VOX ToneLab Patch Exchange

everyone will have a different opinion I'm sure, I could probably guess that someome was tweaking on the Pod Matt played with and screwed it all up , but maybe doubting that I will add I recently bought the Zoom G9.2tt to add to my rig by running both parallel. Although I really love the TLSE I find that it doesnt do Metal as good. but this combo has opened a whole new world for me. I havent played the Pod but you may be able to use it as I do the zoom.
www.selfdistruction.com

Well, I don't own the PodXT. I have played one that a friend has but I do own a Line 6 Vetta amp. The amps and effects and everything in the PodXT are all based on those in the Vetta. The Vetta can sound good and it has an amazing amount of versatility and options but it just always felt artificial to me. I do think the PodXT/Vetta rigs can do the heavier stuff quite well. Maybe better than the Tonelab. I think that's because heavier rock/metal relies much more on the preamp style distortion that one would find on a high gain master volume amp. This is not the kind of sound that I like or want. It's too fizzy and scooped and sterile for my tastes. The Tonelab really excels at getting a true natural power tube saturation like what you would hear in classic rock and blues music. It's got more soul to it. I also always felt that I got a better feel and more organic sound with the TL than with the Vetta. The Line 6 stuff is all DSP, there's no analogue to it until the signal is sent out to the speaker.

Another thing to mention is that I feel that with the Line 6 stuff it is much more difficult to find tones that really cut through in a band situation. You can do it but it is a frustrating process trying to tweak your tones that sounded good at home at low volumes when you get together with a band at full volume. You might find that your band mates don't have the patience to wait silent while you take several minutes to try to tweak your sound only to do it all over again after you realize that it's still not there. The Tonelab is much more forgiving and easier to dial in on the fly.

To make it a little easier, if you like the classic rock, blues and jazzy sounds or play on the cleaner side of things get the Tonelab. If you are into modern metal, thrash, nü-metal or whatever they are calling these days you should probably check out the Line 6 stuff. The Tonelab will do high gain, but it's just not the over the top high gain that you hear from all the kids these days who wear masks and spit blood.

RJ

I've owned and or played Pod 2.0, Pod XT, Boss GT-3 and GT-8, Roland VG-88, Tonelab desktop and now Tonelab LE. The Tonelab is the closest to a real tube amp tone if that's what you like. Otherwise, all the others have great features and tones, just not as close to the real thing as the TL. However, even the tonelab lacks the speaker attack that no modeler can produce.

I used to own a PODxt with all the model packs. Now I'm trying to get a ToneLab that works (or at least the one I bought to work right). For what little volume I get out of the ToneLab (desktop model at that) drips, well, tone. The PODxt is a metal head/ ex-Crate user's dream so long as you don't use any of the pitch shift effects and don't mind a weak sounding chorus. The synth, reverb and pedal models are top notch. I would also have to say the amp models aren't quite there, but the PODxt comes with a ton of tone shaping capabilities that no other desktop modeler has. I owned a Vetta for 16 months, and it was more rounded and fuller sounding than the PODxt. I owned the PODxt for 12 months. I bought a Digitech Genesis 3 that was just as good in every area except for cabinet models (which were constipated sounding) and the pitch/harmony/whammy effects (to which it kicks the PODxt's little bean all over the place).

if you like the Edge's sounds, Vox is the only way to go, whether its the Tonelab SE or LE.
Good choice!

Memorex said it "spot on"

I got to play side by side with a POD XLT in a Atomic Reactor 112-50.
I own a Vox Tonelab SE, with a Atomic 112-50.

Both modelers sounded great.
But the POD Xlt was more modern in some of the patches.
But the Tonelab Se won hands down with:
better Vox, Fender and classic delays, reverbs and modulations.

His comment to me: "Don't ever sell your Tonelab SE"
I have the ability to channel switch A/B on a setting.
He doesn't or at least not to the level of the Vox.

Thanks Ryan,
your TLSE clips made an influnce to me to buy TL, as well. Sure, we will share some U2 patches.

My U2 covers page

That's not bad.
But for me, its hard to keep up with all of the Digitech modeling gear. No doubt some of it is good.
But I've heard of some that were just horrible in their patches, when played side by side with the Tonelab SE.

Tone verses extreme versatility... I own The pod xt live and the Tonelab LE(just got it about 2 weeks ago). Sooo impressed with the sound. Granted, you have to create alot to get the options of the Line 6, but I'm a tweak freak so who cares.

Frankly I was never impressed w/ the pod's tone... or distortions, delays, etc. I heard so much about it, I had to get it. It does have an amazing array of sounds, artists, tweak-ability, etc, but the Vox (tonelab) destroys the pod when it comes to tone. HOWEVER... I'd like to throw in a suggestion.

Have any of you tried the newest Degitech model? Not quite the tone of the vox, but still nice, clear and round (that's what I call it). It also has a dizzying plethora of
of artists, stomps, amps and even a mic input (three prong... lo impedience??? I always get the two confussed) to use with a talk box! Yes, don't fake the wahs... actually talk! Do you feel like I do?!! It has software and a usb port and low and hi out puts. If you don't dig the digi. then go tone. Vox is know...has been known for tone for decades.

Hope this is helpful

m. alan johnson
aka
lilyth stone
of Voodoo Cherry

ken374,
nice double reference to VH there. What you needed to have was a $1,984 head that you could not do Right Now.

I just got my first look at the RP-500. A neat little pedal. But I was bummed by it having "clicky" foot switches where the ToneLab has smooth push button pedals. Still a guy in town who has owned every pedal one would want and still has a 6x12 wall that is literally covered by amps bought 2 of them. I would like to see the next Vox pedals go in opposite directions. One that is the smaller form-factor of the RP-350 with "simplified settings" and a monster with at least one pedal, a second expression pedal jack and COMPLETE tone shaping control (ex the ability to use 2 of whatever stomp boxes you want and a post-amp EQ).