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Author Topic: vox tonelab desktop - mmm  (Read 12026 times)

gwEm

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vox tonelab desktop - mmm
« on: July 02, 2008, 09:23:54 PM »
i scored a vox tonelab desktop edition on ebay for £66 the other day. its old news here of course, but generally well regarded.

i was pleased with my bargain, and could hardly wait to try it out this evening.

sticker on the side of the box says the orginal buyer paid £359.99 - i'd have been completely gutted to pay that much to be honest.

but not to criticise too much, i'll continue with a review:

the presets are a bit of a waste of time, its far better to dial ones own sounds in from scratch.

the vintage and lower gain sounds are convincing to be honest, not as convincing as Hunter's AxeFX, but pretty good to be fair. i quite liked the modulation effects and reverbs also - when used in moderation.

comparing the JCM800 simulation to my 2204... they got the general spirit of the controls definately - in fact i ended up setting the model very similar to how i set up my own jcm800.

once you get to late 70s gain levels... well i'm not too sure about the sounds to be frank. you can hear grainy/fuzz/digitalness. i actually think the levels of noise on the tonelab are higher than my 2204.

if you're careful (tip: wind down the 'vr gain' for higher gain sounds) you can get a decent enough compromise between grainyness and warmth. its possible to get some decent 80s rock, or even slight brootalz. but these sounds need teasing out, and they aren't instantly available.

the V30 4x12 model is savage and simply not good. the vox 4x12 is pretty nice i think - a cool surprise for modern tones

there are many great clean and crunchy sounds from the box though. the vox models were really outstanding, as i suppose is to be expected.

i had a go at changing the valve with positive results. mine had a groove tube installed. i tried a JJ and NOS mullard. different tubes gave audibly different results.

the mullard did sound great where the tonelab excels - in the more classic tones. for the more brutal sounds (if the scorpions can be considered brutal) it felt like it was bringing out alot of the digital graininess - nevertheless it was better for these sounds than the groove tube.

i actually like the JJ in it to be honest. for the higher gain sounds, the tube compresses more and hides some of the digitalness. its smoother, but lower volume. i could push up the 'vr gain' control for a bit more richness.

so i'm not sure what to do about it. i might sell it on.... hmmm (pm if interested btw)

going back to play with it some more.
Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

Will

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vox tonelab desktop - mmm
« Reply #1 on: July 02, 2008, 11:08:39 PM »
Whats next then if you don't keep it?
Also wanting a 2204 sounding modeller myself, I am following your quest keenly :D
Sansamp British?
How are the delays on the Tonelab?

gwEm

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vox tonelab desktop - mmm
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2008, 08:08:50 AM »
i tried it again before i went to bed and had a slightly better impression. it takes practise to dial in those higher gain tones.

the delays are realistic too. its a shame the presets over do the effects, they all sound good (sometimes great) if you don't over do it. another little note is that i really like the treble booster model - thinking of perhaps getting some sort of treble booster one day.

the sansamp british would seem to be the next and indeed only logical choice. i got a really nice price on this tonelab though, so i feel i should give it more time. on the other thread i started, it seems like the blackstar pedals dont have a good speaker emulated out.

edit:
tried this morning with it again. i can definately get the sounds i want with the box. i think there might be a problem though - the output level is about 20dB less than the rest of my studio.
Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

MDV

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vox tonelab desktop - mmm
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2008, 11:57:24 AM »
Gwem, if its got an ADAT out like the LE then you'll probably find you can control level more easily. (Though I use the stereo outs into High-Z inst ins - gonna have to actually try that in stereo some day!)

gwEm

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vox tonelab desktop - mmm
« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2008, 12:03:03 PM »
thanks MDV - yes, its got spdif output.

i'll call vox later, but it seems like the outputs are balanced/unbalanced - might try a TRS lead later. i don't mind a low output if theres no noise.

i was reading on a tonelab forum about valve calibration. on the desktop theres are trim hole on the base, on the SE theres one on the rear. one can access a special calibration mode. might try this too.

UK 80s or UK Modern with the VOX 4x12 gives the right sort of tone for me. the units growing on me - might keep it if i can sort out the output.
Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

gwEm

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« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2008, 12:16:56 PM »
http://forum.thestompbox.net/archive/index.php?t-5484.html
interestingly this guy has the same problem as me with the levels

http://forum.thestompbox.net/showthread.php?t=6553
and again

http://www.tonelab.net/node/1238
seems like he just opened it up, and put it back together again. i will try this as soon as i get home in 5 hours :(
Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

sgmypod

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vox tonelab desktop - mmm
« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2008, 03:39:36 PM »
I know on le can calibrate tube as well
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gwEm

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vox tonelab desktop - mmm
« Reply #7 on: July 03, 2008, 10:05:22 PM »
pulling it apart and putting it back together didn't help - nothing obviously wrong either. this thing is going back to vox...
Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

gwEm

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« Reply #8 on: July 04, 2008, 02:49:41 PM »
in case anyone cares ;) ;)

with the tonelab growing on me the whole time, and wanting it working, i called vox.

sat on hold for over 20 minutes, not a good start :shock: i can't stand that sort of thing.

anyhow the guy was friendly, but ultimately couldn't help. his mates giving me a call back on monday.
Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

sgmypod

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« Reply #9 on: July 04, 2008, 02:51:07 PM »
you been on any of the yahoo tonelab groups..there quite helpfull
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gwEm

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« Reply #10 on: July 04, 2008, 02:57:14 PM »
thanks - good tip, i'll try it

firebrand (the guy with a similar problem to me) got in touch, nice and friendly guy. tried taking it apart again (didn't help - didn't think it would) :(

edit:

some other guy on that yahoo group with the same issue as me as well... he took his back and got a new one.
Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

FELINEGUITARS

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vox tonelab desktop - mmm
« Reply #11 on: July 04, 2008, 04:25:59 PM »
I have the same unit G
You are welcome to compare the two

I plug mine into an Atomic Reactor amp -18w version
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indysmith

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« Reply #12 on: July 04, 2008, 09:26:19 PM »
I want a tonelab again, but they just keep $%&#ing breaking. They sound fantastic but i swear they're put together by blind arthritic monkeys wearing oven gloves.
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gwEm

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« Reply #13 on: July 05, 2008, 02:50:45 PM »
@feline: thanks for the offer! that atomic poweramp/cab seems very cool bte

@indy: vox guy told me - both editions of the tonelab have been bullet proof. seems like bo11ocks to me
Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

sgmypod

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vox tonelab desktop - mmm
« Reply #14 on: July 05, 2008, 06:17:56 PM »
the atomics are great wish I kept mine bu had a pod at time and didn't like it with it..the tonelab and atomics sound great
Autotune My Arse

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