How do I install these?
For ToneX captures, you must extract the ZIP file first. Once extracted, open the ToneX plugin and drag the extracted files into the Tone Model list in ToneX. The presets should automatically import.
You can also use the Import option from the File menu.
For the Impulse Responses, you can use them in any IR loader, including ToneX. See the documentation for your IR loader of choice.
What input gain settings do you use?
Newer captures tagged +12dBu are calibrated around an interface instrument input with a maximum input level of about +12dBu when the audio interface's instrument gain is set to minimum.
That gives the captures a more standardized operating level, which should line up better with potential future NAM captures and with the way some other vendors calibrate their amp models.
Many interfaces hover around +12 to +13 dBu for the instrument input. Check your manual and look for the maximum input level for the instrument input. If it’s close to +12dBu at minimum gain, start there. If your interface has less headroom, you may need to lower the signal going into the model. If it has more headroom, you may need a little more input gain.
Older captures that are not tagged +12dBu were made at my previous level and want an input signal roughly 6 dB hotter than the newer calibrated sets. My prior guidance for those still applies: if you want to mimic my gain levels, set your interface gain just below clipping when strumming hard with humbuckers, then park it there.
My general philosophy is still to capture each set at a consistent level, so that when you switch guitars, what is edge-of-breakup with humbuckers may be clean with single coils. Once you find the right input level setting, you can change captures for more or less gain instead of tweaking the input level on a per-guitar basis. But there are no rules. Do whatever sounds good to you!
What is your naming convention?
If the amp has just a few controls, like the Princeton, I’ll include the settings in the Tone Model name. If the amp has a large number of controls where that’s an issue, then see the next question...
Why label captures A, B, C, etc.?
For amps with lots of controls, I label them alphabetically by gain level so you can sort by name in the ToneX software and scroll through different gain levels easily.
Note that the gain levels are an approximation — for example, if an amp has a pre–phase inverter master volume, a gain level of 8 with the master turned down low may actually have less gain than a capture at 7 with the master at 10. The gain levels are just guidelines dialed in by ear.
What do BAL, BRT, WRM, SCP, CUT mean?
They indicate EQ profiles:
BAL = Balanced (works well with gutiars like a Strat or Jazzmaster)
BRT = Brighter, less bass (pair well with Les Paul style guitars without the neck pickup being completely muddy)
WRM = Warm, less treble, more bass (should work with a bright Telecaster bridge pickup and similar)
DRK = Darker, more subdued or jazzy
MID / MID+ = Pushed midrange
SCP = Scooped mids
CUT = Treble cut
PRS = Presence, brighter
THN = Thinned lows
BST = Boost: input gain boosted or boost pedal adding gain
Where do you document the amp settings?
The amp settings for all captures are typically in the Description field. I try to be as explicit as possible but sometimes need to abbreviate settings to fit within character limits.
You’ll usually find the guitar or pickup types used when dialing in the tone in the Notes field.
What's the deal with DI and +IR?
DI captures don’t include a mic’d cabinet, which means you can pair them with any impulse response (IR) you like without changing the tone.
Think of it like running the amp as a head and choosing different speaker cabinets.
Each set includes one or more of my own IRs to get you started, but you’re free to use any you prefer.
That’s the main advantage of DI+IR captures: flexibility. I may add more mic’d captures in the future,
though there won’t be nearly as many since DI captures can be made quietly at any time without bothering the dog or the neighbors—and mic’d ones can get loud.
What’s your recording chain for the DI captures?
I send a line out from my RME Fireface 802FS into a Lehle P-Split, which handles reamping and feeds the amp’s input.
The amp’s speaker output goes into a reactive load, either a Suhr Reactive Load IR for 8-ohm amps or a Fryette Power Station for 4 or 16 ohms.
From there, the line out runs directly to the ToneX Modeler, capturing the amp just as it would sound driving a real speaker.
The result is accurate dynamics, realistic feel, and completely silent operation.
Why don't you charge for these captures?
This question comes up a lot. I make these captures for myself — I love having the ability to play through my amps from anywhere, at any time of day or night, via ToneX. I also like to make a lot of captures of my amps so I don't feel like I'm missing a setting or can't find a tone that's just right for whichever guitar I'm playing.
Charging for captures would mean handling support requests, setting up a business entity, and/or dealing with taxes — none of which I'm particularly interested in.
My goal is simply to make killer-sounding captures of my own gear that are on par with, or better than, some commercially available captures — and I do that because that’s what I want for myself.
Will you do Kemper, Quad Cortex, NAM profiles or some other profiler?
Not likely. I don't own a Kemper or QC. I'm not a NAM user. I'm not selling these commercially. So I'm just sticking to ToneX.
How do I contact you or provide feedback?
The best place to share feedback or ask questions is over on
The Gear Page discussion thread.
I check in there regularly and always appreciate hearing what people think—good or bad. If there's something I can improve on, I'm open to doing so.
Whether you’ve got suggestions, questions, or just want to share your impressions, it’s a great place to discuss these captures and get in touch with me.
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