What are the differences between Torpedo Captor X and Torpedo Live?
Should you get a Torpedo Live or a Captor X? This article will detail their similarities and differences, to help you decide which one is the right fit.
1. Both products feature a reactive load box which allows for silent playing/recording of your amp (ie, playing your amp without a speaker cabinet connected).
The load box of the Torpedo Captor X and the Torpedo Live is 8 ohms only.
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. They both feature the whole Torpedo convolution technology : this IR-based technology can accurately reproduce the behavior of a speaker cabinet, 2 microphones and recording room, as well as microphone placement.
3. The Torpedo Captor X 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 three Volume Levels for the physical cabinet: Low position(-38 dB of attenuation), Halfway position (-20 dB) and Full level (attenuated is bypassed, the full power of the amp is fed into the cabinet).
For more information about the power attenuation of the Torpedo Captor X, 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 load box and the THRU output, you have access to 2 options: fully attenuated (no speaker cabinet needed), or no attenuation at all (THRU output).
4. Torpedo Captor X has s mono input and stereo output through 2 XLR (balanced signals). Torpedo Live has a mono output through one TRS 1/4" jack (balance signal). Torpedo Captor X offers 3 different routing options: Stereo, dual Mono (allowing for one output to have a different eq and a different level of reverb) and Dry/wet (one output has the full Torpedo cab sim signal, the other is the dry amp signal of the tube amp). Torpedo Live only sends a mono signal from its output.
5. Torpedo Live has an S/PDIF output. S/PDIF carries a 2-channel digital signal, one can be used to send the DRY output (without simulation) and the other the WET signal.
6. Torpedo Live has a fully controllable input gain with a knob and an input bargraph to set the input level. Torpedo Captor X provide 2 level sensitivity through a -15dB pad (low sensitivity for high wattage amps or high sensitivity for amps below 50W).
7. Torpedo Live can be fully edited from the hardware unit using knobs and a display screen. You can also edit the parameters through the Torpedo Remote software on your desktop (using USB connection). The Torpedo Captor X hardware unit offers limited access to preset edition, you will need to use Torpedo Remote with your mobile device (Bluetooth LE on iOS and Android) or your computer (USB).
9. Both units have MIDI capabilities. Torpedo Live has a standard 5 pin MIDI connector. Torpedo Captor X has a MIDI mini-jack input and is supplied with a mini-jack to MIDI cable.
10.Torpedo Captor X features some exclusive tone shaping : Twin Tracker to create a stereo signal out of your mono amp signal, stereo reverb, enhancer to bring your tone to the next level.
11. Torpedo Live is rack-mountable and is being used on many tours worldwide. Torpedo Captor X has the compact size of the Torpedo Captor, no doubt many pros will bring it on tour soon.
12. Both products come with a Wall of Sound license (32 virtual cabinets for the Torpedo Captor X, 64 virtual cabinets for the Torpedo Live). As stated just above, you 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).
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.