HeadRush vs ToneX: which is the best profiler?

[@MoeKimMusic]

I love your videos, using the null test is a brilliant idea. Do you think there's a way to test how tube amps "feel"? Im not sure if that feeling can be captured. Modelers have come a long way, I only use a Kemper now but I plugged into a tube amp recently and it was still very nice.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you so much, I'm really happy that you appreciate the videos!! For me the "feel" of an amp is the result of: 1) Latency: how quick the modeller respond to your touch. There are many videos in my channel about it 2) Dynamic range: how the modeller reacts to our touch, I mean how they cleans up and break up according to out touch 3) Note envelop: how the modeller manage the note enevelop All these tests are typically part of the videos Thank you so much!!!

[@Fernando-rb1cb]

Great video as always.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you so much Fernando!

[@vickybarturen]

Such a great review! Thank you, Leo!

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

You are welcome and I'm happy that you appreciate the video!

[@jcoulter43]

Great video. I don't think you could go wrong using either of these. The ToneX sounded more similar to the real amp in this test. The Super clone tech is a pretty sweet deal though. Keep up the good work Leo. Merry Christmas 🎄 God bless and rock on 👍😎🎸

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you so much and Merry Christmas to you too!!!

[@ludolouvion]

Excellent, as usual ! Thanks !

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

You are welcome!

[@berndkiltz]

Was waiting for this test :)

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you!!

[@chriskondracki7398]

Just got Tonex yesterday unbelievable quality of sound I can hear in great detail things like fingers moving on the fretboard and some frequencies resonating from the guitar neck and the body all these were not present with any modeler you can feel as if you played a real amp Thanks for your hard work Leo people really appreciate it 👍

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

You are welcome and thank you so much for sharing your experience!

[@rderfa]

Awesome video!!! Very informative. Cheers.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you so much, I'm really happy that you appreciate the video!!!

[@themojoman]

To my ears the ToneX sounds closer to the original which also clearly shows up in the null test. Thanks for testing and keep up the good work! [BTW it should be "worse" not "worser".]

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing and I'm happy that you appreciate the video! Thank you also for your English suggestion!

[@steven_uk]

I enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you so much!!!

[@iosuMH]

As always, thanks for your work here! Guys like you are keeping this free, and sabes us from scams.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

You are welcome and I'm happy that you appreciate the videos!

[@aaronsinger]

Fantastic. I did not realize the difference between hardware and computer. Assuming a good quality audio interface of course. I'll look at my Eventide plugins with a new respect now. :) Thank you for testing. It's important to keep objectivity through testing and measurement, so that standards are maintained - in this case the quality of our audio. There is a constant risk of losing depth of quality in the digital domain.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you so much for sharing and I'm really happy that you appreciate the video!!!

[@Juppi13]

Again a great and very relevant test, Leo! I´m not certain if the hardware amp cloning is exactly the same as the Amp Cloner software (in the software version, you can do some refining and tweaking after the cloning), but i experienced very mixed results with the Amp Cloner software: Sometimes it turns out pretty decent, although the refining process is not super helpful as its EQ bands and q-factor are sitting in the wrong spots. But sometimes, especially when cloning amp sim software, i get a completely destroyed signal. Never happened with Tonex the capturing.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Hi, thank you so much, I'm happy that you appreciate the video! Thank you also for sharing your experience with the cloner

[@ElFlippage]

Great video Leo. Tonex really seems to have an excellent model architecture on their hands. At 8:22 - I strongly suspect this ~4db difference between the tonex plugin and pedal has to do with input gain staging. Tonex seems very sensitive to input gain and input trim, and it varies from guitar to guitar even because of output levels. Getting output from a reamp box or audio interface to exactly match a hi-z guitar input can be difficult. I saw Jason Sadites recommended pulling out a multimeter with a 400hz test tone running out of your audio interface to exactly voltage-match the signal from your "reference" guitar when making Tonex amp captures. I would bet it's the same for Tonex input, with small voltage drops leading to big differences in model gain staging.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you, I'm happy that you appreciate the video! Thank you also for sharing those info

[@CharLessMajor7Music]

Hope you add more tonex captures on your webstore. Your captures are my favorite.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you so much, I'm really happy that you appreciate the capture.... Maybe in the coming weeks....

[@CharLessMajor7Music]

@ yea coz it translates well to PA speakers and FOH.

[@algorithm007ify]

The advantage of the headrush flex prime is that is has "super clones", many more effects, and much more complex signal paths. There is also a great looper, fx loop and expression pedal. Lastly, it has the touchscreen, bluetooth streaming, and wifi configuration app (web based) which is much better than the Tonex app. It's better value for money, considering it is an "all-in-one" solution.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Hi, thank you for sharing! Let me say that this video is not about the HR pedalboards vs the ToneX pedal...this video is just about the quality of the profiles created by the two platforms.

[@ultimatescalerc7151]

Sent mine back. The editor is great but I had issues with the server and it kept dropping out. None of the clones or even super clones sounded all that great. There are some digital anomolies that once you hear them you cant un hear them and it does not go away unless you dial it out. But then you will suck the life out of tone at the same time. I know you can dial in good tones but its a ton of fiddling around to get that. Where my Tone X One I just go on Tone Net, play the captures and when I find it, you just load it up. If you need to dial in the tone its only minor usually. If not its not the tone you want anyways.. I have a Tone X One mated to a $150 dollar Valeton GP100 (less than $350 bucks together) and it blows the Flex Prime out of the water.

[@algorithm007ify]

@@ultimatescalerc7151 The free clones are terrible. You have to buy clone packs for Headrush (a disadvantage perhaps). Tonejunkie's clones, for example, are amazing. Tonex does have MUCH better free clones/captures.

[@algorithm007ify]

@@ultimatescalerc7151 you have to purchase clones ...the free ones are usually not good...also, headrush amp models are not great.. So I rely on purchased clones for great sound.

[@ezesosagt]

Excelente gracias 😊

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you so much, I'm really happy that you appreciate the video!!!

[@foxhaevenski6991]

Thank you Leo ! Great video, as always ! I'm looking to buy a "all in one" pedal for singing and playing guitar, I'm hesitating between AMPERO II or HEADRUSH CORE, do you have opinion on it ? Happy to hear you sing again, cheers from France !

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

You are welcome and I'm happy that you appreciate the video!!! I don't have the Core, therefore I can't tell from direct experience. Typically , I'm not a fan of Headrush unit....it looked ages for them to give us a computer app, and the cab simulation is primitive (as far as I know). Thanks!

[@leemodernemo5059]

Hi Leo, very nice video.. Btw, Will you compare hotone ampero II vs head rush flex?

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you so much, I'm really happy that you appreciate the video! As don't have the HR flex, so far I can't do that comparison...maybe in the future if HR sends me a unit. Thanks!

[@acasadiluca]

Ciao Leo! Come sempre dopo una comparazione del genere si può solo parlare di scelte secondo me. Tonex mi sembra più curata e simile ma considerato che lo scopo è usarla in un mix credo sarà difficile fare distinzioni al livello che abbiamo oggi. Almeno possiamo dire che raramente si sbaglia acquisto oggi come oggi!

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Ciao e grazie per aver condiviso il tuo pensiero!!!

[@dogmainfinito8943]

Excelent video, congratulation 👍🏻

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you so much, I'm really happy that you appreciate the video!!!

[@FunkMauzz]

Thanx again for these great tests...i was hoping for the headrush with a better outcome ,cause i like the platform ...but again Tonex wins....great times to be a musician😊

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing and I'm really happy that you appreciate the tests!

[@CL_Audio_Tuning]

I would've loved to have seen this same test with one of the new Ampero Stage or II units to see how they compare.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Hi, please notice that here I have used the plugin counterpart of both ToneX and HeadRush. Ampero does not have a plugin yet. Thanks!

[@progrob27]

I thought the headrush sounded more pleasing to listen to, the tone x seemed to default with a bit much gain.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing!

[@weldnerguitar]

The Headrush is amazing !!!

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing

[@siriyohamlidia]

Great video! I always watch your tests. In my experience, I found that the gain needs to be set higher to achieve more accurate results with the Amp Cloner software - the gain feature seems a bit off every time. Also, in the phase invert comparison, the volume fades off sooner in the Headrush clone because of lacking gain related sustain, which contributes to the difference. What about sound latency with Amp Clone on an actual unit? There have been concerns and issues with latency of Headrush modelers.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Hi, thank you, I'm happy that you appreciate the video! This test is focused on the plugin amp cloner: I don't have HeadRush units, therefore I don't have measured the latency. I have heard the latency issues too...but I can not confirm myself, Thanks!

[@bluematrix5001]

Tha is, great video, the toned sounds way more similar than the head rush.. that actually sounds weird… and the tests prove it!!

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you, I'm happy that you appreciate the video! Thank you also for sharing your findings!

[@TainFurrious1]

Looking at the LUFS figures, it seems that Headrush performs better than Kemper Player from your recent test? Can you please confirm if this is indeed the case?

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Hi, please remember that this is the plug-in, and as I said in the video, the plugin performs typically better than the pedalboard counterpart. In the video you can see the difference better the ToneX plugin and the ToneX pedal. Therefore I can NOT confirm that the Headrush pedalboard performs better than the Kemper Player. Thanks

[@TheMcmansilla]

always the best!

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you soooo much!!!!

[@harmonicseries6582]

Did latency of tonex one pedal change after the update that add effects on it or is it still lower than tonex pedal? thank you!

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Hi, I have not tested it yet after the update....that's something I should do in the coming weeks. Thank you!

[@wootks]

Correct me if I am wrong but dB are not linear they are logarithmic. So a 7dB difference is a lot more than 20%. Can our ears hear such a wide gulf? Probably not. Great vids as always.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Hi, 20% is just the "linear" difference....

[@mcarthneylaron8582]

Hi Leo! Just want to ask for your opinion for the Headrush Prime vs Quad Cortex. I’m thinking about returning my Headrush because it’s massive and I have a hard time tweaking it. Should I return it and get the QC? I trust your opinion and will consider your suggestions! Thank you for the great videos!!!

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Hi, well, I'm not a fan of Headrush units, and therefore I would get the QC if the money difference is not an issue. Thanks!

[@picksalot1]

In my opinion the ToneX sounded better, more present. I recently saw a YT video called "The Most Realistic Reverb (ever?)" worth watching. It made pretty good sounds come to life and suddenly sound "real" like you were in the room with the instrument. The difference was significant and the video title may be accurate!

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing and for the info!

[@robertodepetro1996]

Caro Leo ottimo video (e montaggio, naturalmente). Ho un dubbio: tu parli di headrush, però fai vedere il revalver, che se non erro è della peavey

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Il revalver e l'amp cloner sono i "plugin counterpart" delle nuove unità HeadRush Prime Clone e Flex. I profili sono poi fatti con l'amp cloner. Grazie!

[@aLoudSi1ence]

Scientific test aside, Tonex is clearly the winner.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing!

[@kitchendezina]

Nice

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thanks!!!

[@justwinclassic]

If I recall, this is a similar result to the QC or Kemper?

[@algorithm007ify]

correct

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Hi, please remember that this is the plug-in, and as I said in the video, the plugin performs typically better than the pedalboard counterpart. In the video you can see the difference better the ToneX plugin and the ToneX pedal. . Thanks

[@Jhaakri]

I am a hobbyist. I will choose easiness over complicated setup to dial a descent sound. While ToneX might be better with tone but if I have to work really hard to get the descent tone, I will eventually give up. Headrush is so so so easy for a beginner, no software, no computer, no layers after layer of menu (Line 6, Fractal). You can learn everything in few minutes using your common sense and dial a descent tone without reading a manual or watching tons of youtube videos. If you are a beginner and want easiness, get a Headrush. ToneX looks very cumbersome to operate, no brainer. Remember, inspiration to play is more important than a perfect gear that you have no idea how to operate. It will sit there and collect dust. If I were to choose a better gear than the Headrush, I will choose Quad Cortex, simply because of its interface.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@ibanezprestige5964]

Could you please tell us the latency of Moore GE150 pro sir? Now it add global EQ in new firmware update so cool.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing! I have to check it out. Maybe in the coming weeks. Thank you!

[@Bryanlinggaa]

I wanna combine my NUX MG 30 with this Tonex.. Is that possible?

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Hi, yes you can. You can put the ToneX in the MG 30 effect loop. Thanks!

[@Bryanlinggaa]

@LeoGibsonGtr did you mean in send/return? Thanks leo!

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Hi, yes!

[@mystlock]

Personally I don't care much about the precision of the profile as long as it sounds close enough and with good dynamics. Despite the numbers HeadRush sounds very good and also in most of the tests it wins compared to Kemper/QC, usually second only to Tonex/NAM. But the thing is is that HeadRush Flex Prime is a much better floor unit overall than Tonex Pedal. Because it is a full-fledged MultiFX unit with: VST cloning, Superclones, Digitech Whammy/Drop, built-in pedal, great effects, great interface, practice tools. With Tonex you need extra processors/pedals. With Flex Prime you don't need anything extra.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing! Let me say that these tests are specifically designed to verify how similar the profiles are to the actual amplifier and how the dynamics are managed...

[@DjMichelful]

In my Ears the Headrush Clones much better. But the Tonex Owner don't want believe that. Headrush comes more and more on the Front of the Modelers. They are fantastic units and the Clones since Superclones awesome👌

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Well, let me say that I don't think Tonex Owner don't won't to believe...but it seems the exact opposite, as numbers tell a clear story, in terms of faithfulness to the real amp.

[@algorithm007ify]

@@LeoGibsonGtr I guess you need to do many amps to come up with that conclusion. A sample size of 1 is too small. Also, LUFS needs to be weighted for important frequency ranges.

[@alexandergrunewald8752]

My headrush ist so much better with global Eq Cut at 100 and 5000 with Qualitiy Set at 10.0 and IR cut to. In use with a RCF St 12 SMA ll FRFR

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing!

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

I do not have a modeler. I have a real PLEXI. If when a gig demands a modeler I use the Friedman IR-X with zero complaints. from techs, venue operators or studios. I point this out to say if I needed a modeler if for nothing more than a back up I would get the Tonex. I have heard nothing that leaps past it as a clear improvement in sound and many things sounds worse or if as good cost more and have little support from 3rd party software even if that software's (sounds) are provided by end users.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing Paul!

[@Berk-tm5zx]

how about headrush latency?

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Hi, I don't have the physical units...therefore I can't tell from direct experience. I have heard / read from the web that it is not so good...but I can't tell from direct experience. Thanks!

[@Berk-tm5zx]

@ thanks

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

You re welcome!

[@NO-TALK-GuitarPlugin]

ToneX is crazy good. NAM is 10% even better. Kemper/NDSP need to improve their tech. But now ToneX is becoming number one. Well done to IKM who lost the component modeling war (won by Helix/Fractal/TH-U)

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing!

[@hb8482]

But NAM is even better than tonex (I use both but definitely favor NAM)

[@NO-TALK-GuitarPlugin]

@ yes correct, probably ToneX will have some pro version at some point, bringing bigger neural networks model (NAM are ten times bigger today, in standard mode and even bigger for the excellent Slammin Mofo « complex » NAM models available on ToneHunt

[@algorithm007ify]

@@hb8482 and there are pedal-based solutions for NAM now, which is great.

[@Davidlovesmusic311]

What if you don't want to make captures and you want amp Sims that are already in a modeler and lots of effects, the quad cortex is going to take the cake on all that if you can afford one

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing. The QC is of course way more expensive

[@Davidlovesmusic311]

Well I just sold about four tube amps And my Ernie Ball music man jp15 And I got it all on gift cards at Sweetwater so I have plenty of money for a quad cortex And I bought a victory Kraken Mark 2

[@TheoMancer]

the best is my Valeton GP-200, of course! 😝

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing

[@stevervi]

A clean tone from a Fender would have been more useful to me.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Hi, thank you for your suggestion.

[@Newprodintown]

Good job like sempre o comprato il headrush prime ché vienne con il ampcloner , per clonare vst ...mi sempre abastanza buono , non o veri amp da clonare ...ciao de france

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing and I'm happy that you appreciate the video!

[@PastelComGini]

No surprise at all.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing!

[@oziresteixeira1719]

Tone X !!

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing!

[@iagobroxado]

The Revalver sounded obnoxiously trebly to me here.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing your findings!

[@algorithm007ify]

I wonder if you can adjust this post-capture?

[@iagobroxado]

@@algorithm007ify Possibly, but why not get the thing that gives you the best tone from the start so you waste less time adjusting EQs?

[@algorithm007ify]

@@iagobroxado Well it takes much longer to clone with Tonex anyway, with that time, you can fine tune the headrush clone.

[@Aisuarisa]

I listen some video. Headrush sound noob than vox tonelab ex in same ir haha

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing your findings!

[@giovannidelmastro3760]

Ciao Leo, video molto interessante ma credo troppo tecnico ed articolato per tanti di noi. Per me provo il pedale o il plugin... Se suona bene alle mie orecchie va bene così. Non esiste un sistema perfetto... Pregi e difetti per tutti.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Grazie per aver condiviso il tuo pensiero!

[@leoleishman8695]

tonex is much better...

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing!

[@Davidlovesmusic311]

S*** besides the modelers now some of these plugins sound f****** amazing and they're not that much money, plug into your interface into your computer, use a good plugin

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing!

[@Davidlovesmusic311]

Thank you because I've learned a lot watching your Channel

[@1970sman]

Seems to me, that these types of gadgets, are mostly bought by guys who would rather play than play guitar.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing your findings

[@Davidlovesmusic311]

Qc

[@moskitoh2651]

Kemper... 😜

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

😀

[@moskitoh2651]

​@@LeoGibsonGtrWhile generating good profiles with the Kemper is very complicated... if you have found good profiles, I really still prefer the Kemper!

[@algorithm007ify]

@@moskitoh2651 Amen

[@ultimatescalerc7151]

The clones can only be as good as the player. I sent the Flex Prime back there to many digital anomolies and once you hear it you cant un hear it. Tone X One is by far superior.

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@algorithm007ify]

The Flex prime models and free captures are TERRIBLE. You need to purchase headrush clone packs to get a good sound. I got the ToneJunkie pack and it's amazingly good.

[@ultimatescalerc7151]

@@algorithm007ifyNope I hear those issues no matter what is loaded. I think it is a hardware issue or emulation software issues on the modeller side. Use it long enough you will hear the issues. You cant epxlain it, you just have to hear it. Ive had the MX5 and sold it for this very same reason. The Flex Prime is not capable of sounding as good as Tone X. I baught the Flex Prime as I figured they had that fixxed. Nope same as the MX5.

[@ultimatescalerc7151]

@@algorithm007ify When people say " it sounds digitallly" Headrush is what I think of. lol. Its not even close to Tone X. When I load a capture on Tone X I dont have to fiddle with anything other than adding and adjusting the FX I want. Other than that I just play and it sounds like the real and it feels like the real deal. The HeadRush not so much. I spent more time fiddling with tt than I did playing guitar. So it was returned.

[@algorithm007ify]

@@ultimatescalerc7151 I like Tonex, I just hate the UI, lack of features, and poor spring reverb (even after the latest update). I hope they release an all-in-one solution. My Tonex also has a very noisy power supply. I had to replace it with an aftermarket one. For me, the "digital sound" is usually there due to bad cab or amp modelling. Once you use IR's with the headrush, it disappears. I also have the new spring reverb after the amp but before the IR to be more "amp like". Helps a lot. You just need to play with the idiosyncrasies of the device.

[@vomito72]

Great video as always , I have the Tone X one and the Pedal, I do love how they sound but I would say I'm liking the new Headrush line up

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you, I'm happy that you appreciate the video!

[@SAAGHS1]

Tonex is unbeatable!

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you for sharing!

[@algorithm007ify]

NAM player