(1) How do I set all of my input and output levels on the ToneX (large) pedal?

The first consideration is your signal chain - i.e. what order are you putting the ToneX (large) pedal relative to any other pedals or amplification. Depending on where you place the pedal, some volume adjustments may differ.

There are 4 basic volume controls on the ToneX pedal (not including the "Gain" knob", which is really part of the overall tone of the amp model). Note: any reference to standard decibel (“db”) levels may not necessarily correspond to the volume levels (numbers) displayed on the ToneX pedal. They should be used as a standard reference only. Here are the controls and what they do:

1) (Global Settings) "Input Trim" - this control is mainly to get your guitar signal into the pedal at a proper level so that it can drive the presets with some dynamic range and fullness without clipping the A/D converter (causing unwanted distortion). Do NOT think of this as you might think of the input volume control on a tube amplifier; where some players choose to set that volume at the “edge of breakup”. That is the purpose of the “Gain” parameter for each preset. The input trim control should be set only for a clean tone, without any breakup in order to avoid digital clipping. It is designed to match the specific output level of your guitar with the pedal. You can set this by ear; or you can use the basic metering of “lo / hi” in the ToneX display. Pro-tip - if you are clipping a clean preset, it is probably set too high.

Here is one reliable method for setting the input trim on the ToneX: (a) start with the trim up 1/4 to 1/2 way, just so that you don’t clip the input stage or A/D converter with your first note. (b) Choose a super-clean sound that you do NOT want to distort. (c) Gradually increase the input trim until you DO distort the clean tone. (d) Reduce the trim gradually, play a note, repeat until your loudest attack can no longer distort the clean sound.  That’s basically your “sweet spot”.  Or at least your MAX input trim setting.

2) (Global Settings) "Main Volume" - this controls the global output of the pedal for BOTH the bypassed and active settings on the presets. What does that mean for your setup? This is the level you will set to drive the next pedal, amplifier input, DI box etc. Whatever that NEXT piece of gear is, it is important that the it sees a level that is optimal for its input. So, if your ToneX is your last pedal before, say, the FX return on some amplifiers or the input stage of a power amplifier, you might set it higher (up to about +4db or line level) than you would if you had placed it on your pedalboard in between other effects pedals. In that case, your Main Volume probably should be set somewhere around instrument level (about -10db). And if you use the preset-bypass feature of the pedal (typically when feeding an amplifier’s preamp input), the (-10 db) instrument level setting would also probably be your best choice.

3) “Model Volume” (lower-left parameter knob, second function) - this controls the relative volume of each preset. Thus it shoud be adjusted and SAVED to the preset so that you have balanced levels between presets.

4) “Volume” (lower-right knob) - this controls the master output of all presets ONLY. It is NOT saved with presets and is always active. Thus, once you have properly-balanced Model Volume settings between presets, you will use this knob to make sure the preset levels are matched to your bypassed level (if you are using that or if you use the ToneX pedal in a switchable loop) by adjusting this knob. CAUTION: because this knob is always active, to avoid accidentally changing your pedal volume (with your hand or foot), it is a good idea (during performances) to use the "LOCK MODE" by pressing the preset and parameter knobs at the same time. Repeat to unlock.

I hope this helps you optimize your ToneX setup.



(2) What are my options for placing the ToneX pedal(s) into my guitar signal chain?

The reason we discussed levels in (1) above is because once we decide WHERE to place the pedal in the chain, we need to adjust input and output levels to match our desired hardware configuration. When audio levels are properly matched, we have several choices where to insert the ToneX pedal.

1) As simply another gain-type pedal on your pedalboard, running into a guitar amp. This is the easiest conceptually, as we only need match the ToneX input and (mainly) output levels as per the rest of our pedals; which is likely somewhere around (-10db - instrument level). As to which effects in the ToneX preset we use and how much, nothing is illegal. But there are some points to consider: (a) sometimes an IR speaker cab has a nice sound through an amp, but more likely won’t sound good simply because a lot of IR captures lose immediacy in the sound stage. (b) Reverb. Very little, if any so that you can put reverb near last in your pedalboard chain. (c) Compression - to taste. You know your system and playing style. Bottom line is that sometimes we want the ToneX to only be part of the total sound. With the new effects (new reverb, delay, chorus, phaser, flanger, rotary, tremolo), you will have even more options, but generally best to place any modulation or time-based effects after overdrive or distortion as a rule of thumb.

2) As a pedalboard-direct-to-recording or live mixing console rig. In this case, we have a few options. If we are modifying the pedalboard configuration (above), we can either keep the same drive-modulation-time-based fx type signal chain, OR we can make the ToneX pedal more like a final amplification stage of our chain. Either can work on its way to a DI box. As to the output level setting on the ToneX, often times, sound engineers may not want a +4db feed from the guitar; as they may have their channels set up for -10db. Again, this is why we need to be ready to adjust to the venue and ready to level-match everything. So when we do decide to run the ToneX last and pretend it’s a real amp at the end of the pedal chain, we would likely follow that with a DI box for best results on its way to the console. Most DI boxes can accept a standard range of db input levels; so anything from -10db to +4db should work.

3) As a preamplifier stage preceeding a power amp or an fx return on a guitar amp. In this case, we are simply replacing the DI box (above) with a power amplifier / speaker combination. Many power amps will take a +4db input level; but make sure you know the nominal input level for your amp’s effects return jack - if you are using it. Some are set to -10db and others are set to +4db. As a general rule of thumb, a +4db output level from your ToneX will offer a higher signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio than -10db, simply because you have a higher range. But sometimes it just works better at -10db. Once you know your gear and your venues, that will take some of the guesswork out of your default setup.

Final note: we often get caught up in the sound of the pedalboard signal chain and forget that if sending the output to an amplifier (guitar amp, PA, power amp etc.), the sound is not finished “baking” until it reaches our ears. When deciding whether to amplify our pedals with flat-frequency speaker systems (PA, FRFR etc.), solid state or tube guitar amps, or something else, remember that each component that preceeds our ears has an effect on the final sound that reaches our ears. And how your instrument sounds in a room will depend on both your gear, the room, the style of music, the ensemble and your playing technique. It’s a synergistic whole. Thus, when selecting an amplification system for one or more venues, do yourself a favor, put down the specs, pause the YouTube video, and just use your ears.

Happy tone-sculpting!

For even more ToneX information, please see our ToneX Q&A by clicking HERE…