Captor X + — Setup Scenarios & Common Use Cases

Captor X + — Setup Scenarios & Common Use Cases

This article covers the most common ways to connect and configure your Torpedo Captor X + in real-world playing, recording, and live performance scenarios. The use-cases below detail what to connect, how to configure the unit, and what to expect from the resultant signal flow.


Using the Attenuator With Your Cabinet

Use case: You want to reduce the volume of your speaker cabinet while still driving your tube amp at its preferred operating level.


Connections & Setup:

  1. Connect your amplifier’s speaker output to the SPEAKER INPUT on the Captor X + (marked with a red bolt). Use a speaker cable only. Do not use an instrument cable.

  2. Connect your speaker cabinet to the SPEAKER OUT on the Captor X +. Again, use a speaker cable only.

  3. Use the VOLUME LEVEL switch on the Captor X + to select your desired attenuation level.

Important note: The Torpedo processing (cabinet simulation, DynIR™, effects, EQ, etc.) is applied only to the direct outputs (XLR and headphones). You will not hear Torpedo processing through the physical speaker cabinet.


Using Your Amp Silently in Stereo

Use case: You want to play or monitor your tube amp silently using headphones, studio monitors, or an audio interface.


Connections & Setup:

  1. Connect your amplifier’s speaker output to the SPEAKER INPUT on the Captor X + (red bolt). Use a speaker cable only. Do not use an instrument cable.

  2. Connect your headphones to the PHONES output on the Captor X +.

  3. To listen through studio monitors, active speakers, or an audio interface, connect the XLR outputs of the Captor X + to your target device.

    • Balanced XLR microphone cables are recommended.

    • XLR-to-TRS cables may also be used if required by your interface or monitor inputs.

  4. Use the OUTPUT LEVEL control to adjust the level sent to both the headphones and the XLR outputs.

Note: Depending on your monitoring equipment, input sensitivity, and gain structure, you may need to adjust levels on your interface, mixer, or monitors accordingly.


On Stage With Dual/Mono Routing
Use case: You want to send two independent direct signals from Captor X + — for example, one to Front of House (FOH) and one to stage monitors — while optionally using a real speaker cabinet on stage.

Connections & Setup:

  1. Connect your amplifier’s speaker output to the SPEAKER INPUT on the Captor X + (red bolt).  Use a speaker cable only. Do not use an instrument cable.

  2. In Torpedo Remote, select DUAL/MONO routing mode.

  3. Connect the XLR outputs of the Captor X + to your target destinations:

    • One output to FOH

    • One output to stage monitors or a monitor mixing desk

    • For both connections, use balanced XLR microphone cables. XLR-to-TRS cables may also be used if required by your interface or monitor inputs.

  4. Configure microphone routing behavior using the MIC A/B MIXDOWN switch. When using DUAL/MONO routing mode, the MIC A/B MIXDOWN switch determines how the two microphones (or IR sources) in your DynIR™ cabinet are routed to the Captor X +’s XLR outputs. The available behaviors are:

  • Independent microphones per output (MIC A/B MIXDOWN switch disengaged). In this configuration, each XLR output carries its own microphone signal:

    • XLR Left: Microphone A

    • XLR Right: Microphone B

    • This configuration is ideal when sending two distinct cabinet sounds — for example, one optimized for Front of House and one tailored for stage monitors or in-ear monitoring.

  • Mixed microphones on both outputs (MIC A/B MIXDOWN switch engaged). Both microphones are summed and sent to each XLR output:

    • XLR Left: Mic A + Mic B

    • XLR Right: Mic A + Mic B

    • This configuration ensures a consistent cabinet sound across both outputs, while still allowing independent processing (mic EQ, ENHANCER, REVERB, Output EQ and level) per channel.

  1. (Optional) If you want to hear your amplifier’s dry sound on stage, connect a speaker cabinet from your cabinet’s input to the SPEAKER OUT on the Captor X +.  Use a speaker cable only. Do not use an instrument cable.

Important note: In this configuration, the speaker cabinet receives the unprocessed amplifier signal only. Torpedo processing is applied exclusively to the direct outputs.


Recording Your Amp Silently
Use case: You want to record both a fully processed signal and a dry amplifier signal simultaneously for maximum flexibility during mixing.

Connections & Setup:

  1. Connect your amplifier’s speaker output to the SPEAKER INPUT on the Captor X + (red bolt). Use a speaker cable only. Do not use an instrument cable.

  2. In Torpedo Remote, select the DUAL/MONO routing mode.

  3. Select “Bypass” within the Remote interface to remove any Torpedo Processing  on the right output. 

    • Left XLR output: Fully processed Torpedo signal

    • Right XLR output: Dry amplifier signal

  4. Connect both XLR outputs to separate inputs on your audio interface.

  5. In your DAW, you can apply cabinet simulation, DynIR™, and additional processing to the dry signal using GENOME or other plugins as required.

Additional Notes & Best Practice

  • Always verify that your amplifier’s output impedance matches the Captor X + model (8Ω or 16Ω).
  • Never power on a tube amplifier without a proper load connected.
  • Never use instrument cables between an amplifier speaker output and the Captor X +.
  • Never use instrument cables between Captor X +’s speaker output and guitar/bass cabinet. 

Having issues? 

Our support team is here to assist you! For any enquiries, please head over to our Help Desk and submit a ticket to speak directly to one of our in-house specialists.

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