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.
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!
The Vox Tonelab ST is a multi-effects unit containing just about every type of guitar effect out there. It's got 1/4" connections for input and output and also has a built in tuner. The pedal has a tube inside of it, so the effects are at least running on some real power here. It isn't rack mountable since it is a foot pedal station. UTILIZATION Since I haven't got an extensive amount of experience with the Vox Tonelab ST, I've yet to explore all of the ends that this pedal has to offer. This is to say, there is a lot that this unit has to offer, a lot of which will take you some time to dive into. Having said this, getting your basic tones from all the effects in here isn't hard at all and overall I don't think that you need a manual. SOUND QUALITY The level of sound quality from the Vox Tonelab ST varies from effect to effect in my opinion. I like some of the effects a great deal, but at the same time many of them are sort of unrealistic sounding. Don't get me wrong, it is certainly nice to have access to all of these different effects in one box, but there isn't enough controlling options for some of the sounds on here. One of the things that there is plenty of control over is your amp modeling selection, as there are 33 to choose from here. The overdrive and gain effects are the ones on here that I enjoy a great deal, as well as the reverb, but the modulation effects are certainly a bit lack luster. OVERALL OPINION First, let me say that in general I'm not an advocate for most of the multi-effects pedals out there. While the Vox Tonelab ST is powerful in its versatility, I still think that if you're serious about getting some good sounding effects that you're better off getting individual effects. Having brought this up, I will say that this is the perfect type of unit for someone looking to get into using effects but doesn't know where to start. It will put you on the right track to see what you like and what you don't, but I can't say I'd recommend it for a professional or for someone looking to get a professional sounding palette of guitar effects.
