Guitar Reviews 4U the Vox Tonelab ST Amplifier Modeller
The Vox ST is a compact version of the Tonelab EX
being introduced after the ceasing of the Tonelab LE board
The Tonelab concept as a separate modelling unit started with the Studio module and ended with the EX and ST modules. The EX being a slightly more functional module than the ST. It has easy connectivity to Apple's Garageband software.
As we have covered in our previous review on the Tonelab series modules, I've added this one on the EX as one has come my way at a price that seemed too good to pass up and allows me to have an example of each of the Tonelab units and one to review.
The Tonelab ST in all its glory that still retains the functionality of the
original Studio module but with patch selection and expression pedal.
The physical size of the unit is less than the earlier versions from the EX back
The Tonelab St has 11 Amplifier models, the Vox ones are referred to by name Vox AC 15 etc. and the other models made by Fender, Marshall etc are referred to by titles that suggest who makes them!
After the amplifier model is selected, to the right is the tone controls and gain control, below and to the left a Pedal section where you can have Top Boost, Octaver and a range of features often found on small standalone module effects.
The Mod/Delay sweep switch covers the Chorus, Flanger, Delay and similar effects and to the right of that is a standalone Reverb section.
Completing this row is the Patch display and write buttons.
Unlike the previous Tonelab products, the ST doesn't have a 'Bank' system, in this case the ST has the first 49 patches as editable patches - as you would have on the other Tonelab products, but the remainder from 50 up to 99 are pre-set uneditable patches.
The patches are cued in by use of the up and down buttons on the last row at the base of the unit - here is also the Tuner which you activate by pressing both up and down buttons at the same time.
The ST is really a 'Light edition' of the EX, in that it has most of the functionality but a small footprint.
Why did I buy it? It is compact and I can edit plenty of patches for live playing in various musical styles and sounds which means I can go into my aux in on the Vox VT40 and use that as a PA and use the ST as a 'Brain' - having a clean and neutral channel set on the VT40 first.
It is a pity this set up wasn't put into an amplifier and the addition of bank patches would have been great.
However, in the meantime Ipad interfaces into the new Vox VT40+ have meant that patch management can be done on the Ipad rather than on the amplifier, through Sound Editor set up.
Old School outputs now feature USB and the MIDI connections are no longer
The ST gives me the 'old school' flexibility and although I could use an EX for the same job, the ST will be fine for most situations.
Lastly, we have a volume pedal to the right of the main controls, this can also be assignable as an expression pedal. On the rear panel, the ST and EX have USB connection, so you can use these for connection to a computer for recording and the line switch options and output volume are handy for that and for going into a D.I. situation for live playing.
This is a nicely made unit and very functional, it has moved on from the LE by the adoption of MIDI outputs to USB which a bonus, you can get MIDI to USB conversion cables I believe but the USB connection is more modern.
Connecting to Garageband is easy, you can use the USB in to the computer, simply connect the uint and power on and in your Apple Menu>System Preferences>Sounds you can then assign the Tonelab to the Input source - be careful to have the volume down in Garageband before introducing the Tonelab as it can cause feedback if you are using a high gain input. Also set the output switch on the rear panel to 'Line.'
For my Garageband test track I used a clean sound Vox AC15 amplifier patch with the rear panel volume set at 12 o'clock position - so when the pedal is right down it does not overload the input. I tried it against an instrumental backing track and it sounded nice.
The EX really is the last of the Tonelab 'old school' units and is both a collector's item and a fully usable modeller. The lack of Bank facility is a downside but most of us will be able to get by!
