IK Multimedia TONEX

[synthpenguin]

I’m usually using something similar to your described approach- like an edge of breakup/crunchy Plexi or JCM 800 tone that I’ll hit with a Klon style boost to push up into the higher gain areas.

I find it easier to start with a capture that has the gain you want and then roll the volume down for clean or add a bit of boost and dirt for higher gain.

Thank you, both of you! That’s great to hear, as that’s exactly how I’d want to approach it.

Basically, exactly what I would do with a real amp, except with the caution about not clipping the input converter.

Is the input particularly easy to clip? I mean, I know you can’t just do a huge boost like with a tube amp, but compared to something like the Helix, Fractal stuff, etc?

 

[Chocol8]

Is the input particularly easy to clip? I mean, I know you can’t just do a huge boost like with a tube amp, but compared to something like the Helix, Fractal stuff, etc?

I think it is easier to clip than Fractal or Helix, but not easy. I don't know the specs for any of them off hand. I want to say Tonex can go to 8 dbu which is pretty strong for a guitar signal, but if you are running a preamp or powerful boost, especially at 18v you could clip it.

I am running Strats with vintage wind pickups and the fender mid-boost which is a 24 db boost (or 75+ if you listen to a recent whack job who posted here) and that is OK. None of my HB's will clip it either, but they are all passive. When I use pedals for boost I usually don't add that much in level, maybe 3-6 db to push the amp a little harder, and the rest come from dirt on the pedals. I like my dirt pedals into a slightly dirty amp, but not into an already way over driven one.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

I can easily clip Helix 11.5dBu (and UAD Apollo which is 12.2dBu) with passive humbuckers and normal playing. I'd be clipping 8dBu on almost every note.

I find it easier to start with a capture that has the gain you want and then roll the volume down for clean or add a bit of boost and dirt for higher gain. Basically, exactly what I would do with a real amp, except with the caution about not clipping the input converter.

Yep. Something like a Dirty Tree adds up to 30dB of level. Im not even sure how possible it is to capture this with ToneX without using multiple instances with gain in between.

 

[Chocol8]

I can easily clip Helix 11.5dBu (and UAD Apollo which is 12.2dBu) with passive humbuckers and normal playing. I'd be clipping 8dBu on almost every note.

That's over 4 volts peak to peak. I find it very hard to believe you are getting that out of a normal passive pickup, unless they are hot as hell!

 

[MirrorProfiles]

That over 4 volts peak to peak. I find it very hard to believe you are getting that out of a normal passive pickup, unless they are hot as hell!

Definitely possible to clip with the JB. Pretty sure my 498T gets close too. EDIT: Yep, can clip 11.5 with stock 498’s.

EMG's clip internally before 12dBu but Im sure they'd clip 8dBu easily.

 

[Chocol8]

EMG 81's can put out 4 v peak, but I doubt a JB can get close. SD's data says about 700 mv, so unless you have huge strings, and the pickup mounted right up next to them it doesn't add up.

How are you measuring? I think something else is going on.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

EMG 81's can put out 4 v peak, but I doubt a JB can get close. SD's data says about 700 mv, so unless you have huge strings, and the pickup mounted right up next to them it doesn't add up.

How are you measuring? I think something else is going on.

I have JB's in several guitars and they can all clip my converters (which I usually keep at 11.4dBu but can easily change to 14.4dBu if needed. I do like to have the pickups fairly close to the strings, but they're not so close that they're pulling the strings out of tune or anything.

I don't think its too uncommon either, 12 to 14dBu is much more commonly used on DI inputs than 8dBu for that reason.

 

[Chocol8]

It is extremely uncommon for a passive pickup to output over 2 v peak. Most humbuckers are 1/4 that or less, most "hot" humbuckers are under 1 volt.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

It is extremely uncommon for a passive pickup to output over 2 v peak. Most humbuckers are 1/4 that or less, most "hot" humbuckers are under 1 volt.

What’s that measuring with though? The loudest transients will be very fast/short and probably won’t show accurately on a meter, but will clip a converter. There’s plenty of people who’ve mentioned Apollo DI’s (12.2dBu) being easy to clip at minimum gain and needing to use something else. I know Nolly has mentioned clipping his Apogee converters slightly which are set to 14dBu of headroom.

 

[Chocol8]

What’s that measuring with though?

Scopes

 

[prog n roll]

My two main guitars (Music Man JP7 and Ibanez RG1527 with DiMarzio Crunch Lab/LiquiFire) can pretty easily clip the input of the Tonex Pedal, as well as the HX Stomp input when the input pad is off. Of course, both are 7-string guitars, and the low B tends to produce some pretty loud transients.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

My two main guitars (Music Man JP7 and Ibanez RG1527 with DiMarzio Crunch Lab/LiquiFire) can pretty easily clip the input of the Tonex Pedal, as well as the HX Stomp input when the input pad is off. Of course, both are 7-string guitars, and the low B tends to produce some pretty loud transients.

Yep, it's not uncommon. I just checked all my humbucker guitars and the only ones which didn't clip were the one with EMG's (peaked at -3dBFS at 11.4dBu of headroom) and my Charvel with SD Full Shred (which is further away from the strings, and still peaked at -2.3dBFS). It'll vary based on users own gear and preferences and playing style etc but I'd be clipping 8dBu constantly.

Kemper defaults to something like 5dBu of headroom and most people don't realise it can be adjusted, and then end up with DI's that look like sausages.

 

[Chocol8]

We need to get you some thinner strings and a lighter right hand!

 

[synthpenguin]

I think it is easier to clip than Fractal or Helix, but not easy. I don't know the specs for any of them off hand. I want to say Tonex can go to 8 dbu which is pretty strong for a guitar signal, but if you are running a preamp or powerful boost, especially at 18v you could clip it.

I am running Strats with vintage wind pickups and the fender mid-boost which is a 24 db boost (or 75+ if you listen to a recent whack job who posted here) and that is OK. None of my HB's will clip it either, but they are all passive. When I use pedals for boost I usually don't add that much in level, maybe 3-6 db to push the amp a little harder, and the rest come from dirt on the pedals. I like my dirt pedals into a slightly dirty amp, but not into an already way over driven one.

Okay, that should be workable! Sounds like we have fairly similar gear leanings too, so that's a great point of reference. Thanks!

I can easily clip Helix 11.5dBu (and UAD Apollo which is 12.2dBu) with passive humbuckers and normal playing. I'd be clipping 8dBu on almost every note.


Yep. Something like a Dirty Tree adds up to 30dB of level. Im not even sure how possible it is to capture this with ToneX without using multiple instances with gain in between.

Oh wow, I never clip my HX Stomp with humbuckers, that's interesting. I had always heard people complain about this with Helix, and I was kinda worried about it before buying one, but it's not something I run into at all when not using boosts. Good to know, because that's a good point of reference too!