Getting The Best From Tonex - Mastering Input Trim

In today's video, Paul from The Studio Rats demonstrates how to get the most out of your TONEX and TONEX ONE Pedals.
The question I get asked all the time is how I set my input trim. Input trim is probably the most important setting inside TONEX and can make or break a great tone using TONEX.
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[stevieboy]

I bought the Studio Rat's Silver Jubilee presets for my Tonex one. I switch between a clean & a dirty one. They're awesome. The only way I can think of improving my sound further is....lessons!!

[AtlanteanGuitarist]

I use the software version myself, this is a very useful video Studio rats:)
My trim i set via my Roland rubix interface, i cut the input back to -6db and most of my amp sims sound sweet like that. and then adjust inside the software.
for any amp sim users out there, say DSP users, your input on the line in on your usb interface is meant to be around -12db for the sim to sound like its meant to ect.
they all differ, so play about with it ect.

[jcson]

So basically the pedal already have an algorithm that can measure the input level, then it would be awesome if they release an update that comes with an auto input trim mode based on the pickup impedance and the guitarist playing, from soft playing to hard playing. Combined with the "amp dinamics" it would sound more like a real amp.

[RobvandenBoogaard]

The input trim stuff I knew about, but that compressor tip is golden! Thanks Paul!

[aminahmed]

What a awesome video have a wonderful weekend Paul ❤😊

[shalomshalom]

awesome video. Please make more of ToneX and ToneX One . Thanks so much Paul

[Adventuresingearland]

Finally, the definitive answer! Nice compressor hack as well.

[shaharbar]

Perfect video Paul, thanks for sharing. Wish input trim could be applied per preset (i.e. Tele and LP version of the preset). The compressor hack achieves this, but requires an extra pedal.

[ProducerLeon]

I love my tonex one. I’ll be doing my second gig with it tonight!

[RICO_SUAVE]

Great video! That input trim applies to to other interfaces as well 👍🏾

[tommanseau]

Thank you for this. I've got the full size on the way. It was on sale for Prime day & too good to pass up. I am really hoping I can get the best out of it.

[jwright]

Nice video. You also have to take into account how the gain staging was setup when the capture was made. Early on captures were being made with widely different gain staging. Some captures you could set your input trim to +6 with humbuckers and it sounded great (just like the typical IK factory stuff), while others were recommending input trims of -13 or such for their captures.

[notalkguitarampplug-insrev]

I know it’s not the point but wow that sounds good. ToneX is incredibly pleasing to play and listen…!

[timothy]

Thanx for another helpful video Paul, but I don’t have a Tonex yet 😢😂 have a great day !

[qualaup]

Hi Paul,
My 'problem' with this kind of pedals is that they are all snaphot players just like a tape recorder. The tone doesn't live by playing, the tone stays the same. There is no dynamic audio change in it by the way you pull your strings if you know what i mean. Yes, you can lower your distortion by putting your guitar volume down but the sound stays the same no matter how hard you hit the strings of your guitar. When you use a combination with a pedal before the snapshot player for instance the Hi Power pedal then you have dynamic audio change by the way you pull yor strings. Those snapshot pedals (Tone X Kemper etc.) are dull by nature in my opinion. I use a kemper player with a clean Laney snaphot. Before the Kemper i use the Unobtanium Raw and the Hi Power as my main amps and that sounds awesome. So the the Kemper is just a sort of station and effect pedal for me. You know what i mean?

[JohnMontanaOfficial]

Great video, as always. Could you explain where does the sound of your guitar that we are hearing is coming form? Precisely, do we hear the guitar in the room, as in Gtr > Tonex > studio monitors? Or is it a separate recording guitar > tonex > DAW and then synced with the video?

Would be interesting a video on how you record your guitar on your videos. Cheers!

[gibs]

Right on, I found out the same with my compressor. What patch are you using?

[TheSpiffyBiscuits]

So I’ve got an issue with my Tonex One where I’m getting digital distortion when I use any sort of pedal in front of it. Doesn’t matter where the input gain is set or how boosted (or cut) the gain pedal is.
Any hints?

Also the TSR AC30 capture is by far the best capture I’ve found yet. Well done!

[LonePigsyAndCub]

I've read the Z-Tone Buffer Boost can also be used in front of the Tonex and other amp sims. Have you tried that?

[msturner]

You preset sounds great. are the dials on the big tonex pedal set to what we are hearing in this video? You have the bass rolled all the way off it looks like.