Author Topic: Calling all Tonelab LE users .... Is it worth getting? (Read 1989 times)

Scotty477 · « **on:** February 22, 2008, 08:18:24 AM »

Calling all Tonelab LE users .... Is it worth getting?

By that I mean is it worth getting for recording purposes.

I have the VOX AD30VT, which I'm pretty happy about for practise and general enjoyment but it's not suitable for recording purposes unless I mike it up - which isn't really suitable for me 90% of the time, with the wife and kids about.

So ... I'm looking for something that I can plug my guitar into - like a Tonelab LE - which in turn will connect to my Boss BR900CD digital recorder, via a standard jack input.

I've read a lot of good things about the Tonelab LE but what I need to know, before I buy one, is if the above setup will produce decent results for recording. Or am I on the wrong track completely?

I have a few other questions regarding it as well, but I'll save them for later, in case I am on the wrong track for recording.

sgmypod · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2008, 04:58:58 PM »

My tonelab is great for recording whats the problem with recording the vox?

Scotty477 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2008, 05:13:36 PM »

Quote from: sgmypod

My tonelab is great for recording whats the problem with recording the vox?

The problem with using the line out on the AD30VT - and all of that range I believe - is that the 'valve reactor' doesn't come into play. Therefore the line out signal is pure solid state and rather thin.

The AD15/30/50/100VT's (chrome models) are good but they are basically budget amps and don't have features that the more expensive Vox Valvetronix (blue models). One of the areas that they (vox) saved money on was the line out circuitry.

I've only just found this out, last night so you can imagine my dissapointment. Don't get me wrong, the amp sounds splendid through the speaker but for line out 'silent' recording (which I need), it's a dead end.

So .... Tonelab doesn't have this problem, I believe?

sgmypod · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2008, 05:17:54 PM »

Well if you like the sounds of the ad30 through the speaker why not put a DI box like the palmer 09 inbetween so you get the valve bit working.

Or as I just read you want silent recording..the tonelab le's are great..if your on a budget the pod stuff is good..but not as warm..sounding to me

sgmypod · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2008, 05:21:27 PM »

try a search in the players section for tonelab recordings done here..think there's a couple I did and hunters ones are great

Scotty477 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2008, 05:26:44 PM »

As far as I understand it a DI box won't work, as the valve reactor part doesn't get out of the amp, in line out mode.

It took me ages to find this out and it wasn't even from Vox either

I got the info from an unofficial site for Valvetronix amps, here;

http://www.valvetronix.net/valvetronix/index.html

sgmypod · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2008, 05:31:12 PM »

nah sorry what I meant was buy a seperate DI box connect this inbetween you speaker out and the speaker..so you get what is going to the speaker not the line out

Scotty477 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2008, 06:08:57 PM »

I'm just off the phone to the store I got the amp from and I explained the problem.

The very nice chaps at Merchant City Music, Glasgow are going to take the amp back off of me and allow me to change it :D

So ... I either go for an amp that has genuine line out or a Tonelab LE. Basically I'm back to where I started - but at least I'm not out of pocket :P

sgmypod · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2008, 09:13:04 PM »

le's are great

hamfist · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2008, 10:13:33 PM »

I've done a lot of recording direct with a Tonelab SE in the past, and it was great for that ! I've not used an LE, but by all accounts it's an upgrade from the SE, so should be excellent for what you need.

In my opinion, this is where digital modellers actually excel. I wouldn't dream of using one live anymore, but for recording silently they are really good.

Scotty477 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2008, 12:05:20 AM »

I've had time to take stock of things and decide what I really want.

I'm going to keep the AD30VT for practise, miked up recordings (when I can) and just general enjoyment. The bottom line is that the amp produces several excellent tones for a relative low cost.

But ... I also want to be able to do silent recordings, so I'm going to get a Tonelab LE for silent recordings. The reviews that I've read praise it very highly and I'm also very impressed by the clips that Sgmypod and Hunter put together using it.

Problem solved :D

sgmypod · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2008, 10:58:31 AM »

Cool they are good there not a real amp..but are one of the best modelers in my opinion.

They also work well with my BKP's

hunter · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2008, 11:02:09 AM »

I own a Tonelab SE. It's very good. Guess the LE has some of the features I was missing on the SE (master EQ), good stuff.

But I would try some alternatives. The upper range Digitech ones seem pretty decent, also wouldn't ignore the Digitech 1101 rack one, guess that one's pretty cool (they also have a foot pedal for it now).

Ultimo would be the Axe FX, if you have the $$$ and can wait a few months.