What is the difference between the Torpedo Captor and Torpedo Live ?

The Torpedo Captor and Torpedo Live share a few functions, but they also have many differences which makes them two very different products. If you are uncertain about which one to get, this article will detail their similarities and differences, to help you decide which way to go.

1. Both products feature a reactive loadbox which allows for silent playing/recording of your amp (ie, playing your amp without a speaker cabinet connected).

The loadbox of the Torpedo Captor is fixed, and the product comes in three version : 4, 8 or 16 ohms. The loadbox of the Torpedo Live is fixed too, but only comes in 8 ohms.

2. They both feature speaker simulation, which means you can use them for monitoring without using a DAW and Wall of Sound when playing without a speaker cabinet. However, they differ greatly on the way they do it:

    • The speaker simulation in the Torpedo Captor is analog, has two settings (Guitar and Bass), isn't IR-based, and can't be edited, modified, or changed in any way. In a lot of situations (typically on stage), the embedded speaker simulation of the Captor will cover your basic needs of silent miking.

    • The Torpedo Live features the whole Torpedo convolution technology : this IR-based technology can accurately reproduce the behavior of a speaker cabinet, microphone and recording room, as well as microphone placement. With the Torpedo Live, you have access to a full set of functionnalities, including choice of speaker cabinet and microphone, microphone placement, but also power amp simulation, Eq, Reverb, and the possibility to save and swicth presets. All of this is processed inside the unit, controled with LCD display and encoders on the front panel.

For situations where using a DAW is not an option (typically on stage), both units have you covered. The Torpedo Captor will cover your basic needs, while the Torpedo Live will bring you the full power of the Torpedo digital processing, allowing fine-tuning, preset switching during or between songs, and so on.

3. Both products come with a Wall of Sound license (16 virtual cabinets for the Captor, 32 virtual cabinets for the Live). As stated just above, your don't need the Wall of Sound to get the Torpedo processing with the Torpedo Live, but you still get this option, which can come in handy in some situations (typically in the studio or home studio).

For situations where you are using a DAW (typically in the studio), both units come with a Wall of Sound license, which will provide the same functionnalities.

4. The Torpedo Captor provides power attenuation: you can keep a speaker cabinet connected to your amp and play your amp loud, while reducing the volume out of your cabinet. It features a simple, non-adjustable attenuated output (ATT), and a full-range, non-attenuated output (THRU). With the conjunction of the loadbox, the ATT and the THRU output, you have access to 3 levels of attenuation : fully attenuated (no speaker cabinet needed), -20db of attenuation (ATT output) or no attenuation at all (THRU output).

For more informations about the power attenuation of the Torpedo Captor, and how it compares to our other power attenuator product, the Torpedo Reload, see this article.

On the other hand, the Torpedo Live does not provide power attenuation. It only features a full-range, non-attenuated output (THRU). With the conjunction of the loadbox and the THRU output, you have access to 2 options : fully attenuated (no speaker cabinet needed), or no attenuation at all (THRU output).

5. A few other points may also be considered :

• The Torpedo Captor can be used without a power supply, and if one is needed (to use the DI), it can be powered with phantom power. On the other hand, the Torpedo Live requires to be plugged to a wall outlet.
• The Torpedo Captor is smaller and lighter than the Torpedo Live, but the Torpedo Live can be rack-mounted.

6. What about a Torpedo Captor + a Torpedo C.A.B. ? The Torpedo C.A.B. features the whole Torpedo technology, with 32 virtual cabinets, just like the Torpedo Live. Adding a Torpedo C.A.B. after the Torpedo Captor means you'll get the same functionnalities than the Torpedo Live, with a few obvious differences, mostly already discussed above (different form factor, ability to rack the Live, -20dB attenuation on the Captor). One last thing worth noting is the presence of an S/PDIF output on the Live, which means you can enter your sound interface digitally, bypassing the digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversions between the Torpedo and the sound interface.

We hope this article helped you decide between the two units. If you need further assistance, don't hesitate to contact us through the Help Desk.