🔇Can't play loud at home? Here are some useful tips and tricks!🔊

[@TheToneLounge]

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[@northernfx1267]

Using the Top Boost channel eq when playing on the Normal channel with the Master cranked helps a lot. You talked about it in a previous video. Thanks for the great tips!

[@TheToneLounge]

Glad to help!

[@jayshrivastava3804]

Each and every time you raise the bar on your informative tips. This video couldn't come at a better time during this pandemic. Thanks for making this relevant to the times! FYI . . . I have logged off Facebook so please dont think I deleted you. Luckily I get The Tone Lounge updates via email. Thanks for all you do.

[@TheToneLounge]

Thanks Jay! No worries about FB, I hope taking a break is re-energizing you. If you want to spice up the tips I give in this video, add the “tone hack” to it!

[@brianfrancis4662]

THANK YOU! I've had a ac15 for around 5 years or so and was guided toward regulating volume with the master and turning up pre to get distortion at low volumes. I had never really been happy with my sound. Your tip works SO much better. Now my wife is still happy with the volume and I'm happy with my tone. Thank you!!

[@TheToneLounge]

You are most welcome Brian! Was this new info, or is it a case of not having thought to use pedals in this way before?

[@trigliderider]

Excellent tips, thanks for posting.

[@TheToneLounge]

Thanks and my pleasure.

[@JoseOchoa-dw9vk]

Awesome video. As a beginner I appreciated the simple explanations and visuals. Looking forward to learning more about the subject

[@TheToneLounge]

Glad it was helpful! Learning a new instrument means learning about a bunch of other things like audio and some physics. I love it. Cheers

[@justinbrown8214]

Great tips, very informative and examples for every technique, scientific almost. Thank you!

[@TheToneLounge]

Glad you enjoyed it! Any tips in there that you might use?

[@themomentkiller9167]

A very helpful video. Great job!

[@TheToneLounge]

Glad it helped! Which tip worked best for you?

[@marktoken6052]

I never play through the AC 15 at "bedroom level" but with your tips I may give it a go soon! Great content.

[@TheToneLounge]

Thanks Mark! Let me know if it works for you. Cheers

[@davidfauremusic]

That was a very well-informed and well-researched, informative video ! Bravo :)

[@TheToneLounge]

Thanks David! Were there any tips you could see yourself using?

[@davidfauremusic]

@@TheToneLounge I already do most of them, actually, but i really appreciate the EQ in the loop, the overdrive pedal, and the "crank the master" one. I do like to play the amp open actually pretty loud itself, while reducing the input volume of the amp with my diy dod 250 clone, which i use as a discrete boost, and in this case, anti-boost (and before the 250 i have the dallas rangemaster clone that i also built, for ... well , a vox and a treble booster, you know what i'm up to haha ! ). If i am in the mood of playing clean stuff, i still crank the amp but lower the volume on the guitar itself (my guitar has a treble bleed circuit inside). That way i get more punch and dynamics... i also use an attenuator with my other amps and might just end up building one for the Vox (yes, i DIY a lot of things, because it's cheap, and really if you research your subject enough you end up with something actually nice). The risk with attenuators is to overuse them. They can be actually useful, at least imho, to reduce the volume by about 10db, so it's a small amount and you get just a little bit more volume on the amp and the end result is a compromise that's okay enough for me. What i loved in your video were the audio examples, in the DAW. That provides the viewer with a lot of insight about what he/she's hearing !

[@TheKentg01]

I have a VOX AC10 C1 Arriving on Thursday afternoon. I am looking forward to breaking it in while applying some of the advice from your channel. An AC10 play list would be sick!

[@TheToneLounge]

Congrats on the new amp! I no longer own the AC10 but most of the information I have about the AC15 directly translates to your amp.

[@thatone_daniel]

Hey, i saw your comment on Think Medias video and decided to stop by. hi! #keepthemcoming🖐

[@TheToneLounge]

Oh? Which one was that. I leave comments on their content sometimes. Never remember what I wrote lol.

[@jakepypline4770]

Just recieved my ac15c1 with the greenback speaker today.. thankyou so much for all the awesome info dude!!

[@TheToneLounge]

Glad to help! How are you liking your amp so far?

[@kainbaker3356]

Just bought a VOX AC15 but im starting to miss my Fender212r. Thanks for posting these tips.

[@TheToneLounge]

Rock on! That's why I did it. Have you tried any of these tips? How did it work out for you?

[@veerchasm1]

I’ve been running my EQ into my compressor for a few years now, gonna flip it from your suggestion

[@TheToneLounge]

Yeah, experiment and let me know which you prefer.

[@ruiseartalcorn]

Great stuff! Many thanks :)

[@TheToneLounge]

My pleasure! Which tip will you be using?

[@ruiseartalcorn]

@@TheToneLounge At some point in the (hopefully) near future, I will purchase a compressor pedal :)

[@TheToneLounge]

Great decision. It’s a very useful tool.

[@ruiseartalcorn]

@@TheToneLounge I use compression when recording with Cubase, however I don't actually have a pedal for live stuff. I intend to fix that asap :)

[@brandonanderson2066]

I've become a vox mini headphone amp guy at night. I'm gonna try some of these ideas. Cheers!

[@TheToneLounge]

Let me know how you like it.

[@brandonanderson2066]

@@TheToneLounge the vox headphone amps do the job for late playing. I like mine a lot. They don't sound like a real ac15 by any stretch haha.

[@kosmicwizard]

I can't turn up my AC15C1X in the living room, so I got an AC4C1-12 and pulled the 70/80 in favour of an Alnico Blue, now it's exactly like a fuzz pedal, I absolutely crank the volume have the gain anywhere between 11 and 2 and then adjust the tone and volume knobs on my guitar to get cleaner or dirtier. It's pretty much all I ever play now, and it'll be great in the studio as well. I'll only need to bring the AC15C1X out for shows, so it's definitely the perfect solution for me! Cheers.

[@TheToneLounge]

The AC4 is the unsung hero of the CC line. People see it more as a practice amp, but to me it's Vox equivalent of the Fender Champ. It's not just a practice amp, but a little beast in a home studio environment.

[@kosmicwizard]

@@TheToneLounge 100% agreed!

[@carlospenna]

Come on then, I have a serious problem with insomnia, but at the same time I like to play before dawn in my room, the solution I use for that is a low volume transistor amplifier. In time, your tips are very good, professional and honest.

[@TheToneLounge]

Glad that the information was useful. What transistor amp are you using?

[@carlospenna]

'@@TheToneLounge One amp made in Korea "Condor 15GR" 15W

[@TheToneLounge]

@@carlospenna oh? Condor. I heard the name but have no experience with the brand. Where are they from?

[@carlospenna]

@@TheToneLounge Korea

[@wouterdevroe721]

Thanks for the tips. But what about an attenuator? Does the AC15 plays nice with an attenuator? So yes, can you recommend any (I have a recent greenback version)? I did the speaker out - speaker in mod so I can place an attenuator between the power section and the speaker.

[@TheToneLounge]

I’m not a huge fan of attention, the devices tend to colour the sound by making the highs sound dull. Another way is to use something like an active load box. Suhr makes a great one. There is also things like the UAD OX box or the Two Notes stuff. I use the Two Notes Captor.

[@wouterdevroe721]

@@TheToneLounge Thanks for the reply. And what about the Captor X? It handles 8 ohm. Is this compatible with my 1 x 12"" 16 ohm Celestion G12M Greenback? If I use that 8 ohm switch on the back? Cranking the master volume here at home isn't an option...

[@TheToneLounge]

From what I've read, it's safe to use an 8 ohm Captor with a 16 ohm amp, you just have to be careful with how loud you crank the amp. Don't take my word for it though, there is a great Two Notes community that can help you on facebook with such questions. facebook.com/groups/twonotesaudiocommunity/

[@CC-fi3pp]

Celestion Ruby speakers give the best results for cleans at low volume they roll off a tiny bit of high end which is good for the AC15C1 and they sound great at low volumes especially in this amp.

[@TheToneLounge]

Thanks for sharing! Not many people out there dare stray from the Blue or Greenback doctrine. I, for one, really dig my AC15 with a V30. I'd love to try it with a Ruby.

[@guitareMTL]

Does it keep the vox tone? I tried a canabis rex into my ac15, it sounds actually surprisingly well, takes pedal way better than the greenback, sounds better at low volume BUT I lost half of the voxy vibe so I put the green... Back in!

[@ushnicyuvnikof2748]

@@guitareMTL What makes the Ruby lower in volume with an AC15 is that it cuts the high mids which is where most of the volume is on that amp on most settings - Yes it changes the tone, with an EQ pedal or drive pedal with EQ it can sound in the ball park of a Mesa Boogie Electra Dyne - but trying to re-add the Vox chime back with EQ won't work (and would pump the volume back) - the circuit in the amp that created the chime goes through more components than just an EQ so you wont get the magic chime back. High pitch sounds sound louder to the human ear, dulling them can lower perceived volume by a lot but it will not sound like the same amp hence the negative reviews on the Ruby because idiots try to use it with the same settings as a greenback.

[@kosmicwizard]

@Ushnic Yuvnikof I'm not an idiot, but the ruby is my least favourite Celestion Alnico. It's a puddle of mud, no matter how much twiddling I do with the top boost channel treble and bass knobs. Cheers.

[@Mr_A_Mia]

Hey dude. Any tips on which “amp attenuator” can be used with a combo amp like the ACs and how to do it??? I dont think ive seen a vid like that or maybe you or viewers can point me the right direction? Thank you like always for all these AC videos?

[@TheToneLounge]

I don't use them, but I do have a two Notes Captor 16 that I use with Impulse Responses for a very similar result. If you are looking for the traditional way to attenuate, I haven't experimented with that yet. Perhaps someone here will chime in?

[@sboistan]

There is a video describing how to add a jack to be able to add an attenuator on youtube somewhere. I'd love to hear an AC with a tone king attenuator - I love my TK Iron Man II mini

[@craigthomson3621]

I know you are not a big fan of Attenuators, but have you ever tried the Fryette Power Station?

[@TheToneLounge]

I have not. I heard that Freyette (formerly VHT ?) is awesome. So, it might very well be a killer attenuator. I tried the Bad Cat attenuator and wasn’t too fond of it.

[@tilersun]

Always put EQ before a compressor, just do it.

[@aj9412]

What are your thoughts on the AC15 G12C with the Warehouse speaker? Have you had a chance to try it out?

[@TheToneLounge]

I have not tried one yet. But would love to.

[@chrisdee5032]

I put 2 of those speakers in an AC30. Way too bright and shrill to my ear. I have 2 blues in it now and couldn't be happier.

[@joeymorse365]

Just ordered a vox ac15c1x

[@TheToneLounge]

Let me know once you get it, I'd like to hear your impressions.

[@joeymorse365]

@@TheToneLounge For sure!

[@marktoken6052]

You'll love the AC 15. Good luck!

[@TheToneLounge]

I bet he will.

[@filipberntsson6634]

Hey. I'm a bit late to the party, but hopefully you can give me some guidance. When you say "crank", do you mean to max it out, or just significantly loud? Maybe mentioned in the vid but in that case I missed it... Great vid mate!

[@TheToneLounge]

anywhere between noon and all the way cranked will work. At lower volume on the Master, this effect does not work.

[@filipberntsson6634]

@@TheToneLounge thanks for the reply! You've gotten me to browse for eq pedals now haha! Cheers!

[@TheToneLounge]

@@filipberntsson6634 I recommend the BOSS GE-7 or something like the TC Electronic Spark.

[@Quanir]

Hi, you have any exp with Carl Martin Ac-tone pedal? I plan to buy one and use it on my AC15

[@TheToneLounge]

I do not, sadly. Is there anything in particular you are wanting to know?

[@Quanir]

@@TheToneLounge i plane to set may vox15 to a clean channel and use the AC-tone to get a vox30'ish sound (Rory Gallagher kind of vibe). Hope will fit well :)

[@TheToneLounge]

@@Quanir It seems to me like it's going to be a great combination. Let me know how you like it once you get that pedal. Cheers

[@derickpower]

What is the signal chain where do you put the eq and comp?

[@TheToneLounge]

You have to experiment with pedal placement. I tend to favor the compressor before the EQ, if I want to control the dynamics of my playing. I'll put the compressor after the EQ, if I intend to control the frequencies of the EQ pedal.

[@oscar_anderson_beats_4399]

I’m thinking about getting a metal core pedal. Would this work with a vox ac15

[@TheToneLounge]

It really depends what tone you are going for. If you want to turn your AC15 into a Metal best for a few songs, it will be alright. If you are looking for the Metal tone for 90% of what you do, I don't think that amp/pedal combination will meet your needs.

[@oscar_anderson_beats_4399]

@@TheToneLounge thanks I don’t really mainly play metal. Do u recommend a pedal that would work better for metal with the vox ac15?

[@shelo0828]

Hey buddy, I'm a bedroom low level player here. My only pedals is ts9.. what should I buy first? EQ or compressor pedal? Thanks!

[@TheToneLounge]

Depends: - if you need to boost/cut frequencies get an EQ - if you need to control the difference between the quiet/loud parts get a compressor

[@shelo0828]

@@TheToneLounge thanks bro, so what compressor pedal can you recommend for voxac10c1?

[@TheToneLounge]

EHX Tone Corset

[@shelo0828]

Hey 7, I read some of the feedback that the Boss GE EQ7 has lot of noise. Have you encou ntered the same issue on your eq? Thanks!

[@TheToneLounge]

Not much noise. Mind you, most people who find them noisy just mod them.

[@shelo0828]

@@TheToneLounge I see.. thanks bro

[@shelo0828]

@@TheToneLounge maybe if i just use it on low volume as my goal os bedroom low should be more quiter noise right?

[@TheToneLounge]

For bedroom use you’ll be fine. I use for studio and videos and it is fine.

[@StratsRUs]

I have the Boss EQ and it is great.Sometimes other people can be over-dramatic about things that don't matter.Just follow this video really.I have an MXR 10 band that I use in the effects loop of my other amp.

[@4968ace]

What’s that little progression? It’s fun

[@TheToneLounge]

At which point in the video?

[@RsqSqr]

@5:15

[@jamesromanski8508]

Unboxed a brand new AC15C2 today. Trying something new after 20 years with a Fender HotRod 4-10. The first thing I noticed is noise, like 440 hum, that increases and decreases with the output. Unless I play at really low volume it's always there. Since I don't know what's "normal" for this amp, I don't know if I have a problem. ... but I don't like it. Could it be a bad tube, right out of the box? It doesn't sound broken, just noisy, like I'm playing a cheap single coil. Ideas appreciated.

[@TheToneLounge]

It could very well be the tubes. The amp does generate some, very minuscule amount of hiss ( it’s a tube amp) but nowhere near what you are describing.

[@meadish]

Hi James, have you figured out what the problem was? I also have a buzzing type sound that increases with volume. I am 100% sure this is not just regular 60 cycle hum or standard hiss - it does sound like some sort of sympathetic vibration from a component inside the amp. Haven't opened it up yet.... the number of screws makes it a bit of a project.

[@TheToneLounge]

@@meadish if you haven’t done this before, please don’t go around poking things as there are components that hold lethal charges that can result in a very nasty situation. An amp tech would be your best bet. Let me know if you ever do find what the problem is. Cheers

[@jamesromanski8508]

@@TheToneLounge Guys, I've mostly parked this amp. It's way too loud for the bedroom anyway. I got a Vox AC10C1 1x10" 10-watt Tube Combo Amp and It's much more suitable for me. I dono what I'm gonna do with the monster yet.

[@JaymeSilverstein]

Why would you ever want that much low-end in a guitar recording? The way it sounded before you did anything sounded perfect. Great amp.

[@TheToneLounge]

It's for low volume at home, practicing.

[@watchfan6180]

Could headphones be used with this amp?

[@TheToneLounge]

Sadly no. It does not have a dedicated headphone out.

[@ares1881]

Which EQ pedal and compressor should i buy for my ac15c1 ?

[@TheToneLounge]

I could name things I use, or point you towards expensive gear, but we’ll start with what is your budget?

[@ares1881]

The Tone Lounge I’d say maybe like 350$ ?

[@TheToneLounge]

I would go with a BOSS GE-7 Eq, you can find them pretty cheap on the used market. For compression try something simple, MXR Dynacomp or maybe something a little more flexible like the EHX Tone Corset.

[@ares1881]

The Tone Lounge Thx i’ll look into that, very appreciated ! :)

[@ares1881]

The Tone Lounge When you say pointing me towards expensive gear , with a budget for 500$ , what could i get and would it be considered expensive gear?

[@rolandolopez847]

Couldn’t I just use an attenuator like a Bugera and use that to allow me to play in the bedroom, where my AC 15 actually is located? I’m a returning beginner so sorry if this sounds silly but I don’t have any pedals except for a looper. At the moment with reduced hours at work because of pandemic I don’t have a lot of cash to dump into gear.

[@TheToneLounge]

You can absolutely use an attenuator! But even with attenuation, sometimes, the sound we get lacks bass and can sound uneven. Cheap Pedals will get you there to, doesn’t have to be expensive to work. You can find the Danelectro and Behringer pedalson the used market for dirt cheap.

[@rolandolopez847]

@@TheToneLounge so if I set my Ac15c2 to the levels I want that gets the “tone” I want, could the Bugera for example allow me to play in the bedroom with out my wife down stairs screaming at me to turn it down? Or are the pedals an absolute necessity and can you name the best pedals, please limit it to 3-4 that a beginner like me needs?

[@rolandolopez847]

@@TheToneLounge btw I use a Gretsch streamliner semi hollowbody and a les Paul

[@TheToneLounge]

Here is how I suggest looking at this, the attenuator will help you crank the amp as loud as you want, and then bring that down to what ever level you wish. The point of that is that if you wish for the amp to be distorted for some good old rock tones, that is a great way to do it. The cost of bringing the entire level down is that we are dealing with physics. I refer to the Fletcher & Munson curve in the video because it's just how our ears work. At bedroom levels we don't get much bass. You can get away with not using pedals, for sure. You should start with the attenuator and see if the sound is pleasing to you. If you notice that you lack bass frequencies, or need to cut certain frequencies then I suggest a cheap EQ pedal. If you notice that your volume is very uneven, loud parts are too loud and quiet parts too quiet, then I suggest a cheap compressor. Combing both EQ and compressor with attenuation will make for a very flexible and useable rig, without bothering your wife and family!

[@rolandolopez847]

@@TheToneLounge thank you very much for your help

[@kaybhee6]

fidelity of tube goes... w these band aid op amps

[@TheToneLounge]

Not sure what you mean by "band aid op amps".

[@jeffbrown7153]

I don't like the Vox as much as I do the Matchless and BF Fender.

[@TheToneLounge]

There's gear out there for everyone. Never tried Matchless (Would love to) and Fender makes fantastic amps.

[@abzstr]

Buy an attenuator and get happiness.

[@TheToneLounge]

...and give happiness to your neighbors.

[@djc5897]

Cranking master volume increases more annoying white noise prevalent and unnecessary noise floor

[@TheToneLounge]

It does, but it also defeats the bright cap from the circuit. It’s all a balancing act.

[@paulj0557tonehead]

Solution 1. Kick everyone out of the house.

[@TheToneLounge]

I’ve had no luck with that. 🤪

[@user-ll7xb9xn3h]

Yea too loud amps, what can we do ? Answer: Sending you neighbours a noice accupation contract on valentines paper.

[@TheBluesine]

Did you say "it doesnt take pedals very well'??? That statement is totally wrong! Thumbs down!

[@TheToneLounge]

It doesn’t take pedals well at low volume due to the fact that the bright cap is active at lower volume. I explain that in the video.