take a look/listen to this.....love it !
http://youtu.be/la61gy8SPKU
My Tonelab don't sound that good. I have one of the old table top models and the only thing it is good for is cleans which it excels at.
The TLLE is superior for recording and has lots of recording friendly features, wide parameter controls, the right type of 'outs' etc.
But in terms of pure amp modeling quality the TLST and TLEX are way superior. The TLEX is gig friendly - the TLST isn't.
If Vox can bring out a unit with the features of the TLLE but the superior amp and cab modeling of the TLST/EX, they'll be onto a winner. Unfortunately, Vox seem to be dumbing down their Valvetronix & Tonelab products at the moment & aiming them at a more budget section of the market. :(
I used to have one of the desktop tonelabs. I always loved the clean sounds and the compressor on it was exceptional, but I could never really get a good distorted sound from it.
I have been looking at the new EX which is looking & sounding good.
So far I am thinking Line 6 HD Bean. Soon to be out. I have not decided yet but for recording it will replace my Tonelab Table top. I only use the modelers for recording, and the Tonelab table top is a little long in the tooth.
It bothers me buying more lin6 gear as with every new version of pod it promises the earth but never really delivers, mostly down to he cab sims. I expect that it would be very good with the cab sims offf and using impulse cabs, but I don't want to drop that amount of cash on a maybe (as I did with the axefx which still didn't give me what I was looking for) fortunately I sold that for the same price I bought it for. The best setup so fqr for me is definitely tube amp recorded direct with an impulse cab
I still think some of the best modeling tones I got was from the XT Bean. That is as I listen to my recordings. Of course the Tonelab with a tube distortion stomp in front is closer to a real tube amp miked up than anything I got from the XT, but from clips I have heard the PodHD is closer still. I can mike up my amps of course, and there is nothing like that for a reality tone, but it sure is easier to just plug into something already set up and ready.
I don't put much stock in what any company says about their products, they have an agenda and that agenda is selling..... So I don't care what Line 6 promises, because I already know they have their own interests in the forefront of their minds. I do however listen to my friends on this board and those that have the HD Pod love it..... And the clips sounded as close to a real amp as anything I have heard.
Although an amp & not a MFX, I'm hoping to try out the Fender Mustang III. Not only does it have a half decent Celestion 12" speaker, and full USB connectivity, but it's reported to have some of the best modeling tones around - the You-tube vid sounded damned impressive. And it comes with free deep edit and recording software.
I can get one for £205 new, and if this thing sounds as good in the flesh, I'm buying it. To have a 100w (OK, probably akin to 50w valve volume, but even that's pretty good) lightweight amp at 36 lbs that has everything built in with quality effects and the ability to fully tweak all parameters (not just one or two) AND be able to position the modeled pedal effects in any order inc in the 'FX loop' or direct, sounds awesome in an amp at such a ridiculously low price point.
I've only read and heard good things about these amps, and the Fender tones in particular are supposed to be superb - and these are the hardest ones to get right. I really think you guys should check it out and have a read of the manual, free Fender Fuse software, and the recording software. Plus, the firmware is fully upgradeable.
This little beauty might just have the flexibility of Line 6 gear, but with killer tone!
If this doesn't impress me in the flesh, then it's the 1x12" Laney Cub 12R all-valve combo. But having spoken to some trusted sources, even some of the die-hard all-valve purists were genuinely impressed!
I'll let you know how I get on.
Rich ;)
I looked at them Rich, I think it needs a MIDI in-out so we can hook up a real foot switch to access all the presets. One toggle foot switch is not nearly enough. That is a deal killer to me.
I am also interested in the Laney Cub 12 R. Now that is one good looking amp...... I have to get to Guitar Center and try one out one of these days.
Ack. Even with all that gorgeous gear, there is still something on the top end of the Tonelab that I don't like.
The closest to real amp sounding so far is the Pod HD (from clips I have heard). That new Tonelab is as good as the XT (maybe) but not as real amp sounding as the clips we have had here from forum members demoing the Pod HD. My Tonelab is as fizzy on the overdrives as a modeler can get. I have to stick a tube distortion device in front of a clean patch to get a decent recorded overdrive sound. The cleans are great, but the overdrives are too fizzy for my taste.
desertbluesman — Apr 21, 2011I looked at them Rich, I think it needs a MIDI in-out so we can hook up a real foot switch to access all the presets. One toggle foot switch is not nearly enough. That is a deal killer to me.
I am also interested in the Laney Cub 12 R. Now that is one good looking amp...... I have to get to Guitar Center and try one out one of these days.
The 2-button footswitch can be set for different modes including scrolling through patches - but there's also a 4-pedal switch that does much more. If I like the amp, later on I can buy the 4 pedal footswitch which comes standard with the Mustang IV/V, but not the III (although it's fully compatible). It costs £60-70 so I'm not buying it immediately in case after a 'honeymoon' period I decide not to keep the amp. In fact, you can even use the 2 and 4 switch together for even greater control.
Well Rich, I think a 4 pedal switch is good enough. I never ever use more than 3 or 4 patches anyways for live use, so a 4 button would do for that and for recording you have time to switch the patches by hand no big hurry.
Let us know how you like it if you decide to try it out.
desertbluesman — Apr 21, 2011Well Rich, I think a 4 pedal switch is good enough. I never ever use more than 3 or 4 patches anyways for live use, so a 4 button would do for that and for recording you have time to switch the patches by hand no big hurry.
Let us know how you like it if you decide to try it out.
Will do - btw I modified my last post. Also, the 4-button gives you more because it goes up/down in banks too.