OVERVIEW
The Suhr Reactive Load delivers a simple solution to capture all of the warmth, and dynamics of your sound, without the hassle of miking a speaker cabinet during a live or recorded performance.
The Reactive Load takes the place of your speaker cabinet in your signal chain. It provides an 8Ω load for your tube amplifier (maximum 100 watts), and produces a balanced and unbalanced signal that interfaces with recording devices, effects, and power amplifiers.
WHAT IS A REACTIVE LOAD?
The Reactive Load is a passive analog model of an actual speaker cabinet. It is comprised of resistive, inductive, and capacitive elements and has each of its various elements arranged in empirically derived proportions so as to generate the exact response a popular 8 ohm 4x12 speaker cabinet presents at the output of a guitar or bass amplifier. As a result, the Reactive Load is able to produce the same non-linear impedance vs frequency characteristics as a typical speaker cabinet. The amplifier then responds exactly as it would to a real speaker cabinet. The signal produced at the Line-Out is then a scaled down electrical duplicate of the signal the amp normally delivers to a speaker. Even more impressively, it results in the guitar retaining the same feel and dynamics.
FRONT PANEL
DI LEVEL
Adjusts the output level of the balanced and unbalanced DI / Line Out outputs (located on the rear panel). DI Level is used to optimize the amount of signal the Reactive Load delivers to your device.
NOTE: The maximum DI signal voltage is approximately 17% of the amp’s output voltage.
IMPORTANT: When using the Reactive Load without a speaker cabinet connected, there may be a tendency to push your amplifier's output level higher than normal. We recommend using settings you are familiar with to avoid damaging your amplifier.
LED
This indicator provides a visual representation of the signal flow from your amplifier to the Reactive Load.
NOTE: The LED’s strength is based on the amplifier’s output power. At lower power levels, it is normal for the LED to appear dim.
FAN
The Reactive Load contains an internal fan which is powered by your amplifier’s speaker output voltage and designed to maintain the temperature of the Reactive Load's external surfaces.The fan automatically turns on/off based on the amount of power delivered to the unit’s Input.
NOTE: The fan will begin to operate when the input power is greater than 25 watts.
BACK PANEL
DI / LINE OUT
The Reactive Load is equipped with balanced and unbalanced outputs. Use these to connect the Reactive Load to a recording device, effect, or power amplifier.
INPUT - From Amp (8 Ohm/100 Watts RMS Max.)
Connect the speaker output from your amplifier to the Input on the Reactive Load using a speaker cable.
IMPORTANT: Do not use an instrument cable when connecting your amplifier to the input of the Reactive Load.
THRU TO SPEAKER (Optional)
Use this output to connect your amplifier through to a speaker cabinet.
IMPORTANT: Using this output disconnects the internal load of the Reactive Load.
To optimize performance and avoid damage, match the impedance of your amplifier to the connected speaker cabinet. NEVER CONNECT THIS OUTPUT TO INSTRUMENT, MIC OR LINE LEVEL INPUTS.
