Author Topic: Vox Tonelab (Read 11341 times)

indysmith · « **on:** July 11, 2007, 08:10:26 PM »

I know Hunter has one of these, maybe a few more of you do too.
I've been thinking about getting one of these to replace my Mesa V-Twin preamp. I just don't think i dig the Mesa sound; Being more into EL*4 voiced vintage amps, and hotrodded sounds.
My plan was to get a tonelab (namely the 'SE' version with everything on it :lol: ) to run into my Peavey 50/50 poweramp, using it as a massive modelling preamp.
However i wonder: how real do these things sound when amplified? i.e. do you think an AC30 model through my el84 poweramp could sound convincing, or is it really only a bedroom playtime kind of thing, that can also be used for recording?
Also - Woogie reccommended the Boss GT8 over the Tonelab... what are the pros cons of choosing one over the other? I was attracted to the tonelab because of the valve in the preamp, the vox name (I want something that does a good AC30 impression), and the cool looks - but I always associate Boss multieffects with the ME-50 i tried a while back, which was of very poor quality.
Thanks for any help guys!

P.S. If anyone has a ToneLab they want to get rid of, I have a V-Twin preamp that i want to get rid of, so I'm open to exchange/part exchange offers!

sambo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2007, 08:31:31 PM »

after looking into tonelab/Line 6/Boss multi-effects myself... i would say i tonelab over the boss.

i went for a POD XTL myself because i didnt need the over-complicated boss and the vox wasnt really high enough gain for what i wanted at the time... the pod is customisable and very modern (which is what i was after.)

for what you want, i would definitely say Vox... as someone on here told me ages ago, the Tonelab has the best amp models if thats the most important thing. boss has the most extensive effects slection.

indysmith · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2007, 08:37:32 PM »

Quote from: sambo

Tonelab has the best amp models if thats the most important thing.

It really is, definately - I'm not one for a lot of effects or anything - i just want nice basic sounds to play with

sambo · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2007, 08:42:59 PM »

in that case i would amost definitely go for Vox.

i think in terms of making your own sounds, the POD is incredibly easy and versatile. the Boss is the master-tweaker but its so DAMN complicated that im not sure if i would ever be bothered to get to grips with it.

one of the Vox's downsides is that it doesnt have an exactly extensive range of tweaking options, but it makes up for that in as much as its baic sounds are great.

Kilby · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2007, 09:17:34 PM »

As I remember the thing that one of the things that places the vox over and above the others is the fact that the valve is in the 'power amp' section (like their moddeling amps)

Thats why it dosn't seem to be as harsh as the competitors.The Korg range are quite good too (a mate of mine uses a Korg pandora on his guitar strap for his live sounds)

Mind you he is using my Nanohead for studio and home use at the minute.

What tones are you after BTW ?

Rob...

sambo · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2007, 09:19:32 PM »

^i've heard good things about the Korgs from many people but never tried them myself. so worth checking out.

indysmith · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2007, 09:23:52 PM »

well obviously i have my jcm800 so i don't need that sorta sound at all. I'm really looking for a range of tones just to play with. I'd like a good range of vintage voices; i.e. old marshalls, AC30s, little boutique amps... some more modern voices (not really necessary) just for if i fancy playing some metal, and some nice expressive clean cleans (something i've never used before but would like to experiment with).
Also a wah would be fun to play with. I don't need many effects at all; but i'd like a few basic ones.
Another thing I'd like is to be able to bypass preamps and use it into the front of the jcm800 as a multieffects unit; Can the tonelab do that?

I'm also quite into simplicity - i want knobs i can twist, not digital menus on a screen.

EDIT: i'd also like to be able to record with it easily! make some clips for the forum ;)

sambo · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2007, 09:27:20 PM »

^im not sure if the tonelab can do that. im not sure how many effects it even has.

thats something the POD can definitely do, Boss as well.

one thing i would say about the POD, is that the presets dont do it justice AT ALL. bearing in mind there is a massive line 6 network where you can download loooads of peoples sounds, and PC software for editing everything easily (guitarport e.t.c.), you get a lot of scope for simple, effective improvement and a lot of versatility.

thats what gave it the edge for me.

i think its POD vs. Tonelab for you from what you say.

indysmith · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2007, 09:37:51 PM »

# Drive:10 types, Modulation: 5 types, Delay: 3 types, Reverb: 3 types,
# Noise Reduction:1 type

Thats what the tonelab has. more than enough of what i want. I think I'm pretty much settled on the tonelab. Just gotta find someone to take the V-Twin off my hands now.

sambo · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2007, 09:39:24 PM »

ah right, wasnt aware it even had that much.

yer thats all ya need from a unit like that really.

good luck wit the mesa.

Kilby · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2007, 09:44:20 PM »

You could also have a look at the m-audio black box (it totally pissed over line 6 stuff)

Certainly the little korg can do some reasionable higher gain type sounds, plus Korg & Vox are essentiall the same company these days anyway, so I don't see why the tonelab would do a reasionable job (especially the newer ones)

Rob...

_tom_ · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2007, 09:52:30 PM »

http://www.korg.co.uk/products/effects/ax10g_ax10b/fx_ax10g_ax10b.asp

Watch the AX10G introduction video about 3/4 down the page, sounds pretty good to me, sounds better than the Vox tonelab clips to me. The AC30 and UK 70s sound great to me.

Kilby · « **Reply #12 on:** July 11, 2007, 10:12:05 PM »

Yup the korg is pretty good.

The Pandora has the same models & stuff, but no expression pedal (ofcourse) Infact I just realused that the ax 10 has less than the pandora (the pandoras are about 80 quid)

The AX1500 reminds me much more of the Vox device (though the demonstrator seems to like 80 processed tones way too much :( )

sgmypod · « **Reply #13 on:** July 11, 2007, 10:41:01 PM »

korg ax1500g is very good(vox uses some of there tec..but with a valve), blackbox again a great box, boss stuff again good but not as good as the other two. Tried them all...used to own a podxt maxed out..but now have a tonelab le....far better sounds, not too complicated..can do Hi gain(can be edited by comp..also le has eq on output section.so can set to what your outputing to eg amp, mixer etc)
....also gets used as stomp box dist pedal etc for my amp as well as for recording.....if short of cash...korg or blackbox......if you have the money tonelab

indysmith · « **Reply #14 on:** July 11, 2007, 10:46:36 PM »

Quote from: sgmypod

korg ax1500g is very good(vox uses some of there tec..but with a valve), blackbox again a great box, boss stuff again good but not as good as the other two. Tried them all...used to own a podxt maxed out..but now have a tonelab le....far better sounds, not too complicated..can do Hi gain(can be edited by comp..also le has eq on output section.so can set to what your outputing to eg amp, mixer etc)
....also gets used as stomp box dist pedal etc for my amp as well as for recording.....if short of cash...korg or blackbox......if you have the money tonelab

so can you use the tonelab's effects by themselves into a host amp, without engaging the amp modelling?