Purchased the 78/79 package from IK multimedia, UPDATE 7/4/25

[Longo]

I also bought the Tonex One... it's my first experience with digital modeling... I haven't had any problems with the software...
but my plan was to use it with headphones (Audio-Technica ATH-M50)... and my first impression using the factory amps was bad...
I might have to try the EVH package...

 

[tjnx]

I also bought the Tonex One... it's my first experience with digital modeling... I haven't had any problems with the software...
but my plan was to use it with headphones (Audio-Technica ATH-M50)... and my first impression using the factory amps was bad...
I might have to try the EVH package...

I think the factory amps are bad. The real power in tonex lies in the tone net with the user uploaded captures. Best method is to get reaper and an ir loader plugin then get some good irs and captures. way better

 

[marvcus]

Once you figure out the clunky software, there are some good tones on Tonenet. I modeled my Plexi and it’s definitely quite usable. I also found a good greasy Balance style VH sound that’s really close and fun to play.

 

[chumbucket]

I think the factory amps are bad. The real power in tonex lies in the tone net with the user uploaded captures. Best method is to get reaper and an ir loader plugin then get some good irs and captures. way better

I've been pretty amazed at some of my own captures that I've made. The similarity to the sound of my loaded down amp are uncanny.
Pretty cool when you figure that for some situations, you could leave your amp at home and have its sound on a little pedal that fits in your gig bag.

 

[Shask]

I am digging it! If I can get the buffer rate lower I will dig it more

To the contrary I think your descriptions on how it sounds was quite correct and I agree with you guys after hearing it in person on my computer. Maybe down the road they will do just amp captures but then maybe it won't have what you like about it as much either, that sound is product of the complete signal chain into that amp setup.

I have always been a digital amp modeling critic to say the least so I went into this ready to call it either way for $200 bucks since I'm not a digital guy whatsoever. These 78/79 digital anything was the first product that I thought sounded like a good 68/69 plexi amp whether or not it did the Ed stuff is irrelevant. For getting that variaced cranked tone of a great plexi on your computer this IK stuff is impressive. It kept my interest all afternoon and I had fun jamming through it and was not easily persuaded to say it sucked and walk away.

How that translates to a live speakers setup I do not know but I would imagine it has to be close to Kemper or Fractal but I have no experience with any of those.

I'm not disappointed with the 78/79 package tones, it performs and sounds as they do in the clips. If the software downloads had gone smoother I would have a more glowing review of the product. The Dime package interests me as well but I need to get all these other issues ironed out first like the Axe I/O One controller software working like it should.

This is what my interface software looks like. Yours should be the same, but fewer inputs and outputs.

 

[JohnnyGtar]

So far I am really impressed with these 78/ 79 modeling. There are notable differences between each 78 capture and the 79 capture in how the amp is distorting and brighter or darker with different 4x12 cabinets and speakers. Since I play my 68 Ed spec Marshall alot, I can confirm that these captures do indeed sound about as exact I've heard something digital reproduce like my variaced, cranked, 68 with Ed's entire signal chain in it,1979 MXR Flanger >NOS Script Phase 90> EP3 Echoplexes. These 78/79 captures were of an NOS MXR flanger, Phase 90 and EP echoplex in front of Jims 68 amp at all times in the signal chain so keep that in mind. The captures also reproduce the harmonic content and qualities and there is also that hiss that you get when cranking a NMV 68 amp up like that with that specific signal chain in front of the amp. I'll also note that you can also adjust the gain, volume and all the tone controls on the virtual amp on the screen. The 78/79 captures also has the ability to add Delay Pre or Post on the amp and add the Plate Reverb Post or Last in line with which you are able to dial in the amounts you personally want.

I'll probably like the 78/79 package even more once I can get the buffer speed below 256. All in all this 78/79 package has surprised me as to how good they sound and how they feel, it still isn't like standing infron of a cranked 100 watter and 4x12 but once you get past that it's eyeopening of how these subtle dynamics have been captured by IK multimedia and Jim Gaustad. I would have to say this digital representation is as close to playting through Ed's rig as one can get without building the entire rig yourself $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. This 78/79 package was good enough that I played for over two hours through it yesterday and didn't think or feel it sucked.

My message to Johnnygtr is since your amps aren't available to you, for the investment of $200 bucks I think you would have alot of fun playing this since you are a big Ed fan like myself.

My message to Mentoneman is I think the Premium capture packages may be of alot better quality than the standard free ones because that Boosted JCM800 on ToneX SE was not that good while the 78/79 sounds really good.

If I have anymore software issues I may badmouth that some more but the tones don't suck.

I also want to thank Shask, Chumbucket, Greazygeo and everyone else for all the suggestions and help working through the issues with my first foray into digital amps!

Thanks, man! I'm glad you got it to work and that you're diggin' it. You know what the real deal sounds like firsthand so if you like it, I'm sure I will too.

 

[chumbucket]

This is what my interface software looks like. Yours should be the same, but fewer inputs and outputs.

View attachment 406330

Maybe that's the reason that I can never get down to 32 on my buffer. I always choose 48kHz for a sampling rate.

 

[Shask]

Maybe that's the reason that I can never get down to 32 on my buffer. I always choose 48kHz for a sampling rate.

Maybe. I was playing with 96k the other day, and I had to raise it to 128 or 256. I was in Reaper though with a ton of different plugins running.

 

[mentoneman]

i bet the 78/79 sounds better than this:

 

[chumbucket]

i bet the 78/79 sounds better than this:

Looks like a Mickey's Big Mouth sitting in front of Eddie.

 

[mentoneman]

Once you figure out the clunky software, there are some good tones on Tonenet. I modeled my Plexi and it’s definitely quite usable. I also found a good greasy Balance style VH sound that’s really close and fun to play.

so far my takeaway is the general consensus thinks Tonex is factory loaded with bad to mediocre sounding amps and IRs, and forces users to immediately shell out more money to download new custom amps and cabs in order to hopefully get acceptable results.

i can vouch for the fact that the 2 factory delays and reverbs are pretty weak, the low/medium gain fender/vox presets all suck, and none of the cab IRs sound like real cabs to me.

Howabout they start adopting the Fractal practice of providing free improvements to such things with version updates?

 

[harddriver]

so far my takeaway is the general consensus thinks Tonex is factory loaded with bad to mediocre sounding amps and IRs, and forces users to immediately shell out more money to download new custom amps and cabs in order to hopefully get acceptable results.

i can vouch for the fact that the 2 factory delays and reverbs are pretty weak, the low/medium gain fender/vox presets all suck, and none of the cab IRs sound like real cabs to me.

Howabout they start adopting the Fractal practice of providing free improvements to such things with version updates?

YEP! I am reaching the same conclusion.......going by what others are saying the personal amp captures are better than the factory. If they sold you great sounding factory models you wouldn't want to buy the premium upgrades now would you!

I went through most of my free factory amp sims yesterday. Diezel VH4, Mesa Boogie Dual recto's, Marshall JCM800's, Fender sims, all sounded like shit. The 78/79 package was night and day better.

 

[harddriver]

This is what my interface software looks like. Yours should be the same, but fewer inputs and outputs.

View attachment 406330

Nope I don't get a display like that! I remember seeing 48Khz rates somewhere in my Windows audio settings. I wonder if I set that lower the Axe I/O One would go lower. Either way my controller is not working so I have to fix that first.

I played it yesterday again so the interface is connecting to ToneX SE somehow but I only get that small popup window to set things not this nice display.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Shask]

so far my takeaway is the general consensus thinks Tonex is factory loaded with bad to mediocre sounding amps and IRs, and forces users to immediately shell out more money to download new custom amps and cabs in order to hopefully get acceptable results.

i can vouch for the fact that the 2 factory delays and reverbs are pretty weak, the low/medium gain fender/vox presets all suck, and none of the cab IRs sound like real cabs to me.

Howabout they start adopting the Fractal practice of providing free improvements to such things with version updates?

Actually a year ago it had no effects and they added them for free. They also just came out with the Factory Version 2 a few months ago with all new presets that now include effects. It didn't have that before, so they are updating it with free updates.

It is hard for me to say for the content it comes with. I have MAX, so I have every collection they offer, and every signature collection they have. They are hit or miss, but that is for me and my tastes. I think everyone has a specific tone in mind, so you really have to seek out your perfect tone. You can always go to ToneNet and try hundreds of free tone models for free, and download the ones you like. Earlier I found about 5 really good high gain Freyette Ultra Lead captures I really like.

I recommend finding DI captures and then using your own favorite IRs with them. I get much better results like that because I personally hate about 90% of all IRs I hear.

 

[chumbucket]

Howabout they start adopting the Fractal practice of providing free improvements to such things with version updates?

No one listens to the users and cranks out kickass free updates like Fractal does.

 

[Greazygeo]

so far my takeaway is the general consensus thinks Tonex is factory loaded with bad to mediocre sounding amps and IRs, and forces users to immediately shell out more money to download new custom amps and cabs in order to hopefully get acceptable results.

i can vouch for the fact that the 2 factory delays and reverbs are pretty weak, the low/medium gain fender/vox presets all suck, and none of the cab IRs sound like real cabs to me.

Howabout they start adopting the Fractal practice of providing free improvements to such things with version updates?

I dunno I found a Rectifier dirty patch and a Fender Deluxe Reverd clean that sounds great. Pretty much the two I use for practicing, learning tunes etc. Just had to swap to one of my irs I bought from Ownhammer.

 

[tjnx]

so far my takeaway is the general consensus thinks Tonex is factory loaded with bad to mediocre sounding amps and IRs, and forces users to immediately shell out more money to download new custom amps and cabs in order to hopefully get acceptable results.

i can vouch for the fact that the 2 factory delays and reverbs are pretty weak, the low/medium gain fender/vox presets all suck, and none of the cab IRs sound like real cabs to me.

Howabout they start adopting the Fractal practice of providing free improvements to such things with version updates?

A couple things to consider - I don't think you're forced to shell out more for better captures. If you look at it as an interface to access the free user captures and then maybe get a few one offs from the store its a great deal. Really explore the free user captures first before buying tones. The new 78-79 package seems to be the first exception.

The other thing I'll throw in there is context for the captures. I loaded the pedal with some stock presets and some of my best sounding captures + irs I found on ToneNet. Through an FRFR at practice, in a live band context, many of the crappy stock ones that I wrote off listening through the DAW at home sounded the best. Everyone tried out the pedal and there weren't really any presets that people agreed sounded bad.

So maybe they are eq'd for that application and the frequencies that make it work there don't sound as great in isolation. Maybe a happy accident, who knows. I still think its one of the best deals for the price.

 

[dead-pan]

so far my takeaway is the general consensus thinks Tonex is factory loaded with bad to mediocre sounding amps and IRs, and forces users to immediately shell out more money to download new custom amps and cabs in order to hopefully get acceptable results.

i can vouch for the fact that the 2 factory delays and reverbs are pretty weak, the low/medium gain fender/vox presets all suck, and none of the cab IRs sound like real cabs to me.

Howabout they start adopting the Fractal practice of providing free improvements to such things with version updates?

I've been doing the capture profile thing for a long time. My take is the stock stuff was largely created for single coil and low output guitars.

It's amazing how different everyone's instrument is and how amps respond to it.

There are so many user created tones that can get so many other sounds. It tough to sift through them. Even the partner packs have a free capture per pack. I have uploaded other free stuff also.

For me, Tonex is an amazing platform. I hope they develop it further with a hardware device that incorporates the AmpliTube effects fully.

 

[mentoneman]

enough of you are defending this system to make we willing to press on!

 

[BenoA]

Just ordered a mini ToneX one. I was impressed by the free standalone software and stumble on a Prime deal tonite.

How is it going with the EVH pack of settings?