ToneX questions

[OldGtrGuy]

Anyone familiar with all of the options?

I heard some killer profiles and considering buying this for home recording demos but it's pretty confusing with all of the options.

According to sweetwater the $179 Tonex One pedal comes with Tonex SE software.

The $400 tonex pedal comes with Tonex Max. (I don't particularly care about all the ir and extras the big pedal has and will definitely not be buying the big pedal)

With that said Sweetwater has a sale going on for Tonex Max software at $99.

I plan to buy 3rd party packs either way because those are the tones I found online that I like. It would be pretty cool to have the Tonex one pedal just to have it. I will be using this to record at home but having the pedal option seems cool.

My issue is I can't decide and not even sure what I would be buying. Considering I'm more interested in 3rd party packs is it worth it to get the pedal?

I could buy the tonex max software for $99, the 3rd party packs I like and be done with it.

Or I could buy the $179 Tonex One and get SE instead of Max? Is the pedal even worth it?

Hope this makes sense, they really made this confusing.

 

[Shask]

I recently got into ToneX and I have been very impressed. I actually bought their Total Studio MAX software because it is on sale for $200 and includes just about every MAX program they make, so it made much more sense then each program for $100. I haven't used most of it yet, but ToneX MAX and Amplitube 5 MAX go very well together. T-Racks 5 is good for studio plugins, and it also has synths, and samplers, and all kinds of stuff.

My original goal was to buy the ToneX ONE and find a way to get my rigs into the little pedal. However, I have found after getting the software, is that I am not sure if I need the pedals. If you only plan to plug into your computer, or record with it, you can just play into the computer with your interface. The only thing the pedal does is play sounds you tweak in the software.

On the computer the ToneX MAX and Amplitube 5 MAX combo is pretty cool. You can use your ToneX captures inside of Amplitube and build a whole effects chain in there with pedals, and effects, cabs, and all that. I have been more impressed with it than I expected, and I like the fact that everything you need is all in that one plugin, vs. needing 10 different plugins.

 

[OldGtrGuy]

I recently got into ToneX and I have been very impressed. I actually bought their Total Studio MAX software because it is on sale for $200 and includes just about every MAX program they make, so it made much more sense then each program for $100. I haven't used most of it yet, but ToneX MAX and Amplitube 5 MAX go very well together. T-Racks 5 is good for studio plugins, and it also has synths, and samplers, and all kinds of stuff.

My original goal was to buy the ToneX ONE and find a way to get my rigs into the little pedal. However, I have found after getting the software, is that I am not sure if I need the pedals. If you only plan to plug into your computer, or record with it, you can just play into the computer with your interface. The only thing the pedal does is play sounds you tweak in the software.

On the computer the ToneX MAX and Amplitube 5 MAX combo is pretty cool. You can use your ToneX captures inside of Amplitube and build a whole effects chain in there with pedals, and effects, cabs, and all that. I have been more impressed with it than I expected, and I like the fact that everything you need is all in that one plugin, vs. needing 10 different plugins.

Thanks, but do I need amplitube to use Tonex Max or is Tonex standalone software?

I saw this on Sweetwater for $99. I just cant figure out if this is all I need to buy or what I'd be missing.

 

[dead-pan]

Tonex has a standalone version but it can also be used inside AmpliTube for a enhanced signal chain.

 

[Shask]

Thanks, but do I need amplitube to use Tonex Max or is Tonex standalone software?

I saw this on Sweetwater for $99. I just cant figure out if this is all I need to buy or what I'd be missing.

The ToneX software is a standalone software. You can use it by itself, or you can use it inside of Amplitube. You can either use a standalone version, or as a plugin in your DAW. You just need an interface for your computer.

ToneX basically just plays the profiles/captures, and has a couple very basic tweaking effects including a gate, EQ, compressor, and basic reverb.

Amplitube is a full guitar processor program, so it has amp models, od pedals, chorus, flanger, delay, reverb, etc,... more like a multi-effects processor. You can use a ToneX profile in place of an amp model if you want, or a ToneX pedal profile in place of a modeled OD pedal.

ToneX CE vs ToneX SE vs ToneX vs ToneX MAX is mostly just the difference of how many captures it comes with. I think MAX comes with like 400 or something, where lower versions are only like 40 or something. I just started with the free version which lets you download 20 profiles, and you are not able to profile yourself. I was so impressed with the free version I bought into the system.

 

[OldGtrGuy]

The ToneX software is a standalone software. You can use it by itself, or you can use it inside of Amplitube. You can either use a standalone version, or as a plugin in your DAW. You just need an interface for your computer.

ToneX basically just plays the profiles/captures, and has a couple very basic tweaking effects including a gate, EQ, compressor, and basic reverb.

Amplitube is a full guitar processor program, so it has amp models, od pedals, chorus, flanger, delay, reverb, etc,... more like a multi-effects processor. You can use a ToneX profile in place of an amp model if you want, or a ToneX pedal profile in place of a modeled OD pedal.

ToneX CE vs ToneX SE vs ToneX vs ToneX MAX is mostly just the difference of how many captures it comes with. I think MAX comes with like 400 or something, where lower versions are only like 40 or something. I just started with the free version which lets you download 20 profiles, and you are not able to profile yourself. I was so impressed with the free version I bought into the system.

Pretty interesting stuff, I actually just went to the site to check out the free version. I thought it would maybe be a temporary trial but I guess maybe it's permanent which is cool. On top of that apparently I had an ik multimedia account already with amplitude 5 so I might be good to go and all I have to do is buy the third party packs that I want

 

[Shask]

Pretty interesting stuff, I actually just went to the site to check out the free version. I thought it would maybe be a temporary trial but I guess maybe it's permanent which is cool. On top of that apparently I had an ik multimedia account already with amplitude 5 so I might be good to go and all I have to do is buy the third party packs that I want

Yeah, I would definitely try out the free ToneX first. If you download a sound or 2 you like, and that is all you need, then you really dont need the bigger versions. If you ever do buy the pedal you might need them if you want to make your own captures.

 

[OldGtrGuy]

Thanks dude. I won't get much time until after work but I immediately noticed an improvement between a random 5150 profile vs the VST I was using.

 

[Shask]

Thanks dude. I won't get much time until after work but I immediately noticed an improvement between a random 5150 profile vs the VST I was using.

I have always been the 'sucks to be you playing through plugins' guy to actually enjoying playing through the computer with the ToneX, and most recent Fractal updates. There has definitely been some voodoo added recently because I could never stand it before, but it seems like they are finally figuring out how to get some of the dynamics and feel in there.

There are several good free ones on Tone.Net, just be selective with the free version, since you only get 20 downloads. You can try them by clicking on them, but only click the download button if you want to add to your library and count toward the 20.

I also lucked out because I ran into a deal to get their Metal Gems collection for free around the same time I tried ToneX free, and there are some 5150 captures I really like in that pack. Definitely watch out for a good deal on that pack. I am currently watching for a good deal on the Mesa Reference amps pack. One cool thing about the software is you can try all the packs for free, but you have to do it with the random noise bursts. Gives you a good idea of what they do though.

 

[OldGtrGuy]

I have always been the 'sucks to be you playing through plugins' guy to actually enjoying playing through the computer with the ToneX, and most recent Fractal updates. There has definitely been some voodoo added recently because I could never stand it before, but it seems like they are finally figuring out how to get some of the dynamics and feel in there.

There are several good free ones on Tone.Net, just be selective with the free version, since you only get 20 downloads. You can try them by clicking on them, but only click the download button if you want to add to your library and count toward the 20.

I also lucked out because I ran into a deal to get their Metal Gems collection for free around the same time I tried ToneX free, and there are some 5150 captures I really like in that pack. Definitely watch out for a good deal on that pack. I am currently watching for a good deal on the Mesa Reference amps pack. One cool thing about the software is you can try all the packs for free, but you have to do it with the random noise bursts. Gives you a good idea of what they do though.

Thanks for that info, I'm assuming I can't buy and load 3rd party packs with the free version, do you know?

I found strange angles that has this driftwood, evil pumpkin and some others

 

[Shask]

Thanks for that info, I'm assuming I can't buy and load 3rd party packs with the free version, do you know?

I found strange angles that has this driftwood, evil pumpkin and some others

I am not sure because I have not tried any captures that you can't find in ToneNet.

Now I will have to search for some free ones to try it out, lol.

 

[OldGtrGuy]

I am not sure because I have not tried any captures that you can't find in ToneNet.

Now I will have to search for some free ones to try it out, lol.

I'm glad I asked tbh....I almost bought tonex and it does seem cool but after trying the free version I think I'll stick with free or my current VST that I'm using (bulldog)

With tonex free you can at least hear and temporarily try everything it seems and well.....idk it doesn't sound much better at all than what I already had. I will mess with it some more but I think it comes down to that I heard a killer demo of that nightmare as was like yes....that's what I want to sound like, without realizing yeah....this dude is a pro and my tracks are going to sound mediocre regardless of what I'm using. I don't think there's a magic VST

 

[dead-pan]

I'm glad I asked tbh....I almost bought tonex and it does seem cool but after trying the free version I think I'll stick with free or my current VST that I'm using (bulldog)

With tonex free you can at least hear and temporarily try everything it seems and well.....idk it doesn't sound much better at all than what I already had. I will mess with it some more but I think it comes down to that I heard a killer demo of that nightmare as was like yes....that's what I want to sound like, without realizing yeah....this dude is a pro and my tracks are going to sound mediocre regardless of what I'm using. I don't think there's a magic VST

I assume you are going for a metal tone?

What guitar and pickup do you have?

 

[Shask]

I'm glad I asked tbh....I almost bought tonex and it does seem cool but after trying the free version I think I'll stick with free or my current VST that I'm using (bulldog)

With tonex free you can at least hear and temporarily try everything it seems and well.....idk it doesn't sound much better at all than what I already had. I will mess with it some more but I think it comes down to that I heard a killer demo of that nightmare as was like yes....that's what I want to sound like, without realizing yeah....this dude is a pro and my tracks are going to sound mediocre regardless of what I'm using. I don't think there's a magic VST

Yeah, that video is probably multi-tracked and tweaked with studio plugins to make it sound like that. You are not going to get that big of a sound out of anything when just playing.

See if your Amplitube 5 works. It can use the free ToneX as an amp in there. I have the MAX version, but I also like some of the amp models in there, like the Orange and Jet City models.

When I play through the computer I switch back and forth between ToneX/Amplitube and my Fractal stuff. I just like to mix it up and try new things. On ToneX I almost always tweak the EQ a lot away from the base tone because I find pretty much everything needs far more bass and depth.

 

[OldGtrGuy]

I assume you are going for a metal tone?

What guitar and pickup do you have?

Using an E-ii Horizon FR7 with the EMG 57


Also getting this periodic awful hissing noise, guessing because it's a free version

 

[dead-pan]

Using an E-ii Horizon FR7 with the EMG 57


Also getting this periodic awful hissing noise, guessing because it's a free version

Nice guitar.

Yes, all Max captures will have periodic static.

Click ToneNET in the top right and you can browse user uploaded captures with out static. You can only download 20 of them to your PC with the free version.

Once connected to ToneNET you can also try the Partner packs.

In my experience the captures included by IK in Max are a bit dark and lack the feel for metal.

 

[rsm]

I have always been the 'sucks to be you playing through plugins' guy to actually enjoying playing through the computer with the ToneX, and most recent Fractal updates. There has definitely been some voodoo added recently because I could never stand it before, but it seems like they are finally figuring out how to get some of the dynamics and feel in there.

There are several good free ones on Tone.Net, just be selective with the free version, since you only get 20 downloads. You can try them by clicking on them, but only click the download button if you want to add to your library and count toward the 20.

I also lucked out because I ran into a deal to get their Metal Gems collection for free around the same time I tried ToneX free, and there are some 5150 captures I really like in that pack. Definitely watch out for a good deal on that pack. I am currently watching for a good deal on the Mesa Reference amps pack. One cool thing about the software is you can try all the packs for free, but you have to do it with the random noise bursts. Gives you a good idea of what they do though.

I was watching Thomas McRocklin on youtube, and he announced he was working on a new plugin, and as soon as I heard it was released, I got it, at the $99 intro price; there have been a few upgrades since then. It was so good, I decided to build a computer rig around it. I also have a few Neural DSP plugins, Helix Native, Marshall Amp Room, Blue Cat Audio Axiom,...but the PolyChromeDSP McRocklin Suite is my main plugin for guitar.


I use Blue Cat Audio's PatchWork to create patches in a standard format using different plugins; it also has utilities like gain, noise gates, eqs, so I can adjust my patches without going into the individual plugins and patches. I use a KMI SoftStep2 MIDI controller, and I have several maps each with up to 10 PatchWork patches assigned...so I can have different pedal boards with different combinations of patches...

Also got an Arturia Minifuse:1 audio interface for $99.

A few weeks ago, I decided to make a more portable computer plugin rig for guitar; found a refurbished Dell rugged tablet with touchscreen for $200 on Amazon, here's PolyChrome DSP McRocklin Suite running on it:

I started a thread about it here, and it has a link to my first computer rig assembly: https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threads/computer-rig-2.316425/


Plugins are working great for me, and this rugged Dell tablet is perfect for it IMO.

 

[OldGtrGuy]

Nice guitar.

Yes, all Max captures will have periodic static.

Click ToneNET in the top right and you can browse user uploaded captures with out static. You can only download 20 of them to your PC with the free version.

Once connected to ToneNET you can also try the Partner packs.

In my experience the captures included by IK in Max are a bit dark and lack the feel for metal.

Yeah I need to spend more time with it and learn the program.

It does sound a little better and cleaner but nothing amazing so far. Sounds a little too "deep" bass heavy imo though.

Here is before with the Bulldog VST




And here is using Tonex with SLO/5150 and whatever Bass options they had.

 

[dead-pan]

Yeah I need to spend more time with it and learn the program.

It does sound a little better and cleaner but nothing amazing so far. Sounds a little too "deep" bass heavy imo though.

Here is before with the Bulldog VST




And here is using Tonex with SLO/5150 and whatever Bass options they had.

Tonex sounds much better here IMO.

 

[MatrixClaw]

Max is worthless unless you really want the IK captures (which aren't that great). The base software can use unlimited user captures and there's not really any upside to purchasing Max over it IMO.