Two Notes Torpedo Captor 16, Torpedo Captor 8, Torpedo Captor 4 User manual

2017/10/02 13:08 1/21 Torpedo Captor User's Manual

Torpedo Captor User's Manual

The compact loadbox and amp DI

The complete electronic version of this manual, as well as the Two notes Audio Engineering software
and hardware products, are subject to updates. You can download the most recent versions of the
products on the Two notes Audio Engineering website.

This manual describes the Torpedo Captor and provides instructions for its operation. It is highly
recommended that you read this document before using the product. The contents of this manual
have been thoroughly verified and it is believed, unless stated otherwise, to accurately describe the
product at the time of shipment from the factory or download from our website.

Two notes Audio Engineering is a registered trademark of:

OROSYS SAS
76 rue de la Mine
34980 Saint-Gély-du-Fesc
France
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Contact and support: http://support.two-notes.com
Website: http://www.two-notes.com

This document is the exclusive property of OROSYS SAS. In the interest of product development,

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update:
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OROSYS SAS reserves the right to change technical specifications, modify and/or cease production
without prior notice. OROSYS SAS cannot be held responsible for any damage, accidental or
otherwise, that results from an inappropriate use of the Torpedo Captor. Please refer to the safety
instructions included in this manual. The reproduction of any part of this document is strictly
forbidden without the written authorization of OROSYS SAS.

All product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Product names and
trademarks found in this document were used during the development of the Torpedo Captor product
but are in no way associated or affiliated with OROSYS SAS.

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1 Foreword

1.1 Safety instructions

Before using the product, it is necessary to carefully read and to bear in mind the following
information. Keep this document in a safe place as it is important for the protection of both
user and product. Should you suspect any malfunction of the device, always seek the assistance of
a qualified technician.

1.1.1 Risk of electric shock

The triangle with a lightning bolt means that some parts of the product, even
when the power is turned off or unplugged, can retain voltage high enough to
cause serious electric shock. Any operation that requires opening the device
should be left to a qualified technician.

1.1.2 Reader warning

The triangle with an exclamation mark highlights important messages concerning
the correct use of the device.

1.1.3 Conditions for safe use

The Torpedo Captor must never be used near a heat source, near a flame, in the rain, in damp areas,
near any liquid of any sort. When transporting the unit, care needs to be taken to avoid any shocks
that could cause damage that would require the assistance of a qualified technician.

Do not connect to the Torpedo Captor an amp which RMS power is over the admissible power of the

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Torpedo Captor (100W RMS).

1.1.4 Cleaning

Always use a piece of dry and soft cloth with no alcohol or solvents for cleaning. Please keep the unit
clean and free from dust.

1.1.5 Maintenance

All maintenance operations must be performed by service centers approved by OROSYS SAS or by
qualified technicians. Never try to repair the machine by yourself.

1.2 Contents of the package

The shipped package contains:

One Torpedo Captor unit in a protecting sleeve,
One Quick Start Guide.

The complete electronic version of this manual, as well as the Torpedo Remote and Torpedo BlendIR
softwares are subject to updates. You can download the most recent versions of these products on
the Two notes Audio Engineering website.

1.3 Declaration of conformity

Manufacturer: OROSYS SAS
Category of product: digital audio signal processor
Product: Torpedo Captor
Test Manager: Guillaume Pille
The Two notes Torpedo Captor is certified to be compliant to the CE and FCC standards:

EN 55103-1 : 1996 and EN 55103-2 : 1996.
EN 60065 05/2002 + A1 05/2006.
EMC directive 89/336/EEC and Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC.
FCC Part 15 : 2008.
ICES-003 : 2004.
AS/NZS 3548 class B for Australia and New Zealand.
IEC : 2008 - CISPR 22 class B.

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1.4 Disposal of Waste Equipment by Users in Private Household in the European Union

This symbol on the product or on its packaging indicates that this product must
not be disposed of with your other household waste. Instead, it is your
responsibility to dispose of your waste equipment by handing it over to a
designated collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic
equipment. The separate collection and recycling of your waste equipment at the
time of disposal will help to conserve natural resources and ensure that it is
recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment. For more
information about where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling,
please contact your local city office, your household waste disposal service or the
shop where you purchased the product.

1.5 Warranty

OROSYS SARL warrants that this TWO NOTES AUDIO ENGINEERING product shall be free of defects in
parts and workmanship when used under normal operating conditions for a period of two (2) years
from the date of purchase. This warranty shall apply to the original purchaser when purchased from
an Authorized TWO NOTES AUDIO ENGINEERING dealer.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE RETAIN YOUR SALES RECEIPT, AS IT IS YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE
COVERING YOUR LIMITED WARRANTY. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS VOID WITHOUT YOUR
SALES RECEIPT.

Defective products that qualify for coverage under this warranty will be repaired or replaced, (at
OROSYS SAS’s sole discretion) with a like or comparable product, without charge. In the event that
warranty service be required, Please contact your authorized TWO NOTES AUDIO ENGINEERING dealer
in order to obtain an RMA to return the complete product to the Authorized TWO NOTES AUDIO
ENGINEERING Service Center closest to you, with proof of purchase, during the applicable warranty
period.

Transportation costs to the service center ARE NOT INCLUDED in this limited warranty. OROSYS SAS
will cover the cost of standard ground return transportation for repairs performed under this warranty.

This limited warranty becomes void if the serial number on the product is defaced or removed, or if
the product has been damaged by alteration, misuse including connection to faulty or unsuitable
ancillary equipment, accident including lightning, water, fire, or neglect; or if repair has been
attempted by persons not authorized by OROSYS SAS.

Any implied warranties, including without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or
fitness for any particular purpose, imposed under state or provincial law are limited to the duration of
this limited warranty. Some states or provinces do not allow limitations on how long an implied
warranty lasts, so the above limitations may not be applicable.

OROSYS SAS ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM ANY
FAILURE OF THIS PRODUCT NOR ANY LOSS OF INCOME, SATISFACTION, OR DAMAGES
ARISING FROM THE LOSS OF USE OF SAME DUE TO DEFECTS OR AVAILABILITY OF IT
DURING SERVICE.

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In case you must absolutely send your TWO NOTES AUDIO ENGINEERING product to any other
location, it is of vital importance that you keep the original packing material. It is very difficult to
avoid damage when shipping the product without that material. OROSYS SAS is not responsible for
damages caused to the product by improper packaging and reserves the right to charge a reboxing
fee for any unit returned for service without the original packing material.

THE FOREGOING CONSTITUTES THE ONLY WARRANTY MADE BY OROSYS SAS WITH
RESPECT TO THE PRODUCTS AND IS MADE EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.

2 Recommendation on the proper use of a
loadbox with a tube amplifier

2.1 What is a loadbox?

In the normal use of a tube amplifier, it is highly recommended that you always connect its power
output to a speaker cabinet prior to powering it up. The speaker cabinet (4, 8 or 16 Ohms) must
always be connected to the corresponding speaker output of your amplifier. Not doing so can lead to
partial or complete destruction of the output stage of the tube amplifier.

Most tube amplifiers makers protect their products with fuses or other protection systems, however
some amplifiers are still insufficiently protected. It is impossible to predict the behavior of all the
amplifiers on the market in case of use without a load (a speaker cabinet or a loadbox).

The electronic term that describes the speaker cabinet with respect to the amplifier is the “load”: we
say the cabinet “loads” the amplifier. The term “loadbox” is used to describe any product that
provides a load to the amplifier. The main parameter of the loadbox is its impedance, expressed in
Ohms. An 8-Ohm loadbox must be plugged to the 8-Ohm speaker output of the amplifier.

The power sent to the load is turned into heat, so please follow the cooling recommendation of the
loadbox — otherwise overheating may cause damage, both to the loadbox and to the amplifier.

The Torpedo Captor is a loadbox. This term indicates that the Torpedo Captor is a load which can
electrically replace the speaker cabinet while dissipating (transforming into heat) the power coming
out of the amplifier.

Within the Torpedo Captor is a Reactive load. A Reactive load simulates the complex impedance of a
real speaker.

Always connect the speaker out of your tube amplifier to an appropriate
load (speaker cabinet or loadbox). The Torpedo Captor is such a load.
The Torpedo Captor does not need to be powered up to act as a
loadbox. The maximum admissible power of the Torpedo Captor is 100W
RMS, your amplifier shouldn't be set to play at a higher output power
value. See this article if your amplifier is more powerful than 100W.

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2.2 Which output volume for my amplifier?

The correct use of your amplifier with a loadbox requires some precautions. Because of the silence
while playing, it is much easier to accidentally run your amplifier beyond the reasonable limits set by
the manufacturer than when using a real speaker cabinet with it. This can lead to faster tube wear
and, in some cases, to more serious inconveniences.

When first testing the amplifier at high volume, monitor the color of the
tubes and the general state of the amplifier. Red-glowing tubes or any
appearance of smoke are signs of a problem that may result in partial or
complete destruction of the amplifier.

Keep in mind that the “sweet spot” - the perfect running point of the amplifier, the one that will give
you the tone you’re looking for - is rarely obtained at maximum volume. In addition, the volume
control of the amplifier is usually logarithmic, which means the volume goes up quickly on the first
half of the potentiometer rotation, reaches its maximum at 12 o’clock, and doesn’t change much
beyond this point. Therefore, you can reach themaximum volume of your amplifier even if the volume
potentiometer is not set at maximum.

By reaching the maximum output power of your amplifier, you will hear a lot of distortion, which may
not sound as well as you may hope. In fact, most amplifiers sound rather poorly at maximum volume.
Always keep in mind that your amplifier may not have been conceived to be used at maximum
volume for a long period of time. Running an amplifier at high volume will cause premature wear of
the tubes and possible malfunctions or damages at the output stage.

The fact that the volume control of your amplifier is not set at maximum
doesn’t mean your amplifier is not running at maximum volume. A good
habit is to keep the usual volume setup you would use in rehearsal or on
stage, rather than just following what the volume potentiometer indicates.

2.3 Is the use of a loadbox totally silent?

We usually talk about “silent recording” when a loadbox is involved. If we compare the loadbox
solution to a traditional cabinet miking solution, it is obviously several orders of magnitude quieter,
but you will still experience some minor sounds, noises, that have to be taken into account:

Your guitar or bass strings can be heard. This is obvious, but it can be disturbing, depending on
your environment.
You may hear some noise coming out of your Torpedo when playing, like there is a tiny speaker
inside the box. This is perfectly normal and there is no reason to worry. The sound is produced
when power goes through the coil of the reactive load embedded in the Torpedo Captor. The
vibration is related to what power comes out of the amplifier connected to the Torpedo and to
the signal’s frequency content (notes played are heard). Your amplifier may also produce
similar noise, at the output transformer’s level. Such noise is usually not heard, simply because
it is normally overcome by the sound coming from the loudspeaker.
The Torpedo Captor embeds a fan, as there is quite a lot of power dissipated into heat inside

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the box. We selected a so called “silent fan”, but as it is running fast, it is never entirely silent.
This said, you can consider that, in normal use (hearing your guitar through monitors, or
headphones), you can barely hear that fan.

3 About the Torpedo Captor

3.1 Introducing the Torpedo Captor

The Torpedo Captor is the little brother of the award-winning Torpedo Reload. Captor is an easy to use
reactive loadbox perfect for unleashing your favorite tube amp in a variety of modern applications
and venues. If you just require attenuation from your amp to your cab, Captor has you covered. And if
you want an easy and modern way to record your tube amp, Captor is simply “load” and record !

You love the sound of your amplifier pushed right to the magic sweet spot where the best tones are.
Until now, the only available option was blasting your sound through a 4×12″ to properly excite a
microphone. Enter Torpedo, the simplest and most realistic way to get your sound to your audience.
Use the amp you love!

Everything that makes a real amp rule over all the other alternatives is retained. You can even record
silently late at night. Gone is the backache from the loadout, complaints from neighbours, venue staff
or even bandmates and the frustration of not being able to sound at one’s best trying to reduce the
volume.

Torpedo Captor was designed to cover the needs of direct recording or miking any kind of guitar or
bass amp, in a live or studio situation.

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