ToneX 78/79 doing Fair Warning.............

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JohnnyGtar said:
For me, this is a fantastic product. Hell, I'm old and disabled but I still want to go "Damn, I love that tone" when I play. I think I might sell my amps and get ToneX. It's impressing me and with this 78/79 pack I can get reasonably close to Van Halen 1&2 sounds. And there are 2 more Van Halen style packs that cover WACF, FW, DD and 1984 coming? That's easy math. It'd be nice not to worry about the cost of tubes and amp maintenance.

Thinkin' about it.
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Don't go overboard yet. The software UI is a bit of a mess. They're cool toys but not worth selling amps over.
They are very cool for getting portable tones that you can play through monitors and headphones but the captures are somewhat limiting. When you EQ the amp controls, it's kinda like using the EQ on a channel strip of a mixer that has your mic'ed up amp running through it. It's not like spinning the knobs on a plexi like a modeler does.
 
chumbucket said:
Don't go overboard yet. The software UI is a bit of a mess. They're cool toys but not worth selling amps over.
They are very cool for getting portable tones that you can play through monitors and headphones but the captures are somewhat limiting. When you EQ the amp controls, it's kinda like using the EQ on a channel strip of a mixer that has your mic'ed up amp running through it. It's not like spinning the knobs on a plexi like a modeler does.
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That's good advice. I hear ya. Thing is, well, it's several things: I never use my amps anymore because they're both out of commission. Tube amp repair and maintenance costs are ridiculous nowadays. I don't gig. Had a small stroke awhile back. Haven't made a final decision. I appreciate your insights. Thanks, man!
 
chumbucket said:
Don't go overboard yet. The software UI is a bit of a mess. They're cool toys but not worth selling amps over.
They are very cool for getting portable tones that you can play through monitors and headphones but the captures are somewhat limiting. When you EQ the amp controls, it's kinda like using the EQ on a channel strip of a mixer that has your mic'ed up amp running through it. It's not like spinning the knobs on a plexi like a modeler does.
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I'm sure the feel has to be different compared to a real amp, but the sounds appear to be quite good with the best dynamics I've heard yet with digital modeling so far. I guess the only way to see what that difference is like is to jump in a try it out and the prices are at a level where I might try it out. I don't mind some limitations if I am not dropping $1 to 2K on a system for jamming on the computer.
Both of these vids by Jim is the ToneX....he deliberately didn't say he wasn't playing his 68 plexi.....

 
harddriver said:
I'm sure the feel has to be different compared to a real amp, but the sounds appear to be quite good with the best dynamics I've heard yet with digital modeling so far. I guess the only way to see what that difference is like is to jump in a try it out and the prices are at a level where I might try it out.
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If you already have an audio interface that you can plug into, I would recommend checking out the NAM player first. It's free and even better sounding than Tonex.

https://www.neuralampmodeler.com/

The user community has some great captures too

https://www.tone3000.com/search?order=downloads-all-time
 
JohnnyGtar said:
I was 16 when Van Halen 1 hit the airwaves for the first time. That's Holy Grail tone for me. Benchmark. It's in my soul. If I can get in that zone for a very reasonable cost, then why not? Plus, ToneX does a LOT more than just Van Halen.
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The pricepoint versus the distinctly better sounding modeling results has me thinking about it too Johnny........I am also liking what I am hearing with this ToneX.

I think we all understand by now this isn't going to replicate the full experience of 120 DB's of pant flapping volume that you get standing in front a of screaming plexi and multiple 4x12 cabs but the how you would hear that setup properly mic'd through full range speakers as you would in recording but with advanced dynamics that earlier models seemed to miss:2thumbsup:
 
my best advice would be to get reaper (its free) and an interface so you can try the plugins on the computer. I have tonex, sgear, NAM, and amplitude. I prefer the tonex plugin. I also have the big tonex pedal.

If you have this setup you can try before you buy which I'd recommend. I prefer it to my old LB amp setup, but still prefer recording my amp with a mic if possible.

I haven't updated my big tonex pedal yet, but you can use that as an interface. It has a dual mode so you can record a clean di and the current amp at the same time to your daw. Don't know if the small one does the dual mode. This is cool because then you can 'reamp' it later to whatever model using the vst.
 
Are you sure it’s not all the extra stuff on top? Like the reverb? I have a kemper and the ToneX software. Same goes for both of them, a lot of garbage profiles (or ones that don’t work for me personally) and then some golden ones that I love. I use the Kemper and forgot about the ToneX stuff to be honest.
 
I have the Tonex One and use the software in the computer. Normally for practicing I plug my guitar into the blackstar Polar 2 interface and use the Tonex software. There are a few different presets I use. Sounds really good surprisingly.
Have not tried the pedal thru a rig yet.
 
chumbucket said:
Check out this guys NAM captures.The Tone3000 site has a built-in player that you can test out the sound on their site with different guitars and cabs.

https://www.tone3000.com/slamminmofo
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I have been playing with NAM also, and I found a few killer captures on there. I think NAM and ToneX sound pretty comparable in general. I think what NAM misses though is the ecosystem. I have went back and forth with which ecosystem I want to focus my time on.
 
harddriver said:
I'm sure the feel has to be different compared to a real amp, but the sounds appear to be quite good with the best dynamics I've heard yet with digital modeling so far. I guess the only way to see what that difference is like is to jump in a try it out and the prices are at a level where I might try it out. I don't mind some limitations if I am not dropping $1 to 2K on a system for jamming on the computer.
Both of these vids by Jim is the ToneX....he deliberately didn't say he wasn't playing his 68 plexi.....
Click to expand...

One of the best ways I can explain it is with ToneX (or NAM), I just play. I am inspired to jam just like I do with my tube amps. I dont focus on the tone, or things I feel like need tweaked. I can play for hours and just enjoy it.

With my modelers like Fractal, Line 6, Boss, etc.... I feel like I am always focusing on something that is bugging me, so I end up tweaking this, or tweaking that, always trying to fix something instead of being inspired to just play. I think the dynamics is a big part of that.
 
Shask said:
One of the best ways I can explain it is with ToneX (or NAM), I just play. I am inspired to jam just like I do with my tube amps. I dont focus on the tone, or things I feel like need tweaked. I can play for hours and just enjoy it.

With my modelers like Fractal, Line 6, Boss, etc.... I feel like I am always focusing on something that is bugging me, so I end up tweaking this, or tweaking that, always trying to fix something instead of being inspired to just play. I think the dynamics is a big part of that.
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Exactly...............:2thumbsup:

I have noticed that the guys doing the ToneX demos appear to be enjoying playing them and not having to work hard to get what they want out them as one would with a real amp.....it's weird but I think these new captures dynamics may interact with the player better than Kemper/Fractal.
 
Shask said:
I have been playing with NAM also, and I found a few killer captures on there. I think NAM and ToneX sound pretty comparable in general. I think what NAM misses though is the ecosystem. I have went back and forth with which ecosystem I want to focus my time on.
Click to expand...
So what would I need to for a bare bones setup to try this ToneX out??? I see IK multimedia sells a few interfaces would these be optimized for ToneX software which one would you recommend since you have an interface that you like.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...dio-midi-interface-for-ios-android-and-mac-pc

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...eaming-audio-interface-for-ios-android-mac-pc

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-interface-for-iphone-ipad-android-mac-and-pc
 
harddriver said:
So what would I need to for a bare bones setup to try this ToneX out??? I see IK multimedia sells a few interfaces would these be optimized for ToneX software which one would you recommend since you have an interface that you like.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...dio-midi-interface-for-ios-android-and-mac-pc

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...eaming-audio-interface-for-ios-android-mac-pc

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-interface-for-iphone-ipad-android-mac-and-pc
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IMO, I'd probably spend the money for an interface on another brand over IK. Are you planning on using a desktop/laptop or an iPad?
 
harddriver said:
So what would I need to for a bare bones setup to try this ToneX out??? I see IK multimedia sells a few interfaces would these be optimized for ToneX software which one would you recommend since you have an interface that you like.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...dio-midi-interface-for-ios-android-and-mac-pc

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...eaming-audio-interface-for-ios-android-mac-pc

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-interface-for-iphone-ipad-android-mac-and-pc
Click to expand...
Blackstar Polar 2 into Tonex software. Pretty much it.
 
harddriver said:
So what would I need to for a bare bones setup to try this ToneX out??? I see IK multimedia sells a few interfaces would these be optimized for ToneX software which one would you recommend since you have an interface that you like.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...dio-midi-interface-for-ios-android-and-mac-pc

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...eaming-audio-interface-for-ios-android-mac-pc

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-interface-for-iphone-ipad-android-mac-and-pc
Click to expand...
If you want IK, and cheap, I would go with this one:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AxeIO1--ik-multimedia-axe-i-o-one-usb-guitar-audio-interface

The Axe I/O series has the Z-Tone stuff, which is basically an impedance buffer to better match passive pickups than what most interfaces will do.
 
chumbucket said:
IMO, I'd probably spend the money for an interface on another brand over IK. Are you planning on using a desktop/laptop or an iPad?
Click to expand...
I got the IK because I like the Z-Tone buffer input, and the active/passive and Jfet inputs. I think it is better designed for the guitarist in mind, as the impedance of an interface has a lot to do with the feel and interaction of playing into a computer.

I got the bigger one because I wanted the reamp jack so that I could easily make my own profiles of my actual tube amps. I haven't got there yet, but I am ready when I do.
 
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