Freddy DeMarco’s VOX Tip of the Week
This week’s tip is on the TonelabLE.
This tip is on how to use the TonelabLE as an effects processor, for you amp rig, by bypassing the amp and cabinet models. You can experiment with the way you hook the TonelabLE up to your amp rig. For this example we will not be using the amp modeling, so you can run the TonelabLE either through your amplifiers “effects loop”, or you can “front end” the TonelabLE. “Front ending” a piece of gear, means to plug the effect into the “Input” of your amp, rather than using the amp’s effects loop. Typically, “Modulation”, “Delay” and “Reverb” work best through the effects loop, where as pedals such as , “Wah”, “Distortion/Overdrive”, “Octave”, Univibe etc…. will most likely sound best “front ending” the amp. However, this is not always the case, based on your amp, and your own ears. Use this only as a guide, and experiment on your own.
1.First, if you are “front ending” the TonelabLE, simply use an instrument cable, and connect the TonelabLE’s “Output” (left for mono), to the input of your amp. You will plug your guitar into the “Input” on the TonelabLE. If you are going to run the TonelabLE through the “Effects Loop” of your amp, also use an instrument cable, and plug the “Output” of the TonelabLE into the “Return” on your amp, and plug the TonelabLE’s “Input” into the “Send” on your amp. In this case, you will plug your guitar into your amp’s “input”. You can still run your stomp boxes through the “front end” as well.
2. Now disable the “Amp Modeling” on the TonelabLE, by pressing the “AMP” button, located under the amp models. You want to press the button until the “Amp” LED is not illuminated, in it’s (off).
3. Next, we need to disable the “Cabinet Modeling” on the LE. To do this, press the “Cab” button, located next to the “Amp” button you just pressed. Keep pressing the “Cab” button until it is no longer illuminated leaving it in its (off) position. You still have access to all the effects, in terms of the “Pedal”, “Modulation”, “Delay”, and “Reverb” effects. This is a great way to incorporate your LE into your live performance, as a processor, with a myriad of possibilities, all the while using your amp, as the fundamental tone.