
Simplicity and power make the speaker emulator a price/performance champ.
Excellent tones. Quality construction. Compact size. Generous library of virtual cabs. Loads third-party IRs. Excellent editing software for Mac, PC, iOS, and Android. Dual XLR outputs. Great price.
Non-switchable ohmage. No dedicated 4-ohm model.
$599
Two Notes Torpedo Captor X
two-notes.com
Two Notes is a familiar name among IR users. Besides offering a range of hardware speaker emulators/load boxes, they've partnered with numerous musical instrument companies, licensing their highly regarded DynIRs for use in amps and pedals.
The Captor X is a major update of the Two Notes original Captor load box, itself a scaled-down version of the earlier Torpedo Reload. The previous products were full-featured load boxes/speaker emulators, whose output could be combined with IR software on your computer. Captor X brings the IR technology onboard, along with a host of helpful new features. As a result, the lowest-priced device in this roundup offers many functions found on the higher-priced units. It's available in 8-ohm or 16-ohm versions. (You can probably run a 4-ohm output through the 8-ohm Captor X without complications, but try before you buy.)
It's a compact unit, measuring approximately 11" x 6.5" x 4". It resides in a hefty metal enclosure, with recessed knobs to prevent the pots from being sheared off during hectic load-ins and load outs.
Quiet Riot
The Captor X is a fine-sounding level attenuator. Once you connect a speaker cable from your amp's speaker out to the Captor X's speaker input, you can route the signal back to your speaker/cab at three preset levels: full, medium, and low. You can definitely get hot amp tones at manageable volumes with relatively little unwanted coloration. Meanwhile, two XLR outputs feed the processed sound to your DAW or monitors.
The included editing software (for Mac and PC) lets you configure these as stereo outputs, or as two discrete mono outputs with independent EQ and effect settings. You might also, for example, send an unaffected signal to the front-of-house board, but tweak the EQ and reverb to taste for your personal monitor. You can also listen in stereo via the headphone jack. The IR quality is excellent, with depth and detailed texture. Tones are gratifyingly realistic.
The device's hardware controls set the output level, the "voicing" (a broad-shouldered upper-midrange EQ centered at 900 Hz), and "space," which controls either the width of the stereo reverb or the tightness of the Captor X's doubling effect. (You hear the latter at 1:16 in demo Clip 1). You can toggle between two fixed input levels, too. A dedicated knob lets you select from six favorite cabinet/effect settings created with the Captor X's editing software. Speaking of which.ā¦
You can edit on your Mac or PC via a USB cable, or download a wireless editor for iOS or Android devices.
Stellar Software
The Captor X's software component is gorgeous, with the sort the flexibility and refined interface design you'd associate with higher-priced devices. You can edit on your Mac or PC via a USB cable, or download a wireless editor for iOS or Android devices.
A Captor X preset starts with one of the 32 included cabinets. The 26 virtual guitar cabs are a well-rounded collection of vintage combos, classic stacks, and modern metal machines. There are also six bass cabs. (You can download three additional guitar cabs upon registration). The cabs are "heard" by a pair of virtual microphones based on common condenser, dynamic, and ribbon models. You can set mic type and virtual position independently for each channel and balance their relative levels. The Captor X can load third-party IRs as well as those purchased from the editor's integrated Two Notes store.
You can also assign effects. There's 5-band, fixed-frequency EQ, switchable between guitar and bass profiles. There also a custom EQ mode with adjustable frequencies (but fixed bandwidth). You can select from 13 onboard room reverbs with adjustable mix, virtual room size, reflection level, and tone. You can also toggle between a warm ambient setting with subtle reflections, or a brighter, more reflective room sound. The "enhancer" section includes a single-control compressor to fatten tones, accompanied by low-mid and upper-mid tone controls independent of the aforementioned EQ stage. Finally, you can control most tone parameters via MIDI via a 1/8" phone jack.
The Verdict
The Captor X is a price/performance champ. Its tones rival those of costlier devices. The tone-shaping controls are simple yet powerful. The computer and mobile editing software is a pleasure to use. Highly recommended!
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PG's demo dude expands his flirtation with active pickups by dropping a set of EMG Fat 55 Retro Active Humbuckers into his warhorse 2003 Gibson Les Paul. Luthier friend Dave Johnson handles the surgery and shares a few key tips to make the project go smoother for you.
Previously, John Bohlinger was curious about what active pickups could do for his anemic 1994 Stratocaster and EMG offered their drop-and-go Steve Lukather SL20 Pickguard set. JB was floored with the guitar's fresh voice and responsive dynamics he wanted to expand the active experiment to his beloved 2003 GibsonĀ Les Paul. So we got a set of EMG Fat 55 Retro Active Humbuckers that required a full install and our luthier friend Dave Johnson walks us through the whole process before John got to test out his old friend's tonal makeover.
Learn more about EMG Fat 55 Retro Active Humbuckers here.
Taylor Guitars, one of the worldās leading acoustic guitar brands, has teamed up with Sony Pictures Consumer Products and HBOĀ®to unveil a replica of the acoustic guitar featured in the award-winning HBO Original series The Last of Us, which is now streaming its second season on Max. This collaboration brings fans and musicians alike an exact replica of the guitar Joel gives Ellie in the critically acclaimed show.
Taylorās The Last of Us Replica 314c guitar is based on its best-selling 300 Series and features Taylorās most popular body style, the Grand Auditorium. Crafted with Taylorās hallmark playability, pro-level sound and refined workmanship, the guitar showcases a visual aesthetic that matches the guitar featured in the series.
For fans of the show, the guitarās most recognizable design element is a custom moth inlay at the third fret. The guitar also features a Tobacco Sunburst top finish and grained ivoroid accents, along with a satin-finish body and neck, creating a vintage, well-worn aesthetic that fits seamlessly into the gritty post-pandemic world Joel and Ellie inhabit.
This acoustic-only model features a solid Sitka spruce top and solid sapele back and sides, delivering a clear, warm, balanced voice with appealing midrange presence ā an ideal sonic tool for storytelling through song. Additional appointments include grained ivoroid body binding, grained ivoroid fretboard inlays that include the moth and large dot position markers, and a custom double-ring rosette also in grained ivoroid. The Grand Auditorium body features a Venetian cutaway for easy access to upper-register notes. Each guitar comes with a Taylor-built deluxe hardshell case to ensure safe transport, whether across the country or across the quarantine zone.
Built for the Journey Ahead
āThe Last of Us is a story of resilience, connection and finding beauty amid harsh realities ā themes that resonate with the emotional expression a Taylor guitar offers players,ā says Tim OāBrien, Vice President of Marketing at Taylor Guitars. āWeāre honored to collaborate with HBO and Sony Pictures Consumer Products to bring this iconic instrument to fans and players alike.ā
Availability and Ordering
The Taylor x The Last of Us Replica guitar is available for purchase now via TaylorGuitars.comand select authorized Taylor dealers. Orders are built on demand in Taylorās Southern California factory, with an expected delivery time of 6ā10 weeks. Due to the nature of this release, quantities are limited.
Whether youāre a musician, collector or a devoted fan of the series, this guitar offers a one-of-a kind connection to the legacy of Joel, Ellie and the enduring spirit of survival.
Pick one of these stomps, ranging from silicon-driven to germanium-juiced and beyond, to supercharge your signal.
Keeley Electronics Octa Psi Transfigurating Fuzz
Imagine merging a powerful pitch-shifter, octave generator, and an incredible analog fuzz into one intuitive pedal. The new Octa Psi makes that dream a reality!
$249 street
robertkeeley.com
Wampler Pedals Cryptid Fuzz
This unique circuit is capable of reproducing classic immense fuzz tones, and itās also easy to create unique new fuzz sounds by dialing in the character control.
$199 street
wamplerpedals.com
StewMac Sun Fuzz Pedal
There have been countless replicas and reimaginations of the classic Fuzz Face pedal and more modern Sun Face over the decades. StewMacās Sun Fuzz gives you the control and tone shaping youāve always wanted from the originals. For fans of Hendrix, Clapton, or Gilmour, itās a must-have.
$99 street
stewmac.com
SoloDallas Orbiter Fuzz
A testament to the expertise and perfectionism that has made SoloDallas a mainstay for over 50 major artists. The unique combination of carbon zinc power emulation, internal impedance control, and external fuzz, gain, and bias produces authentic tones ranging from Hendrix psychedelia to singing āAmerican Womanā fuzz.
$249 street
solodallas.com
DunlopĀ MXR Hybrid Fuzz
This pedal combines two iconic Fuzz Face distortion soundsāsnarling, high-gain silicon and the smooth, shaggy warmth of germanium.
$169 street
jimdunlop.com
DunlopĀ MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz
This fuzz is a tonechaserās dream come true, featuring a Variac control that takes you from vintage dying-battery sag to wide-open saturation.
$149 street
jimdunlop.com
At its core is GTRSā upgraded G151 intelligent system, offering 128 onboard effects, MNRS amp and cab sims, and even 17 guitar emulationsāexclusive to this model. Everything is controlled via the eye-catching Super Knob, which changes color to match your preset, as well as through the Bluetooth-connectible GTRS app.
GTRSā W902 features select tonewoods and construction: an alder body, poplar burl top, and a sleek bolt-on 5-piece neck made from roasted flame maple and rosewood, with satin natural finish and a rosewood fingerboard. The fanned fret design features 24 white copper frets and a stainless zero fret. A pair of GTRS Alnico V pickups and an HL-II bridge deliver a resonant tone, made particularly versatile thanks to the 5-way tone switch and tone knob.
The W902 offers a truly innovative choice for tech-savvy guitarists. Its features include a wireless transmitter, OTG recording, an 80-second looper, metronomes, and a drum machine, the app-supported guitar boasts up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge (9 hours with the wireless transmitter in use).
The W902 is an upgraded version of the original W900 Intelligent Guitar, and the W902 most notably features an upgraded GTRS Intelligent Processor System, the G151, which even offers upgrades over the GTRS SL810's recently announced G150 system. The G151 system comes with a staggering 128 effects pre-installed, along with 10 of both MOOER's in-house MNRS amp and cabinet simulation profiles. Exclusive to the W902, the G151 system even includes 17 guitar simulation effects, allowing guitarists to emulate the tonal resonance of some of their favorite guitars.
To activate and browse through presets within the G151 system, which can be connected via Bluetooth 5.0, guitarists can use the guitar's Super Knob, which lights up in different LED colors depending on which preset is activated. Of course, users are able to get stuck into and edit the effects chains of presets through the GTRS app, enabling them to craft their own favorites through their mobile device. The guitar still functions without the G151 system; the Super Knob just needs to be turned off, and the W902 is usable as a regular electric guitar.
Within the GTRS app, there is even an 80-second looper, 10 metronomes, and 40 drum machine grooves built in, providing users with an all-in-one suite for guitar practice and composition. This is especially the case when combined with the W902's OTG-recording support, enabling on-the-go recording without the need for a hardware recording setup.
The W902 comes bundled with a GTRS Deluxe gig bag, three guitar wrenches, a USB 3.0 cable for charging, and a user manual. The guitar even contains a wireless transmitter and an integrated 4000mAh Li-ion battery, providing up to 12 hours of continuous use (9 hours with the transmitter in use), allowing users to enjoy the G151 system through headphones or an amplifier.
Guitarists who want to experiment further with the W902ās technology can connect the intelligent system to the GTRS GWF4 wireless footswitch, which is ideal for switching between presets in live scenarios when control through a mobile device isn't practical.
GTRS W902 Guitar construction features:
- Alder Body, 5-Piece Selected Roasted Flame Maple and Rosewood Neck with Satin Natural Finish (C-Shape)
- Bolt-on neck, 25-1/2" scale length, with dual action steel truss rod
- Rosewood fingerboard, 12ā radius, 24 white copper (0 fret stainless) fanned frets
- Built-in wireless transmitter
- Super Knob, Volume Control Knob, and Tone Knob, 3-way tone-selection switch
- GLB-P1 Li-ion Battery (4000mAh, up to 12 hours of continuous use, 9 hours with the wireless transmitter in use)
- USB port for charging and OTG recording
- GTRS Deluxe gig bag, 3 guitar wrenches
GTRS G151 Intelligent Guitar System features:
- GTRS G151 Intelligent Processing System (and GTRS App)
- 128 effects, 10 MNRS amp (GNR) and cabinet (GIR) simulation models
- 17 guitar simulations
- 80-second looper, 40 drum machine grooves, 10 metronomes
- Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
- GTRS GWF4 wireless footswitch support (sold separately)
The GTRS W902 is now available worldwide. For more information visit www.gtrs.tech.