Im Bored. Riddle Me This. Tonex Pedal -vs- Nano Cortex ?

[Sedaxel]

Yeah, most of giutarists won´t profile anything, ever. But I think it´s not that 100% out there. My buddy isn´t going even to buy a profiling unit... however, he uses them sometimes (borrowed from me or other friends) with captures of his own amp. So... Maybe We are understimating guitarrists minds.

But Here We are discussing why anyone would pick a NC over a ToneX, aren´t We?

In my case, I chose the NC for these reasons:

1- It profiles by itself.

2- This leads to no guessing gain adjustments. This is especially important for me, since I do care a lot for accuracy to the profiled source.

3- which also leads to a LOT more reliability in profiles quality. It´s much harder to grab a bad profile in Cortex or Kemper than in any other platform using a different device to profile and play. This is quite important to me because I enjoy loading, say, a JCM900 profile while actually knowing it is behaving really closely to a real one. I can´t tell this with NAM, for instance, nor ToneX.

4- I don´t hate NDSP... actually. Call me weirdo, but I think they´re doing a great job (marketing strategies aside, of course). For me, their products (both hardware and software) are top notch. Can´t say the same about IK.

5- Size is great, hardware is great, and Android app is great.

6- Included effects sound very good. They are too few, but...

7- I´m quite confident there´ll be more effects S O O N. Or late... or never. I don´t care, I don´t need them... they would be a good bonus if they ever arrive.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Similarly there are plenty of people who are just used to the "Kemper sound" and just like how that performs.

Over here, at least given my observations, the majority of people using modelers live are still using Kempers, especially once they're also doing any kind of functional gigs. No idea whether that's a partially german thing (after all, the Kemper is developed here, german support seems top notch, etc.), but the reasons are obvious in general. It's possibly the most established platform, you can download very nice arrangements of patches (the rather simple signal routing defenitely helps with that, there's no esoteric kitchen sink patches nobody could ever reverse engineer). It's perhaps also the platform featuring the most functionality tailored to live usage (pretty much gapless switching, morphing, locked parameters, etc.). And IMO it's got an excellent onboard UI, working just fine as a "first contact" device.
All these are very important things, especially for folks who are just switching and don't want all the nerd stuff we're deep into round these parts.

 

[Jarick]

I bailed on Tonex after two days because of the horrendous software. But every comparison clip I listen to, it sounds better than the rest, and the hardware is IMO really good for it's purpose.

Assuming they fix the software, you need not only a computer but also an interface and possibly a reamp box to do captures. You may be able to just use one of their interfaces though, I couldn't find much info. And some computers take a long time to process.

Upside of the Neural is that you can do capture all on the same device fairly quickly. That's nice for when you screw something up or need a lot of captures. So if you have several amps you like, then you can capture those pretty easily.

The cloud is also super useful. I know some people don't like the concept but it's actually really great to use. Although I haven't used the Nano version.

One of the drawbacks of the Nano is you can't do multiple captures at once. That's actually pretty cool on the big unit. You can capture all your drives and amps and run a single preset with multiple drive pedals and multiple amps.

Another drawback is lack of marketplace. It's just a pain to get commercial captures.

 

[GTR37]

I think a big thing is the stand alone editor coming next for ToneX if they can fix that mess before the end of the year I think a lot of people would be willing to revisit it

As far as captures , they all do a pretty good job , none are 100% but toneX NDSP and now Hotone are all doing them well

For me as a rock guy there is just something I like about NDSP sounds the high gain and more distorted tones just have a bit of a snarl and more open whereas tonex I find a bit more subdued , although I am sure it’s tweakable

Some say the captures are like the poly ample somewhat under gained , with NDSP hi gain is never a problem

The other thing although NC only has delay , Verb , dimension , transpose those 4 sound way better to me than the effects in ToneX.

I am also trialing some of the NDSP plug in and the Nolly in particular has some great tones just in the presets
I could live there with just a few tweaks .

So despite the company and its shenanigans, I am still NDSP over ToneX at the moment , although as mentioned above a proper stand alone editor for the unit would definitely have me more interested

 

[R590]

I’m in the minority in that I tend to only use my own captures. I have both ToneX/One and QC/NC, and yes, I find the ToneX captures are a tad better. I don’t find it to be a huge difference though.

Quality aside, I find the NDSP system is simply easier and faster to use so I find myself using the QC and NC more than the ToneX boxes. Captures are easier since you don’t need as much outboard gear and the UI on the QC and NC’s app are pretty nice for basic dude like me. I didn’t think it would be a big deal, but it is quite nice doing captures on the QC and loading them straight into the NC via the mobile app from anywhere. As others have said, the ToneX UIUX is pretty rough—loading presets into the ToneX One via a mobile app would be a nice addition given its limited on-device controls.

I suppose convenience outweighs the tonal quality in my very limited use case. If you want the best ease of use in capturing and software usability, I would go Neural.

If I were looking at quality of captures (and maybe price/value) as my primary factor, ToneX all day. Doubly so if you are using your own fx that you already have and love.

 

[JCW308]

Once Neural opens up the Nano Cortex slots to any type of block, it will be a much closer race. That will be coming, guaranteed.

 

[Mongillo19]

Once Neural opens up the Nano Cortex slots to any type of block, it will be a much closer race. That will be coming, guaranteed.

Eh, idk what makes you so sure about that. The flagship unit is still waiting for complete plugin porting 3 years (?) post launch

 

[GTR37]

Eh, idk what makes you so sure about that. The flagship unit is still waiting for complete plugin porting 3 years (?) post launch

John , did say in a recent video at Guitar Summit that they were planning additions
But where that sits timeline is anyone’s guess , maybe NAMM announcement in a few months

 

[GTR37]

I’m in the minority in that I tend to only use my own captures. I have both ToneX/One and QC/NC, and yes, I find the ToneX captures are a tad better. I don’t find it to be a huge difference though.

Quality aside, I find the NDSP system is simply easier and faster to use so I find myself using the QC and NC more than the ToneX boxes. Captures are easier since you don’t need as much outboard gear and the UI on the QC and NC’s app are pretty nice for basic dude like me. I didn’t think it would be a big deal, but it is quite nice doing captures on the QC and loading them straight into the NC via the mobile app from anywhere. As others have said, the ToneX UIUX is pretty rough—loading presets into the ToneX One via a mobile app would be a nice addition given its limited on-device controls.

I suppose convenience outweighs the tonal quality in my very limited use case. If you want the best ease of use in capturing and software usability, I would go Neural.

If I were looking at quality of captures (and maybe price/value) as my primary factor, ToneX all day. Doubly so if you are using your own fx that you already have and love.

Serious question , I am using the Nolly plug in and there is a preset in there using the crunch amp it call Hot Rodded Heaven I think
How good is the NC on capturing just the Amps in the QC or the plug-ins does it work well for that ?

 

[JCW308]

Eh, idk what makes you so sure about that. The flagship unit is still waiting for complete plugin porting 3 years (?) post launch

It's already in the works.

 

[Mongillo19]

It's already in the works.

Do you have proof that specially opening up amp blocks is being worked on? I don't mean a vague "we plan on updating the unit".

Not trying to be an ass but I don't think NDSP deserves any optimism as far as updating devices

 

[GTR37]

It's already in the works.

Lvl up ? $150

 

[BenIfin]

Has IK improved the editing for the pedal

Pod 1 - 1998 - Direct Pedal Editing Since Release
Every Modeler ever released since then - Direct Pedal Editing Since Release
Tonex Pedal - Released 21 months ago - No Direct Pedal Editing however IK have already publicly confirmed that this is in the next update - better late than never I suppose.

This will make working and editing a lot easier and quicker - drag your Capture onto the Pedal and tweak via a software interface directly to the pedal loaded Capture

How this wasn't there from Day 1 is inexplicable

Even more inexplicable is that it still, to the best of my knowledge, has no Lo/Hi Cut feature in the IR/Cab/VIR Block ?!?!?!?!

 

[Sascha Franck]

Even more inexplicable is that it still, to the best of my knowledge, has no Lo/Hi Cut feature in the IR/Cab/VIR Block ?!?!?!?!

Fwiw, neither has the Boss stuff.

 

[Enchilada Jones]

I think they both would suck as the only ‘amp’ in gigging guitar players rig due to limitations.
Unless you can play a gig with one or two basic sounds.

Otherwise get something that lets you have some kind of proper visual feedback when switching sounds/effects.
For the money and trouble it would take to add outboard controller, cables, power supplies and other pedals you could get an all in one device that doesn’t need extras.

 

[Shredder777]

One of the biggest features of the NC is that it can capture on the device. It also takes takes 5 mins instead of 30+ per capture. Pretty big things for some people.

I’d still lean to the NC just based on the NDSP brand vs IK. If it was something I was actually entertaining I’d probably order both and see some tests and see what works better top to bottom in my setup. I think it would be the NC but hard to say until you’ve put them through its paces top to bottom.

I bought the ToneX Max software on sale a month ago and didnt realize it is *always* on sale. (I have not actually registered it yet, just needed to burn some MF points before they expired.) Never intending to buy the pedal.

Why? Because I'm not a gigging guitarist and a hardware modeler is for when you aren't with your DAW. If I'm messing with profiles its because its on the production side and that stuff is best done in software these days.

And also, because if you have a good interface with a DI/reamper you can do the captures with that. You don't really need profiling on the device.

Now I agree 30 minutes vs 5 minutes profiling is a big deal. I didn't even know that was the case. I feel that I will probably profile my amp settings and just use them in projects without having to burn any tubes, but that will be a once in a lifetime thing.

I'm not saying the ToneX is better at all, don't misunderstand. But in the ToneX world, the hardware isn't even a dongle, its just a way to make your sounds portable. You don't need it for profiling, don't need it to play sounds on your computer.

If I DO decide to get a profiling box, it will be the ToneX One and I will stick it in the loop of my MFX. afaict, it has low latency, second only to the NAMM player. Hopefully I can find a used one without software for $100 or less.

The NDSP stuff is great, but I think comparing it to ToneX is more akin to comparing hardware to software.

 

[Shredder777]

I feel like there's no sense buying the Tonex stuff unless you are using the hardware. NAM is free, captures is now very easy to process thanks to Tonezone3000 and you have a million VST plugins for better fx than the Tonex.

I have read that the ToneX profile ecosystem is much bigger than the NAM although I agree instead of buying Max I should have just started with that.

 

[BenIfin]

I bought the ToneX Max software on sale a month ago and didnt realize it is *always* on sale. (I have not actually registered it yet, just needed to burn some MF points before they expired.) Never intending to buy the pedal.

Why? Because I'm not a gigging guitarist and a hardware modeler is for when you aren't with your DAW. If I'm messing with profiles its because its on the production side and that stuff is best done in software these days.

And also, because if you have a good interface with a DI/reamper you can do the captures with that. You don't really need profiling on the device.

Now I agree 30 minutes vs 5 minutes profiling is a big deal. I didn't even know that was the case. I feel that I will probably profile my amp settings and just use them in projects without having to burn any tubes, but that will be a once in a lifetime thing.

I'm not saying the ToneX is better at all, don't misunderstand. But in the ToneX world, the hardware isn't even a dongle, its just a way to make your sounds portable. You don't need it for profiling, don't need it to play sounds on your computer.

If I DO decide to get a profiling box, it will be the ToneX One and I will stick it in the loop of my MFX. afaict, it has low latency, second only to the NAMM player. Hopefully I can find a used one without software for $100 or less.

The NDSP stuff is great, but I think comparing it to ToneX is more akin to comparing hardware to software.

I have read that the ToneX profile ecosystem is much bigger than the NAM although I agree instead of buying Max I should have just started with that.

If you already own Tonex MAX and you buy a "full" Tonex Pedal, I'm pretty sure you get a full or partial credit when buying the Pedal as Tonex MAX "comes with" the Pedal.

Not sure how it works with the Tonex ONE and/or what pack comes with it included, if at all.

 

[Shredder777]

If you already own Tonex MAX and you buy a "full" Tonex Pedal, I'm pretty sure you get a full or partial credit when buying the Pedal as Tonex MAX "comes with" the Pedal.

Not sure how it works with the Tonex ONE and/or what pack comes with it included, if at all.

Thanks for the heads up. Apparently if you buy direct you get a $100 discount on the ToneX pedal. So I believe it would be just $200 for the pedal based on current pricing.

The only thing is that it has twice the latency of the ToneX One, so I would have to rethink that setup. Instead of using it in the loop of my MFX, I would have to use it as a small modeler supplemented with pedals. I hadn't even thought about getting one, but for 200.. makes me think.

What I really missed out on was 99 for ToneX Max and Amplitube deal they have atm.

 

[BenIfin]

Thanks for the heads up. Apparently if you buy direct you get a $100 discount on the ToneX pedal. So I believe it would be just $200 for the pedal based on current pricing.

The only thing is that it has twice the latency of the ToneX One, so I would have to rethink that setup. Instead of using it in the loop of my MFX, I would have to use it as a small modeler supplemented with pedals. I hadn't even thought about getting one, but for 200.. makes me think.

What I really missed out on was 99 for ToneX Max and Amplitube deal they have atm.

Thanks. F.w.i.w ..... in Aug 2023, I got one of the 1st Tonex Full Pedals to land in Oz - I ran the Tonex Full Pedal in the Loop of my GT1000 and my Helix LT ... each time worked flawlessly and its real/perceived latency was never even a thought or felt in any way shape or form :)

Given you have Tonex MAX and you can get the full Pedal now on sale for $200 .... that is, i.m.h.o, a crazy no-brainer buy to work and record and play with what are essentially the top tier AI Capturing product / process.

Either way - enjoy !