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IK TONEX pedal

#62
The tone but especially the feel, and response is excellent. As others have said, the software is frustrating and clunky to use, but you get used to it in time, and I believe it will continue to improve. The user base is growing fast, so IK Multimedia will continue to invest in the platform.

I think for bass, a lot comes down to if you are wanting to play/record in a computer-based studio, or play out live (or both). Also, what sort of speakers/PA do you have to play through that can give you adequate low end? That would determine if you can use amp-only models played through your own bass cab. If you don't play out live, you don't really need the pedal and can just use the software in your home studio. (Or you could use something like Gig Performer on a laptop for live performance).

You can download the Tonex CS software for free to experiment with, but there are only two included "pre-loaded" bass-related tone models. One is an Ampeg SVT-CL amp+cab with the drive cranked up a bit, and the other is a Sansamp RBI pedal. However, you can also access all the ToneNet user-contributed tone models online (though there is "demo" white noise with the free version). As @seamonkey says, there is a growing collection of bass-related captures there, although the quality varies. Most of the online bass captures are very good to excellent.

For guitar, there are a few people who are doing high-quality captures using vintage amps and quality microphones, and selling them (usually at very low cost), and some of these (such as amalgamaudio) take the Tonex to another level. In time, I'm sure some will arrive for bass.

Here's a link to what tone models are "pre-loaded" into the various Tonex software versions, including the free version:
https://download.ikmultimedia.com/html/tonex/TONEX_Premium_Tone_Models.pdf
 
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#63
BTW, I was surprised how well IK is able to keep up with demand on the Tonex Pedal. Turns out it is the same insides as the X-Gear pedals. Just different firmware and cosmetics.

Of course, some board level changes are likely included, but it looks like one board does them all.
index.php

TB = Tonex

Very smart of IK! It's a proven stable platform. A very few number of folks have reported problems with the Tonex Pedal but IK seems to be keeping up fine.
 
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#65
This is a big deal for anyone who wants to try but can only afford used! Also it may help nudge new buyers since they’ll keep some resale value. Lastly, it may slow down returns to retailers, because new buyers are more likely to keep the units since they now retain more value. It just makes sense all around!
 
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#74
just ran through the ToneX MAX bass offerings.

weak - better than A5 MAX (not saying much), especially the AG750 (AWFUL in A5 MAX).

the Brainworx Ampegs are still the best IMO, for example.

even Blue Cat Axiom has better sounding bass patches.

at this point, the ToneX pedal is not an option, for me, for bass.

hopefully the guitar captures are better.
 
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#75
update on A5 MAX

spent some time with the bass amps in Amplitube 5 MAX

the cab section is very good.

best Acoustic 360 sim i've found yet.

compared to Helix (bass emulations sound samey), A5 MAX is very good.

if we can get these into the ToneX pedal, i'm sold!

the Aguilar 750 basic tone is excellent, but i'm getting some granular noise with it that is distracting - in a mix, probably not an issue.
 
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#76
So what is the consensus on the ToneX ?
Just trying to gauge it with comparison to something I know, like the Tech21 VtBass pedal.
Would the Tonex give me that and more ?

The issue I have with some DSP based gear is the loss of the "play feel" thing or play/disconnect,
I found the Helix was like that, the Boss gear (GT-100, GT-1000, SY-1000) not so bad, but preamps lacking in different tones compared to the analog Tech21.
 
#77
gumtown said:
So what is the consensus on the ToneX ?
Just trying to gauge it with comparison to something I know, like the Tech21 VtBass pedal.
Would the Tonex give me that and more ?

The issue I have with some DSP based gear is the loss of the "play feel" thing or play/disconnect,
I found the Helix was like that, the Boss gear (GT-100, GT-1000, SY-1000) not so bad, but preamps lacking in different tones compared to the analog Tech21.
Click to expand...

If you have a good pc interface, the software is exactly the same as the pedal. There's a free version, "Tonex CS" which will give you 20 downloads from tone.net. IK has some bass gear there and some other creators have put more bass gear there.

You can't do tone captures with the CS version, if you want that you'll have to get a paid version, and the pedal comes with the MAX version where you get all IK content including a 6 figure Dumble amp.

Many reviews have spoken of how Tonex tracks a guitar, from playing soft to heavy and how it exactly matches the captured amps. Try it and you may like it. I do.
 
#78
The sound you get out of Tonex is completely dependent on the quality of the tone captures used for a particular amp. That includes microphones used, mic phase adjustments and postitioning, amp settings, etc. Today, Amalgam Audio makes the best Tonex tone captures of guitar amps, and they recently stated they plan on doing some classic vintage bass amps soon.

And, yes, the free version of the software is good enough to get a taste of what Tonex sounds like.
 
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#79
I have mine finally running a little bit (had some setbacks with other gear in the studio this weekend) and so far I love it on guitar. Looking forward to digging deeper.

How do I find the amalgam audio stuff? Is it in the Tonex library?
 

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