Amplifying the Tonelab LE

[matpio]

Hi everyone,

I´m thinking about getting a tonelab LE because it allows me to play full-tube via headphones.

I read that it´s very good to amplify the tonelab via keyboard-amp. Or will a simple solid-state (Fender FM) do?

Anyone experience with that? Any recommendations?

THANK YOU so much
matt

[Nik]

In order of preference:

Mackie SRM450 active PA speakers.
JBL EON15A active PA speakers.
Roland Keyboard amps.

[Voxman]

What about an Atomic Amp? - these seem to be very well thought of.

As fars as other amps go, I think that if you can pick up a secondhand Roland JC120 (which is probably the amp Nik had in mind), the LE should sound pretty good through that too.

Rich

[Nik]

What about an Atomic Amp? - these seem to be very well thought of.

As fars as other amps go, I think that if you can pick up a secondhand Roland JC120 (which is probably the amp Nik had in mind), the LE should sound pretty good through that too.

Rich

Not really.
I'm sure you can get good sounds out of those, but:

The Atomic amps are designed to 'warm up' the sound of digital modellers, but in my opinion the Tonelabs don't need that. The Valve Reactor already makes them plenty warm enough. Amplifying them with valves and guitar speakers seems crazy when they have a valve and cabinet simulator in them already. It would give the opposite effect to Rich's EQ in the loop of the Valvetronix amps that works so well.

The Roland JC120 is realtively neutral and bright for a guitar amp, but not compared with keyboard amps or flat PA systems. It is also relatively expensive due to it's iconic status.

Also check out the Behringer kayboard amps and active PA speakers. Good value if you are on a tight budget.

[rlaf]

I use 2 setups with my Tonelab (1st version):

1. Tonelab into effects loop return on a Laney Tube combo - very warm, tube-compression tone.

2. Tonelab into Crate Power Block with Marshall 2-12 cab - amplifies without "coloring" the sound (no preamp, 150watts mono, 75 watts stereo)and you have that option of having a killer stereo rig. These discontinued Power Blocks are very versatile, and can be picked up on EBay for $100 or so and are only 10" x 5" x 3".

[Nik]

I got one of those Powerblocks for £49 in the UK, including shipping. It's a pretty good amp in it's own right, but great as a clean power amp for my Tonelab or Adrenalinn etc.

[drummerdarko]

Hello to all,

I currently own an AD120VTX and I love it. It is my first amp and I have learned so much about what amps suit my style. I have been thinking of upgrading to a genuine AC15 or AC30 because they have been my most preferred amp models and I am in love with the sound of the real deal. However I don't want to give up the versatility of the Valvetronix. I was thinking of purchasing an AC15 or AC30 and running a Tonelab LE through it. That way, I can have the sound and feel of genuine tube pre and power sections as well as the options of the Valvetronix. Is this a good idea or bad? Would I be better off just purchasing a Boss ME-50 or GT-8? Any suggestions? Thanks a million.

dd

[Nik]

If you are looking for versatile XF to use with a real tube amp, then the Tonelabs are not the way to go, IMHO. Better off, as you say, with a GT-8 or GT-6.

[drummerdarko]

after playing around on my friend's AC15 and another friend's GT-8, I have decided there is no way I am selling my AD120VTX. Don't get me wrong, the AC15 is amazing, and the GT-8 does some great stuff too (a lot of great stuff). But I just love how versatile the VTX is. Especially since Voxman talked me into getting a GE-7 for the FX Loop. Last night I explored the twin reverb for the first time. I mean, I had played with it before, but somehow, I just skipped over it. Last night I played on it for 3 hours. The night before that, I rediscovered the Boutique Dumble OD and Clean. I feel like its a brand new amp everytime I turn it on. I think someday I might upgrade to a tonelab, but for now, I not doing anything to my Valvetronix...

[Nik]

Please don't call the Tonelab un 'upgrade ' over the blue fronted amps, or I will start to get smug!