The Mesa/Boogie CabClone IR Plus is a cabinet simulator and IR reader with a built-in power attenuator, made by Mesa/Boogie and sold through Gibson's online store. It sits between your amp head and a speaker cabinet (or replaces the cabinet entirely), letting you run your amp's output into a reactive load, shape it with Mesa's own cabinet impulse responses, and send the result to a mixer, an interface or a pair of headphones. Mesa/Boogie announced it alongside the standard CabClone IR in November 2019, in a compact pedal format1.
The difference from the standard CabClone IR is the attenuator. As Gearnews put it when the two launched: "The Plus version gives you far greater control over the output volume"1. Where the plain CabClone IR only simulates a cabinet, the Plus version also pulls down the amp's output power and volume, so you can push a tube amp hard at quieter levels.
What it does, and how it connects to your amp
The CabClone IR Plus can be fed directly from an amp head1. Its internal reactive load is impedance-matched to the version you buy, giving what Mesa describes as a safe way to run the amp without a speaker cabinet2. From there the signal is shaped by the cabinet IRs and sent out through a Line Out, an XLR DI out and a headphone jack, so it covers silent practice, direct recording and going straight to front-of-house1. An output socket also lets you connect an optional speaker cabinet when you still want to move air1.
The controls and the 16 factory cabinet IRs
Both versions of the CabClone share the same control set: output, presence and input controls, plus a CabSelect control with 8 presets and two banks, Live and Studio1.
The Plus ships with 16 Mesa proprietary cabinet impulse responses, loaded into two banks of 8 presets2. The two banks cover the same eight cabinets in the same order, but with different microphone choices:
Mesa says the IRs are its popular cabinets "captured by a pro engineer with iconic mics in a state of the art studio"4. A few of the factory presets are named on the product pages:
| Preset | Cabinet |
|---|---|
| 1 | 4x12 RECTO STANDARD with Celestion V30s, 8 Ohm2 |
| 3 | 2X12 RECTO HORIZONTAL with Celestion V30s, 16 Ohm3 |
| 6 | 2X12 LONE STAR with Celestion C90, 16 Ohm3 |
Outputs, MIDI and amp connections
On the back panel the CabClone IR Plus carries MIDI IN and Thru ports using MIDI Program Change messages, which Gearnews reported let you control the presets or gain1. Mesa's own pages confirm the detail: MIDI Program Change messages are supported through a standard 5-pin MIDI IN connector and can be used to access the 16 cabinet simulations, and a MIDI THRU passes those program change messages on to other MIDI-capable devices in your rig2.
The full connection set, as covered by Gearnews at launch:
- Input socket from the amp1
- Output socket to an optional speaker cabinet1
- Line Out1
- XLR DI out1
- Headphone jack1
- MIDI IN and MIDI THRU1
4, 8 and 16 Ohm versions
The CabClone IR Plus is sold in impedance variants of 4, 8 and 16 Ohm, and the choice is made at purchase2. Gearnews was blunt about the limitation: "when you buy the CabLoader IR, you have to decide on 4, 8 or 16 ohms. There's no way of changing that later."1
There is no impedance switch. Match the version to your amp's output impedance before you buy, because it cannot be changed afterwards1.
The Gibson App subscription
For a limited time, Gibson's product pages state that a purchase includes three free months of the Gibson App subscription2. This is a promotional offer tied to the purchase period rather than a permanent part of the package.
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Questions
What is the difference between the CabClone IR and the CabClone IR Plus?
Both are cabinet simulators with 16 factory IRs, the same controls and the same outputs. The Plus version adds a built-in power attenuator, which Gearnews reported gives far greater control over the output power and volume of the amp than the standard CabClone IR.
Does the CabClone IR Plus have MIDI?
Yes. It has a standard 5-pin MIDI IN connector that accepts MIDI Program Change messages to select the 16 cabinet simulations, plus a MIDI THRU to pass those messages on to other MIDI devices in your rig.
Can I use headphones with the CabClone IR Plus?
Yes. Alongside the Line Out and XLR DI output, the unit has a headphone jack, so you can play your amp silently while monitoring through headphones.
Which impedance version of the CabClone IR Plus matches my amp?
It is sold in 4, 8 and 16 Ohm versions, and you must choose one at purchase. The impedance cannot be changed later, so match it to your amp's output impedance before buying.
How many cabinet impulse responses does it have?
It ships with 16 Mesa proprietary cabinet impulse responses, loaded into two banks of 8 presets. Bank A holds LIVE IRs recorded with dynamic and ribbon mics, and Bank B holds STUDIO IRs recorded with condenser and ribbon mics.
Does it come with a Gibson App subscription?
For a limited time, Gibson's product pages state that purchase includes three free months of the Gibson App subscription. This is a promotional offer, so check whether it still applies at the time you buy.
Sources (4)
- Mesa Boogie CabClone IR and CabClone IR Plus: Two new cab sim pedals launched, gearnews.com, 2019-11-22
- CabClone iR+ Cab Simulator & Attenuator, 8 Ohm, Gibson (www.gibson.com)
- CabClone IR+ Cab Simulator & Attenuator, 4 Ohm, Gibson (www.gibson.com)
- CabClone IR+ Cab Simulator & Attenuator, 16 Ohm, Gibson (Mesa/Boogie)
