HX Stomp vs. Tonex - Can You Hear the Difference?

[@veciroker]

I had helix LT four about four years, always missing something in feel when play it. Almost every day i was tweaking my sounds and never was 100% happy. Sold it and bought tonex pedal. I connected it in eff loop with my old Boss gt10 and immediately was happy with sounds and feel when playing. 90% of time I am using only 3 presets in tonex, Clean Dumble stock preset, breakup tone also Dumble stock preset, and for more gain stuff i use Tone junkie free purple plexi profile which sounds spectacular in my opinion. Very happy with my setup now!

[@TheGuitarFam]

Pretty much the same experience here. Thanks for sharing.

[@Stewbert_72]

You played it through wrong gear .

[@veciroker]

@@Stewbert_72 i played it through same gear as i play now with tonex pedal but now my tone is much better

[@NFMorley]

Running both HX Stomp and Tonex myself - I really like the Tonex Amps, but do find myself using the Stomp for some models that I've got really dialled in. Tbh, neither replaces the other for me - even if HX Stomp isn't my amp, it's still most of my effects; and using the Tonex with it let's me use really DSP intensive effects like poly pitch shifters without making compromises in presets.

[@monteself6826]

THIS is the Answer I was looking for, I think maybe the Tonex can do Clean (SRV Jimi) tones better ? while using the Stomp XL for other Effects and a separate inline looper.

[@digitalchris6681]

I've owned Helix LT, Quad Cortex and Kemper; but quickly sold them all . Now I have a Tonex pedal and it's a keeper: it both sounds and feels like an amp and is almost plug 'n play (took me a couple of hours to clean out the factory models and load it with some amazing Amalgam Audio and Tone Junkie ones). (PS my three UAFX amp pedals are also great, but expensive one-trick ponies).

[@TheGuitarFam]

Thanks for sharing your experience with this. The UA pedals have caught my eye a few times, but like you said, they are kind of one trick ponies.

[@bikeman1x11]

tonesz is crap- no gain needs external pedals

[@digitalchris6681]

@@bikeman1x11 True if you use the factory models/presets. 3rd party ones are great without needing additional gain

[@bikeman1x11]

@@digitalchris6681 none sounded as goodcas they did on tone net

[@kierenmoore3236]

Kemper is still right up there with ToneX, I feel … depending on the profile/capture, it can be very difficult to pick a favourite between them for any given occasion …

[@jtpublsh]

was using stomp pedals because I really like the sound of them but now I use my Tonex in effects loop of my HX effects and midi it this allows me to have different amps on each snapshot giving me the ability to have access to 4 amps or the same amp with 4 different gain stages per preset

[@TheGuitarFam]

Thanks for watching and posting your experience with this.

[@zeneto8317]

Got a tone x less than a month ago and didn’t even have a chance to use the software. Put my drive pedals in front of it and delay after, gave it a couple tweaks and the thing simply sounded awesome straight into the mixer. Still there’s so much more to explore. Couldn’t be happier about it.

[@mattpearce79]

Ahhh the ‘I bought one for my wife’ 😂😂…I do that for all my guitar gear, only thing is I’m not married 😂😂

[@MikeColeVocals]

Great comparison of tones. I’ve never been able to bond with the Line 6 gear as it always sounded a little sterile for my liking and the feel for me just wasn’t there. Hearing the Sweet Child solo totally solidified why I want a ToneX pedal. It sounds more amp-like to my ears and involves way less menu diving to get good sounds. Looks like this is exactly what I’m looking for in my ampless rig. Thanks for the great content!

[@TheGuitarFam]

Sure, thanks for watching Mike.

[@kierenmoore3236]

So long as one is prepared to pay for good Captures, I suppose … 🤔

[@JasonViator]

You sound like a believable life guy....I really reasonate with you logic and your lifestyle as presented...I'm a dad who loves to play and would LOVE to have tons of gear...kids and budget come first...so the Tonex vs Line 6 was a HUGE review for me as I'm about to spend that money I have been saving, thanks for your help. It is REALLY appreciated.

[@TheGuitarFam]

Thanks for kind words Jason. We kind of have a "one in, one out" rule right now. Maybe that will change as we get a little older.

[@tricki63]

Quite like my expieriences. I've been using the HX-Stomp for quite a while playing over a guitar box. While there are tons of effect possibilities I was never completely happy with the amp sounds or rather the feel. When I tried out the Tonex software I was already caught. Now I built up a new pedal board with the Tonex and a Boss MS-3 and I am quite happy. No endless tweaking of sounds anymore. I just scrolled thru the Tonex Lib and I found my Bread and Butter sounds. To my taste even with its rudimentary screen the MS-3 UI seems to be a bit easier than the HX-Stomp sometimes. When I compare the sounds between HX-Stomp and Tonex I hear only subtle differences which might be more a question of taste and could be perhaps dialed in with the Stomp. This little fizzyness esp. with the Brit800 which you have in your example demonstrates it quite well. I also found some nice Fender cleans which fit better to my taste than those in the Stomp. But when it comes to feel I have the impression that the sound of the Tonex esp. with crunchy tones is more "developing", smoother when you hit the string while the stomp tone is just there with a bit harshiness.

[@FastRedPonyCar]

I’ve owned all the modelers at this point (our singer has a WC that I used for a few weeks building patches for him) and I think the tonex pedal is cool for a very stripped down type sound but I couldn’t notice any quality or feel difference that made it seem like a must have device vs my stomp HX. Quite the opposite in fact. Being able to split the output of the stomp where one signal with an IR goes to the house and another without can go to a power amp and guitar cab is HUGE for gigging musicians who still prefer a real guitar cab behind them instead of an FRFR. I would sum my experience up with “if you want to capture amps or use profiles without the big Kemper price and want more features than that new little Kemper pedal, get the tonex. If you want more features, routing options and signal chain flexibility, get the stomp HX) Personally, I went with the Fractal FM3 and my stomp is my backup amp in a bag. The FM3 crushes the stomp HX but for double the price, it damn well better.

[@stringedaz]

I bought the tonex capture rig. All my tube amps are on the unit now. Exceptional product. Real easy to use, too.

[@jmhatutube]

I bought a Tonex because it allowed me to rehearse, practice, and many other things that a pedal like this has the potential for. I love my Tonex, and will probably always use it in some form or another. Now I'm looking for a more complicated approach that lets me have my settings accessible by song. This way I can get songs set pre-gig and then play through the gig with confidence that I've got my sound ready for the next song rather than trying to remember the settings of a bunch of pedals. The Tonex helps to minimize how many pedals I need, but I'm not sure I've figured it out well enough yet to get everything set up like I want. I have an extra a/b pedal setup specifically for banking up and down so I can set my presets based on the setlist. Something I ultimately want to master. I've been looking at the other processors and the one I like the most is the Fender Tone Max Pro. But it's too expensive; especially with, what seems to be, still a bit problematic. Your video has helped get my head around a few concepts I need to understand better, so thank you for that.

[@marcosatry]

For me ToneX it's more Natural and Open....

[@yrebrac]

yep my full Helix is the same. It sounds more compressed or "in a box". I've had to work very hard to make my Helix sound more satisfying and soulful at times. I'm impressed with how "live" the tone x sounds.

[@jackprice7828]

You stated my experience perfectly. It did take me some time to find a good capture for the 2 amps I was looking for. But once I got there the ToneX amp captures are in my HX Stomp loop.

[@jwuonog]

I hope Tonex comes out with an all-in-one type of pedal, like a Helix Floor

[@TheGuitarFam]

I’m waiting for that too.

[@clust11]

just found your site. Great one , great player, great everything

[@davidjoel111]

I’m using a Tone X thru the loop of an HX stomp, use the tone x for all amp/cabs and the stomp for effects or sometimes I like to do a dual amp thing. I’ve never been able to make the Stomp sound like the Tone X, especially on edge of breakup tones, the line 6 always has an ugly breakup, like line clipping.

[@gustavoloebel]

TOP! Do you feel any latency on using Tonex in the send and return of HX Stomp?

[@davidjoel111]

@@gustavoloebel not really, if there is any I don’t notice it, I use this setup at the studio, live and for practice.

[@jrvisions]

Hey Nate hope all is good with you and the family. I was actually considering a Tonex pedal so thank you for that! 👍

[@TheGuitarFam]

Hey JRod! Nice to hear from you. We are doing pretty good. Hope you are doing great. Let me know what you end up doing gear-wise.

[@justmehere6094]

The HX Stomp presets needed a little more presence, and they would all have sounded almost exactly.

[@SudsyMcDrinkin]

I run my dirt pedals into the front of my stomp keep my tonex and tonex one in the fx loop with my superego+ and the out of the stomp into my ms70cdr and chorus/vibrato pedals and into headrush frfr112. Not sure if its right but its working for me !!

[@TheGuitarFam]

That's all that really matters. ;)

[@SudsyMcDrinkin]

@@TheGuitarFam AMEN !! We spend so much time just crafting a particular sound that we shouldn't waste any more time trying to route our signal train like everyone else. If it sounds go to yourself then thats all that reallly matters.

[@hockeyman2274]

I use my HX stomp xl with my tonex. Except the tonex, for some reason, will not connect to the librarian, so I sent it in for repair. The line 6 products are more dependable and do much more. But it is up to the user to decide.

[@mikefleming1047]

i'm using a full pedalboard with a HX Stomp as my Amps only and i do love the tone i'm getting but you have got me thinking about the ToneX for Amps but i do know i wil need to buy 2 of them and that will run me $800 but it may be way better : )

[@TheGuitarFam]

I’m running a full pedalboard with hx stomp and a tonex one. It’s great 👍

[@roydy924]

I like the Tonex and I own the HX Stomp. My only problem with either of these units is picking the right IR for my patches. I just don’t have time to load and try different IRs to find the perfect match.

[@TheGuitarFam]

For my HX stomp, I just ended up picking three cabs that I know I like in real life from the Celestion.com site and it really helped me narrow things down. Those are pretty much the only IRs I use now.

[@TheOnlyGuitarFather]

The tonex is probably the best modeler on the market to be honest. Not to say the others are bad.. but at a technical point, the sound files match up way more than any of the others…. Plus tone capturing that’s better than the kemper in my opinion. IK Multimedia needs to release a direct competitor to the helix and qc because I think they would blow them all away

[@TheGuitarFam]

Yeah, I'd love to have a "Tonex" with all the effects bells and whistles built in.

[@deskducker]

Agreed. Have quad cortex. While that unit sounds very good on its own, the Tonex is a noticeable upgrade in sound quality. More 3d, better depth, and amp capture “breathe” more. Hard to describe. I really want the qc to sound better, especially for what it is capable of. It simply doesn’t.

[@FraxOwen]

Definitely, they need to release a upgraded Amplitube with true component modelled amps and effects like there Amplitube software...this would be their Helix equivalent. I've always loved practicing with their Amplitube IOS but just needs bringing up to date more to match the quality of Tonex but allowing the user more control over the amps actual controls. I saw a comment from IK recently that Amplitube is not dead and they've recently released their new Mesa collection 2, just a different format of modelling vs Capture (Tonex).

[@ianbrailsford5843]

I'm using them together. The Tonex runs in the loop of the Stomp and the Stomp is controlling Tonex patch changes via midi. Best of both worlds. EDIT typed this before that part of the video. 😂

[@TheGuitarFam]

I haven't got into using midi when using them both, but I probably will in the future. That looks pretty seamless.

[@guitarwalljams]

Great video! I’ve had then HX stomp for 3 years and I’ve been wanting to check out the Tone X cause lately I’ve been kind of bored of the amp sounds on HX stomp. I am like you and have had line products since 2006. Overall, does tone X sound and feel better?

[@DannyCruzCreations]

Loved Santeria at the end!

[@TheGuitarFam]

It's a fun song. I should have done that one a long time ago.

[@DannyCruzCreations]

@@TheGuitarFam Anyway, I just found you after searching for some TONEX reviews. Great stuff. Sub'd.

[@a-iz4pg]

When you say "It doesn't feel right", what does that mean?

[@TheGuitarFam]

It's something about the initial attack on the notes when you pluck them. It just doesn't feel the same as when you have an amp with a microphone on it. That's just me though.

[@a-iz4pg]

@@TheGuitarFam Has its improved with updates?

[@TheGuitarFam]

@@a-iz4pg The feel of the HX has stayed more or less the same to me. It's still good though.

[@dsreiff]

this is video is great. question: do you still experience HX Stomp's "feel" issue with the ToneX in the Stomp's FX loop? I am unsure what it is about the HX stomp that introduces the oft-cited "feel" issues - if it's just the amp/cab/IR then perhaps putting the tonex in the FX loop and just using the HX's effects fixes that issue... but if it's something broader about the HX signal chain, then I'm worried I will not reap the "feel" benefit with the Tonex in the Stomp's loop. Any thoughts? Thanks so much!

[@TheGuitarFam]

That's a good question. No, I didn't experience the feel issue with the Tonex in the loop of the Stomp.

[@artreemusic2646]

nice test. did you use the same IR in both devices? For live whatever. For recordings only Tonex

[@TheGuitarFam]

Thanks for watching. No. I used whatever the capture had for the Tonex, and the stock cabs that go with the amps that I used on the HX Stomp. I figured that would give a better out of the box representation.

[@Jesterfizz]

What do you play the pedal through live? A pa speaker or some cab?

[@TheGuitarFam]

If I'm playing live, it's almost always through a PA. If I'm at home, it's just direct into the computer.

[@yotabirdman]

Are you using captures or the modeling

[@TheGuitarFam]

I believe those were captures.

[@leonardoramidan]

I'm looking for something to upgrade my POD HD 500X. The Joyo Cab Box was one option, and now I'm considering the TONEX Pedal. Any thoughts ?

[@TheGuitarFam]

I’ve never played the Joyo. After playing g the kemper, tonex, FM3, and HX stomp I settled on the tonex one for the amps with the hx stomp for effects. If I had to go with just a single all in one unit, it would probably be the FM3. I’m using the tonex one + hx for all of the guitar fam stuff and my wife’s next album now.

[@leonardoramidan]

@@TheGuitarFam Tonex one is on the table for me too, but I’m considering the fact that it doesn’t have a midi connection, and has a single button. How do you deal with this ?

[@TheGuitarFam]

@@leonardoramidan I generally only use one or two amp models for a whole gig because I like external drive pedals. That makes the Tonex one doable for me. If I used more, I would just use the regular Tonex pedal.

[@randymolnar7745]

Are u located in and around the GTA area?

[@TheGuitarFam]

Hi. No, we are just outside of Vancouver in Abbotsford. Are you in the GTA?

[@frama7844]

Usually, I play a Kemper and love the tone. but it´s bulky and has some serious design flaws. Nowadays, I play with my basic drive pedals into a HX stomp and that sounds very usable, but some kind of 2D-ish. The same, I can hear in your samples! The tonex sounds way wider and more open to my ears. Maybe, I really should give it a try🤔

[@LucasFernandesSilveira]

I'm here just say that I loved to hear Eric Martin's Band solo! Huge fan here =D

[@AlexJonesAuraural]

You can also use the HX Stomp as an audio interface to run the TONEX app I made a video showing how to configure it all kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWfTiJSIfq-Gg9Esi=hFNwOF6MMu2jkM8Q

[@L1NEKER]

Hey, Nate... good video!!! TONEX ruless!! ♥

[@TheGuitarFam]

Thanks for watching. Yeah, I'm still really impressed with the Tonex.

[@love4thetruth]

The Helix is my favorite.

[@christianpacode]

I felt exactly the same with the hx stomp; I was going crazy about how the heck everyone is going crazy over it when I felt like it was really missing some life in it sound. I got a UA Dream 65 and as soon as I plugged the hx stomp in the Dream OMG! it gave the stomp what it was missing

[@TheGuitarFam]

I’ve been wanting to try the UA pedals.

[@christianpacode]

@@TheGuitarFam the dream is something man! You should!

[@BobSince1981]

I have used my Tone X with drive pedal captures going into a UAFX Dream 65 and liked how it sounded. I have also used it for amp and cabs.

[@ramspencer5492]

I think the Tonex handles dynamics, volume and tone changes more like a real amp. It feels more dynamic

[@TheGuitarFam]

Yeah, I felt the same way.

[@urbansoban2669]

Blind test - probably not. But seeing what is what, I'd say that Tonex is warmer, beefier.

[@AlexAlexAlexMartin]

More important question….. can you feel the difference? Yes!

[@pauljosse]

based on this, ill stick with helix

[@rhoydotp]

That Pink Floyd solo really put the Tonex over HX Stomp amp modelling. For the most part they sound similar but that last one, wow! I had a PodGo and played with the Helix before, Tonex just sounds more natural. Yes, definitely, the all-in-one aspect of Helix is a great thing to have, though. I ended up with Tonex with a bunch of other pedals I already had.

[@TheGuitarFam]

Thanks for watching and putting in your two cents.

[@soulbroother]

The solo played on the stomp sounds like from the original pink floyd recording

[@AriestheLegendRVA]

ToneX clearly stomps out the hx stomp. I have both

[@VelezBiH]

I have a Pod Go which has the same amp models as Helix. And to me the biggest improvement in Tonex is feel. I love the way Pod Go sounds but the feel is MUCH better on Tonex hands down. I will not part ways with PodGO instead i am picking Tonex and it will just become my primary Amp and PodGO will be used for effects and also as a backup solution.

[@TheGuitarFam]

Yeah, the Pod go and HX stomp are great all in one solutions but the tonex feels better. Learning toward a similar setup with hx stomp and Tonex 1.

[@bartbart4702]

I have both of them and I can say Tonex is 10 times realistic than HX Stomp.

[@davidthaot]

Can’t really compare these two because hx stomp can do so much more than tone x

[@mbibikov]

It’s useful video, thanks

[@TheGuitarFam]

Sure. Thanks for watching.

[@robertmazurowski5974]

Tonex sounds like a real amp, the other one sounds like a add on on top of the sounds

[@milankotevski1663]

Tonex sounded better to me.

[@mariosandoval7541]

Agreed!

[@adama2562]

To me the hx stomp sounds a bit better in most of your samples

[@brucejoyce9934]

Line6 products always have this midrange honk that I could never get rid of. Never liked it. Endless tweaking, never happy.

[@Nic1963D]

If only IK would put AT5 into a pedal. Its way better than Tonex pedal or software.

[@TheGuitarFam]

I’d love that

[@abhishektirkey6985]

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus...

[@billsstudio2528]

HX stomp sounds fizzy compared to realistic Tonex.

[@bikeman1x11]

tonex is pointless since you need countless other pedals- kemper is the best

[@TheGuitarFam]

LOL. I just got a Kemper Player. My wife still has a Tonex though. I might do a Tonex vs. Kemper video.

[@bikeman1x11]

@@TheGuitarFam kemper player is pointless without screen and relying on app crap to control - the stage is awesome a true all in one

[@TheGuitarFam]

@@bikeman1x11 LOL. Not pointless for me. I only use a few amp models. It works great, and its all I need. Especially for fly gigs.