Joe Rogers TONEX Presets

[Jon Jaffe]

This is a review of Joe Rogers's amplifier presets for TONEX. Others have already reviewed the TONEX pedal itself. I will review the TONEX presets for live use only; I don't use them for recordings. Joe gives a discount for purchasing more than one preset. You can email Joe for his price list.

I purchased six: the Nashville 400, the Little Walter, the Nashville 112, the ShoBud, the Revelation Preamp, and the Twin Reverb. Each contains multiple amplifier versions with different speakers and little surprises, such as the Revelation Preamp, including the Octal Preamp.

The Nashville 400 preset contained a version of Jim Lossberg settings and different amplifier sections.

I found them to be plug-and-play. You set the volume and reverb, and they are ready to go. I found them remarkably like the original amplifiers, though I have not owned a Twin Reverb, Revelation Preamp/ Octal, or ShoBud.

My three favorites were the ShoBud with the Johnny Cox settings, the Octal preamp, and the Nashville 400. Of course, preferences may vary.

[Greg Cutshaw]

What amp did you use these with and how was it set up. FRFR amp or FOH setup?

[Jon Jaffe]

I used an FRFR amplified speaker—the Fender FR-12.

[Greg Cutshaw]

That's great information! I have been looking at the FR-12:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... ar-cabinet

Have not had any luck with current amps with ToneX but it's been great with headphones and recording. Gotta get me some of Joe's presets.

[Jon Jaffe]

I have used it with a 12-inch Quilter TT and a Milkman 12-inch Half and Half. For a high-end response, nothing beats the FR-12. It comes with two speakers: a 12-inch woofer and a tweeter. It's different from the average PA speaker with a tweeter. Fender designed it for instrument amplification, not for vocals.

[Bob Hoffnar]

I've used a QSC monitor speaker like that and it sounded great.

[Darvin Willhoite]

I bought an FR-12 on Jon's suggestion, and it sounds great with my old Zoom G3. I'm still setting up my Tonex so I haven't tried the FR-12 with it yet, I was waiting for the new software to come out.

[Mike Neer]

I’ve been using the QSC CP8 since I want to listen more closely to the impact of IRs on the amplified sound. I usually plug in to the effects return of my Roland JC-40, and I’m trying to see if I am missing anything, like trying to see if I can recreate the same “punch” of specific loudspeakers. So far I haven’t gotten very close. But it is all so intriguing.

[Jon Jaffe]

I had a QSC CP8 for a few days before the FR-12. I could not tame the highs. I can try different cabs with Joe's presets and hear the results clearly in the FR-12. Some of the presets are just as good with or without cabs.

[Brad Sarno]

I recently got the little Tonex One. It's so impressive, wow. Just did the update so I can take advantage of a little tape delay and nicer plate reverb with pre-delay. Trying this setup for an upcoming few gigs. NO rig on the floor, just a Black Box MINI (coming soon) thru a volume pedal into the Tonex ONE into a Furlong SPLIT.

Where can I get Joe's amp models for this? Currently using the factory 57 Twin, and it's kinda nice. Speaker IR turned off.

[Jon Jaffe]

Email Joe or PM him. And he will get back to you in an instant.

[Mike Neer]

I had a QSC CP8 for a few days before the FR-12. I could not tame the highs. I can try different cabs with Joe's presets and hear the results clearly in the FR-12. Some of the presets are just as good with or without cabs.

I have to say, I felt the same way about the CP8 until I started using IRs and finding the right ones. Without IRs, it sounded like plugging directly into the mixing console, with all the super high frequencies. But I am using some IRs from York Audio that do a terrific job of taming the highs and offering a pretty good recreation of the specific speakers I like. When I use my Roland amp, I bypass the cabs (IRs).

[Mike Neer]

Another thing that I'm trying to learn to do is get a sum mix of multiple IRs so it gives a more balanced and realistic sound. Some mics have specific frequency bumps and when you can combine a Royer and another mic, it has a fuller sound that can cut.

Anyone have any experience with this? I just want to say as someone who abandoned most of the old technology because of its unreliability, I am really enjoying these advances. I've used modelling amps for a long time, even from the early Boss 1/2 rack units (can't remember the model) and back in the days when I was gigging a ton playing guitar, and if you have the right speakers, you can make any of it sound great. The technology today is fascinating and the challenge is trying to get that new technology to sound great in acoustic environments / real world stages.

[Paddy Long]

Hi Brad I presume you run the App on a iPad or phone ?? I'm looking at the Tonex One myself .... I would be very interested in your view of it's practicality on the job once you've had a chance to play it out !!
cheers Paddy

[Jon Jaffe]

Paddy, you run the TONEX One by itself. You set it up on a PC, either Mac or Windows. I just used it on a gig last night. Switching between three presets was easy. My presets, all from Joe Rogers, 1. ShoBud amp reverb only. 2. ShoBud amp reverb and delay. 3. Match Bro.

I said using the TONEX live was easy, but setting up the presets requires a large learning curve. And without a separate audio interface, it is cumbersome. Thankfully, Joe's presets are pre-washed and ready to eat once installed.

I had first purchased the TONEX pedal and returned it for the TONEX one. I am glad I did the TONEX one clips on my steel. I can power it with my iPhone or a rechargeable backup battery. The only thing that's connected to an electrical outlet is my amp.

My setup is Steel-->Sarno Freeloader-->Pot Vol Pedal-->Tonex-->Fender Powered Speaker.

I downloaded the iPhone app, but I don't know really what it does.

[Marty Broussard]

[Paddy Long]

Jon how did you like the Matchbro capture ??

[Jon Jaffe]

Excellent! To my ears.

[Darvin Willhoite]

I just got some of Joe's captures but I haven't had time to work with them yet. What I did do was similar to what Brad did, I took the Twin Reverb model, added a little compression, changed the reverb to plate, and added a little delay. I called it demo 1, then I added a chorus to the same preset and saved the modification as demo 2. I added them to my Tonex 1, hooked it up to my steel, a Straight Ahead power amp, into a 12" Eminence Neo speaker in a closed back, ported cabinet, just for a quick tryout. WOW, I was amazed at how good it sounded. Next, I'll add Joe's models to my Tonex pedal and see how I like it. I have a Fender FR12 that I'll try with the pedal which I'm sure I'll like.

[Larry Dering]

Question on the Tonex One pedal. Does it come with the software and editor or is that a separate purchase? The larger Tonex pedal is on sale for 299.xx and doex include software. I know Joes captures are separate.

[Jon Jaffe]

Both the TONEX pedal and the TONEX One come with specific software, which has a steep learning curve. You must also purchase a separate hardware audio interface to preview and customize the "presets" efficiently.

But with the TONEX One, you have an amazingly compact preamp that I clip to the leg of my steel like Brad. And I power it with an iPhone rechargeable backup battery.

[Larry Dering]

Thanks Jon. I like the form factor and size. I'm aware of the steep learning curve on editing. That's not an issue for me. What hardware interface are you using?

[Jon Jaffe]

Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen USB Audio Interface

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... -interface

[Paddy Long]

That shouldn't be a problem Jon, I already use a Focusrite 2/1 as my home studio interface :-}
Just purchased the bigger Tonex pedal and will get some of Joe's amps once it arrives ... Joe has already been very helpful with his info and FAQ sheet -- he has done a truckload of work on these captures !

[Ron Hogan]

Here's a video of an explanation of each knob on your ToneX pedal and how to use it.

https://youtu.be/wETOD3SEP6c