STL Tonality Josh Middleton - in depth demo and mixing guitar tips

My new STL Tonality plugin is out now. So happy with how it's turned out.
www.stltones.c...
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[@JoshMiddletonOfficial]

Thanks to everyone who has checked the plugin out so far! Maybe someone can add up how many times I say "aggressive" in this video...

[@meddz7165]

I tried but got distracted by the riffs and that sweet JM-II

[@thehoppo]

9 aggressive's and 2 aggressively's bud :)

[@spice_miner]

What interface are you using for DI Josh? I have nothing but trouble with my focusrtie.

[@valentinzwick5408]

About as often as the mighty Het says uuh/yeah per song 🤣

[@mrcoatsworth429]

​​@@spice_miner I don't know what Josh is using at the moment. A while ago, he was actually using focusrite. I myself can highly recommend the USB-interfaces by Audient.

[@Mendelian]

Small things like the volume boost going from Vintage to Modern channel like on a real Mesa or the true girth you can feel on the XXX shows that a lot of love and passion went into making this plugin. Stellar, great job; love it.

[@JoshMiddletonOfficial]

Thanks Mendel! Really glad you like it

[@chasethompson6149]

Josh: First off, you're the man. Second, could you please do a mixing course one of these days?

[@valentinzwick5408]

I second this. Love your mixes, Josh. Would love to watch a mix walkthrough/tutorial of you

[@josuastangl7140]

Yes I'd love that! Maybe a payed mixing masterclass or just walkthrough of a recent Sylosis track

[@Thecityinside]

That would be awesome

[@keltonhammer165]

Check September 2023 Nail The Mix course. Josh mixes Poison For The Lost

[@dhplayground]

@@keltonhammer165 such a great session, and different approach to mixing then most engineers out there. That sessions made me do the trial and although the last thing I need is another amp sim, I can't pass this one by, easily one of the best amp sims out there.

[@PippPriss]

Man, this is the best sounding plugin I have EVER played through. Awesome effort!

[@init-crioxica]

By the way, guys, if you put this plug-in on two channels and apply a guitar signal to both, then shift each on different sides to the right and left, you get a pseudo double track !!! This is an incredible feature, I hope this is not a bug that will eventually be fixed because playing with realtime doubletracks is very cool! I bought this plugin today and it's an incredible sound, there are almost no hissing high frequencies and sand, it feels like the plugin was made for a very long time and meticulously.

[@cenobytecode]

Obsidian C used this trick on Keep of Kalessin albums. Try adding a few ms delay on the second cab/amp.

[@radoniainamaminirina3429]

So happy for you, Chief ! The tone, the riffs, they're greaaaat ! You are everywhere in the tone plugin world right now and it's so awesome to see you get the recognition you so deserve ! Can't wait for new Sylosis material !

[@spencerAce]

Nice to see the Triple XXX well represented. It's for sure a very underrated amp and one of my all time favorites. Killer tones and valuable mix tips.

[@meddz7165]

Riff lord at it again! Can't wait for the new record - super stoked!

[@justsomerandomguyman]

Out of all the commercial guitar tone releases out there, your stuff always ranks at or near the top for me. The tightness, aggressiveness, and overall thrashy vibe you naturally go for is exactly what I love in a guitar tone.

[@KenFobert]

Great sounding tones with this plugin, congrats dude. It would be awesome to see you do a similar video to this on a lower-tuned riff and see how you approach lower-tuned guitar tones, similar to what we would hear on Architects.

[@JoshMiddletonOfficial]

It’s exactly the same set up for lower tunings with Architects. All the same settings.

[@valentinzwick5408]

Yay, finally. Was great watching write these demo tunes. I really, really love the plugin man. In particular I love how it's to the point. No futzin around, just great tones. Same goes for your Presets - all you need for a metal/rock guitar production right at your fingertips. No 50 lead sounds that all sound like an alien but just what you need - chunky tones in different flavors, some cleans, some leads - done. Helps me get going with my music, not wasting any time finding tones. Bravo

[@xxxfallenseraphxx]

THIS is how you take ownership of a product and demo it practically. Well done Josh! Ill be checking this out!

[@gregorylynn4838]

Saw you guys the other night at Wembley arena supporting Lamb of God. A friend gave me the ticket. I prefer more melodic stuff than them. It was honestly inaudible for me. Sylosis was the best band by a mile. Loved every song. I’d actually never heard of you before. We all agreed you guys are awesome. You have 3 more fans

[@falricthesleeping9717]

damn, your knowledge is a blessing to the guitar community, thanks m8

[@ArtGuitars.]

Fantastic plugin stl tones ..master Josh middleton..

[@AleArzMusic]

Can't wait to try this plug-in. Your guitar sound is always one step ahead everyone else's 🤘🔥👍🎸

[@Mxyaguitar5150]

A cool thing I like about the 5150 in this plugin is how it reacts to an HM-2/Swollen Pickle in front of the green channel exactly like my real 5150. I've had issues with other 5150 sims not really taking external pedals as well but this works like a charm!

[@frantiseksvarc1672]

Thank you for the breakdown, Josh! I'm happy owner of the plugin and I must say it really slays.-

[@QuincyKane]

It seems like this plugin came out really good! I'm happy for you!

[@Matt_kishere]

I own both a block letter and xxx. This is pretty dang accurate. I'm sold

[@Earth-Worm-Tim]

This is by far and without question my favorite of ALL metal plugins man. I own every Neural DSP and STL Tones plugins (among many others) and I tend to go back and forth between this plugin and the Will Putney plugin. The Will Putney plugin can give you option paralysis and you may find yourself tweeking your presets into the twilight hours to get that "perfect sound" your looking for, which is awesome, but dude.... You can get the best rhythm metal tones imaginable in 5-15 minutes between the block letter and recto using Josh's plugin. STL did a damn good job with this one, and it's been my goto for my rhythm tones since I bought it. As an aside, I'm not bashing Neural DSP by any means, they make awesome plugins that I love too, but this damn plugin functions just as you'd expect a physical block letter or older rectifier to, and that makes dialing it in soooooo much easier if you're buying these plugins to save thousands of $$$ like I am. Awesome demo Josh, and bring your a$$ to Denver, CO so I can catch a show bro!!!!!

[@american_psycho1147]

The Joe Duplantier influence is palpable. Great playing, I think I've seen enough demos, time to get this plugin!

[@alphonsogaston7276]

The riff lord has blessed us once again!!! Praise be

[@thehoppo]

I really liked the multi-watt in this as well, made me regret selling my real one big time!

[@brianfleming9734]

Dude u are my favorite living guitarist! Been with u since "teras". Could just watch u play for hours man

[@spoonerluv]

Bought it very soon after release, getting the gnarliest tones possible. Thanks Josh and STL!

[@ianhalfordmusic]

This was really cool and interesting watch. Thank you for doing this. Your tone is 😍

[@mesarecto6903]

This is my go to plugin. Great work Josh. Sounds fantastic.

[@xindridxcoldx]

Plugin is amazing. Thanks for the hard work on it Josh!

[@chtimixeur]

Godly riffs, as always. Thanks for sharing so many of them on your channel over the years.

[@lordmorgoth7]

Congratulations Josh! This sounds gigantic!

[@Ronniebj81]

I tried the demo and man... that 5150 amp sounds amazing! just spot on with the feel and sound. It's worth all the money just for that 😁And nice to see the awesome Triple X and Recto in there as well. Congrats to a really solid plugin! This is a must have for me in the studio and when writing material for my bands (MezzroW / Pre-Human Vaults)🤘

[@colinparks619]

Represent!!

[@jaimemonroyofficial]

Initial riff resembles me Dying Fetus. Great performance, perfect tone. Thanks

[@p4fizzle]

SO Sick, was trying it out yesterday. All your preset rhythms are SO TIGHT i love it. I'm not too good at getting tight tones. I think I'm too "aggressive" with the dials lol. But yeah man can't wait to get paid and buy the full licence. I REALLY LOVE the fact that this is all modeled on YOUR specific hardware. That gives me major Nerd buzz! Being able to switch between channels in the same amp interface is also AWESOME. I don;t know if I've seen that in any other plugin(??) makes me feel like im on the actual amp. You guys really did a great job on this man. I know the grey OD pedal is based on the Temptest, so I kinda get how that works. But I am really struggling with the Para EQ lol hopefully this video will clear some bits up Edit: Ok, having listened to this video, i feel I understand A LOT more about how all this hardware ties together. Thank you so much for this. I had no idea what the difference in mic position and mic type actually did. I could obviously hear the difference, but knowing it makes me feel like I'll have more "control" over tones now 👌👌🙏🙏

[@VegasLoungeAct]

This guy always has some tasty riffs and great tone. 🤘

[@demodeiowa]

Balls to the wall tones chief!

[@ErikAnders]

It’s a dope plug nice job love it

[@GrMfull]

Sounds Rally great. I will try it soon I Can ear Dimebag inspiration on the intro , right ?

[@N8TheGr8M8]

Thanks for the guide Josh!

[@alexeybatura5151]

Your plugin is the best in tonality line!

[@jcwear89]

Really useful tips Josh, thanks!

[@KevinJonesRocks]

Awesome 🎸

[@xavierc8383]

It's a sick sounding plugin! Congrats

[@ScottBrunelleMusic]

Thanks Josh! Sounds awesome.

[@nc1969]

Great tone... Josh, hope to see you post some new instructional videos soon... maybe a new picking lesson?

[@init-crioxica]

Oh guuuUUuys!!! I'm trying to put other IR's like: Bogren Digital Rhythm Downtuned & Kohle Signature Rainbows and Chainsaws and... IT'S AMAZING, THIS SOUND is striking in its aggressiveness and clarity, i really hope that they will be added as additional content with mic movement. Although it is unlikely, but in any case those IR's awesome.

[@mr.nervedamage7463]

The XXX was the first actual head I bought when I was jamming in my first band. I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve seen one in sim form haha. I used to run a Zoom processor through it, but obviously the amp still shaped my tone. My cabs were 4x12s loaded with Celestine g12ts. I don’t know which g12 you used (exactly) for your ir here, but it probably sounds close. I already have way too many amp sims, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to end up with another one for nostalgia’s sake haha. I think the tone from this XXX sim is extremely unique as well and is something I’ve been missing anyway. Now if I can only get STL to refund me for the Tonehub I just bought on accident, I’ll spend the extra $20 to grab this Tonality instead 🤓🤷🏻‍♂️.

[@Jerrydetonfail88]

Interesting to see you go through very vintage sound with modded plexi to more modern tones

[@ThallFather]

Josh Middleton - Keeper of Riffs

[@gibson6223]

My favorite guitar plugin. So fuckin good.

[@stellarlay517]

Hi Josh. Great sound as always! Can you please tell me what kind of drums you use?

[@Steve_the_Bastard]

Awesome as always. Thank you

[@simondaberooni6483]

I'm so glad you're doing better on your fight against cancer Josh!!!! keep up the great work! #fuckcancer

[@_thaaatguy]

Amazing sounds, man!

[@ThomasECahill]

Great Demo and explanations!

[@kerimovtimur]

Awesome sounding

[@Thecityinside]

This is awesome, thank you. I have some examples of great tones from stl on my channel! Additional mixing tips go a long way with the vsts 🤘

[@alexanderwald2046]

superb video, thank you!

[@yonatron5684]

You are super talented bro

[@IainFrame]

😮😮😮🤘🔥. I repeat again, 😮😮😮🤘🔥

[@didtoknan8128]

That was really really interesting. Maybe I missed that info but which channel are you using on the 5150 here ?

[@BA99253]

If it involves tones and Josh I’m in.

[@spiritofthetallhills2037]

i bought this awesome plugin but ive also got a trial going right now of stl's amphub plugin. funny enough the 5150 here and the 6505 model there sound kinda different. almost the same but to my ears at least all other things including the IR being equal the 5150 does sound a bit darker and with maybe more gain. cant go wrong either way tho

[@watkinscharles829]

Does anyone know if these I.R. packs work with the Headrush MX5? I wasn't able to find anything.

[@szveszs]

I can see quasi clearly, that the old riffage was so much better for my taste. Playing in a band like Architects kinda change his approach a bit for stuff.

[@chamelious]

Great video- slight editing suggestion, your voice is much much quieter than the guitar in this vid

[@davidbaltazar8069]

I'm using a Dell computer with a Scarlett Focusright 2i2 and I'm having a lot of latency issues Can anyone help me with this issue 🙏🏻

[@highvoltageaudio4720]

Potentially unpopular opinion however, as a long time user of Josh's Kemper plugins, after trying the plug-in I've gotta say Josh's Kemper profiles still smoke this

[@EverDivineGB]

I have watched you for years and have always loved your tones. I remember watching several of your videos where you were using Marshall amps. Is there a reason why there isn't a Marshall included in here? Have you gravitated away from those amps?

[@JoshMiddletonOfficial]

I stopped using the Marshalls in 2015 and sold them. I tried them for a while to try and be different but ultimately always loved and preferred a 5150, XXX and rectifier as my favourite tones

[@iseeu-fp9po]

I often find that stuff above, say, 6-7 kHz is just fizz-fest on the guitar. Really starting to wonder if it's something in the electrical signal that gets amplified. EMI or something.

[@amybrawn4271]

You are amazing

[@BlvckjvckRecordings]

The amps sound incredible! What are the chances that the modded Marshall be included in the plugin?

[@thebrutalchoice]

Hi, Awesome video. The intro riffs, are they part of a song? If so, please point me in the right direction. Thank you.

[@dynatwenty]

Praise!

[@alexandredeniger715]

Im trying the tone right now and I like it. But even if I'm doing everything your doing, I'm still very far from your sound. what audio interface are you using? I'm having a really hard time with all the amp sim.. but I don't know why. ( even when I use my Gibson and Schecter I have the same problem)

[@init-crioxica]

The equalizer is not very friendly, it looks so incomprehensible and non-intuitive to me that I would like to change it in the future to a more intuitive one ... Although if this is not possible, then you will have to relearn ...

[@JoshuaMRichard]

Bro I have this plugin and ohhh my God it sounds like Godziller blowing his shnoz. 🤧 (in a good way)

[@kingevz]

Sounds great! I would love to know what drum setup you’re using.

[@valentinzwick5408]

When he was writing/demoing these riffs on twitch, he was using an instance of ggd invasion. Not sure if on the final recording he kept invasion though

[@SP3CTR3-Au]

fishman fluence pups really like amp sims huh, my dimebag bridge pick up not so much

[@foreverSylosis777]

🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@MeSimpsonMe]

❤

[@bambarbey_kergudukov]

Ты красавчик Джош. Но мы же пронимаем что наклейка ЛТД на ЕСП это просто маркетинг.😀😀😀

[@ryanschindler923]

i can't get this amp sim, there are too many already........

[@harshnoiseaction]

Please, what strings you have and what tuning?

[@kevinstefanus9512]

intro song ?

[@AndresPrass]

Hey! Does anyone know what pickups are those? Thanks!

[@valentinzwick5408]

Fishman fluence Moderns

[@michakwiatkowski1313]

Intro riffs are from some album?

[@balanstaruriah1012]

Was that a standard tuning? If it is then it's heavy af

[@Guitaristscreamer]

Whats the first song?

[@ThrasherR81]

Please leave some riffs for us😭😭

[@hugowelti6784]

I hate it that you sometimes have to watch out for not triggering the forum crowd when you speak of scooping mids. Everybody these days is like Y00 N33D MIDZ BR0, when they know nothing of mixing guitars.

[@Jefafa824]

Tired of paying for plug-ins that don't actually sound the way they are being advertised...

[@JoshMiddletonOfficial]

There's no reason you can't match the tones in this video at home. My version of the plugin isn't different to the one anyone else has. What is your current recording set up and interface? The audio for the Architects and Sylosis song advertising the plugin were both reamped through this plugin - which I did myself. Let me know if I can help

[@Jefafa824]

@@JoshMiddletonOfficial E-II Horizon into Scarlett 18I8. I record using Cubase. I bought Your STL Tonehub pack first. Then I bought this. First off, I have to turn the gate all the way up to half way or it just feeds back and crackles terribly (Without actually clipping). But also it sounds very flubby in the mix and does not have any of the power that I always hear in these demos. I recorded an entire song using your last STL Pack and got feedback on how terrible the sound quality was.

[@0megalul309]

poor neural cant take a break. tonex ruining the qc and now stl killing its overpriced archetypes lmao.

[@VonDoomZa]

No. You skipped everything that happens before you opened the interface. Explain it to a child...a baby 👶

[@Aangrox]

Why is it that when your average player plugs this in, it always sounds boxy and flubby whereas these demos are always top notch? Like, what secret settings and DI inputs are being used so these products look good?

[@valentinzwick5408]

I have listened to a lot of peeps demoing the plugin up until now and in no case did it sound boxy or flubby. I will say though, that what you mean might be two things: 1. The chunk is in the (players) right hand and 2. What could make a slight sonic difference in any Form of guitar bus and/or master bus processing. I for one am always recording/mixing into a top down chain with some eq & compression which will change the raw guitar tones a bit. Also worth mentioning with all the KZbin demos of the plugin is that the video compression itself will slightly change the tone versus what you hear when playing through the plugin at home.

[@dildojizzbaggins6969]

Dude, I love you, and you're an incredible guitarist, but why oh why are you playing power-chords with your pinky? It's such bad form and makes no sense at all. Who taught you wrong?

[@valentinzwick5408]

Who says powerchords are not to be played with the pinky, why do you call it "wrong" and why does it matter as his playing abilities outperforms most guitar players out there?