Radial Engineering has introduced the JDX Reactor module, a combination speaker simulator and direct recording interface designed for the 500 Series format.
The JDX Reactor module is a unique interface that is designed to capture both the sound of the guitar head and the speaker cabinet. This is achieved by introducing a reactive load that not only captures the sound of the head, but the back-electromagnetic impulse from the loudspeaker. The signal is then processed via a proprietary multi-stage band pass filter that emulates the tone of a 4×12 half stack cabinet.
While the original JDX stand-alone is designed primarily for stage use, the JDX Reactor module adds several more options for the recording environment. This includes an onboard low pass filter that allows one to tame excessively bright amplifiers, a low frequency extension to replicate the tone of a 15-inch driver when recording bass and a high output setting that switches the JDX Reactor module from 100 watts to 300 watts for really big amps.
To add further convenience and speed to the recording process, the JDX Reactor module can also be set to “guitar mode” whereby one can connect a guitar directly into the module to take advantage of the exceptional speaker cabinet emulation filters. This can be supplemented by adding a distortion or overdrive, making it very efficient to lay down tracks without having to set up a guitar amp or microphones. Being able to record ‘quietly’ will be of particular interest to those who record in home studios late at night.
The JDX Reactor module features 100 percent discrete electronics throughout, transformer isolation to help eliminate ground loops and a fully shielded back box to help eliminate stray fields from entering the device or polluting others that may be nearby inside the 500 rack.
“The JDX is gaining tremendous traction in the market, primarily in live touring,” says Peter Janis, president of Radial Engineering. “We have seen bands of all types begin to use it from metal acts like Megadeth, Dimmu Borgir and Slayer to country and rock acts like Rascal Flatts and Evanescence. Even bass players such as Michael Anthony (formerly with Van Halen, now with Chickenfoot) and Danny Miranda with Queen are now touring with it. We felt this success could probably begin to pay dividends in the recording world too.”
