The Industry-Standard 8-Ohm Reactive Load & IR Solution
The Guitar Sanctuary is proud to offer the Mesa/Boogie CabClone IR (8-Ohm Version)—the most versatile and widely used reactive load box and impulse response reader in the Mesa lineup. Engineered specifically for 8-Ohm amplifier speaker outputs, this unit serves as a full-featured silent stage interface, studio recording solution, and headphone practice hub for your favorite tube amp heads and combos.
Mesa’s passive reactive load architecture accurately mirrors the frequency-dependent impedance changes of a physical speaker. This ensures that your power section responds naturally—preserving the rich harmonic warmth, chime, and tight low-end thump that make tube amplifiers special—without needing a loud physical cabinet on stage or in the studio.
16 Authentic Mesa/Boogie Impulse Response Presets
The CabClone IR comes factory-loaded with 16 high-resolution impulse responses captured directly from Mesa's iconic cabinet lineup using industry-standard microphones. Toggle seamlessly between two banks of 8 presets, featuring famous enclosures like the Rectifier Standard 4x12, Recto Horizontal 2x12, Lone Star 1x12, and 1x12 Thiele. You can also connect via USB to drag and drop your preferred third-party IR files into any preset slot.
Product Intelligence & Buyers Guidance:
- Best For: Home Studio Recording, Silent Stage Rigs, Headphone Practice, and Direct Live Performance.
- Amplifier Matching: Designed strictly for tube amplifiers running off an 8-Ohm speaker output tap (rated up to 150 Watts max continuous).
- Tone Profile: Dynamic, organic, and ultra-responsive with identical feel to a physical speaker cabinet; preserves harmonic richness and pick dynamics.
- Sanctuary Expert Note: "8 Ohms is the sweet spot for the vast majority of modern amp heads—including Mark Series, Rectifiers, and British-style heads. If you want silent recording capability without compromising the feel of your power tubes, this is the benchmark tool."
Technical Specifications:
- Impedance Rating: 8 Ohms (Max 150-Watt Power Handling)
- Load Type: Passive Reactive Load Circuit
- Preloaded IRs: 16 Official Mesa/Boogie Cabinet Impulse Responses (2 Banks of 8)
- Bank A Cabinets: Recto 4x12, Recto 2x12, Compact 2x12, Lone Star 1x12, Thiele 1x12, and more
- Bank B Cabinets: Vintage & Alternate Mic Configurations of Flagship Mesa Enclosures
- Third-Party IR Support: Yes (USB Port for Loading Custom 3rd-Party IRs)
- Audio Output Connections: Balanced XLR Direct Out (Line/Mic Level Switchable), 1/4" Headphone Out, 1/4" Line Out
- Pass-Through: 1/4" Thru Jack (to connect a live speaker cabinet simultaneously)
- Controls: Preset Select Knob, Input Level, Phase Switch, Ground Lift Switch
- Power Requirement: 18V DC Power Supply Included (Required only for IR processing & active output circuitry)
- Build Location: Handcrafted in Petaluma, California, USA
Made in Petaluma, California with the World’s Finest Materials
Dynamic new Reactive Load circuit provides the feel and tone of a real Speaker/Cabinet
Rated for Amps up to 150-Watts (Reactive Load activates automatically when no cable connected “TO SPKR” Output)
2-Bank A/B Switch with 8-Position “Cab Select” provides instant access to 16 IR Cabinet Preset Locations
New Presence Control provides quick, easy and effective fine-tuning of any selected Cabinet IR
Comes Preloaded with the following 8 Authentic MESA Cabinet IRs, each mic’d two ways;
BANK A = LIVE (Dynamic & Ribbon) / BANK B = STUDIO (Condenser & Ribbon)
Preset 1 = 4x12 Rectifier Standard (closed back)
Preset 2 = 4x12 Rectifier Traditional (closed back)
Preset 3 = 2x12 Rectifier Horizontal (closed back)
Preset 4 = 1x12 Rectifier (closed back)
Preset 5 = 1x12 Thiele (closed back, front ported)
Preset 6 = 2x12 Lone Star (open back)
Preset 7 = 1x12 Lone Star 23 (open back)
Preset 8 = 1x12 California Tweed 23 (open back)
Open System, Third-Party IR Compatibility allows open access to download, store and use your favorite IRs of choice. USB 2.0 A to B connection cable (not included) is required for managing IR file directory.
Extra “Cabinet Library” Space for storing additional IR favorites, beyond the 16 factory-loaded Presets, for native access via any USB computer connection
MIDI IN & THRU provides class-leading control and instant access to switch IRs on the fly to best match your amps voicings
Two ¼” Input Jacks (From Amp Speaker Output & Line/Instrument In)
One ¼” “TO SPKR” Live Speaker Cabinet Output Jack (defeats Internal Reactive Load when cable is connected)
Variable Input Level Control with 3-Bar LED Input Signal Meter
Variable Output Level Control
IR Balanced XLR Direct Output (Controlled by the Variable Output Level Control)
Independent ¼” +4 Line Level “Dry” Output Jack (Exact signal from amp’s speaker output, no IR applied and controlled by the Variable Input Level Control)
Headphone Output Jack (Controlled by the Variable Output Level Control)
Phase Switch – Normal (Phase) or Reverse (180°)
Ground Lift Switch
18 VDC Power Supply
Tall Rubber Feet - Allows CabClone IR to sit on top of most amps, clearing the handle
Dimensions: 4 3/6” H x 7 1/2" W x 6 5/8" D
Weight: 3lbs. 4oz.
We are open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am until 6pm CDT.
Any order placed before 3pm CDT Tuesday through Saturday is processed for shipment the same day. Orders placed Sunday-Monday will be processed for shipment the following Tuesday.
For Free Shipping items, Effects pedals and small goods items are generally shipped via USPS Priority Mail, and Guitars and Amplifiers are generally shipped via UPS Ground.
Due to our central location in the middle of the US, most orders will be delivered within 1-3 days delivery time.
Other shipping methods are available (at an additional cost), including next day air.
Please call us directly at (972)540-6420 if you have any questions regarding shipping for your order.
