Tonex Pedal....It's REAL

[James Freeman]

A good take from Sterlacci;

 

[Sascha Franck]

his future plans may not even center around the Kemper.

This. I mean, nobody knows, but he also designed the KPA pretty much out of the blue. Before he was the mastermind behind the Access Virus (another thing that sort of revolutionized some music genres). Without knowing the guy, he might as well come up with something entirely different.

 

[Sascha Franck]

I've seen people ditching their FM9 or axe fx already. I think if you are ditching a full fledged device for a $300 or $400 pedal. Maybe you shouldn't have bought a top tier flagship modeler to begin with lol

This.

And it's also rather stupid to compare any fully featured modeler with a one-trick-pony box.

I don't see either the KPA or the QC to go out of business any day soon (unless someone is releasing a new "complete" modeler challenging them). Yeah, it's not unlikely that there's gonna be somewhat less KPA sales in the recording realm - because basically people only need captures and not much around them. Perfect territory for the Tonex.
But if I was to set up a modeling live rig quickly, the Tonex likely wouldn't be a part of that rig. Sure, in case I was already using a hybrid rig (pedalboard, perhaps a loopswitcher, running into an amp simulation rather than into a real amp), the thing is very interesting, but otherwise? Give me a KPA, a bunch of decent profiles and I'll build you a touring rig in a matter of a few hours. Same for the QC. It'd only take more time in case I needed to profile my own amps beforehand - but that's the same for all of them (and the Tonex will lose that fight as well, as you need to be able to operate extra hardware, plus it also takes considerably longer).
Depending on the complexity of your patches, you'd then have to deal with MIDI messages wanting to be mapped properly and what not.
Seriously, that's no competition, yet.

 

[dronerstone]

If I were Christoph Kemper I'd hire that open source guy, move him to Germany, cut him in on a large piece of the Kemper 2 he would help us develop and have him work with the rest of everyone at Kemper. Work on porting the open source bit to the new Kemper 2 hardware that can also play the all existing Profiles. The new unit would act as a digital interface to the software that would run on PC and Mac. The software and PC/Mac would actually create the Profiles and both the software and hardware are managed by an updated Rig Manager.

Now all Kemper needs is a time machine...

Sounds like Fring's underground lab, but the other way around.

 

[laxu]

But for you people who have used component modeling all this time and were always frustrated with or resistant to the Kemper or just the idea of the Kemper, do the Tonex pedal amps sound better than what you’ve been using? I get how powerful a rig putting one in the effects send of a Stomp can be, but there’s part of me just wondering if using the HX Stomp on its own, with the highly acclaimed new cabs implementation, isn’t good enough by itself. I get that it’s different. Outside of Kemper and a ton of plugs I haven’t owned a hardware component modeler since way way back. I know the Kemper sounds great, and assume the Tonex does too, but are you guys getting into this because you’re hearing something better than what you’re used to, or because it’s a novelty and affordable?

The Tonex is certainly easier to consider as an addition or alternative, especially at its cheaper cost. All the multifx units except the HX Stomp are on the big side. You have to build your pedalboard around the unit instead of it being just another pedal like the HX Stomp and Tonex can be.

I was interested in picking up the Tonex because I don't have a direct to cab sims solution on my pedalboard. It's just more straightforward to swap my amp with a modeler if I wanted that. But as I gave Tonex app a try, I hated the software and the idea of trawling for profiles enough that I've decided to skip the pedal. It isn't the right tool for me as I don't have amps I want to profile either.

I've instead considered picking up another Strymon Iridium, if one pops up on the used market for the right price (namely cheap) if people start dropping it for the Tonex.

 

[Sascha Franck]

I've instead considered picking up another Strymon Iridium, if one pops up on the used market for the right price (namely cheap) if people start dropping it for the Tonex.

Fwiw, have you considered an Amplifirebox as well or would you need the MIDI capabilities of the Iridium?
As a plain single amp thing I find the AFB to be at least competing (and better for my personal use case). Sure, the company is super shady (to put it mildly), but the unit seems sturdy enough not to worry too much about that aspect. And at least over here, I see them going between 150-200 used.

 

[laxu]

Fwiw, have you considered an Amplifirebox as well or would you need the MIDI capabilities of the Iridium?
As a plain single amp thing I find the AFB to be at least competing (and better for my personal use case). Sure, the company is super shady (to put it mildly), but the unit seems sturdy enough not to worry too much about that aspect. And at least over here, I see them going between 150-200 used.

My whole board is MIDI controlled so that's one of the reasons why I am considering the Strymon again. Plus most of the board is Strymon's anyway so it slots right in. I have it built around the BluGuitar Amp 1 ME atm but don't feel there is a truly great cab sim solution to go with that so it seems easier to use a separate modeler if I want to run in stereo or direct.

I liked the Atomic FR 1x12 combo ("neutral" 50W tube poweramp + full range speaker/tweeter) I used to have but was never able to get the company to reply to simple questions over email or social media.

The Iridium at this point is really just a "I don't truly need it, but might buy it again if I find it cheap enough used" thing. There was someone selling one for 250 euros which is the cheapest I've seen but that got snagged almost instantly.

 

[Sascha Franck]

but was never able to get the company to reply to simple questions over email or social media.

Yeah, Atomic are the worst regarding customer support. By far even. Quite a shame as their amp modeling, at least partially, is absolutely up there with the best.

 

[laxu]

Yeah, Atomic are the worst regarding customer support. By far even. Quite a shame as their amp modeling, at least partially, is absolutely up there with the best.

Yeah it's super frustrating when you have an actually good product that is supported like crap. I have this Multibrackets monitor arm that is built like a tank and by all means a good product and I've tried to contact the company several times to ask about a few things yet they just refuse to reply. How damn hard is it to reply to some emails?

 

[JiveTurkey]

Saw some comments on some things "tone-X vs. whatever else" overnight but can't seem to find them.


For me; nothing is a "solution" to any problem. The only box I need for gigging is my GR55. Everything else is really just gravy. So BOLD proclamations are not much of a reality for me

Tone-X has been a lot of fun. Mixed with some legitimate frustration which has been assisted with by IK themselves. I generally don't do CODAs because I know better than that. I might be excessive on my "midi controller" purchases but that's another story

 

[JiveTurkey]

Without having a channel of your own, I still think there’s a performative element to your process of exploration. Anyway I’m entertained!

I've got a voice for silent film and a face for radio

 

[IK Multimedia]

are you guys getting into this because you’re hearing something better than what you’re used to, or because it’s a novelty and affordable?

That's a bit (mis)leading... TONEX can (and is often regarded as) sounding as good as or better than current profiling options AND it is affordable. Things can be both. I guess if we charged more we might impress some people who can't believe something can be reasonably priced and top of class profiling tech? And this isn't IK saying it, you can find plenty of people who feel it isn't a novelty that it keeps up or outpaces the profiles that are currently out there.

Sorry but you're accusing people of being a bit binary about the "this or that" then you present this very binary take. I find that a bit disappointing.

 

[pipelineaudio]

I guess if we charged more we might impress some people who can't believe something can be reasonably priced and top of class profiling tech?

This was actually one of the craziest sheeple things that was happening with REAPER early on...We really couldn't believe it, but it was true, people were insisting for us to make it more expensive so people would think better of them or to raise confidence or whatever, insanity

 

[IK Multimedia]

This was actually one of the craziest sheeple things that was happening with REAPER early on...We really couldn't believe it, but it was true, people were insisting for us to make it more expensive so people would think better of them or to raise confidence or whatever, insanity

Ah yes, it is almost too low-priced for its own good as well to the point I forget about how great a deal it is and happily update after the x versions have run out - and I only use it for testing plugins and scratch projects typically. Of course my pet peeve of people saying "Get Reaper, it is free" still remains and I correct people on our forum or when it is in reference to a recommendation aside one of our products but it irks me because it really is only $60

 

[IK Multimedia]

Back off dude. You're way off, at least with me, seemingly as usual. I'm not accusing anyone of anything. Despite you, I continue to support in post after post, the major accomplishment of IK in delivering this product at a beyond fair price.

All I'm asking is if people are liking their amp tones from ToneX more than the amp tones they've been achieving with their previous component modeling platforms. Why is that so hard to get? A lot of people talk about the price. People who were reticent about the concept in 1700 or 2k devices seem to be more willing to try it and I'm interested in their experiences. It was never a Kemper vs or cheap vs ..

Unlike most people on these forums, I've always hated corporate reps engaging cagily on these sites, mainly because it has always been self-interest. And that goes for incredibly nice people, like Frank, not just the ones accusing supporters of their products of not supporting them in the right way. Sheesh.

I've done nothing of the sort, I'm not accusing you of anything I'm pointing out that you make the same kind of assumptions that you have stated others are making. I'll "back off" if I've violated any rules but I'll let moderators decide that. I don't think I said anything that wasn't true or was any way aggressive. I apologize if you feel it was, that's not my intention and I guess it is easy to imply tone in text posts but there simply isn't any tone to my post. Just a couple of statements.

And "all you are asking" is something that I pointed out has been answered many times over by users in this thread, forum, and elsewhere for months since TONEX was released. According to users of other profile-based products, TONEX is as good or better, overall, in their opinions posted all over. Just that, nothing more, "no aggro" as the kids say.

 

[fretworn]

There’s also plenty of examples of technological innovations in electronics becoming less expensive or aging out. That’s not to take anything away from Kemper or the utility the device has provided.

Now that there’s competition in the amp snapshot segment it will be interesting to see how he proceeds.

CD burners …

Early in my music career buddy and I almost paid $50k, something like in 1989 for a Yamaha CD burner.

Nine years later, you couldn’t give them away.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I'll chime in RE: Creative and IK.

There's a great vid showing null test results between the 3 platforms doing profiling/capturing. Tone-X "beats" the other two. Pretty impressive.

That being said; the price point is what pulled me in. I don't need another $2k flagship. So both things can be true or a factor in purchasing decisions.

 

[IK Multimedia]

I'd still like to hear from folks I've been interacting with regularly for a decade

You have. They are posting here all the time (yes, answered far more than once). And I've been interacting with forum folks for over a decade too and even under my IK moniker I participate in non-IK topics on forums all the time. I'm generally interested, but since my user name has IK affiliate I understand there is some doubt and even aggression at times. Nothing I haven't been fielding for over a decade... :)

Suggesting I get a life is really low, by the way. But I get the aggression, I suppose. Enjoy controlling the conversation in the "communities" from which you want to ostracize others.

 

[Gearzilla]

If it's okay with you, I'd still like to hear from folks I've been interacting with regularly for a decade who are new to the platform about their experience with IK's products, their motivations, their uses, their favorite tones, and yes, their current frustrations and hopes for future developments of the platform. I've only ever invested money in gear that was earned from my creative pursuits, and I've always been a huge fan of those rare products that come in at a fair price for pros and regular people alike.

If you're interested in only hearing questions answered once, I strongly suggest you get a life, because that's not the nature of these communities.

It’s good enough. I would like to see 3rd party IRs level better/easier. Liked having the option as a plugin for the DAW prior to the Pedal being introduced. I think the Tonex pedal offers a nice option to integrate with a variety of pedals I have outside of the DAW environment when I don’t feel like plugging in an amp.

One of my kids is starting to play guitar so the Pedal can do double duty. Not planning on giving anything else up while integrating snapshot capability, and I’ve had a Toaster in the past for a bit. For me I’m not interested spending a lot to add the snapshot function. So the price point was pretty significant in the uptake.

 

[Gearzilla]

Suggesting I get a life is really low, by the way. But I get the aggression, I suppose. Enjoy controlling the conversation in the "communities" from which you want to ostracize others.

Think that’s a bit of a stretch on your part regarding creative360.

* well, not any longer after revisiting the post.