VOX Tonelab?

[fdbk]

Right now I own a Presonus Firebox, and I record by micing amps. Soon I will be going to college, and they don't allow amps in the dorms. So I'm considering buying an amp modeler so I can have compact sound and use headphones.

I'm planning on using a 1/4" jack to 3pin adapter so I can just record directly to my firebox (can I do that???).

My question is... how accurate is amp modeling nowadays? My dad bought a Line 6 Spyder about 3 years ago and I think it sounds like sh*t.

the Tonelab has a tube for warmth... but will it be worth $300-500??

Thanks...I really need advice

 

[Sloan]

I don't have any experience with the ToneLab, but I have heard and read almost nothing but good about them.

 

[Codmate]

The TonelabSE is a great device - sounds nothing like an amp, but is far preferable to DI-ing dry.

You'll be able to produce some interesting tones with it I'm sure.

 

[ericlingus]

how about the new zoom line of amp modellers? The 400 dollar one has two tubes! instead of just one like the tonelab. I havent used or heard them though. I just looked at the specs and read some reviews(all positive).

 

[sajs]

I own a Tonelab. I think it captures the sounds of a Vox AC30 and the Fender Blkface. A lot of the Beatle tribute bands use them instead of amps.
I can not speak for the other models since I've never owned or played them.
One thing I noticed was the digital output was a bit nosier than the analog outputs. Maybe it's just my unit. I've been using the analog outputs with no problems.

 

[ocnor]

I own a Tonelab. I think it captures the sounds of a Vox AC30 and the Fender Blkface. A lot of the Beatle tribute bands use them instead of amps.

That's pretty much all the Tonelab is good for. It's distortion tones are horrible and they all sound like a cheap stomp box. If you want something that sounds more like a real amp then get a Behringer V-Amp Pro or a Pod XT.

 

[Jouni]

I own a tonelab, just bought it to fiddle around home. There's a decent variety of sounds, which most are crap, but playing around settings gets somewhere. the address in the bottom of this post contains a couple of my recordings, all done through tonelab, even some basses..

 

[sajs]

One other note is that the Factory Presets suck. You have dial in your own settings to get a decent sounding preset. That part is really easy if you hook up the Tonelab to your computer via the midi and use the Tonelab editor software program.
IMHO the Tonelab sounds better than my Behringer V-amp.

 

[lucky13]

Right now I own a Presonus Firebox, and I record by micing amps. Soon I will be going to college, and they don't allow amps in the dorms. So I'm considering buying an amp modeler so I can have compact sound and use headphones.

I'm planning on using a 1/4" jack to 3pin adapter so I can just record directly to my firebox (can I do that???).

My question is... how accurate is amp modeling nowadays? My dad bought a Line 6 Spyder about 3 years ago and I think it sounds like sh*t.

the Tonelab has a tube for warmth... but will it be worth $300-500??

Thanks...I really need advice

I'd say find a different college

Or, get a whole bunch of people together and get a house off-campus.

Never let the man stifle your creativity!!!!!!!

 

[fdbk]

So the basic consensus is that amp modeling is "okay". Well... I'm not going to spend $500 for "okay"!!!

I've heard that the Tonelab beats the PodXT in sound because the Tonelab has a tube. (But I don't know??!?!). I don't care for "interesting" effects. All I really need is some nice CRUNCH and some buttery clean.

What should I do??? I want good tone that I can use with headphones, as well as amp it if needed.

I could probably sneak in a small amp... maybe... in a box labeled "Microwave".

I know that I'm not going to get a 100w half-stack sound... but can't I get something close?

 

[Dumby]

Simulated amps

If you're going to college, and you wanna keep things relatively simple I would go direct. You may want to consider other options like a used GT-6 or something like it and you don't need a huge amp and a treated room. That's what I do for homerecording, it's keeps the set-up simple with consistentency from recording to recording (or lots of diversity if you want for that matter). As far as amp simulator's, I think their great. You do have to spend some time tweaking this and that but nothing you woulndn't do without micing a cab, and far less time. I use a GT-8 to simulate a Mashall cab. Check out my soundclick to see my results. It's lots of fun to record demos and whatnot.
Good luck!