Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Tonelux, whose got it and what do you think?

midnightsun · 21st July 2006, 08:29 PM

Hello Mark:

If you do a search you will see there has been many a spirited discussion about Tonelux gear. I would not retract anything I have already said but now have more experience under my belt and can add the following.

1. As a point of reference -- I have 16 MX's, 4 FX's, SM2, CR2, elaborate patch bay, RADAR, G5 quad Logic Pro, a modest amount of outboard gear.

2. Tracking Benefits: During tracking sessions I monitor everything through the Tonelux and Latency is a non issue. Lots of options for monitoring and controlling cue's.

3. Mixing Benefits: of my 24 channels I have 16 inserts and 4 Aux sends. Inserts across the Stereo Bus. Transformer driven outs from 16 of my channels. I can send to simultaneous sources during mixdown, e.g. bounce back to the DAW, to Tape, and to a dedicated digital recorder. I will not comment on the summing ITB vs OTB issue. The Icons of audio can't agree on that one. I prefer taking advantage of my 24 Tonelux channels during summing because it is a simple task to insert outboard dynamics or EQ on specific tracks and to use the Aux sends for Effects, and I just like the way it sounds. In terms of ease of work flow one could accomplish the same thing ITB but if you want to plug in outboard gear there are issues to be reckoned with ITB.

4. As I search or tones and mixes in this creative endeavor, there are times that I feel that the DAW is an obstacle that I must overcome. I never perceived my Tonelux setup as an obstacle to my creative process. Actually, it usually ends up being part of the solution when I hit a road block on the DAW. I am not saying that I don't embrace the wonders of the digital world. Even though I love analog outboard gear I am finding more uses for digital tools.

5. Hybrid Studio--Digital gear has gotten better and better. Most of my prosumer analog gear has been surpassed by garden variety digital tools. However, in my book premium analog gear more consistently gives me the tones that I am after or at least the bench mark of tonal possibilities.

6. No 100,000 dollar plus console today. Since I am happy to task a DAW with a great deal of my audio management I can get away without having to have the giant console with all of its expense and headaches. I have picked from the premium analog console relm only what will be useful for me in my work flow.

7. As my interest and budget allows I can expand my Tonelux system. I am presently on the path of getting the automated faders and a nice desk to put it all in rather than my present rack setup. As a GS I know that I will never be done adding to my setup. Who knows, I may end up with 100,000 dollars worth of Tonelux console but whatever I do will be out of pocket and debt free/stress free. You can build as you go with the Tonelux.

Feel free to PM me if you wish for more of my personal biases.

21st July 2006, 08:29 PM	#5
midnightsun Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 826	The Tonelux Concept Hello Mark: If you do a search you will see there has been many a spirited discussion about Tonelux gear. I would not retract anything I have already said but now have more experience under my belt and can add the following. 1. As a point of reference -- I have 16 MX's, 4 FX's, SM2, CR2, elaborate patch bay, RADAR, G5 quad Logic Pro, a modest amount of outboard gear. 2. Tracking Benefits: During tracking sessions I monitor everything through the Tonelux and Latency is a non issue. Lots of options for monitoring and controlling cue's. 3. Mixing Benefits: of my 24 channels I have 16 inserts and 4 Aux sends. Inserts across the Stereo Bus. Transformer driven outs from 16 of my channels. I can send to simultaneous sources during mixdown, e.g. bounce back to the DAW, to Tape, and to a dedicated digital recorder. I will not comment on the summing ITB vs OTB issue. The Icons of audio can't agree on that one. I prefer taking advantage of my 24 Tonelux channels during summing because it is a simple task to insert outboard dynamics or EQ on specific tracks and to use the Aux sends for Effects, and I just like the way it sounds. In terms of ease of work flow one could accomplish the same thing ITB but if you want to plug in outboard gear there are issues to be reckoned with ITB. 4. As I search or tones and mixes in this creative endeavor, there are times that I feel that the DAW is an obstacle that I must overcome. I never perceived my Tonelux setup as an obstacle to my creative process. Actually, it usually ends up being part of the solution when I hit a road block on the DAW. I am not saying that I don't embrace the wonders of the digital world. Even though I love analog outboard gear I am finding more uses for digital tools. 5. Hybrid Studio--Digital gear has gotten better and better. Most of my prosumer analog gear has been surpassed by garden variety digital tools. However, in my book premium analog gear more consistently gives me the tones that I am after or at least the bench mark of tonal possibilities. 6. No 100,000 dollar plus console today. Since I am happy to task a DAW with a great deal of my audio management I can get away without having to have the giant console with all of its expense and headaches. I have picked from the premium analog console relm only what will be useful for me in my work flow. 7. As my interest and budget allows I can expand my Tonelux system. I am presently on the path of getting the automated faders and a nice desk to put it all in rather than my present rack setup. As a GS I know that I will never be done adding to my setup. Who knows, I may end up with 100,000 dollars worth of Tonelux console but whatever I do will be out of pocket and debt free/stress free. You can build as you go with the Tonelux. Feel free to PM me if you wish for more of my personal biases.