Tonelab LE/50VT-XL rig setup

[RockOfAges72]

i know, i know, it's not recommended to mix two modelers together , but i would just like to report that it's possible to save the high-gain models of the XL series into the tonelab LE as a patch using the 4-cable method.

Here's the setup (note: you need to mod your XL with an effects loop to make this work, but you probably already did that if you hang around here hehe)...

Cable 1: from guitar to Tonelab INPUT
Cable 2: from Tonelab insert loop SEND to XL INPUT
Cable 3: from XL effects loop SEND to Tonelab insert loop RETURN
Cable 4: from Tonelab OUTPUT to XL effects loop RETURN

To setup your "XL" patch in the Tonelab: just select a free slot, turn on the insert loop, then turn off the stompbox and amp models (unless you want to experiment with muddy gain) and save. There you have it, a dedicated patch for your XL amp models! You can use either the effects of the XL or the modulation and reverb effects of the Tonelab, OR BOTH, if you want .

This setup is perfect for people who wish their Tonelabs had better high gain sounds, or for XL boys who want more grace and flexibility from their XL's. It's probably too convoluted for most people to bother with, but something to remember if you want to have a poor man's do-it-all setup.

Enjoy!

[khronegon]

i did not understand...

You save only some effects on your tonelab, not at all the high gain model of the XL series... It's just a tonelab patch without amp model and without stompbox, correct?

[Nik]

He's using the Tonelab's FX - not the amp models - in the FX loop of the XL.

[RockOfAges72]

this setup basically lets you turn the XL preamp on and off.

we do this by putting the XL preamp in the Tonelab's insert loop. so the Tonelab's virtual chain looks like this:

guitar -> XL Preamp (in insert loop) -> Stomp Box -> Amp Model -> Modulation -> Reverb

Turn off the insert loop (as it usually is in all the patches) and you have normal tonelab operation. the amp's preamp is "turned off", and the tonelab plugs directly into the power amp section - which most tonelab users prefer since preamps tend to color the amp models in unpredictable ways.


Your user-defined XL patch, on the other hand, has the insert loop turned on, so the XL preamp is in the chain. by turning off the stompbox and amp models, you get this chain:

guitar -> XL preamp -> Modulation -> Reverb

This patch allows you to use the XL amp normally (change amp models, change effects, etc.) without being muddied up by the extra gain stages of the stompbox/amp models of the tonelab.

Of course, you CAN have both XL preamp and Tonelab stompbox/amp models on at the same time, but everything just sounds muddy - too many gain stages. with this setup, you can choose to take out either the XL or Tonelab amp modeling for a cleaner sound.

Like i said, it's convoluted but at if you have a Tonelab and an XL, this i feel is the most flexible setup.

Hope that made sense hehe

[Nik]

Of course, the Valve Reactor in the XL is configured depending ont the amp model selected, so it is still effecting the tone, even when the XL's preamp is bypassed.

[khronegon]

ok, thanks

[RockOfAges72]

Nik, i appreciate the VR tech even more now, knowing how the power amp "voice" changes even with the preamp section bypassed. class A tends to make the tonelab sound bright and even, while class A/B sounds a bit darker and punchier. i don't know if REAL power amps give off that sound though...