Newbie question on running a ToneLab ST into tube amps help!

[zhijie46]

Hi fellow softies!
I'm new to all these technical stuff and the question is about both the Vox ToneLab ST and tube amps having tubes in them.
I am intending to get these two gears and went to watch some videos and read reviews on them.
So I came across some youtube videos on these items and some comments mentioned to NOT have a the ToneLab ST plug into a tube amp. Will there be any problems if I have both these equipment played together?
Appreciate any help!

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

if amp has effect loop, connect the effect send(on amp) to input of tonelab and output of tone lab to effect return(on amp)

If connecting geetar to tonelab to amp, check in manual of tonelab whether can bypass the amp modelling on tonelab.

there is prolly nothing wrong to connect the tonelab straight to amp. Why some doesnt(connecting it straight to the amp input instead of effect loop) is not wanting the amp preamp to further "colour" the characteristic of tonelab amp modelling.

Connecting direct without disabling the amp modelling on tone lab is like

Geetar--->amp 1---->amp 2

Where amp 1 is already adding its own characteristic to the geetar signal and after which, being processed via amp 2.

Its not wrong in a "will damaged anything" way, but in term of typical way of connection, seldom there will be "amp signal on top of amp signal processing, unless purposely wanting it that way.

In another way of describing, its like fitting a small car into bigger car and driving the big car instead of just driving the small one to travel.

 

[loldude333]

Sorry to hijack, but this applies in general to all MFX where you're using the amp models right? You don't want the amp colouring your preset tone. Unless you can bypass the amp (which my PodXT Live is capable of doing) and only using the pedal patches. Thanks!

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

if having effect loop on amp, be better to just put the gadget within the loop.

I think for most of the amp modeling gadget, its distortion patches mainly from the amp models as well. If wanna plug in straight to amp but bypassing the amps setting, the distortion will be gone as well. The efx will end up mostly for its modulation effect or cab simulation patches instead.

Oh yeah, even though amp on amp prolly not what most will do, sometime the colouring will actually present another side of sound which the user might like.

 

[zhijie46]

Thanks for the REALLY REALLY constructive and straightforward help! Kinda explains everything that I didn't understand.

So if I wanted to solely play the multi effects pedal amp models through an amp, I might as well run it through a solid state amp on the clean channel?

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

running the multi efx straight to solid state amp clean channel will be the same as running it straight to tube amp clean channel. The main thing aint about tube or solid state amp, but all on where you connect the multi efx. Straight to physical amplifer input or in the effect loop.

To use the multiefx with amp simulation, usual recommendation is to put it in the effect loop of the physical amplifier. Through this, the geetar when plugged straight to the physical amplifier, its signal will be routed into the amp simulation patches on the multi efx instead of the physical amp preamp and onto the next stage for amplification.