We Need To Talk About Tone X (theres a problem)

Summary

In this video, the creator explores the growing trend of guitar players switching to Tonex, particularly focusing on Michael Westbrook's transition from tube amps to Tonex for his touring gigs. They dive into the challenges of capturing amp sounds through Tonex, comparing it with other modeling platforms like the Quad Cortex. While the Tonex system delivers impressive tones, its complex capture process and software bugs present significant hurdles. The video discusses these issues while highlighting the Tonex's potential as a tool for players seeking a simplified, portable amp solution.

Takeaways

• 😀 Players are increasingly moving to ToneX from traditional tube amps or other modelers like Helix or Kemper.
• 😀 Michael Westbrook, a professional guitarist, switched from tube amps to two ToneX units for live touring.
• 😀 ToneX offers portability and convenience, allowing players to carry their amp sounds without the bulk of traditional gear.
• 😀 Despite being a long-time tube amp user, Michael chose ToneX because it provided flexibility for his multi-instrument setup.
• 😀 Using ToneX, Michael found that adjusting input gain and using onboard EQ and compression are key to achieving the right sound.
• 😀 The capture process for ToneX can be tricky, involving multiple settings and adjustments to ensure correct tone matching.
• 😀 There is a notable issue with gain staging in ToneX, as players may experience discrepancies between the plugin and pedal versions of their captured sounds.
• 😀 Software bugs and complexities in the ToneX ecosystem make it challenging for users to consistently capture and edit sounds.
• 😀 The capture process with ToneX can be time-consuming, taking significantly longer than with other modelers like the Quad Cortex.
• 😀 Despite these issues, ToneX is praised for delivering quality sounds, making it a great tool for players who don’t require extensive modeler features.
• 😀 While ToneX captures sound well, its complicated setup and long capture times may make it less appealing to some users compared to other alternatives like the Quad Cortex.

Q & A

What is the primary issue the creator encountered with the Tonex platform?

The main issue the creator encountered with the Tonex platform was related to gain staging and variability, which made the process more complicated and frustrating. Specifically, the gain structure was inconsistent, and adjustments during the capture process were challenging.

Why did Michael Westbrook switch to using Tonex for his touring gig?

Michael Westbrook switched to Tonex because it offered the portability and flexibility he needed for his gig, where he plays multiple instruments. Tonex allowed him to take his amp sounds with him without having to deal with the complexity of using traditional tube amps in a touring setup.

What are some advantages of using Tonex over other modelers like Quad Cortex or Helix?

Tonex is more affordable, and it offers a simple, effective solution for players who need to capture their amp sounds without needing the full functionality of more complex modelers like Quad Cortex or Helix. Additionally, it's portable, which is great for touring musicians.

What is a significant drawback of Tonex according to the creator?

A significant drawback of Tonex is the complicated capture process. It requires a thorough understanding of input-output setups, and the capture process itself can be time-consuming and difficult to navigate, especially for players who aren't as tech-savvy.

How does Tonex compare to the Quad Cortex in terms of capture performance?

The Quad Cortex is significantly faster at capturing sounds than Tonex. The creator found that a capture on the Quad Cortex only took about 10-15 minutes, while the Tonex capture process was much longer and could take over 2 hours, especially when factoring in software issues.

What was the creator's experience with the software bugs in Tonex?

The creator experienced recurring software bugs with Tonex that prevented the output from being sent to the amplifier, which required uninstalling and reinstalling the software multiple times. This contributed to the frustration with the Tonex platform.

How did the Tonex capture compare to a real amp in terms of sound quality?

The Tonex capture sounded good and was very close to the real amp, especially when compared to other modeling platforms like the Quad Cortex. However, the gain levels on the Tonex capture were found to be slightly higher than the real amp, which could be due to operator error or inconsistencies in the capture process.

What are some of the tips Michael Westbrook shared for getting good results with Tonex?

Michael Westbrook recommended experimenting with the input gain and using the onboard compressor subtly to enhance dynamic range. He also advised using the onboard EQ carefully, noting that it's different from traditional amp EQ and requires some adjustments to get the desired sound.

What challenges did the creator face when trying to set up the Tonex capture system?

The creator faced several challenges when setting up the Tonex capture system, including understanding the proper input-output routing and dealing with the complex software and hardware setup. Additionally, there were issues with gain staging and inconsistencies in the captured sound compared to the real amp.

What is the creator's overall assessment of Tonex as a tool for guitar players?

The creator believes that Tonex is capable of great sounds and could be an excellent tool for players who need a portable and straightforward amp capture solution. However, the complexity of the capture process and software bugs make it difficult to recommend for players who want a quick and easy setup. For those who are willing to invest time in learning the system, it can be a useful tool.