(1) Q. What is “ToneX”?

(1) A. ToneX is an amplifier / preamplifier / gain pedal profiling technology developed by IK Multimedia.

(2) Q. How is ToneX different from “modeling” technologies such as “Amplitube” or Line 6 modeling processors?

(2) A. The “profiling” technology used by ToneX captures an instantaneous sample of the analog hardware and its current settings. The profiling itself is done through a series of audio sources (sampled guitar etc.) playing different techniques at different dynamic levels, sent through the hardware being profiled, then back to a training program to create a “model” (same word, but different technology) of the hardware and its current settings. Just as lowering the input level (guitar volume knob for example) can “clean up” an amp sound, the same can happen using different dynamics of the source samples during the capture process; and subsequently when playing through the finished model. Once an adequate group of audio samples are run through the analog hardware (amp, preamp, gain pedal etc.) and captured, the ToneX software processes this data and creates a model of the hardware. This variation in source samples during capture and training is why the final model can have some tonal variation when played with a guitar. The model is then converted to a “preset”, where controls (gain, eq, etc.) are applied to shape the capture itself; as well as effects (compressor, noise gate, reverb) that can be added after the model. The accuracy of the captured model compared to the original hardware can be as close as 95% or greater.

”Modeling” technology (Amplitube etc.) takes a different approach. All of the components and circuits of a piece of analog hardware are independently measured and modeled to produce the same frequency response, harmonic signature and gain structure in software. Those software model-components are then re-assembled into a complete re-creation of the hardware; with each component of the software having controls that were individually modeled. Thus the controls are not applied to a capture, but instead modeled themselves. This provides a bit more flexibility in tailoring the sound, but the end result is less accurate than profiling. That doesn’t mean that modeling cannot produce great sounds; it just means they won’t be nearly as close to the original.

(3) Q. What are the ToneX and ToneX One pedals?

(3) A. The ToneX and ToneX One pedals are hardware units designed to allow guitarists (bassists etc.) to bring the ToneX sounds from a computer to a live or outside studio environment to use in performance. Just like typical gain pedals on your pedalboard, the ToneX pedals can be used in the same way, with a few additional features. Depending on your preferred live setup, the ToneX pedal can simply be another pedal in your chain, setting input and output levels the same as any other pedal (instrument level or -10db). There is also the option of increasing the ToneX pedal’s output level to line-level (+4 db instead of -10db typical) to drive a power amplifier, fx return on an amplifier etc. In this scenario, the ToneX pedal might act as the last pedal in the chain; as you would not want to send a +4db output to another pedal that wants to see a -10db input level. So it is flexible in terms of routing, but it should not be thought of as an actual hardware amplifier itself, as it cannot directly drive a speaker cabinet.

(4) Q. What is the difference between a ToneX “model” and a “preset”?

(4) A. A ToneX model is what is captured from the analog hardware (amplifier, preamplifier, gain pedal). A preset is a model plus added parameters (gain control, eq, cabinet IR) plus effects (compressor, noise gate, reverb). It is the preset which is loaded onto the pedal either by dragging a model onto the pedal in the ToneX software; or by creating a preset beforehand.

(5) Q. Can I capture effects such as modulation, delay, compression and reverb?

(5) A. No. These effects evolve and react over real-time; so they do not translate to the same type of instantaneous samples captured from the amplifier (gain pedal etc.) hardware. Think of it like taking a picture of a train passing by. You won’t actually see a train moving in the final picture - just an image of it at a specific location.

(6) Q. Can I use more than one ToneX preset at a time - i.e. “stacking”?

(6) A. No. Currently, the software and pedal can only play back one preset at a time. However, some users and 3rd party developers are creating presets combining pedals with amplifiers etc. As long as all hardware captured is of some sort of gain effect, you can capture any chain of pedals and amplifiers you like.

(7) Q. Can I use my Amplitube presets on the ToneX pedal?

(7) A. No. As described above, Amplitube and ToneX use different technologies and the ToneX hardware pedal is designed to only play back presets using its own profiling technology. However, the Amplitube app and plug-in are designed to allow it to “host” (play back) a ToneX model. This may seem confusing, but it just means that Amplitibe is sort of “mixing” the ToneX model in with its own signal chain.

(8) Q. Can the ToneX pedal be used to make my own captures?

(8) A. No. The pedal is a playback device only. There is documentation on the process of capturing analog hardware to create ToneX models available through IK Multimedia. It basically requires an audio interface for routing analog audio to and from the hardware to be captured; a re-amping box to change the level and impedence of an audio interface output to instrument level for feeding an amplifier input; and if capturing from an amplifier’s speaker-out jack, a load-box for routing the high levels coming from the power amplifier output stage back to the audio interface. One can use various available hardware from other manufacturers or purchase an all-in-one interface from IK Multimedia. it is important to understand how to properly set all levels in this process to ensure the best capturing results.

(9) Q. Can I edit and save ToneX presets stored on the pedal remotely using the software app?

(9) A. This is a bit complicated to answer. Presets stored on the pedal cannot be remotely edited from either the desktop (Mac, PC) app or the iOS app. While it is technically possible to put the pedal in “audio interface mode” and pass audio from a ToneX preset residing in the desktop app through the pedal for monitoring; to save those changes to the pedal, they must first be saved in the app, then transferred to the pedal to be used on the pedal itself. Some users prefer this method because the sound they are after will be different coming from the pedal output jack than the sound coming from an audio interface and monitor speakers (or headphones) connected to their computer. The larger ToneX pedal can also perform almost any edit using the hardware pedal itself; and presets can be saved directly on the pedal, as well as backed up to the computer. This editing method is more limited and difficult on the ToneX One pedal.

(10) Q. Do I need a DI (direct box) to send my signal from the ToneX pedal to a mixing console?

(10) A. Technically, as long as the mixing console has high-impedence, mono 1/4” TS input jacks, the ToneX pedal or your pedalboard can connect directly to it. However, a DI box is not simply a device to convert TS jacks to XLR cables (which is why you might avoid just using a TS-XLR converter cable). It also converts high-impedence signals to low-impedence signals (XLR), which has a couple of key benefits. The DI box can isolate your signal from environmental noise such as 60-cycle hum, RFI (radio-frequency noise interference) and EMI (electromagnetic noise interference); plus it can preserve your tone when using long cable runs. On the latter point, the quality of your tone preserved by the DI box can vary widely depending on the quality of the DI box and its circuit. If you are playing in different venues and are unsure of the audio setup and noise issues in each venue, a DI box is a good thing to have on hand.

(11) Q. The larger ToneX pedal has two outputs. Can I have a preset use one output with a speaker cabinet IR turned on and the other output with the speaker cabinet IR turned off?

(11) A. The current pedal is not designed to do this - probably for the same reason that you cannot have more than one preset (and all of its stored settings) active at one time. IK Multimedia released the ToneX One pedal as a cheaper and smaller alternative to allow users to have two ToneX pedals on their board to use simultaneously and allow for multiple presets, configurations, stereo rigs etc.

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