Elektro Art
RECO: Analogue Speaker Emulator & Load Tool
A passive, 100% analogue solution for silent recording, direct-to-PA, studio consistency, and natural tone without microphones, IRs or latency.
What RECO is
- RECO converts your amplifier’s speaker output into a natural, mic-like line signal that fits perfectly into any audio interface, mixer or PA.
- Built for players who want real amp tone at any volume – including zero volume.
Les Paul on the left/Telecaster to the right with the King Cobra amp to RECO
Les Paul with the King Cobra amp to RECO
Key Applications
Silent Recording!
Use your amp anytime. Works with or without a speaker; completely silent if no speaker is connected.
MIC vs RECO vs RED BOX PRO
Amp out/Speaker with Shure SM57
Amp out/Himmelstrutz RECO
Amp out/H&K RED BOX PRO
SENNHEISER e906 MIC vs RECO
A creative customer testing and comparing a Sennheiser e906 microphone (close-miked in front of a guitar speaker connected to the RECO’s Spkr. 2–16Ω output) simultaneously with the RECO’s Rec Out capabilities. What happens?
Gibson Les Paul and a gang of Himmelstrutz products recorded straight into Apple Logic. No speaker used = “silent” recording via RECO “Rec Out” to computer sound card input.
RECO Layout / Controls
| Jacks | |
| Amp 8–16 Ω Out | Connect to your amp speaker output marked 8 or 16 Ω. Valve amps: Do not use if only a 4 Ω output is available. Solid-state amps: Any load down to the amp’s specified minimum is fine; higher impedances are not an issue. |
| Spkr. 2–16 Ω | Connect your speaker of choice, from 2 Ω to anything higher. |
| Rec Out | Unbalanced output via 6.3 mm TS connector. Transformer isolated to avoid ground loops and noise. |
| Power | 9–12 V DC, regulated, center-negative (not included). |
| Footswitch | |
| ON / OFF | Activates/bypasses the speaker emulator. ON → Green LED OFF → Full-range signal (DAW / IR). Note: EQ active in both modes. |
| Potentiometers (3-band EQ) | |
| Rec-Lo | Low frequencies (discrete JFET). |
| Rec-Mid | Independent mid control (discrete JFET). |
| Rec-Hi | Shapes treble / presence → crispy ↔ smoother (discrete JFET). |
| * Unity/transparent with all controls centered. Bands operate independently. | |
| Toggle Switches | |
| Spkr. Level | –5 / –8 / –12 dB output (2–16 Ω loads). |
| Rec. Brite | Two styles for Rec Out (less ↔ more top). |
| Pres. | Presence / upper mids (subtle – dial by ear). |
| LED Indicators | |
| Green: Speaker emulator ON. Yellow: ~10–20 W output. Red: 20 W or more – prolonged use may cause overheating. | |
Reco Summary
The RECO isn’t for taming huge, old, untamable 100-watt monsters. It’s made to safely shape, capture, and control the tone of small to medium amps where you actually care about preserving dynamics and real amp sound.
The need for RECO is:
► Recording real amp tone without needing a speaker cabinet and microphone.
► Quiet practice or recording with your amp’s natural sound, even at home.
► Live gigs where you want to send your amp’s sound to the PA without blasting the stage volume.
► Tone shaping without loading your amp unnaturally (because RECO’s load feels/reacts like a real speaker, unlike many load boxes).
► Keeping everything analog – no impulse responses (IRs), no digital modeling, no lifeless tone (IRs can still be used if needed).
► Saving your ears and your gear – it protects both your speakers and your bandmates' sanity.
Why the caution?
Because amps with no master volume (especially older designs like early Marshalls, Hiwatts, etc.) push full wattage all the time. And 100 watts of tube power is brutally powerful. Even many real 4x12" cabinets strain under that!
RECO was designed for amps where you have some control over volume or where output power is naturally moderate (15–30 W sweet spot, up to 50 W with a bit of sense).
If you use a modern amp with a good master volume, you can crank the preamp for overdrive but keep the output safe.
Without master volume = no real control = high risk.
RECO Q & A
► Q: Is RECO a guitar pedal, like something I’d put on a pedalboard?
► A: Not really. Yes, it has a footswitch, but that’s about ergonomics, not pedalboard logic. RECO doesn’t belong in a typical pedalboard signal flow. It’s a studio tool – built to let your amped instrument sound right, even in silence.
► Q: Can I run RECO via MIDI or MIDI Thru?
► A: No.
► Q: Why not?
► A: Why should you?
► Q: Damned – you’re not supposed to answer with a question. Fine. One more chance: how do I change IRs in RECO?
► A: You don’t. Stop looking for problems.
► Q: Where can I download the latest RECO app – and the latest firmware? I love new firmware.
► A: (Uncomfortable silence. Someone coughs. As if this question never existed.)
Extended Use: Bass & Harmonica!
RECO isn’t just for guitars. Thanks to its reactive load design, it works just as well for bass and harmonica amps – especially when you’d rather avoid microphones.
Bass amps retain punch and clarity through REC‑OUT, even without a speaker cab.
Harmonica rigs, small valve amps – same story. You get real amp tone, without mic bleed or room reflections.
Hear harmonica recorded directly through RECO by Spanish José – here using a Cornford Harlequin amp:
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