Partial alternative to the AxeFX - Torpedo C.A.B.
PostPosted:Mon Jan 27, 2014 11:42 am
Hi Folks,
I wanted to share the latest development in my personal tone quest, in hopes it might help others. Forgive the length.
Like many of you, I've spent years and lots of cash building the best analog Jerry rig I could manage (thanks in large part to the knowledge shared on this forum). Right about the time I finally got all the pieces "just exactly perfect", along comes the AxeFX with its lure of light weight, portability, flexibility, and consistency. Ugh. I'm sure many of you have had a similar argument with yourself about the AxeFX: I'm not flu$h enough to justify having both rigs, and I'm not prepared to sell off my treasured analog gear in exchange for an AxeFX.
Additionally, my musical endeavors now, and for the foreseeable future, are pretty strictly focused around playing "Jerry", so I don't think I would get the maximum return from all the AxeFX has to offer.
However, we've all undoubtedly also struggled with the fact that a true-to-life analog Jerry rig, used authentically, is just too loud for the venues that most of us play, leading to a host of other issues. How can we get a good FOH mix with all that guitar pouring directly off the stage? On-stage volume wars, anyone? Want a chance at getting a decently balanced SBD recording? Not likely to happen. Why use that 2x12 JBL e120-loaded cab when you cant push it to necessary levels to make it sing? OMG,I think I just killed that guy out front with my JBL laser-beam death ray!
To try to manage the stage volume issue, my band(s) have implemented a full in-ear monitoring (IEM) system. This creates many challenges of its own (isolation, occlusion, mix management) but works great when configured properly, and when band members can send consistent signals into the mix. And so, being able to run my guitar direct to the FOH board and IEM sytem, while maintaining my hard earned tone, has long been an elusive goal for me. The AxeFX seems to provide a proven path to achieving that. Damn. The scales are tipping again...
Well, I believe I've found a compromise solution. The Torpedo C.A.B. (Cabinet in A Box) Speaker Cab Simulator http://www.two-notes.com/en/hardware/torpedo-cab/
This digital speaker cabinet emulation device uses Impulse Response (convolution) technology like the AxeFX; allows you to precisely change mic types, and mic placements on their proprietary IRs; and allows you to load your own IR files (although you can not apply different mics/placements to your own IRs). I was able to load a 2x12 e120 loaded hard trucker "IR" file (Thank you, Vic!) and the results are fantastic. I was totally skeptical about taking my pristine analog signal chain, and putting it through a digital conversion at it's final stage, but I am completely blown away by the result. It's quite astonishing. To my ears, my direct signal now has all the desired and unique characteristics of my pushed 2x12 cab, but at any volume. Punch, life, cut, crispness, body, air, etc. While still a pretty pricey unit at around $575, for me, I think I have found the best of both worlds. I keep my prized analog tone creators (SMS, Mutron, etc.), lose the weight and troublesome volume of my power amp/Speaker cab, and deliver accurate, excellent tone direct to the IEM and FOH systems. No, it is not EXACTLY the same as the real deal, McIntosh/JBL pushing air. But it is damn close, and totally worth the tradeoff given the large number of real-world problems it solves for me, and my particular situation.
Along with the IEM system, I will use a FRFR monitor, facing back at me, as a means of providing some -manageable- fill for the stage, as well as giving my guitar some moving air/energy with which to react (sustain, feedback, etc).
The Torpedo is also great for late-night practicing, as it provides a headphone out through which I can accurately monitor my complete rig. Obviously great for silent recording, too. The unit also provides some Tube Amp modeling, which adds more versatility if needed.
Two Notes also makes a "Live" version of this product, which includes a speaker loadbox, for use with a power amp. And they just announced a new updated flagship model at NAMM which will improve on their loadbox functionality. Good stuff.
Anyway. Short story, long... There is no "one right way" to do this thing we all try to do. There are lots of vintage tools available, and there are lots of new options emerging all the time. At this moment, consider me a happy example of finding some of each, and making it work together for me and in service of the music.
Thanks for listening, and thanks for the years of valuable information and entertaining discussions!
Peace!
I wanted to share the latest development in my personal tone quest, in hopes it might help others. Forgive the length.
Like many of you, I've spent years and lots of cash building the best analog Jerry rig I could manage (thanks in large part to the knowledge shared on this forum). Right about the time I finally got all the pieces "just exactly perfect", along comes the AxeFX with its lure of light weight, portability, flexibility, and consistency. Ugh. I'm sure many of you have had a similar argument with yourself about the AxeFX: I'm not flu$h enough to justify having both rigs, and I'm not prepared to sell off my treasured analog gear in exchange for an AxeFX.
Additionally, my musical endeavors now, and for the foreseeable future, are pretty strictly focused around playing "Jerry", so I don't think I would get the maximum return from all the AxeFX has to offer.
However, we've all undoubtedly also struggled with the fact that a true-to-life analog Jerry rig, used authentically, is just too loud for the venues that most of us play, leading to a host of other issues. How can we get a good FOH mix with all that guitar pouring directly off the stage? On-stage volume wars, anyone? Want a chance at getting a decently balanced SBD recording? Not likely to happen. Why use that 2x12 JBL e120-loaded cab when you cant push it to necessary levels to make it sing? OMG,I think I just killed that guy out front with my JBL laser-beam death ray!
To try to manage the stage volume issue, my band(s) have implemented a full in-ear monitoring (IEM) system. This creates many challenges of its own (isolation, occlusion, mix management) but works great when configured properly, and when band members can send consistent signals into the mix. And so, being able to run my guitar direct to the FOH board and IEM sytem, while maintaining my hard earned tone, has long been an elusive goal for me. The AxeFX seems to provide a proven path to achieving that. Damn. The scales are tipping again...
Well, I believe I've found a compromise solution. The Torpedo C.A.B. (Cabinet in A Box) Speaker Cab Simulator http://www.two-notes.com/en/hardware/torpedo-cab/
This digital speaker cabinet emulation device uses Impulse Response (convolution) technology like the AxeFX; allows you to precisely change mic types, and mic placements on their proprietary IRs; and allows you to load your own IR files (although you can not apply different mics/placements to your own IRs). I was able to load a 2x12 e120 loaded hard trucker "IR" file (Thank you, Vic!) and the results are fantastic. I was totally skeptical about taking my pristine analog signal chain, and putting it through a digital conversion at it's final stage, but I am completely blown away by the result. It's quite astonishing. To my ears, my direct signal now has all the desired and unique characteristics of my pushed 2x12 cab, but at any volume. Punch, life, cut, crispness, body, air, etc. While still a pretty pricey unit at around $575, for me, I think I have found the best of both worlds. I keep my prized analog tone creators (SMS, Mutron, etc.), lose the weight and troublesome volume of my power amp/Speaker cab, and deliver accurate, excellent tone direct to the IEM and FOH systems. No, it is not EXACTLY the same as the real deal, McIntosh/JBL pushing air. But it is damn close, and totally worth the tradeoff given the large number of real-world problems it solves for me, and my particular situation.
Along with the IEM system, I will use a FRFR monitor, facing back at me, as a means of providing some -manageable- fill for the stage, as well as giving my guitar some moving air/energy with which to react (sustain, feedback, etc).
The Torpedo is also great for late-night practicing, as it provides a headphone out through which I can accurately monitor my complete rig. Obviously great for silent recording, too. The unit also provides some Tube Amp modeling, which adds more versatility if needed.
Two Notes also makes a "Live" version of this product, which includes a speaker loadbox, for use with a power amp. And they just announced a new updated flagship model at NAMM which will improve on their loadbox functionality. Good stuff.
Anyway. Short story, long... There is no "one right way" to do this thing we all try to do. There are lots of vintage tools available, and there are lots of new options emerging all the time. At this moment, consider me a happy example of finding some of each, and making it work together for me and in service of the music.
Thanks for listening, and thanks for the years of valuable information and entertaining discussions!
Peace!