All user reviews for the Vox Tonelab

This thing has several functions:
Cest dampli a simulator (with real buttons that offer the same opportunity to rglage quune real amp).
Its a two constitutional multi effects pedals dun simulator (stuff of legends!) Dune section and modulation effects (delay, reverb, chorus, etc.)

There is a lamp (Youpiiiiiiiiiie!) Electro Harmonix 12AX7 one that is used to simulate the low voltage section CHARACTERISTICS power (you know, when the volume is stopped and the pain started 6L6 ). This simulation power section is controlled by the VR GAIN knob.
Stay a moment on the 12AX7 low voltage, the filament does not shine and designers prvu an orange LED in the lamp to CRER lillusion. Cest debatable but what is indisputable, cest the lamp is connected and used in the circuit, unlike the quon else can read articles. Proof: It heats! Further evidence: I lai exchange for a Groove Tubes 12AX7 M (Mullard reissue) and the grain is diffrent (softer). Vox Naura certainly not risk to mount a lamp dcoration only to attract customers he knows, Mr. Vox, Quon nothing can hide a guitarist arm dun dun screwdriver soldering iron while Bin

UTILIZATION

Cest not rocket science! A quick read of the manual and you can go

Two operating modes:
Preset: There are lots of plant names evocative rglages (Angus, Carlos, etc.) that combine simulations dampli of pedals and effects of modulations. Some are excellent and we vritablement redcouvre his guitar. In short, a sound!
Manual: The Tonelab is used as an amplifier, as pedals as you want!

You can use the ToneLab is to attack his guitar amp (in this case a small switch to bypass Pipelines Limited simulations HP, otherwise has to be a little EMDU) or to directly attack a console mix and a sound system (yes Bin, yen tired of lugging an amp lights in the bars), or to attack a multitrack or PC sound card.

SOUND QUALITY

Well, the coronation of the game cest clause is sassied, we dtend, we did not fear it prpare
I do not lay that used to record via the PC sound card in manual as simple simulator dampli. In concert, my amp is perfect and I'm still not tired (the roadies jai! Nan I DCON).
The Tonelab will never do better than a super sound recording (which implies a great guitar amp with great lights and great HP, great microphone, great for micro prampli lamps, a great natural acoustics , super Cables, mix a super console in a world super). Everything has to say that the conditions for runir better than by doing the Tonelab of Manir classic is not the door to everyone and that for home studio, the Tonelab is perfect !

Dynamics? WHHHHAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH has slammed the donut, cest nervous, a slice arpond, and in addition, I acknowledge my guitar

The neighbors? They sleep closed point. I can snuff the headphone all night and piss your exact person is better than if I had pushed my Fender with an SM57 in front!
(Dgout!)
Grain? The simulation dampli I prfre eyes closed allezTWEED 1X12, which is my amp! If not Acesta dla Fidler!? hin?
Please note, take a bit rglages dexprience and practice. We must dig a little: Simulations Fender (TWEED) become too loud with prsence while the simulations are deaf if the VOX prsence is too low. Each amp simultaneously request regarding lattention rglages.

OVERALL OPINION

I havent had that the POD loccasion dessayer parat INTERESTED Tonelab and I chose the previous ones based on the advice.
I am one of the guitarists boring, you know, the purists Bouahhh if there are no lights inside, the cest m worse simulation dampli let me laugh! Jy think ps zarriveront But they never make it sound like a real fucking amp! Phhh p p p ppppp
OK, today, that progress jadmets consquents t have made in the simulation dampli (without having to psychoanalysis) and home studio applications are compelling enough to throw himself on the Tonelab but you will never make me play live! However, I'm going to even try in a rpt do not eat bread!

This tool is perfect for home studio, perfect for playing home without Dranger person. I play when I want, jRecording when I want, its a tool of freedom ringing.

Well all is said. But a recap:

Features:
- Amp Simulation
- Simulation of enclosure
- Multi-effects

Interfaces with the outside world
Front:
- Guitar input (better with)
- Headphones
On the back:
- 2 jack6.35 outputs (stereo) with adjustable output -> is also used for headphones
- Output Pdif
- Vox bus connector (for the pedals ... inevitable for the stage, and also to repeat as
- MIDI IN and OUT
- Supply (not standard for that matter)

Behind a switch to adjust the line output or amp (on line the sound is cold and hard, which seems to me strange, but I think we try and choose something)

For functions see the site, the documentation can be downloaded, but it is when English, German or Japanese-Chinese ... (01.07.07 error exists in French http://pitschifter.free.fr/Manuel %% 20tonelab 20EN.pdf super thank you to the site http://www.tonelab-fr.com which is also in French)

UTILIZATION

First remark, I used it without reading the doc, but hey it's my thing, and later I will discover some settings miracles, but good.
In fact I say that because it's very simple, you plug it sounds ... In fact, very easy for someone who has used a multi-effects.

It should detail two modes fnctionnement without pedals and with pedals.
1 / Without bracket: the top at home, on a chair or directly on the desk beside the computer. Imagine the SE ...

It still lacks something, a line input, which allows to play with a headset, cd, or with the fruity families. but that's not function and the reverse is always possible (Tonelab output to line input of the PC). but I think it loses a lot of quality (this is probably my sound card)

For the settings is very easy: You know how to walk a guitar amp, and it beh OF amps. You know an effects pedal set, you know the rest.

In fact, the longer it is to understand how clear the factory preset ... Always clear the preset started, they make slightly presets 'Moreover', too much of everything.
2/Sur scene, first you must remove the pedals VC12. And why?
Because the presets are stored in bundles of 4, many packages of 4, (in my opinion, more and more I practice the opinion is confirmed ... a bank of four is enough, the rest is good for s' tangled brushes in full concert). The pedal adjusts the volume, to agree, and an expression pedal ...
<p class="bbcode-offtopic"> Off topic: <span>This topic is beyond the Tonelab, but I think it is important for two reasons, without pedals not live, but the Tonelab is really made ​​for the stage (with pedals) ...
On the other hand it&#39;s great to be able to place the Tonelab an incline, the settings become very accessible.</span>

SOUND QUALITY

Note: metal passes your way, here you will find only very slight crunch and saturation ...
Note a: Rocker, blueseux, rest, test ... and a tube amp is very heavy.

Well, I tell you all, first home, I did my usual connection but I Boss ME50 replaces the Tonelab, headphone, yeah not bad .. Not too much momentum, no real definition ...

I reconnect my Boss ME50 + Tonelab output casque.Alors there, big shit, its metal, too much of everything, including the effects ... the désapointement dawns ...
I multiply the tests, without really being satisfied ...

Sometimes the repeats, I led him, without pedals, I did not buy. I use my Boss ME50 to change the effects and adjust the volume
First test in the Boss ME50 Tolenab + + PA -> a shit,
2nd Test Boss ME50 Guitar + Amp + ENTER ToneLab (Marshall Valvestate 80) -> it&#39;s better but still a lack of dynamic sound.
.... I passed the test with this amp simulation, with simulation as HP, see no, switch out of line or amp, power amp guitar or return anything ... actually I was close to return WHEN the trick ... my bass player &#39;Denis&#39; I remarked at the end of the set biensur, can not say it before! "If you tried the Tonelab alone." Well we went not near a test ..

I plug directly into the Tonelab entry Return of my Valvestate, and my guitar directly into the Tonelab and Miracle ...
The sound, the sound really ... One hour of ox, change amp Hp ... For the first time I have not touched an effect setting, just the amps ...
Well, the solution begins to emerge, as the Tonelab Tonelab ... Buy the pedals ...

And since I gave my 50 BossME my son, and when I hear the sound I know what bothers me is the constant buzz, the lack of dynamic sound saturated.

The sound of the Tonelab connected to a line input amplifier (not the guitar input, it distorts the sound):
- The dynamics of an amp
- The sound, the crunch and saturation, each amp simulation is different, each setting gives HP a different result, each reacts differently depending on the settings amp
- Respect for the guitar, I tried with all my guitars (Vigier Arpege, and Squier Stratocaster US, Gibson Les Paul)

OVERALL OPINION

Assets:
- The sounds
- Ergonomics (of all Tonelab + pedal)
- Try not to buy amps

the least
- Price

I found the sound I was looking for, I do not like the sounds fender (my singer plays Fender Telecaster +, that he likes and goes very well to the group, a complement of us). I like the crunch, even in clean sounds, the sense of tearing deaf, I like the sound grainy and saturation but also warm, not aggressive.

This is a recent purchase, I go to use, I changed that opinion based.

See data

UTILIZATION

Very simple, as well as edit sounds, no manual in french, harm, 9 for

SOUND QUALITY

Effects super word, with electric guitar on console, everything is good in the gnial good but not his shit, and unlike some say, the amp sounds are hard lmoi personal, I like the fender and vox, I do not play hard to!

OVERALL OPINION

1 week, very ergonomic, simple, what I like: the sound of course, and I am not very "effects", some are bluffs m! 230 euros price exceptional quality, I do it again without this choice hesitate, I pass the v-amp pro and I heard the pod, well, n is not like those last 2 the trash, I have long sought, but I have found the

There are 22 types of effects (pedals ,...): reverb, delay, wha-wha, flanger, phaser, chorus, and many others' I'll let you read the various comments on it!)

It's an amp simulator with a lamp 12AX7/ECC83 (for connoisseurs!) Which gives more punch and life to sound and also makes it more real and hot ... what Nikel! !

The factory presets can be edited via MIDI (pc)

Personally I find the effects very successful even though some are not top (But it's about setting the model of amp and cabinet model and adjusting BASS, MIDDLE, PRESENCE, ...== => Check the manual for more information !!!).
One of my favorite is the chorus with a clean sound that makes him too and with a good reverb that makes you want to scratch agreements and deal!

UTILIZATION

Simple setup though have a bit lost when we move to an amp simulator ... with all its buttons and knobs ... (must say that I had a Behringer GM108 not much compared to the ToneLab!)

Easy editing and effects with! A breeze as long as we have read at least the part of the manual fast!

Manuel clear but sometimes lack of information ...

Tip: Read at least the manual even the stuff that seems very important! For my part I was a little lost at first but with time and a good big reading the manual you get there easily!

SOUND QUALITY

Effects very effective, however, requires to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's ...
Indeed, some effects are undesirable distortion apparaîtrent ...!===> Once again we must read the manual because it makes it clear that some effects are some notes disappear, apparaitrent are a distortion. But do not worry all is configurable for any roof clean! You just read the manual ...

I use this with a beast Tonelab guitar stratocaster type and brand unknown (or rather Behringer ... because I had bought in the pack for beginners), and the sound is nikel but I find when I get Larsen was the cause of the poor quality of my single coil pickups. I will have to buy a new guitar this time and therefore better quality!

My favorite presets are:
- Theater ===> clean sound with reverb and chorus
-Crunch ===> nirvana
Mr-clean ==> clean
- Queen lf ==> Rock / clean
- Other but I forget their name ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for one week!

What I like about the Toenlab is its ease of use ... Indeed, in addition to the presets are not bad, we can set our own sounds and Stockers in 48 locations or 96 (if you erased two factories !!!)... And when you configure what happiness there AMP's turn the knob to find the amp that suits us ... and a baffle, and an effects pedal and a purpose behind the baffle style reverb or modulation ... and hop it ...==> parity is like having an amp next to you and you turn the knobs ...

I had not tried much except Pod2.0 model before I had heard but I opted for the Tonelab because a lamp (which is not nothing !!!!) and that I seemed easier to use ... and above all it is stronger than in plastoc pod! There is certainly less amlis modeled but it is more than we know what to do! The effects are better on the Tonelab and Tonelab the critics for its lack of cruel distorstion I laugh in their face because I play metal style of Metallica, Guns And Roses, AC / DC, Iron Maiden and it nikel = => do not know is that to use it or have not read the manual!

Level value for money I was looking for a simulator not too expensive, solid and good value for money ... I hesitated between the V-amp and the pod and then I saw this beautiful vehicle I have no hesitation especially for the price from 159 euros !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NIKEL

Eyes closed I would do this choice!!

Simulation amp (Fender, Marshall, Vox, Mesa etc.). With some distortion effects which, wah wah, Univibe, flanger, chorus, phaser, rotovibe delay, echo and reverb.

Otherwise, any adj t say!

A good point, the power supply has a switch on / off, ideal for not letting heat ... The ergonomics are well thought out, the effects are paramtrables via knobs, a change of menu no end of some multi effects. The connection is OK, nothing is missing.

UTILIZATION

Configuration is very simple, it seems to have the amp in front of you with potentiomtres, just turn them and that nothing else to do.

Ditto for the effects using a select button on the desired effect and it turns to rgler. It is regrettable the Systm effects requiring only have one type of effect both impossible to have a tube screamer and a wah at the same time by exempleDommage!

Well, the registration of paramtres is a bit more complicated but still within the average of multiple effects.

The manual is excellent and it is rare in the middle of the audio. The style is nice and offers lots of advice.

SOUND QUALITY

Frankly, I'm bluffing by the sound quality. I tried a lot of amp simulators I possde Guitar Rig 2 and TonePort with the effects of Pod 2, and this is by far ToneLab what sounds the best (even if Guitar Rig 2 is trs trs good, I would place the
Pod last because I find that lack of momentum and heat).

The effects of such delay and reverb are great, same for the overdrive. The rest is correct, easily replaces a small set of pedals.

Simus The amp is excellent, especially trsralistes trs hot, with lots of dynamics and rponse. With my AKG headphones connected to it is gnial, we believe it. Fender clean sounds, distortion of the Marshall or Vox, a ring of hell.

It also has the big advantage of not dnaturer the sound of your guitar (unlike other multi effects), my Les Paul sounds good and it must diffrent my ESP.

With the ToneLab, I can play as easily Titles rock 70's or 60's walking in her clear of the big grunge type distortion with Alice in Chains modlisation Recto or US HiGain. In other words, we have a ventail of sounds at your fingertips without having dpenser a fortune or lugging amps unplayable apart.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a few days but I love dj. This is a big plus in my house set, if not the most important.

I love the look of the device, its solid ergonomics (with real knobs) and of the quality sound sr. I also like the fact that it is adjustable by hand, it is placed in height and is nickel.

I like less weight and power supply a little big, and the impossibility to add some effects ensembleJe also found that the use of force, the MODEL pdalier have more t comfortable to move from one preset to another.

I tried several and I possde MODELS Guitar Rig 2 and GearBox but I wanted to take a hardware simulator on vacation without taking the computer.

The current price quality ratio is incredible for me, 159 (in playback), you can not beat. For cons, the base price, it is all the same quite expensive. That said, the quality is not that a piece of plastic.

Priced at nine (300 prs), I would not have bought it because I find it does not have enough opportunities at Line 6 effects and offers may be better for the m I price (with pdalier, which lack the ToneLab).

I do not regret my purchase, the price, I do not see what I could find equivalent in quality and sound production. Possdant simus and other, that is by far the most raliste and warmer.

The only regret for the price of pdalier, it is better to opt for a direct MODEL more expensive, if not a pity that the knobs do not have diodes to indicate the rglage engaged when s lected a particular preset.

All adj t said above, for the type of music (rock, blues, funk and rhytm'n'blues) I play there more than enough ...
I put 9 (in principle) because they can not string multiple pedals.
The presets are pnibles overall, it seems that the marketing department that has spawned, so there is too much of everything!

UTILIZATION

The config is really intuitive from most multi-effects I had the opportunity to test!
I found the manual friendly but not sharp enough in the descriptions for some more amps and effects for this is the reason I put 9 again.

SOUND QUALITY

I play an Epiphone Les Paul Standard.
I bought the pdalier VC4 essential for the concerts although it is worth a look!
I use little effect apart from distortion pedals:
I really like the tube screamer with simus Fender, compression for Funky stuff and especially with the Treble Boost JTM45!
I find rverbe trs beautiful on clean sounds, however I reduced the crunch and turns on the big carrment Satus, because I think it blurs the sound.

OVERALL OPINION

I have been using ending for two years, it's perfect for work at home.
Live branch is more complicated in a good sound system with a good ing the top and return it (I did once VCU).
In contrast with an average of no sono ing his or returns (VCU two dozen cases of recovery ...) was too often of great moment alone with little or no sound coming out of the mix according to presets, as the only way to stall at the prt of a pregnant ...
Branch into an amp (APRS-amp pr), the little blue box is superb, despite the little color to bring the power section and the enclosure of the amp, I also d cid to buy one since!
Exprience with the choice I do it again without problem!

.... dj says everything is

UTILIZATION

Trs simple config editor with or without PC

SOUND QUALITY

Effects of medium quality. classic preamp effective.
dlais reverbs and the trs are however sufficient use and settings.
In contrast, the simulations are somewhat rc h and finally I use them practically. I use the gear and returned to the preamp between slave (power) of my amp.

I tried with another amp (5W lamps tt) and it does not work correctly, the planes of the amp premapli svrement what comes out of the ToneLab.

OVERALL OPINION

Daily use for 8 months.
I like it sounds clear and crunches achieved, reverbs and delays.
modlisations the vox, fender does not suit me at all.

QP report correct.

Still versatile enough hardware and adapted my style (blues rock), then default to something else in this price range, I would do this choice.

See below ...

UTILIZATION

The general configuration is very simple, it happens quickly in the manual.
Editing sounds is also very simple, turn the knobs on our way, and backup ...
I got it with the manual sort "Tonelab for Dummies", written for teenagers ... lol
I think that's pretty funny ...

SOUND QUALITY

I acquired the Tonelab for recording my songs.
Living in an apartment, I had to go through the line out of my amp, which bypasses the amplifier circuit, so that I did not have the same sound quality than live. In addition, my distortion pedals blew a lot, asking me a lot of problems in recording.
With the Tonelab, I get the effects of distortion ave cun blows tiny or nonexistent.
I use a Epiphone Les Paul Custom, a Les Paul Junior that I made, and with a Telecaster that I also made.
Being a fan of Neil Young, I created presets in the spirit of his sound, I tried a lot to get there (the possibilities are enormous), and finally I was able to get the sound I love, and breathless ...
I used this amp for "Tweed 1 * 12" with his cabinet, with a touch of "Tube OD," the reverb, and for solos, I made a preset by raising all the " Trebble booster "(I seem to give you a recipe !!... lol).

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 months.
What I like most is the lack of breath, as long as it does not grow too much effects.
The size is perfect for home studio, also the perfect ergonomics.
There are so many adjustment possibilities, and early on struggles to find his sound, but in the end I'm still here ...
I had never heard of amp simulators such, it's terrible!
I had OCCAZ for € 140 is not given the death machine.
I would do without hesitation that choice ...

Mono guitar input> section "pedal (wah pedal with better but not usable as a filter, autowah, excellent Univibe, excellent distos - basically a treble booster, a nice kind OD1/DS1 OD, OD a grotty RAT kind, a distortion called oddly aggressive fuzz, etc..)> Section "amp" (modeling Vox, Mesa, Fender, etc..)> Section "pregnant" (ditto, you can mix everything together and turn it off if you play on amp)> Section "Module" (flanger, phaser, etc.).> section "delay" (a digital emulation of tape, a tape emulation MultiHead as watcat)> section reverb. Already, you are clearly facing a major limitation of the machine: you can not choose which way will the signal, and for those of you who like to put on stage before the amp, well it dead. Or for those of you who like me put the reverb before AND after the amp, well it dead too. And if you like put the reverb before your distortion, to obtain his "big mash" often used by guitarists certain doom, the manual explains that the machine is not well and need not do because it sounds ... puree. Except ... Obviously you are free to leave the machine on an amp and transplanting the output signal with a microphone. The machine is fully editable via a PC editor with access to additional parameters including the delays, which must be really good when it works, because as it is not compatible with all MIDI interfaces (it is also written in the manual) it does not work with me or not. It is a desktop storable, that I love because I saw that no one uses that home studio, I have everything close at hand. It is a technology "valvereactor" found on all products using Korg Vox and a lamp - passing is a 12AX7 electro-harmonics, I wonder what it&#39;s like if you change the lamp. There&#39;s a stereo audio output to two output levels "line" = the sound card and "amp" = to the amp, and a nice digital SPDIF output, input and MIDI output. And the obligatory headphone in front, another plus point.

UTILIZATION

Configuration, editing, use is childish. The book is funny and well made - even if it takes you a bit for a sausage from time to time - especially useful for combinations amp / speaker and general knowledge to know what this amp is based simulation. This is by far the multi-purpose the simplest and most intuitive I have ever had. On the other hand, it probably reflects the fact that the editing capabilities are much more limited than on a Boss GT series for example.

SOUND QUALITY

The effects range medium (the autowah is not configurable and sounds way) to honorable (rotary, less than a leslie simulation software for a pedal but honest) to really excellent (phaser, flanger, chorus sound as although the "real", although as stated above the chaining is weird and reverbs and delays are excellent, particularly the spring reverb emulation and delay type watcat). Me, I really miss a reverse delay and inability to assay the dry / wet on the reverb and delays makes me really miss - I like to send only the original signal without the delay but here we can assaying the amount of processed signal without cutting the original signal. Say to summarize the reverbs and delays sound good and sound good bill fishing but a lack of parameters and versatility. But the heart of the machine, ie amps, so there it beats. Whether or not it is "faithful to the original" when it comes to an emulation of a fender of the 60 it requires financial resources that I did not, it sounds great cons! In his clear typed Fender (blackface) as its saturated typed Mesa (front, U.S. higain supposed to imitate a Soldano) is really good. Obviously it does not sound likely to be "a true 100w Soldano thoroughly in a well insulated, subcultured by three microphones positioned correctly after two weeks of testing, ironed duplicate tracks in three different amp through a filter to moog give depth to the sound. " Well no, eh, but we&#39;re talking about a box plugged into the sound card at $ 100, not $ 15 000 of stuff in the studio of Steve Albini. To summarize it the best sound quality / size / price I&#39;ve seen in this type of product. I tried it with my baritone guitar (Danelectro and Epiphone) and my Guvnor "normal", it sounds very very good, but as I said in the ultra higain but anyway I do not like it, I prefer obtain the thickness with a less saturated by other methods. With my Fender Jazz Bass that sounds medium, surprisingly, but with the simulation of the bassman, you get something pretty good.

OVERALL OPINION

I&#39;ve had a week to provide update as usual. I multi-effects for approximately ten years, I practiced as it is the digital multi kind of Boss GT. The box is made of steel, well finished and quite beautiful. The screen is red and it&#39;s led to the former, not the LCD backlight. The knobs duck Vox facade is really not bad. Side effects are great but I feel a bit limited. But it is better to do little and although a lot and evil (cf. the old Zoom) Side on the other hand amp simulation is ROYAL for the price, so much so that I use with my usual pedals to record Live in cubase, the bottom is his vocation to the Tonelab. Speaking of calling, not "buy it not to do live with. Plugged into an amp, it sounds much less used in home studio for what it is actually emulate convincingly amp transplanted by a microphone. Ergonomics for the stage seems catastrophic. In addition to the optional foot costing an eye, and it is difficult to find. Compare a bit: - it sounds much better than Guitar Rig 4 amp simulation side, but obviously with much less versatility and possibilities - it sounds better Amplitube Fender, including Fender amps are better reproduced by the Tonelab j &#39;were the first surprise - it sounds better than Peavey Revalver, fewer opportunities there too, and may be more density in its Higain on Revalver? (Just for the record, we talk about software that is two to three times more expensive than the Tonelab and need hardware to run) - obviously, we must compare with a POD. In addition the XT is more expensive and ugly, I never wanted to try one - and I will not insult you compare the Tonelab with foo Berhinger ugly and plastic, which has nothing to equivalent to 90-100 euros, the value for money is just incredible, remember what kind of stuff "equivalent" was at that price (Zoom G2, Korg AX, Pod Studio, etc..) that do not really play das the same court. If I do fall tomorrow, I repeat the same!

Edit June 2010: I still say it&#39;s the best value for money market in this type of product. I&#39;ll sell mine not because I&#39;m tired ... but because I live in another with a back light better ...

This is a digital amp modeler. I don't think that it can be edited through a Mac or a PC. It's also not MIDI-controllable. The device isn't rackable, the knobs are all on top. It's a completely digital technology. there are basic 1/4" connections.

UTILIZATION

These digital amp modelers have gotten easier and easier to use over the years, and this one isn't really an exception. It's pretty easy to find the tone you're looking for, as they are all pretty easily labeled. Even if you're not a hundred percent sure, it's easy to surf through all of the tones pretty quickly. Using the effects isn't too hard either, it seems like there is an intimidating number of knobs but closer inspection reveals that they are all pretty basic. The manual will explain everything to anyone who doesn't fully grasp what the modeler is capable of doing.

SOUND QUALITY

I have a bit of a problem with these types of machines, but I'm not sure that my views are shared. I'd heard that this was a good amp modeler for clean tones. When I tried it, I hated it. I realized that most people who say that are probably looking for a supremely clean sound, and not a hint of dirt or overdrive. I like to get at least a little bit of those things from my clean tones, as I play R&B and blues. I was disappointed with this modeler for that reason, there wasn't an acceptable compromise for the clean tones. They all ended up being either too clean or too dirty. As for the dirty tones, I wasn't getting goosebumps the way that I do when really rocking a tube or solid state amp, or even a good digital amp. They imitate classic amp sounds like the Marshall Stack, or the Mesa/Boogie rectifier. I think they do a rather cheap imitation at that, they aren't really capable of delivering the goods.

OVERALL OPINION

I'm not sure why I keep buying these things, maybe because I'm a college student and can't record acoustically very much. I certainly can't crank up my amp and let it rip. Therefore, I must say that if you're in my situation and you aren't a complete tone freak like me, you might be happy with this. Realize, though, that you'll be more than likely to get frustrated with it. These things don't necessarily improve with age. In fact, they're constantly being updated. So be cautious when purchasing.

This amp simulator is distinguished from the others by the fact that it uses a tube to help produce its sound. It models most every classic amp and speaker combination in the book. It also has all the basic effects you would expect. It has room for 96 user presets. It can be used for direct recording or in front of an amp. It is very solid, well built and cool looking. The SE and LE versions are fundamentally the same thing in foot pedal form but take up more realesate.

UTILIZATION

The Vox Tonelab is very easy to use thanks to its user friendly knobs and clear layout. This is truly refreshing if you have ever experienced the nightmare of multifunction buttons and menu based layouts. The manual is very good at describing the original amps and history and can help because the different amp models require different approaches to the tone knobs due to the differences in the tone knobs of the original amps. The unit is the right size for what it does and sits nicely next to your computer. Storing, naming and recalling presets is easy. Its a great design.

SOUND QUALITY

This device is in fact extremely educational because the models actually sound like the amps and speakers they are modeling. I've owned various amps with various output tube types and speaker combinations and these models nail them as well as one could expect from a digital model(unless something else comes along and surprises me). Some of the detail of the models is truly remarkable like the rectifier sag you can actually hear in the cranked vintage tweed Fender model for example. The Vox AC15 and AC30 models sound particularly good. The sound and tweakability of the effects section is simply adequate and not as strong in quality as the models.

OVERALL OPINION

I love the sound of a great simple tube amp. Digital modeling always sounds kinda bad to me. However I picked this unit because I felt it sounded less artificial than the Pod. Pod products have an artificial sound to them I simply don't like. Digital modelers always sound cold and sterile relative to a good tube amp but offer some great advantages in terms of ease. This unit makes it easy to record a wide variety of great sounding amp/effect sounds quickly and cleanly. These modelers also seem to naturally compress and somehow eq on their own well when recorded compared to a real amp and this contributes to the ease of using them for recording. I use mine for writing in the studio and its great for that but I would probably never use it on a final recording for the public to hear. However in certain contexts one would probably be unable to know if one was hearing a model or the real thing. My favorite things about the Vox Tonelab are its user friendly design, sturdiness and lack of artificial coloring to the sound. And it looks far out!