IK Multimedia TONEX

[Sascha Franck]

All of this would have been easier for IK’s customers if (1) IK made hardware with better specs

Unfortunately that's the main issue. While I haven't yet checked myself, no digital guitar device should clip in the input stage when only feeding it with what's pretty standard pickups (and no additional boost or whatsoever).

 

[Richard_G]

I absolutely agree!

 

[Progressive_disclosure]

Thanks @Richard_G and @Sascha Franck I’ll test this a bit when I have the time. Just rewired shit yesterday to have the TO in front of the Stomp. I do hit it with either high output PU’s, a boost or even a full preamp so there might be differences in sound if I adjust to not clip the input.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Really curious about whether I'm actually running into clipping with my current setups (won't be able to tell before the 1st (xmas family travel)).

 

[Richard_G]

One thing is certain: thoughtful gain staging is very important with TONEX—both in the physical chain and within TONEX (i.e., calibration of captures).

 

[Sascha Franck]

One thing is certain: thoughtful gain staging is very important with TONEX—both in the physical chain and within TONEX (i.e., calibration of captures).

I've adjusted my Tonex channel preset so captures receive the same levels in both the hardware and the plugin. Unfortunately, quite some captures are made with higher input levels in mind (especially IK's own), so there's always some kinda guesswork - or rather: trial and error - involved. But I seem to be getting along fine. Defenitely helps that I don't give a damn about authenticity.

 

[Richard_G]

I also set things up so I hit the capture the same way in both the plugin and the hardware, but I DO care about authenticity, so I aim for a level informed by the level used when the capture was made.

 

[Dimiguitar]

So I spent quite some time googling about the topic. Some say helix clips in a similar way. And one audio interface after another clip, even with their pads way down (the way described). It's an epidemic that I thought had been resolved long ago. Apparently not.

 

[Sascha Franck]

So I spent quite some time googling about the topic. Some say helix clips in a similar way. And one audio interface after another clip, even with their pads way down (the way described). It's an epidemic that I thought had been resolved long ago. Apparently not.

Tried with my Motu M2 and the stock pickups of the PRS DGT SE. With the trimpot all the way down, when I slam the bridge pickup (which I even screwed down a little bit), the max peak is around -6dB. So, given that there's quite some hotter pickups and also given that people don't want to give up whatever habits of boosting things with analog pedals, I can absolutely imagine situations where the M2 wouldn't be sufficient anymore.

Fwiw, I remember trying to clip the HX (Floor and Stomp) inputs, and IIRC, I had to hit them a lot harder to get there.

Will check with the TXO when back home.