all sounded way better than the resistive loads. The impulse response tech is really fascinating. Like you mentioned, it would be awesome for people like me with Manhattan apartments, who have to attenuate the HELL outta our amps!!! Thanks for the great work.

[@RickGeorg1]

Awesome video! Thank you for being so cool and sharing this stuff. I learn a ton each time you do these videos. Keep up the amazing music too. Thanks!!!

[@mikedonovan4768]

Great video, thanks ! I had never heard of reactive load until yesterday. I might consider this in the future. At the moment I am using an axetrack isolation cab, but there is still a certain amount of noise - it's good, but the holy grail is recording great tone without the moving air, without hassle !

[@szabowabo91]

Pete, this video changed my life. Thank you.

[@pbgas3434]

Great Vid and comparison, Pete! So many thanks! I like what I hear out of the Suhr unit and the Two-Notes. I heard a slight bit more push from the Suhr unit but seriously, in a full mix, no one could tell the difference between the two. For me, the Two-Notes Live serves so many purposes because I use it as a whole solution when playing live, especially. One box has everything I need.

[@fenderbender2470]

Some time stamps Cab & Mic compared to IR of Cab 3:59 SL68 -> Cab & Mic 7:33 SL68 -> Suhr Reactive Load -> IR 8:00 Cab revisit 8:15 IR revisit Different Load Boxes Comparison using SL68 amp 16:08 Cab (baseline sound) 16:23 THD Hotplate 16:38 Airbrake 16:54 Suhr 17:10 TwoNotes 17:24 Fryette after posting this I notice several others have done the same - doh!

[@EricLyke]

Great video Pete! Especially enjoyed the reactive/resistive load portion. This is something I've been curious to compare for a while and you came up with a great way to demonstrate and compare. Thank you!

[@EGINT]

This has to be the most informative video I've seen so far. This bridges the gap between the DAW and the great sounds of my Bogner shiva! thank you for doing this video. I've been using IR's for a while with guitar rig, and LE456 software which is pretty good, but I can't wait to try this with an actual guitar head.

[@jimdavignon]

Two notes stuff is great. Load box recording is really the only way to practically record in home studios. The two notes presets in Torpedo reload give you tons of mics and speaker options. Making my own IR's aren't even needed.

[@clintonmaher6930]

Another thing you can do if you don’t have a load box and don’t want to buy one is just leave the speaker connected and stick a loose patch cable or 1/4 inch jack into the FX return. This will stop any signal reaching the power amp and hence there’ll be no noise coming out of the speaker. This is totally safe to do and works very well.

[@antoniomonteiro1203]

Excellent, as usual. Just a technical remark: In electrical terms, a higher value in the impedance curve of a speaker doesn't mean higher sound level output at that frequency. All the rest is inquestionable, namely the conclusions, once that the overall response curve (which is what characterizes the tone) is certainly very similar to the presented curve.

[@jamesmariani]

Wow. I had no idea just how much the resistvie or reactive load has on the amp's tone - that was the first such demo I've heard A/Bing the various loads with the same IR loaded. What an eye opener. Thanks for another great video Pete!

[@PeteThorn]

+Jim Mariani It makes such a huge difference. It's as big as anything else in the chain IMHO. Why spend money on amps, speakers etc to dial it all in and then have something change it so drastically, like a resistive load or attenuator does- you want to maintain the tone and feel, and just distill it down to line level and track it accurately, then add great IR's and end up with a killer tone.

[@zoltarwizdom6708]

I've been doing this. I bought a EVH 5150 - I've got my Cab in the Basement, mic'd with a 57, but, I actually run out my Pre-Amp output into my Interface, and then into a Cab Emulator. Works pretty great. I just plug in some headphones to kill the cab but there's still load on the Amp.

[@matthewblake2258]

great video Pete cheers

[@middle_pickup]

Wow! That's amazing! Nice video, Pete!

[@stevkrause]

Great demo and explanation, Pete-thanks so much!

[@michaelthomas4156]

Thank you so much for the video Mr. Thorn. I have been researching such devices for recording with power tube distortion. Till now have not been able to indulge due to the volume levels required. My ears choose the Fryette P.S.. . I will be running it with a 100w (in 50w mode) H&K Triamp for now. I appreciate you and your very informative videos. I can tell you def know your gear at an exceedingly professional/experienced level. Best to you!

[@abradfordajb]

This is an excellent video presentation. For someone who confesses is not an engineer, your demonstrations equal or in most cases, surpass the quality of anything else i've seen out here in KZbinLand. Part of the reason, i think, is that you're an actual musician with a good practical background, and a good ear. The second reason is that you've got a good mind. You're very articulate and can communicate intricate concepts in an extremely cohesive way. Up until now, I never really "grasped" IR's (though honestly, i haven't put a whole lot of thought into the topic either). If your playing hands ever give out, you've got a great future in education ! Please keep up the great work, Pete. Best Rgds.

[@PeteThorn]

+Andrew Bradford thanks Andrew!

[@wakjob961]

I couldn't hit the LIKE button enough for this. Great...GREAT video Pete!

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks!!!

[@JeremyVarao]

Great vid as always Pete! I have actually been contemplating using IR's and have a Fryette Power Station that has been mainly to power my kemper. Was happy to see that you showed it here and that it sounded great! May have to take a stab at it.

[@JaredKerim]

Man Pete you are just the best, thank you for always being super on point in all your videos

[@Cigarsnguitars]

Excellent video! I really enjoy your material. Not only are you a great player but you know the science of being a musician. I wonder how many transformers had to be replaced before they took the time to listen to the "whys and wherefores" regarding the need for a power soak at the end of the signal. Most probably figured they were recording direct so it didn't need to make a sound. Anyway, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. Looking forward to seeing and hearing more from you in the future. Thank you sir!

[@ForViewingOnly]

Thanks Pete, a very good primer video on IRs.

[@cupidstunt66]

Terrific explanation and video Pete. I am an electrical engineer but new to audio stuff. Ive struggled to understand some of this technology because of poor explanation. However you've just cleared it up. Excellent work and tx.

[@nessmalone]

Great video. Thank you very much Mr. Thorn.

[@thaoriginalsirscoot]

So I kept reading about recording guitars with IRs... I was that confused (and old) I thought it meant InfraRed. Thank you for shedding light on the subject. It was a KZbin user by the name of Flash Grover that suggested I check this out, so thank you to both you guys!

[@csharpminorseven]

Absolutely brilliant Pete - thank you - you're more of an audio scientist than you give yourself credit for! Video much appreciated!

[@yotatech]

Pete, I really dig your videos, so informative. I like the song you were playing too, very AC/DC like. I see you used the Fryette Power Station too. I picked one up awhile back so I could crank my Mesa Mark Five 25 with two 1x12 Mini Rec cabs and have it sound nice when turned down low in my home.

[@GerryMoningkey]

Really useful. thanks!!

[@lance134679]

Thank you for posting this video. I've never been tempted to try this method of using impulse responses, but the results are great - totally useable, almost identical to the original. The technology is complicated, but guides like this definitely make it less scary to try.

[@halftongorilla]

THIS. This is the video I have been waiting to find on the internet. I really want to use tube amps, but live in an apartment. Now I feel comfortable forking over the money to get some tube heads and the Reactive Load. Thanks, Pete!

[@cleavey100]

Great job Pete. Would love to be able to purchase some of you IR's.

[@punkpop101]

Guys if anyone is interested both the Torpedo Captor and the Rivera MiniRockrec are resistive load boxes and reduce the upper and lower frequency range like the resistive ones in this video. Beware about getting them thinking that they are reactive ones since that's how they are advertised. Take the Captor and compare it to the Live and you'll hear the difference immediatly. If you can find one you should take the Suhr. I think it's the best reactive load money can buy right now since they only offer a load box and leave the other features out.

[@gtchez]

Pete Thorn, thank you. Very informative!

[@RezaMatix]

this is the best video ever made on these subjects. great job PT.

[@STARanoff]

Thanx for shootout! Suhr line out with speaker load sounds more natural imho.

[@KornilovMP]

Thank you so much! But why didn't you include Rivera Rock Crusher in your test? Saw it behind you and waited to hear it as I own the same device.

[@M4Y0_]

+Михаил Корнилов yeah, too bad. still, awesome video!

[@Alicesweetalice]

Thank you for such a detailed and informative video! I'm going to get on doing this to a couple of my vintage amps!

[@BlackAdderLXX]

Thanks for making this. I always learn a lot from your videos.

[@jakubowskij]

This really is an amazing test. Thank you so much Pete! Fantastic stuff, this helped me out big time.

[@singpraize2]

Would you ever consider selling your custom iR's to the public ?

[@RyanChansler]

Very thorough and educational! Thanks Pete! I currently have a Torpedo CAB, but I was considering selling it to buy the T Live. After watching your video, I'm starting to wonder if I should just buy the Suhr Reactive load. How does it stand up to the T Live?

[@djnenedu0675]

Excellent video Pete !