Vox ToneLab

Apart from the actual sound of the unit, the usability factors (the control layout, patch system, LED readout, etc..) are pretty decent. You can get to just about everything (except from the noise reduction circuit) from the front panel, including the modulation, reverb, and delay settings. I had no problem learning all the functions quickly, and for the most part I'm happy with the way everything is laid out.

Background: I'm an avid user of modeling tools, mainly because I live in an apartment and can't make a lot of noise. I have a PODxt, a Behringer V-Amp2, a Johnson J-Station, and a Digitech Genesis, as well as old-generation direct-to-console products like an ADA MicroCab and a H & K red box. I've been waiting for this ToneLab device for some time, especially since I have been using a few real tube amps as of late and I've been becoming more and more disappointed with the sounds I'm getting from these devices.

My main gripe with current modelers, especially the PODxt (since that one proves to be the best bet in most cases), is a kind of rumbling, digital cloud of sound I get in the background of any model I use that's distorted. If you've used modelers for a while, you may know what I mean -- it's not distinctly evident, but rather a dark, background presence that is definitely NOT produced by a tube amp. It's funny--I can make the POD (or even the J-Station) sound almost exactly like a miked cab, but I can always pick it out of a blind track because of this dull, murky, digital haze I can hear vaguely looming in the background.

So, enter this Vox deal. It appealed to me because it uses a tube to simulate the POWER AMP stage, which I've never heard of before in regards to modeling products, so I thought I'd try it and picked one up locally for $419.00. Following are my first impressions, produced via a Fender American Standard Strat and a Gibson Les Paul Standard with Burstbucker pickups:

I've been using it now for about three days, and despite a few shortcomings that I'll mention later, I think it's the best modeling device I've ever heard. First off, it's more tube-like than the others, especially if you are one of those players who uses the volume knob on the guitar to bring the distortion up or down - it really cleans up very similar to a tube amp without sounding digital or weird. Next, the big difference is a knob called "VR Gain", which is suppose to simulate the behavior of a power amp in many of the claimed amp models. Using this knob in conjunction with the regular gain knob, the device allows you to really alter the models and add a welcomed amount of complexity to the distortions. At one point, when I was adding more distortion to a model using these two knobs, I looked over at the level meter on my console and noticed that it was only increasing slightly when I was doing this - the complexity added to the guitar tone made it seem much louder to me that it the actual output, which is excellent. Finally, the amp models were reasonably accurate, and the clean sounds were very warm and real.

Seems solid, but no real info here. I've only had it for a short time.

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Some of these are very opinionated, but heres's my list of plusses and minuses:

plusses:

1. Best distortion sounds, hands down, and no cloudy digital noise.
2. Well-thought out, low-complexity usability
3. Good feel on most of the knobs
4. Stompbox models were accurate as to be expected, particularly the Rat and Tube Screamer emulations
5. Although not as versatile as other modeling units, the modulation, delay, and reverb units sounded good to me. I particularly liked the sound of both the high and low tone controls on the reverb tails.
6. The tremelo is really good if you're a tremelo kind of guy.
7. Excellent manual

Minuses:

1. By far the biggest problem is that there's not quite enough bass response coming out of the unit, especially on the Marshall emulations. Now, I know these units are suppose to produce a model of a miked cab at the end of the chain, which doesn't sound as "bassy" as sitting next to a closed-back cabinet, but still, I felt that overall the bass response should have been considerably stronger when cranking the bass knob up all the way. I remedied this by going into a Mackie mixer and increasing the bass there before going into my DAW, which gave me the result I was looking for. I'm sad that I will have to do this every time, but I suppose you can't have everything.
2. The acoustic model setting, although probably as decent as the other modelers, will not knock your socks off
3. The Blackface distortion, although very nice sounding at low levels, didn't seem to accurately model the fender twin sounds in my opinion
4. There's not as many amp and cab models as some of the other units
5. As someone mentioned on Harmony Central, there's no ping-pong delay setting, which a lot of players like, especially for soloing
6. The chicken-head amp knob was relatively high-tension, while the identical knob used for cab models was extremely low-tension, which was awkward at times until I got used to it.
7. There's a "standby" switch, which you would assume would keep the unit on (and keep the tube warm), but instead just seems like an on/off switch. Sort of silly to name it "standby" when it's just a power switch.
8. Unlike the PODxt or V-Amp, but similar to the J-Station, the Tonelab unit does not offer any way to quickly determine the current settings of each amp-based control knob (gain, vr gain, bass, mid, treble, etc...) when you change patches. For example, let's say I've got all the amp knobs set to 10, and then I reach over and change to a different patch--although the amp knobs are all physically still at 10, what you're hearing is actually whatever settings the amp knobs were saved at when the patch was last saved. If you grab one of the knobs and move it, you then get control over the knob parameter, and the display also indicates a value between 1-10, but you've got to do that one at a time to see how everything's set up. On the PODxt, there's a graphic detail of each knob on the display, and the Vamp2 uses LED lights.


So here's the big summary:


Without a doubt, this device is a vast improvement over the other modelers on the distortion side. Not only does it use a tube to emulate the power amp stage, which is pretty unique, but it also uses a real ciruit to interact with the power amp (sort of like an attenuator) and emulate the behavior of a speaker driven to different levels, at least according to the manual. Whatever it's doing, it sounds spectacular, especially in that middle area between full-on overdrive and clean. If all you are doing is generating completely clean sounds, you may be better off with a cheaper unit, but otherwise, this device is tonally superior than anything else I've heard, as long as you have the ability to increase the bass response externally.

Couldn't be easier. Turn some knobs just like your favorite amp and you're off. Good manual.

Modified strat w/ humbuckers and a floyd rose into the ToneLab into VHT tube poweramp into Genz Benz G-Flex 2x12 re-equipped with vintage 30's. I must say I'm a little surprised by the reviews thus far on the ToneLab. They don't seem to be as glowing as I thought they would be. I've never met anyone more critical of gear than me and I've yet to be let down by the ToneLab. Clean tones are airy and plump, dirty tones are fat and dynamic. I don't use the cabinet simulations as I prefer the tone of the actual vintage 30's in my cab. Effects are excellent in general and are highly adjustable. The reverbs are the weak link IMHO. I wish the reverbs had an adjustable decay time instead of just hi and lo damping. The pedal effects are uniformly outstanding! I love them all. The U-vibe in particular is killer! The overdrive pedals are very natural sounding. I've encountered absolutely no noise problems at all. I don't know why, but I seem to like the ToneLab more than the Valvetronix amps. I know the technology is the same, but they don't seem to sound the same. Must be the poweramp and speakers? I highly recommend a tube poweramp and actual guitar speakers for this unit as I feel they play the biggest role in your overall tone. I never rate a 10 in this catagory as rating a 10 would suggest that the gear does everything you want...impossible! I can give a 9 though because the ToneLab never sounds fake or digital at all! All of it's tones are highly useable. Certainly can't say that about Line6.

Built like a tank. Aside from replacing a ten dollar 12ax7 every three years, I don't see any issues here.

Never dealt with them, but I've heard horror stories.

Playing almost 20 years. Try to play all styles. As stated above, the only drawback for me is lack of reverb variety and adjustability. What matters most, the tone...rocks! I have owned or played just about everything out there. All the modeling gear...Zentera, Vetta, Cybertwin etc... Not to mention some of the most expensive and rare boutique amps...Diezel, Engl, Bogner, Egnater, all the Marshall and Boogie stuff and lots of others I can't even remember. The ToneLab is just as if not more impressive than any of the afformentioned amps. Nothing is all things to all people, but the Vox delivers big time for me. And at $450 it's a no-brainer.
Try it!

This is an update to a previous post about the Tonelab. After spending 2 1/2 weeks programming and gigging, it's going back. The interface is great, editing is easy,etc, but the sounds are not there.

Using a custom built Strat with 2 VanZandt Vintage Plus single coils and a TB14 hb. This thing sounds nothing like a Valvetronix amp. I had to roll off the treble control to 1-2.5 just to approximate a warm sound on clean, and the distorted tones weren't much better. I've been using a Korg PX4 in anticipation of the Tonelab, and I would have MIDI and other features later, but I can't get the Tonelab to sound anything like I want. On the plus side, the effects are very good and sound like the originals pretty much.

This unit is very microphonic and sensitive to hum and buzz, and it randomly emits popping sounds. I turned on a ceiling fan in another room and got a loud pop from the Tonelab. I feel very shaky about its long-term reliability.

I can generally get through to someone at Korg/Vox and they are reasonably helpful. I don't know about service.

The concept and marketing are great, but the unit doesn't measure up to the hype. I don't know if I got a defective unit or a bad production run, but this thing sounds as bad as the Digitech GNX-2 I had for a while-brittle and flat, not sustain or singing quality. I have been playing for many years and play various styles from classical guitar to hard rock to funk to jazz. This thing will not cut it for me.
Also, the built-in tuner has no mute feature (?!). I called tech support and you have to buy THEIR overpriced pedal to have a tuner mute. The tech said just turn down the channel volume! I think this was the last straw for me.

This unit is very simple to navigate. Knobs are right where they need to be. Editing patches is ver simple. Read the manual and you are on your way.

My setup is a Strat + deluxe (Lindy Fralin pu!|s), Acoustic 127 2x12 combo, also used through Fender Hotrod Deville. I play in a blues/rock/cover band and need versatile gear. I gig approximately 10 times a month. I spent nearly 4 hours tweaking this unit to get what I thought was a half way usable tone. At LOW volumes, it sounds half way good. Herein lies the problem. The vox tonelab did not even come close to meeting my needs in a live situation. Turned up to levels that will cut through the mix, it sounded sterile on some settings, did not clean up well on other settings, and for the most part, it sounded as though someone threw a wet blanket over my amp.

In the effects department, it is not versatile enough to really get all you have paid for in this unit. It holds you back if you have your mind set on running tube OD, u-vibe at the same time. Sure you can turn up the amp gain, but why should you have to it a $500 unit. It should do it all, but sadly falls short. I should mention that for the last 2 years have been using the Boss GT-6 and I have not even used a fraction of all this pedal is capable of. I bought the Vox because I was looking for something new. This unit sounds ok but that!|s the problem. Just ok. It did not nearly sound $568 (with control pedal) better than the Boss GT-6. To honest, it didn!|t even hold a candle to the capabilities of the GT-6. (at only $350). I am not posting this review to slam the Vox pedal. Don!|t get me wrong folks, I REALLY wanted to like this pedal. I normally do not post review but I have used this site to get insight on gear that I have been considering, and I feel I owe it to the public to let folks know what they may be getting into.

Here is the other kicker, as if I was not disappointed enough in the tone, when I stopped playing to take a break, I heard this loud popping and hissing sound coming from this pedal and my amp. My gear has never made that sound before. Yes, I checked cables & so forth. Thank God I brought my GT6 as a back up. Never had the problem again. I do gig without a backup but not with this pedal.

I did not have to deal with customer support. Thank you Guitar Center.

I play blues/rock/cover tunes/originals. I have been playing 20+ years. I believe I pretty much nailed the overall rating in the tone sections.
So to sum it up.

?h This pedal at the steep price fell way below my expectations of a $400 and above pedal. I would not even pay $100 for this pedal.
?h It couldn!|t hold a candle to my GT6 in the versatility and tone department.
?h I REALLY wanted to like this pedal. I normally do not post review but I have used this site to get insight on gear that I have been considering, and I feel I owe it to the public and music community to let folks know what they may be getting into.
?h This may be an isolated incident, but there was this horrible, disgusting, popping, buzzing & hissing noise coming from this unit when it was not in use at the time.
?h I am not worried about it being lost or stolen because I returned it to Guitar Center.
?h Would I buy it again or recommend it to anyone? Hell no. This unit would probably wig-out and kill somebody. I honestly think that this unit would not hesitate to leave you hanging at a gig.

The knob layout makes this very easy to use. I only read the manual out of curiosity to see if I could use a midi controller for the wah-wah. (I can)

Using the TL with a Peavey Keyboard amp, or a set of Roland MA-8 computer speakers. I am actually mounting the TL and the Rolands in a box so it is like a stereo amp, for when I don't feel like hauling around my Carvin.

PROS
Right away I loved the sounds. I mostly am into cleans and blues. Cleans (JC and Blackface are very good). Of course the Vox sounds are nothing short of awesome. The Univibe is great. The valve reactor knob lets you adjust the 'sag' of an overdriven tube amp. I really like this feature. You can actually have 4 effects at once if you get your distortion in the preamp section, then you have a pedal selection + modulation + delay + reverb. Noise is not a problem for me.

CONS
The rectifier patch isn't great, however the American overdrive setting can be coaxed into giving the chug chug Metallica sound. The unit as a whole could have more bass response and a little less treble. No ping pong stereo delay - I really miss that. Reverb and rotary are stereo effects. The TL does not sound good thru my Carvin Belair, and I've tried using the input and the effects return.

Only had it for a month, but it sure seems sturdy and heavy. The 12ax7 is used as an ouput sag tube, not a preamp tube, and I would think it would be good for a year or two. It comes with an Electro Harmonix tube. I find it funny that the TL has a standby switch (it is really a power sw I think). It does take a few seconds to warm up when you connect the power.

I have no experience here.

I mostly practice Jazz and Blues, a little metal. Fan of Pat Metheney and Pat Martino. I have played for 25 years. I own a mexi-strat, Variax, Fender acoustic, Ibanez Roadstar and soon a Washburn J-6s. I am primarily a keyboard player. I also have a V-amp and computer recording setup with Delta 44 and N-Track.

If it were stolen I would buy it again, although I would check out the BOSS GS-10. I compared it side by side to my Vamp2 which I like, but the fidelity of the TL seems much better to me than the Vamp or PODxt. I don't hear that treble notch around 3k so much, that the other modellers have. Also I don't get that flat distant feel that I sometimes perceive with the PODxt.

I've only had the unit for several days, but here's my initial opinion: The presets are OK, but obviously slanted toward showy marquee names and too much effects. The basic sounds are very amp-like and musical, and I found none of the digital haze around the tones that are apparent in Line 6 and Digitech products. The effects are very pedal-like, and again musical. The controls lead you to sounds that are familiar and natural to a player used to using pedals in front of an amp.

Most controls are visible on front panel with the exception of some tweaks accessible through software. MIDI in/out, SPDIF out, stereo TRS balanced out, headphone jack. Very easy to program and tweak on the flay.

The tube is in a plexi cover that could break if smashed hard, but otherwise it looks very sturdy. The power supply is a hoss. I've never had a pedal or digital modeler fail at a gig.

My dealings with Vox/Korg have been mixed, and I have seen postings about Valvetronix repairs that make me shudder.

So far, I love it. Even without programming I can use it at a gig on a limited basis. The clean sounds are bright and shimmery and the distortions have a very tubey fatness. I look forward to the finished sounds.

EXTREMELY EASY! The knobs are very easy to figure out. It also has a sw editor but I did not use it.

I am running an Ibanez S470 through the Tonelab to a pair of powered monitor speakers Event PS-8.

The sound quality is good. I like my Line6 POD 2.0 better as far as Amp and cabinet simulations go but the effects on the Vox are better. Also the VOX has digital output but I found the Vox a bit noisy compared to POD and JStation.

I even bought a J-Station (new for $99) for comparison and I have to say the JStation gave the VOX a run for the money.

The Vox did not have enough bottom end. The mid control on the EQ did not affect the tone that much.

The distortions are pretty good but nothing great.

No problems.

I play funk/classical/hard rock music. Been playing for 21 yrs.
Unfortunately this Vox is going back to the store.