In this post, I’ll share what makes Tonex different, how it reshaped my approach to dialing in tone, and how I built a compact, stereo Tonex rig that gives me real amp feel in a portable setup.
Why Tonex Feels Different
1. Less Compression, More Amp-Like Response
A lot of the popular modelers compress the sound in a way that flattens dynamics and limits the amount of push they can take from your pedals and pickups. Tonex doesn’t. It breathes. When I dig in, it reacts. When I back off, it cleans up—more like a real amp than anything else I’ve tried. There are some close contenders, but Tonex wins.
2. Does the “Energy” and “Artifacting” Thing Better Than Anything Else
When you run wet effects into real amps, there’s this unpredictable energy that happens; this movement and weird artifacting that is sublime. Tonex emulates this so well. This is one of the main draws to the Tonex for me.
3. Retains articulation even when driven hard by pedals and higher-output pickups
Tonex even changed my thinking on pickups. For years, I was a low-output pickup maxi, swearing by Lambertones Cremas for their clarity and dynamic range. But when I tried hotter pickups—like the Lambertones Grinder, Pioneer Popes, Lambertones Red Eyes, and Fralin Pure PAF—I was shocked. I liked them more.
With most modelers, hotter pickups can push things too hard, leading to excess compression and a lack of clarity. But Tonex handles the energy differently. I can push more output from my pedals and run hotter pickups without sacrificing dynamics.
The result? A chewy, dynamic breakup with body and sparkle.
This shift changed my entire mindset on tone.
A (Still) Growing Library of Captures
One of the biggest advantages of Tonex is the sheer number of captures available. Unlike some of the other great amp modeling solutions that are more static in what they offer (HX Stomp, UA Ruby + Dream), Tonex provides a library that keeps growing.
I proved that to myself by making my own captures in an unconventional way. Here’s the story:
A few years back, I set out to create my own Kemper profiles—not just to capture great amps, but to dial them in exactly how I liked them. I went all in, picking up some incredible amps:
- Vox AC30s (Korg Era & ‘94 Red Tolex w/ NOS Tubes)
- Matchless HC30 & Chieftain
- Benson Chimera
- Dumble Steel String Singer Clone
- Fender Prosonic & Vintage Vibrolux
I even experimented with dual profiles, blending two amps together to create unique tones—one of my favorites being an AC30 + Benson Chimera.
I eventually moved on from those amps, but I missed those sounds. That’s when I decided to bring my Kemper profiles into Tonex. I had high hopes—and it didn’t disappoint. Unlike other modelers, Tonex didn’t just copy the profile; it took everything good from the Kemper profile and left everything I didn’t like (compression…ahem).
My Mini Stereo Tonex Rig
This mini Tonex rig is a fully stereo amp solution that’s small enough to fit in my Mono bag pocket, and has all the tone I want. This rig is perfect for folks who:
✅ Don’t have room for two Tonex Ones on their board
✅ Portable enough to fit inside your main bag, so there’s nothing extra to carry.
✅ Still want stereo amps
Here’s My Setup:
✔️ Two Tonex One pedals – running as my stereo amps.
✔️ Fix Pedalboards FP-10x riser – keeps everything compact.
✔️ American Loopers 2-Way Junction Box – Patch Bay IN, OUT, SEND, RTN – for easy routing.
✔️ Strymon Ojai power supply – reliable, quiet power.
✔️ Pinstripe Pedals DISO+ – DI box with polarity switching for proper stereo balance.
✔️ Custom patch cables and DC cables – keeps it clean and tidy.
And the Best Part? The Case.
I found a perfect carrying case—and it’s actually a lunch bag from Amazon! It fits everything while keeping it protected and compact enough to slip into the front pocket of my Mono bag.
Final Thoughts
Tonex changed the way I think about tone. It takes pedals, gain stacking, and dynamic playing similar to a real amp.
And with this mini stereo rig, I’ve got everything I need in a compact, portable setup.
As always, when a piece of gear helps me think less about tone, I’m all in. My goal isn’t just to dial in great sounds—it’s to remove distractions so I can focus on what truly matters.
When I’m playing, I don’t want to second-guess my tone. I want to be fully present. I want to engage with the congregation, dwell on the truth in the lyrics, sing and focus on our Lord Jesus Christ.
The less I have to think about my gear, the more I can worship freely. The more I can stay in the moment—not caught up in technical details, but fully surrendered in praise and adoration. That’s why I gravitate toward gear that gets out of the way, and that’s exactly what my main guitar, my 2015 Veritas Portlander, has done for me, and it’s also what the Tonex has done for me.
Coram Deo,
Troy, GFHG
