All user reviews for the Vox Tonelab SE

I traveled to my local guitar center and was looking around for an all-in-one guitar effects processor and the salesman pointed me to this thing. I was a little leery at first with it because I had heard that the all encompassing effects units can lack in many areas and the reason for purchasing would be simply convenience. Well I went ahead an bought it to take home to plug into my Vox Ac30. I played around with it that day and it started to malfunction. There was an issue with the sound output. So I boxed it up and went back to Guitar Center. I got another one came back home and fired it up. This time there wasn't any issue with the sound.

If you have ever used simulation amps or stomp boxes then you know that they don't sound anything like or feel anything like the real thing. Well Vox surprisingly did a much better job at coming closer to those tones. Most likely since they are using a 12ax7 tube to generate those tones, they do sound a lot better. One tube isn't going to cut it but it is very close to the real deal. In a different application....try running it into your computer instead in front of your amp and you will get stunning results. Just check out Kent Carlevi on Youtube and see his VH videos and judge for yourself. He pretty much nails the EVH tone in spades.

UTILIZATION

This unit is very easy to use and with a few clicks you can dial up some great tones. The wah controllers are great as well. You can assign one to the volume and one to the wah or expression to different effects. I felt that this unit had a step above the Line 6 floor units since it had two foot controllers and used a tube to get that distortion grind found in tube amps.

It is fairly simple operation and the manual was quite clear in their description of the unit. Though I found myself figuring it out as I went more than reading the directions. With processors like this I find it better to go through a try and error process than spend time looking through the text book.

SOUND QUALITY

I really enjoyed the tones I was getting from this unit. The tones felt natural and real compared to other units like the Line 6 XT where the stomp boxes sounded very weak. The distortion sounded full and natural and the combination of the effects gave this an easy step up from the POD XT Live.

I used this unit exclusively with my Vox Ac30 and a Strat. I was going to a U2 type sound at that time and I think I came pretty close.

One thing I hated about this unit was it seemed that programming was hard to go back and forth when charging presets. So if you didn't like something and you wanted to go back and correct it, it made you jump through a few hoops to get back the start of the patch. This was frustrating to me that Line 6 was so much better and the speedyness of correction. So I had to be sure I was committed to the present before I went any further. Perhaps I didn't get a good grasp of how it worked but I consider that a negative if it isn't so user friendly. Once you got the tone it was golden though.

OVERALL OPINION

Like I said before the correction issue was a big set back and really was the downfall of the unit and eventually the reason I sold it and went to Line 6. I felt the tone was better in the Tonelab but the easy of use was much better in the Line 6. Since I dumped the Vox Ac30 and went with Marshall I didn't need the stomp box characteristics in the TL and just needed the effects for delays and modulation so I was completely fine with my transition.

I would recommend this unit to someone who is wanting to run this with a clean type amp. It was a bit pricey at around $400. If you need just effects to go with a tube amp then I would pass on this unit. Try the Line 6 or TC eletronics stuff.

Everything has already been said. It lacks a looper ...

UTILIZATION

The editor preset microphone is on a bit older, Vox could make an effort, but hey, it works well anyway ...

SOUND QUALITY

After years of galleys out by repeating the sounds I get into recording, I finally found the Holy Grail for my ToneLab emplifier: Combo Tech21 Power Engine 60!

OVERALL OPINION

Everything has been said about this pedal. I would just add that in recent days, I utis a Tech21 Power Engine 60, and that's really awesome.
No more complicated connections, even with the disappointments of tube amps, etc. ...
(See my review Tech21 Power Engine 60)

All effects are available! missing can be just a looper!
The technology used is light!

UTILIZATION

If you do not record, it is quite difficult at first to navigate the Vox ToneLab SE is a real gas engine!
► (you can find it here: http://pds.mnsmall.com/board_pds/ToneLabSE_F2.pdf)
But once you understand the operation of the machine, everything becomes clear and there is no easier way to pay! It is really designed for the stage!
It does not offer a USB connection, and some say it's a shame, it's true! but it does not bother me to the extent I have an external sound card that allows me to plug it. He has a connection with cons noon which allows him to add effects (now rare on the internet, so for really useful) and convert it into MIDI controller (for example, Guitar Rig foot control). So for MIDI, it is very full!
The implementation could not be easier, simply purchase a midi cable, download software on the site and connecting the vox pedal midi on the PC!
For presets, too, everything is studied for the stage. Simply press a button with your foot and the preset is changed! There are 24 banks with 4 presets. Each preset has two channels if it is fashion amps and if you are in effect pedals, you can "break the sound", meaning that you can take away the reverb etc. ...

SOUND QUALITY

I was amazed by the sound quality of the beast. Well, the one regret, it is clear that his is necessarily worse than the clean sound of my classic 30. But they are already very good! The distorted sounds are fine, and I still have not found that sound too "synthetic", as a foot zoom can make low prices.
I have not heard of breath, or very little, once I think. We must also say I've never played very much! but overall, to have heard several opinions, it is not known for having enormous blast =)
This is the first time that I have a multi-effect, and before I had a vox wha-wha. So I tested all the effects and the possibilities are almost endless! I use a lot of reverb and delay are very important for me, I have bands like Radiohead, o emperor or Arcade Fire, so my sound forcing them a little closer ...
But we must admit that the record is brilliant, having compared the ToneLab and wha's wha my true, I did not see much difference!

OVERALL OPINION

I bought used for my music teacher, a little expensive it is true, but I was guaranteed that he was functioning and I foisting an amp with pevey Classic 30, I just had to pay reparation. So I did not hesitate, and I must confess that I am very happy. I will ever buy this without hesitation!
I have recommended to friends and hopefully will know a new youth ^ ^
Voila!

The Vox Tonelab SE is an in depth guitar processing, tube based, work station that can be used on the stage or in the studio. I’d say it’s best suited for live shows, as you’ve virtually got ever type of sound you’d ever need on this thing. While for recording I like to use individual effects, this would be more than adequate for this application as well. As far as connections go, the majority of them are ¼” for your standard inputs and outputs, but also for headphones, inserts, and other routing options. It’s also got MIDI jacks, two separate expression pedals, and a real tube built right into it.


UTILIZATION

Learning how to use the Vox Tonelab SE is definitely a process, as you’re not going to learn everything on here after even using it a few times. I personally have only used this a few times on a series of sessions where a client brought it in. Even after having messed with it for a good amount of time, there is still a lot that you can do with it that I haven’t had a need to dive into. Getting your basic sounds isn’t too difficult, but there are just so many options to work with here (trust me I’m not complaining about this!). A manual is definitely something that I’d recommend having around for the Tonelab SE.



SOUND QUALITY

The sounds on the Vox Tonelab SE are actually quite legit. I must admit that I’m usually weary of guitar processors that have everything and the kitchen sink available on them, but this one for the most part does the job extremely well. The best part about using the Tonelab SE is the ability to blend sounds with all different sorts of effects. This includes in depth amp modeling, delay and reverb, and all sorts of modulation effects like chorus, vibrato, and all the rest. It’s also amazing that you can create and store all of these sounds all in one place, with the ability of course to bring it back with the push of a button.


OVERALL OPINION

The Vox Tonelab SE is an extremely powerful guitar processing, all in one effects unit. Most of these sorts of units that I’ve used in the past don’t exactly live up to what they’re offering, but the Tonelab SE is absolutely one of the best I’ve used. I think that fact that it’s tube based really warms up all of the sounds on here. Some are definitely more realistic than others, but for the most part I find this one to be pretty great. This isn’t the cheapest unit of it’s kind, but for quality you’re going to pay a price. If you’re looking to go the multi-effects route for guitar, the Vox Tonelab SE is most likely the model I’d recommend.