MusicRadar

• Review

Since the launch of the first ToneLab modelling processor six years or so ago, Vox has progressively updated the concept. The first ToneLab needed a separate controller unit if you wanted footswitching ability, then along came the ToneLab SE with a full stage-worthy feature set including two treadles.

Later on, the ToneLab LE put the premise of the SE into a smaller package. While undoubtedly strong on sounds, the LE perhaps lacked some of the flexibility of its rivals by not having direct computer connection.

All that has now changed with the launch at this year's Frankfurt Musikmesse of the ToneLab ST, which as well as providing a similar set of tones to its larger sibling, also doubles as a USB audio interface, so you can use it as a front end for recording guitar to your computer as well as a rugged floor-pedal in front of your amp.

The ToneLab ST offers a modelled five-part signal chain starting with a stompbox effect feeding an amp and cabinet followed by a modulation/delay effect and finally reverb. Each of those five elements has its own switch to take it in and out of the chain.

There are 33 amp models available in three banks – Standard, Special or Custom – with the amp in each bank selected via an 11-way chicken-head rotary switch. Five more rotary knobs provide control over the amp's gain, treble, middle, bass and volume.

Choosing a cabinet model to go with your amp is a simple matter of holding down the cabinet switch until it flashes. One of 11 cabinets can then be selected using the gain knob – the number of the cabinet appearing in the ToneLab's small numeric display. While in this mode the treble knob adjusts presence and the middle knob turns on and sets the amount of noise reduction.

There are 11 choices of pedal to start off the signal chain, these include five different overdrive/distortion/fuzz choices, treble boost, compressor, wah, octaver, Univibe and an acoustic simulation. Whatever pedal is chosen has one major parameter that can be adjusted.

The next stage in the chain – the modulation/delay effect, again with 11 effects choices – has two editable parameters adjustable by a rotary knob or, where appropriate, a Tap Tempo button. At the end of the signal chain a single rotary knob offers varying degrees of spring, room and hall reverb.

The ToneLab ST has 100 memory patches on board, comprising 50 factory presets and 50 slots to store your own sounds. Whatever you set up on the front panel can be stored – including assignment of the pedal treadle, if not used for wah or volume, to a particular effect parameter. A pair of footswitches provides up and down access through the list of patches and can also select the onboard tuner.

The USB computer connection allows two channels of audio back and forth with the single output on the back of the unit acting as a stereo output for headphones or another monitoring system if not being used as the mono send to an amp.

A rear panel four-position switch selects EQ options to best suit connection to either a line output or Vox, Marshall or Fender amps, while an aux input allows connection of MP3 players and the like for playing along with music.

Sounds

Hear Guitarist's Simon Bradley put the ToneLab ST through its paces: