I have recently become fascinated by running my tube guitar amps into a load box, and then into a DAW running an impulse response to simulate various speaker cabinets.
 
Why? Because from my research, it seems to be very good sounding, but also, I have these three great tube amps, two of which I hand built, that I would love to record with more. The reason I haven't done so is, I live in an apartment and the neighbors tend to frown on cranked up 6L6s for some reason. Another reason is, you can crank up your big boy tube amps late into the night since it is basically running direct into your DAW. So, you know, a fifty watt Marshall cranked up to the sweet spot at 2:30 am. What's not to like?
 
Anyway, I am new to this, and only have a basic understanding of the process from watching Pete Thorn videos on YouTube. I gather I need a load box like this https://www.suhr.com/electronics/tone-tools/suhr-reactive-load/
 
But I believe you also need one of your DAW plugins to have the ability to run these Impulse Response programs that give you that final touch of believability. I don't understand where the IRs fit in.
 
What would be an effective way to do this in Sonar X3? Do any of our native plugins run IRs?

PerfectSpace is bundled with X3 Studio and Producer. TH2 Producer had an IR based cab. Both of these plug-ins can load 3rd party IRs.
 
I have no experience TH2 SONAR included with basic version of X3 and Studio. It may also have the IR cab too.
 
There are quite a few 3rd party IR plug-ins. Some are free.

I've run guitar cab IRs that I found on the internet for free in convolution reverbs and they add a nice touch.

Thanks. Never thought about a third party plugin. That may be the ticket.
 
I'm also checking out the Line 6 Helix ... which is something I wanted anyway ... but I still find it a bit pricey for now.

Well, I sure would check out the Fractal AX8 while looking at the Helix. 
 
But anyway, there are plenty of FREE ir loaders. I have used Perfectspace for irs and NADir. 

Also check out the Torpedeo Wall of Sound plugin. What I really like about using it is the fact that you can actually audition the IRs before you buy them on your own tracks! Selecting mics and positioning is also MUCH simpler than just using Ownhammer, RedWirez or Celestion IRs. You just select the mic you want and drag it around to the right position in the GUI for tweaking instead of having to sort through hundreds of IR files, auditioning dozens in order to find the right one.
 
I use the Suhr Reactive Load primarily into Torpedo WOS, although sometimes I do use Nadir with Ownhammer IRs.
 
However, these days I find myself mostly using S-Gear or micing my cabs again, but I don't live in an apartment. 

Palmer's reactive load boxes and speaker simulating DIs are worth considering.

The Palmers seem really cool ... and expensive. The ones I checked out were almost $900 chops ...
 
Do any of these load boxes have switchable ohm setting to accommodate amps and cabs of different flavors? The one I was looking at (suhr) seems to be set up only for amps with 8 ohm speakers.
 
I have a hand wired mojo tone versions of a Super Reverb and a Tweed Deluxe (both 8 ohm), and then I have a blackfaced Champ Amp which is 4 ohm. What would be sweet is if I could use any of those amps with the load box.
 
Anybody using Positive Grid Bias Amp to run IRs? I don't think it's free ... but looks pretty nifty ... I think it has a build your own amp in a modular way kind of mode. You pick preamp configuration, tube types, biasing types (fixed, cathode), etc ... and build out a virtual amp.
 
I'll check into perfect space ... I should already have that. I think that was a convo reverb ...

Hi,
I've recently been using my Mesa Boogie 22 Caliber with speaker IR's for the same reason, the amp is really loud for a small wattage amp!
Luckily the Mesa Boogie has an effects loop so I take the output from that, which is effectively the pre-amp stage with all the EQ, then into my DAW turn down the Master output on the Mesa Boogie to zero and voila!! 
I've been using the Cabinets in TH3 and the supplied TH3 Cabinet IR with third party IR's with good results.

Webers do. I use their load dumps with low wattage amps (5 watt) - volume on the load dump is around 7 or 8 out of 10, enough to take the edge off, but it doesn't effect the dynamics or tone.