ToneX vs Neural DSP Quad Cortex - Who Captures Better?

[@plexidust5101]

Stand by your judgement and shootouts 100%, two years in and you still are above and beyond all the others. I send so many your way for gear decisions and I've seen every time the player has found their own tone as a result. Keep it up my friend, top tier Talons here !

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thank you so very much. I greatly appreciate it. I always strive to give you guys honest shootouts and reviews.

[@truthfactreality6814]

I sold my qc as the tone x sounds real to me across the full frequency range. Also it takes real pedals just like the real amps I’ve captured.

[@Liam_Doherty_UK]

Me too. Linked my Tonex with a Boss GX100. A superb combination 👍

[@jeffhirshberg5171]

Great comparison. You always give out concise, honest info that ultimately helps out the consumer.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thank you so much Jeff. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Both units really sounded good in this video.

[@chrisnaishguitar]

I don't have a proverbial stake in the race, but to my ears, the ToneX seemed much less "forward", like it wasn't firing on all cylinders, compared to the real amp and the Quad Cortex. Interesting comparison.

[@mikehunt576]

Nam is enough for playback

[@tylerjames460]

Thank you for this comparison! I can’t believe you used almost my exact setup with the Tonex and Precision Drive! I’ve been really happy with mine. Luckily I don’t do captures and I’ve been really enjoying a lot of other peoples high quality captures. I will be purchasing in your Tonex capture packs whenever they drop! Thanks for your hard work!

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thanks so much for commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I will be working on some captures for the ToneX very soon.

[@lespaulranger]

The qc is so easy to use. It’s so easy to download someone else’s preset for your favorite song and just make everything happen. It’s an amazing product that has made guitar playing so easy.

[@deskducker]

Now that the desktop editor is out, it’s a clear winner

[@flan25821]

I heard from other videos that the Tonex capture automatically adds a low pass filter, which might explain some of the top-end differences with the Quad Cortex.

[@edilsony2b]

Where did you see that? I'd like to read more about it...

[@DeathMetalDevin]

Hit the nail on the head with this video. Good job

[@guitarghost1]

Quad sounds better and has more mids and highs. ToneX sounds muffled and lower volume.

[@dutchyfresh1]

Cranking out the videos. Quad sounded pretty accurate on my $35 Sony earbuds. You’ve been digging on that Revv lately. I’d go for that tube amp if I had to pick

[@paulfinney2010]

Thanks for the comparisons, very helpful. What I have noticed with the QC in the limited amount of capturing I have done, the eq within the capture effectively evens out whatever variations there are between the original and the capture. Couple of notes: Drums on the backing track had a stereo spread only with the QC to my ears. On the original guitar only comparisons, while the Tonex definitely sounded less bright it also sounded like it was not quite as loud as the amp or QC (could be due to the high-end roll off though)

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thanks for commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, the fact that the tonex was seemingly lower and volume was due to the fact that it had less top end in it. You know how it goes with top end, the darker the tone, the lower the volume is perceived.

[@deskducker]

I’m using apogee quartet interface to input to QC capture process. Source at 96 or 192. Endless Vst captures.

[@Claimjumper55]

I think the Tonex sounded a bit muffled compared to the other 2 but I'm sure it could be tweaked a little to fix that. I'm enjoying this profiling journey but haven't made up my mind on how I'm going to proceed. Currently I'm using Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) along with my Helix (or HX Stomp) but I'm sure I'll end up with something that doesn't require a computer. I'm hoping Line6 comes out with something or someone puts NAM in a pedal.

[@tobins6800]

Can't the Tonex capture pedals too? I do have a quad cortex. What i dig about it, is it has a lot of power for complex signal paths. I am experimenting with high gain and clean sounds. Only other place to do that is with vsts, low cost. Not sure about other units, not going to spend the money on em, i do however, accept donations. So, whoever says i should try whatever other unit, feel free to send me yours.

[@ksharpe10]

Photo finish for PHOTO/captures, Great Review.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed the episode. Much more to come.

[@therichardnogginproject9012]

I.just got a tonex pedal. But I cant get the tonex app to link with the pedal. But from what I have experienced so far with it is the amps are stronger sounding than my headrush

[@bobdillon1138]

Hasn't really cleared anything up when it comes to which is better i have heard some captures and the Tonex sounded more accurate and this one the Cortex sounded more accurate ...I would choose Tonex on price alone though.

[@Tiger1016.]

Somsthing doesent seem like it came out proper with the Tonex capture. Comes off as muffled and also the volume seems lower, which is unusual compared to other videos. I have both the QC as well as Tonex, but i havent really gotten started on doing a bunch of caputres for Tonex yet due to not having a Nvidia graphics card to make the time reasonable. And I'm also waiting for the freaking desktop editor for the QC to make organizing captures easier too!

[@riffer-t]

I love my QC and it sounded good in this comparison. If you think about it, capture in 4 minutes (Quad Cortex) compared to the 1 hour plus for the tonex advanced capture, the Quad Cortex comes out sounding arguably just as good or better than the Tonex. And with the ability for future updates for the capturing process even if it took 8 minutes for the QC to capture thats still WAY faster and easier than with the Tonex and will be probably be even better than Tonex Advanced capture. Just my opinion but I think I made the right decision. Great comparison Jarrod!

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thanks for commenting! I totally agree perit in 4 minutes I get something as good or better than the ToneX . And I don't have to hook up whole bunch of extra stuff up and wait 2 hours for it.

[@ErikAnders]

Yeah the null test says tonex might be more accurate however in a mix the Kemper and cortex seem to fit in better as if the harsh frequencies were soothed like a blessing in disguise?

[@RECTIFIER101]

Fantastic show! Be interesting to see what the tonex would sound like with a stand alone power amp through the meaa 2x12 !!!

[@ghostsofatlantisofficial]

V close, we have noticed that the QC adds sizzle to most amp captures Tone x a bit darker

[@PaulSmith91850]

I thought the Tonex , sounded dull, with less high end , then the amp or QC

[@Claimjumper55]

That's how it came across to me as well.

[@The_resurrected1887]

U r using it wrong

[@jimmymontbriand8168]

Great video Jarrod. I would definitely say QC is more accurate. I mix a lot and I can tell the difference right off the bat and even tho it’s a slight difference, it is still there and I am very picky on the quality of my sound as I play with in ears. Thanks for the video!

[@Acd81]

Nice review

[@metalceesie219]

Great comparison,i wish you add the headrush prime with the capture comparison..Because i had the quad cortex but after some time(alot) i realy am amazed by the sound and feel off the captures of the headrush prime

[@ksharpe10]

I think in an early video he had to send his back due to some problem with the Unit.

[@MARTHIAN13]

cual es el mejor cabezal de amplificador de guitarra de los que tienes alli atras de ti

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

I can give you my top 5, EVH stealth, Revv generator mark 3, JP2C, Mezzabarba Trinity and Savage MKII

[@Hellhammer1980]

Can we download the Tonex profile u used?

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

I'll be working on putting captures on my website this week.

[@nicolasrivera5310]

Ok, so why is the tonex sections of the video MONO and all the rest stereo???

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

You got me on that one. I have the ToneX hooked up exactly the same way as the other units. For the raw amp tones, both units were hooked in directly with left and right cables. For the overdrive comparisons, I had the ToneX hooked up to the HX stop via 4 cable method. Either way, you can hear everything in both speakers Stereo isn't going to affect the tone.

[@GearStuffandThings]

The volume seems to be the difference

[@Marcus.81]

Great content as always. I may be considering a new amp. I know you dig the evh stealth 100 a lot and you seem to be getting awesome results with the quad cortex. I have always stayed away from digital stuff and played tube amps for 25 years or so but times are changing. I mostly play metal but I also like a versatile amp and play some other stuff too. I know it’s all personal preference but would you recommend the stealth 100, quad Cortex or the Mesa mkvii if you could buy only one of these 3 options. I have used Mesa amps for years and have 6 of them including a Jp2c so I don’t know if the vii would be different enough to justify. It seems like the cortex would have tons of amps to emulate but I’d have to learn to use it which for me might be like trying to teach a monkey algebra. And the stealth 100 just seems like a beast and would be something different to own. Thanks for any advice man.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thanks for commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. To your question, instead of the MKVII, I would get the stealth 100. The MKVII is very similar to the JP2C that you already have. I would get something really different and unique in comparison to what you have. That's why I'm recommending the stealth 100. Regarding digital platforms, I would highly recommend the QC. In my opinion, it's the best that's out there right now.

[@KG-wp6gh]

Seemed like the Tonex was missing a little bit of treble and mids compared to the real amp and QC.

[@TheCyberMantis]

My ears and hands can't tell the difference with any of this stuff. But my WALLET can certainly tell the difference! 😆

[@jimmymontbriand8168]

Your ears are definitely not well developped. You must not be mixing a lot.. I would say QC is way more accurate on the highs frequencies and the pic attack and it feels more like an amp.

[@TheCyberMantis]

@@jimmymontbriand8168 True, I don't mix. But the real problem is ear-fatigue. I've heard so many sounds over the years, and everything is slightly different. But it all does the same job, so it's just a matter of personal taste. The only thing that stands-out to me anymore is the artist, and the songwriting.

[@MotoRiff77]

Nice video! I think IK is going to come out with an all in one floor or rack unit that's going to have Amplitube & Tonex in it. That's all they really have left to do, hopefully it's affordable.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thanks for commenting. I would love to see them do that....that would be awesome.

[@umaduro]

I am buying it. It will have THE tone. I know this for a fact because Slash said he will think of everyone of this amp and simply by doing that out of his private plane THE tone will simply just get inside the amp. No other brand will have this

[@maximumguitarage]

Great vid Jarrod ! Very well said regarding the null test, I mean if your ears and hands can't tell the difference or your listening in a mix then is who performed better in a null test really a deal breaker ? QC for me too regarding the form factor .

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thanks for commenting. I think both products did a really good job but for me, grabbing one piece of gear and doing a show with it is just a lot easier and makes more sense. To each their own though. The ToneX definitely offers a lot for the price.

[@maximumguitarage]

@@TONEWARSgearshow good point I too like the run and gun approach and being able to hook up easily in a studio or gig with just the XLR puts . Also plugging into a recording device like an RME Fireface UCX II is just seem less, so that's another + when recording . I can just plug in load up my DAW and off to the races I go .

[@flashbackshape]

Grateful we live in a time where a $400 pedal sounds as good as a $1.8k amp modeler.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Good point!

[@dukey558]

Well done and great comparisons..My humble opinion is on QC side...think about QC incorporates more expensive ASIC chips,that is DSP. Well received the presets..those are now in my QC, sound great !!.. Any Tonex your presets available?...

[@jimlansa7098]

quad sounds better than then the tonex

[@SuperForearms]

based on the amp being 100% (because it's original) I'd give Quad Cortex a 93% and the ToneX a 87%. ToneX was muddier and more bass. It lost some of the brightness and attack the other two had. The Quad Cortex was closer to that tone of the amp - IMHO !! great review

[@philfort7886]

my plan is to buy it and use it with my helix lt. That would be a killer upgrade for 399$

[@philfort7886]

The only thing that would piss me off is the cabling and midi configuration but the effort would be worth it

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

It'll totally be worth it. I run it with the HX stomp and it works perfectly.

[@jaff]

The Quad Cortex sounds good, but it sounds a bit thin compared to the ToneX. The ToneX has more bottom end. The ToneX sounds closer to the real amp. Great comparison! Keep up the good work!

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thank you so much for commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I think either unit would be a great choice for anybody.

[@2550marshall]

As a mix engineer, I liked the Tonex better than even the real amp. Why? Less noise and it fit better in the mix.

[@hbrmetal]

God bless you for stopping by this comment, and may your entire family prosper in all areas

[@philfort7886]

the tone X seem to be least accurate by pretty close. For the price it a really tiny bit of accuracy that you lost

[@pjmtry7]

Def Quad!!!!!!

[@mateuszpietrzyk3579]

Tonex is the most pleasant than amp and quad, strange

[@StrongBornBullies2]

N.A.M Nueral Amp Modeler FREE VST plugin is just as good as both. IMO

[@MarcoCiafrone]

tonex level is lower..... no the best way to compare device

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

OMG LOL. The hair splitting begins. I did the best I could regarding the volume levels. I don't have any agenda here. Hell, I'm going to be selling tonex captures very soon. So it would behoove me to show it at its best right? It's hard to get all the volume levels exactly the same when you're playing guitar riffs. Feel free to start your own channel and show me how it's done.

[@MarcoCiafrone]

@@TONEWARSgearshow it was just my thought after few seconds. My very little experience told me that if the level is lower, the source is always worst than the loudest one. I have no doubt that yours is an honest comparison. I could have done it definitely worse. However I have no doubt that the Tonex sounds better having the units side by side.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

@@MarcoCiafrone Honestly I think it just sounds like it's lower in volume because it's missing some top end and it sounds like it's "less forward " when compared to the real amp and the QC capture. A lot of times, a brighter sound will give you the illusion of more volume even though that's not necessarily the case.