Cool Gizmo Alert: Koch Loadbox II

Posted by radiogetswild on 2006-07-26 17:51:42 (2458 views)

by Lou Lomnardi,

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The Loadbox II allows a guitarist to couple a tube amp to a mixer, computer or another amplifier directly from the amp's speaker output. There is no need to use a speaker or "dummy load" as the Loadbox II utilizes a reactive load as part of it's circuitry. You can read more out the Loadbox here: http://www.koch-amps.com/products/index.cfm?fa=product&product_id=12341B01-93C0-4E2D-8&product_cat=A

I've been working with this thing for about a month. The sound is very impressive. I am running into my sound card (Aardvark Q10) and the sound coming from my studio monitors sounds like a WELL miked speaker cab. I have used other direct boxes in the past with disappointing results, but this actually delivers. The Loadbox has several connecting and wiring options depending on what you wish to use it for. The only thing you have to beware of is that the output from the Loadbox is still very "hot". I am using my ART Tube eq to reign in the volume and make some minor tone tweaks. Another cool thing is that you can ad any effects or "global" eq after the power amp stage. This means more tone options without tainting the original sound.

I want to ad that the sound is genuinely inspiring. Unlike modeling devices and amp simulating plug-ins, which tend to wear on your ear after a while the Loadbox FEELS much more like what you've come to expect from a good speaker cabinet.

Stay tuned for sound clips!

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