Fender Tone Master Pro: Episode IV - A New Hope

[Dominant7]

What made you switch from Kemper (I think that's what you were using and seeing the Kemper for sale )

Funny, I am the opposite. I have been a Kemper user for years for recording, but never live. Always an amp guy. Then the TMP came out, and I jumped on it. I gigged with it for a bit but it was never quite 'it'. I've always felt the fx were lacking, and natural sounding low gain amps weren't really there for me. I'm not a 6l6 guy. So for giggles I bought a Kemper Stage. I had never explored the kemper's fx because my method is guitar into pro tools, fx after unless it was something very specific. What I quickly discovered was how much better the kemper's fx are, esp reverb, delay and chorus/modulations. Pitch shift as well. Both have really good od pedals, though I confess i prefer the kemper method of everyting on a continuum rather than choosing a 'new' pedal. So I started building live performances, primarily using Britt's stuff. After a few gigs it was clear to me, and my bandmates, that the Kemper just worked better. We are a pro level cover band that plays the gamut in tenor and style and we all felt it sounded better, particularly straight into the pa. It requires far less 'tweaking'.
This isn't to say you can't get a good sound with the TMP. You absolutely can get brilliant sounds. But I do think, for me, and maybe others, the brilliance of its interface overshadows some areas is which it still has upside. There is something to be said for how easy it is to sit in front of it and create. It's incredibly fun. The kemper interface is awful. BUT....I actually think the Kemper's computer based interface is superior to the tmp. Much easier to audition amps and see all the parameters at once.
I'm not selling the tmp yet as I do hope future updates bring it closer to what suits me because I do love the skeumorphics and the easy to read display. Oh, and the FR12 is just fantastic. I'll never get rid of that.

 

[JCW308]

I tested scenes out and they worked fine for me in general, but I’ll need to test this tomorrow to see what the fuss is about. Sounds like if you have scene1 with a chorus off and scene2 with a chorus off. If you turn the chorus on in scene1 then flick to scene2 the chorus is still on.

Fender are saying that was the intentional functionality and users are saying it should respect the scene and turn off the chorus. Looks like fender have acknowledged this feedback and it will get updated at some point.

I mean it’s great to have options and I would have assumed flicking to a scene decimates whatever you have off/on and uses the saved scene as gospel…. But I can see the flip side and why they did it the way it is. The reality is if I’m using scenes I probably won’t ever touch individual pedals cause I’d just be flicking between scenes, kind of the whole point… but we’re not all the same I get it.

People love complaining, looks like it’s getting updated, should be a win win but the complaints never end.

"Scene Revert" option ON/OFF - it's a must if you are going to do scenes correctly.

 

[JCW308]

I have to say, Fender killed it with this latest update. Great job, guys! I successfully switched over from Kemper due to the last update. Keep 'em coming!

@stilwel

 

[GTR37]

I have to say, Fender killed it with this latest update. Great job, guys! I successfully switched over from Kemper due to the last update. Keep 'em coming!

@stilwel

It appears they also redid the Freidman FBE according to one YouTuber which I think is a good thing

There are still a few things I think they could use in the FX though unless I am missing it
I did not see dual , multi tap
Or Circular type delays?

I would like to see a few more 212 cabs in there like an EvH
Or a Bogner , DRZ , Zilla
The 212 I just find can sound a little more focused than the 412 sometime

- an M160 mic type

Amps DR Zreck
Divided by 13
Bogner XTC 101b

Those are some things that I think could think would be nice in an upcoming update

 

[JCW308]

OK I just tried the TMP Blonde Deluxe Reverb cranked with my Tele and the booster in front of the amp. WOW is all I can say! No dirt box needed, this thing is PERFECT! (This is in the Tone Master Pro)

 

[ChordInversion]

OK I just tried the TMP Blonde Deluxe Reverb cranked with my Tele and the booster in front of the amp. WOW is all I can say! No dirt box needed, this thing is PERFECT! (This is in the Tone Master Pro)

That's a great sound. It also sounds great with a physical pedal in front.

I am all but on my knees praying for the next update to add more excellent Fender amp sounds.

 

[Jarick]

Just saw my local Guitar Center has them on sale for $1350. What's that about a $450 price drop since launch?

 

[Jarick]

NGL if I had the cash I'd be tempted to try one out. But pretty sure I know how that movie ends.

 

[Chocol8]

Just saw my local Guitar Center has them on sale for $1350. What's that about a $450 price drop since launch?

Is that a Fender price cut or GC desperation?

 

[ChordInversion]

There's a firmware update coming some time in May, I believe (based on Fender statements in the TMP Discord). I'm going to assess this update and project out a bit. If it's likely that I'm going to be waiting several years for amps that really ought to be essential on a Fender branded modeler, I'll probably just move it on and focus on then FM9. Right now, the gap between Fender and the other high end modelers when it comes to selection - even of Fender amps - is a bit too great for my liking. If I was a "one clean, one crunch, on drive sound" kind of player, and the amps in it gave me those sounds, I'd come to a much different conclusion. I like modelers because it lets me use amp choice as a creative element. I can't be waiting for years for Fender to get a strong selection of Fenders.

 

[metropolis_4]

Just saw my local Guitar Center has them on sale for $1350. What's that about a $450 price drop since launch?

I’d grab it fast if you’re interested, they’ve got a big sale going on but it ends today. They’ve been blowing out lots of inventory at crazy prices.

My local GC had new LP Standards as low as $1800!

 

[[Nathan]]

There's a firmware update coming some time in May, I believe (based on Fender statements in the TMP Discord). I'm going to assess this update and project out a bit. If it's likely that I'm going to be waiting several years for amps that really ought to be essential on a Fender branded modeler, I'll probably just move it on and focus on then FM9. Right now, the gap between Fender and the other high end modelers when it comes to selection - even of Fender amps - is a bit too great for my liking. If I was a "one clean, one crunch, on drive sound" kind of player, and the amps in it gave me those sounds, I'd come to a much different conclusion. I like modelers because it lets me use amp choice as a creative element. I can't be waiting for years for Fender to get a strong selection of Fenders.

And you wonder why captures are so popular when so many models are inevitably missing :).

Fractal and helix just take the cake for robust model selection, I don’t see anyone catching up (remember when the Tina article came out and it was inferred that NDSP could churn out amp captures via automation…. And we still haven’t seen one new amp since the article in December).

Obviously models are more flexible and the ideal solution over captures but captures at least give an avenue to scratch an itch. Again I’m not advocating for captures on the TMP I just thought it’s funny that models are missing and the capture tech could fill that gap.

I’m also interested in what they bring out with the firmware. We’re prettt long in the tooth from launch so you would hope these updates are more robust, they’ve had enough time.

 

[laxu]

And you wonder why captures are so popular when so many models are inevitably missing :).

Fractal and helix just take the cake for robust model selection, I don’t see anyone catching up (remember when the Tina article came out and it was inferred that NDSP could churn out amp captures via automation…. And we still haven’t seen one new amp since the article in December).

Obviously models are more flexible and the ideal solution over captures but captures at least give an avenue to scratch an itch. Again I’m not advocating for captures on the TMP I just thought it’s funny that models are missing and the capture tech could fill that gap.

I’m also interested in what they bring out with the firmware. We’re prettt long in the tooth from launch so you would hope these updates are more robust, they’ve had enough time.

My experience is that the number of amp models has never been a major issue on any complex modeler. People are just too hung up on "I need a model of this specific amp" type stuff rather than figuring out if they can get great tones with what they have.

Captures end up as some sort of weird virtual amp collection that has no real value because you never have to commit to using anything if you don't want to, there's always another capture you can try.

 

[DrewJD82]

Am I remembering this wrong, or did Fender not confirm or deny the possibility of doing captures with the TMP at some point?

That’d be a good surprise, if they were able to stick the hardware in there waiting for a future update to make it functional.

 

[[Nathan]]

Am I remembering this wrong, or did Fender not confirm or deny the possibility of doing captures with the TMP at some point?

That’d be a good surprise, if they were able to stick the hardware in there waiting for a future update to make it functional.

I’d heard from a couple sources it was going to launch with captures then after it launched there was more capture talk. I’m not even sure of the internal specs but I also heard it’s got plenty of horsepower in the unit

This could all be hearsay and people just repeating other people and it’s all nonsense, but the TMP had always had heavy capture rumors circulating around it.

 

[ChordInversion]

And you wonder why captures are so popular when so many models are inevitably missing :).

Oh, I get why they're popular. They just don't work for me.

Fractal and helix just take the cake for robust model selection, I don’t see anyone catching up (remember when the Tina article came out and it was inferred that NDSP could churn out amp captures via automation…. And we still haven’t seen one new amp since the article in December).

All true, but I did expect Fender to try a little harder, especially when it comes to Fender amps. If they don't take pride in Fender, who will?

Obviously models are more flexible and the ideal solution over captures but captures at least give an avenue to scratch an itch. Again I’m not advocating for captures on the TMP I just thought it’s funny that models are missing and the capture tech could fill that gap.

They could fill the gap for some, and I'm sure that's why some people on the TMP Discord have made clear how badly they want captures. It won't work for me, but I'm just one guy, and I have other gear. I see the TMP's advantage is being the ease with which one can go from plugging in to dialing in an amp sound - complete with any effects built int the amp - to suit that guitar and your mood. Dialing in is not the same as the "endless tweaking" strawman that some throw out there. But just taking a capture someone else dialed in has never worked for me, and I spent a couple of years with a Tonex trying.

I’m also interested in what they bring out with the firmware. We’re prettt long in the tooth from launch so you would hope these updates are more robust, they’ve had enough time.

That's my opinion as well. The last update underwhelmed me. I know lots of people wanted scenes, but devoting so much development effort to that a year after release meant very little in the way of distinctive stuff. I also have no ill will toward bass players, but the other primary focus being bass amps was likewise disappointing to me. I fear they're trying to be a "us, too" modeler that tries to be all things to all players, rather than being distinctively great for a wide but not exhaustive group. If this update focuses on, say, a bunch fo high gain amps, I'll know they're going for the "us, too" angle.

My experience is that the number of amp models has never been a major issue on any complex modeler. People are just too hung up on "I need a model of this specific amp" type stuff rather than figuring out if they can get great tones with what they have.

Why can't it be both? I can get great tones with one amp. Is it wrong to want to? Half the point of a modeler, for me, is the ability to have that variety. I could get great tones with one of my Blues Cubes. Why stop there?

Captures end up as some sort of weird virtual amp collection that has no real value because you never have to commit to using anything if you don't want to, there's always another capture you can try.

For me, it's less about never having to commit (I have no problem making that choice on my own) than it is about none of them ever being right. I'm playing someone else's amp, dialed in for their guitar and their ear, and applying tweaks in post. It's not for me.

 

[ChordInversion]

I’d heard from a couple sources it was going to launch with captures then after it launched there was more capture talk. I’m not even sure of the internal specs but I also heard it’s got plenty of horsepower in the unit

This could all be hearsay and people just repeating other people and it’s all nonsense, but the TMP had always had heavy capture rumors circulating around it.

Yeah, I've heard some of the same stuff. If Fender goes that route, that's their call (obviously). I wouldn't begrudge them that. With resources being finite, it will all but certainly create limitations in other contexts, but it would be the ultimate "try to be all things to all people" move. And when you're trying to sell something, the prospect of being all things to all people can be pretty appealing.

 

[Chocol8]

I’m not even sure of the internal specs but I also heard it’s got plenty of horsepower in the unit

Running captures is less processor intensive than running models, so any decent modeler has the horsepower to run captures.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Running captures is less processor intensive than running models, so any decent modeler has the horsepower to run captures.

I think that massively depends on the capture and the models you're comparing.

 

[Chocol8]

I think that massively depends on the capture and the models you're comparing.

OK, excluding NAM super duper whatever captures, other capture tech uses less power than any decent quality modeler.