Well, I did it - I sold my PODxt Live, which I haven't been happy with for awhile now. Great metal tones, but horrible slightly dirty and clean tones. Not to mention because I'm blind, it was just too much to memorize all those menus!
So, I'm moving to one of the Tonelab units for better sound and an easier user interface. But which one? On paper the LE seems to win out, with more output selection and interfacing options, a smaller footprint, and I can still add a second expression pedal to make it equal to the SE.
But, I also read online about various problems with the footswitches going bad, and the expression pedal going floppy or not working. What's this about it not being usable in direct sunlight?
So, which one to go for? Used SE or new LE? Any opinions either way guys? Did any of you move to the LE and regret it, and go back to the SE?
thanks,
Chris
I'd go for a new LE
Mon, 2008/07/07 - 2:01pm — Will CI'd go for a new LE personally. It uses 24-bit A/D/A conversion versus the SE's 20-bit. Higher fidelity, more realistic. I haven't heard of any problems with the LE's hardware, and I had no problems with my SE during the 2 years I used it. Hope that helps!
Will
I have the LE...But I made
Sat, 2008/07/12 - 9:17am — Yiannis ZI have the LE...But I made that choice 1) for its size, SE is to big to carry around on studios, and gigs and 2) money, LE worths less money and offers almost equal result.
LE in my opinion sounds
Sat, 2008/07/12 - 6:30pm — tbyrdLE in my opinion sounds better than the SE.
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=442828
I think I could get over not
Sun, 2008/07/13 - 12:29pm — GT350I think I could get over not having the A/B button that the LE lacks (I just don't find that I use it very much), however, I don't think I could do without the second expression pedal. I have been using it in all my patches lately set up for "DELAY INPUT" control. It works great because you can turn the delay on or off by pushing down on the toe (just like a wah pedal) then adjust the delay volume with it while playing (set min/max parameters to make this easier) and you can still use the control pedal for tap tempo duty. I love this setup! You could certainly use this setup on the LE as well, but not without losing the volume control pedal that I am also very fond of.
-Aaron
"Grab that slab, plug it in and grind me a pound."
-The Reverend Billy F. Gibbons
I went with the SE because I
Tue, 2008/07/15 - 1:37pm — firebrandI went with the SE because I always use the second pedal. Having been a PODxtl owner, one pedal just didn't work for me (all my MIDI controllers have been the 2 pedal type).
Plus, as aforementioned, the A/B switch is my solo boost or the easiest way to go from one amp color to another and not have to reset my delay's tempo in the middle of playing.
I have yet to give the LE a real chance though, and may personally be looking for something smaller too. But first I have to build a bass rig.
I've never played the LE
Fri, 2008/07/18 - 7:13pm — ambientI've never played the LE (I've got a TLSE), but with the tonelab series at least, I wouldn't give up the a/b switch or the 2nd expression pedal for the world.
When I first got it (2006) I didn't use them much but now I'm using them more and more. It would be a real pain if they weren't there.
BTW, still learning about it...I noticed yesterday that when you change patches the parameter assigned to EXP2 will default to the position the pedal is at (ie volume) while the parameter on EXP 1 will default to the value in the patch (ie mod mix level)...who knew....
This is the EXPnINIT
Sat, 2008/07/19 - 11:34am — kaalThis is the EXPnINIT setting. You can actually choose for each of the expression pedals how it should behave. Look at the "Global" Tab in Soundeditor - here you can set that easily, or directly on the TLSE somehow as well.
ON = value from patch
OFF = value from pedal position
The "default" is EXP1INIT=ON, EXP2INIT=OFF, which makes sense because also the default patches use Volume on EXP2, and some "sound controlling parameter" on EXP1.
Kaal
Well, I have the SE and I
Tue, 2008/07/22 - 4:34am — jtm-45@pacbell.netWell, I have the SE and I wouldn't trade it for the world! I have so many hours wrapped up in programming it to my tastes, specific guitars, etc. and you can't transfer the patches to the LE (stupid move on Korg's part if you ask me). It's great to have the higher fidelity and all, but when you're playing guitar in a club with all the other instruments going, I guarantee you that you will not hear any appreciable differences, even on clean tones...unless you're doing a solo gig or something. The extra pedal comes in handy. The biggest dissapointment is that the right pedal (most commonly used for master volume) is post preamp so instead of turning down your guitar volume for swells or whatever you're turning down the sound of the entire patch. That is cool sometimes, but not for basic volume swells or dynamics (substitute for turning down the volume on your guitar). Now maybe EVH have knob manipulatin thing down, but for me I find that the volume knob isn't always easily grabbed nor can I get the subtleties with my finger even with a good pot, I would still rather do it with my foot...I have much more control over volume levels that way because frankly, my hands are already pretty busy. Also the A/B switch is invaluable to me. I go from clean to dirty....or main sound to lead boost or whatever with one click. Much better than setting up a completely different patch for the same song I think. The biggest problem with the SE is that the three-band EQ sucks. Not much control over the overall tone. Kinda like the passive controls on the front of a Marshall vs. the active controls on a Boogie or Carvin amp. I've got a workaround I"m working on which I just posted here, but apart from those few complaints the thing sounds stellar. I would DEFINITELY buy the SE again if I wanted another one. I added an old Ernie Ball volume pedal before the SE and that solved the volume swell issue. Now I use the right pedal on the SE primarily for overall output control/dynamics at gigs. If I get THAT look from the singer I just back it off a bit until my lead comes!
You can pick up an SE for $200 on CL or Ebay. The one thing you must do is replace the crappy Chinese tube. Once you find a good Telefunken or Mullard or JJ or whatever you like, you'll be set. Ask Pat Travers...that is what he was using the last time I saw him....that's right....a Tonelab SE!!!!
Good luck!
Rick-
Well, I have the SE and I
Tue, 2008/07/22 - 4:35am — jtm-45@pacbell.netWell, I have the SE and I wouldn't trade it for the world! I have so many hours wrapped up in programming it to my tastes, specific guitars, etc. and you can't transfer the patches to the LE (stupid move on Korg's part if you ask me). It's great to have the higher fidelity and all, but when you're playing guitar in a club with all the other instruments going, I guarantee you that you will not hear any appreciable differences, even on clean tones...unless you're doing a solo gig or something. The extra pedal comes in handy. The biggest dissapointment is that the right pedal (most commonly used for master volume) is post preamp so instead of turning down your guitar volume for swells or whatever you're turning down the sound of the entire patch. That is cool sometimes, but not for basic volume swells or dynamics (substitute for turning down the volume on your guitar). Now maybe Pat Travers or EVH have that down, but for me, I would still rather do it with my foot...I have much more control over volume levels that way because frankly, my hands are already pretty busy. Also the A/B switch is invaluable to me. I go from clean to dirty....or main sound to lead boost or whatever with one click. Much better than setting up a completely different patch for the same song I think. The biggest problem with the SE is that the three-band EQ sucks. Not much control over the overall tone. Kinda like the passive controls on the front of a Marshall vs. the active controls on a Boogie or Carvin amp. I've got a workaround I"m working on which I just posted here, but apart from those few complaints the thing sounds stellar. I would DEFINITELY buy the SE again if I wanted another one. I added an old Ernie Ball volume pedal before the SE and that solved the volume swell issue. Now I use the right pedal on the SE primarily for overall output control/dynamics at gigs. If I get THAT look from the singer I just back it off a bit until my lead comes!
You can pick up an SE for $200 on CL or Ebay. The one thing you must do is replace the crappy Chinese tube. Once you find a good Telefunken or Mullard or JJ or whatever you like, you'll be set. Ask Pat Travers...that is what he was using the last time I saw him....that's right....a Tonelab SE!!!!
Good luck!
Rick-
Whoops....did I post that
Tue, 2008/07/22 - 8:55pm — jtm-45@pacbell.netWhoops....did I post that last comment twice????
Whoops....did I post that lost comment twice????
Sorry...
Sorry...
- - - - - - - - - - "The
Wed, 2008/07/23 - 5:28am — MBW- - - - - - - - - -
"The doorstep to the temple of wisdom
is awareness of our own ignorance:"
Pat Travers...was using a
Wed, 2008/07/23 - 5:34am — MBWPat Travers...was using a Tonelab SE
the last time you saw him!!!!
Cool!
(Er... how often do you see him? ;-\)
And nice to hear he is still performing.
I saw him back in the seventies and was well impressed with him. I even got his autograph on some lifesize cardboard Fender tele that he had chucked out into the crowd for some reason.
I think he was support to Thin Lizzy or someone similar
More Cowbell!!!
Thu, 2008/07/24 - 7:33pm — firebrandMore Cowbell!!!