nope not convinced at all. JNC never has issues getting a good tone with anything he plays on but seems this is not beta ready just yet. Ill keep my Helix LT any day
Me thinks John got a pointed communication from fender. John keep it real If it's not performing It's not performing Fyi If you bought one n love it great Me personally Ill be waiting form the next big step from LINE 6
Got mine. Didn't like tone initially. Global eq did the trick. Now, wow!! In the room feel is really great. It's super easy to use. I feel the price is reflective of future updates.
If there's anything that the NDSP Quad Cortex has taught us is that we never should pay for future updates / features. Pay for what's available now and make sure that your gear fulfill your needs now.
@@DaviSiqueiraSilva Would agree, but in order for a product to stay relevant against future competition in sales, updates/upgrades/new features are built into part of the price that you are paying. The initial release of this unit may just be the starting point. Decent enough to put on the market but does lack some features that could be added over time. Early Helix adopters went thru the same thing as well as Fractal users. But in general, I would agree with you and I think Fender does seem to do enough now especially for newbies to the modeling world.
I’m loving mine. Things that are great but not talked about. 1) purely analog loops 1/2. Like having a loop switcher. Great with fuzz and wah. 2) Bluetooth for audio playback. All my devices connected instantly without issue. 3) Setlist/song mode is great and never talked about. It’s supposed to be used as a more powerful scene alternative (debatable). I set one up for looping with a detuned fake bass, a few rhythm sounds and a few lead sounds. I had read about high gains not being great. I put my Friedman IR-X in loop 1 last night and the BE model. Same output same IR. Within 2 minutes I had them dialled so I could not tell them apart. At all
Steve Sterlacci said it best in a recent video about this unit compared to the Helix - A supplemental touch screen is a good idea. "Supplemental" being the key word. Having a touch screen for things like typing in a preset name or maybe moving things around, is always a good option to have but having to rely on it as your only method of navigating this unit I believe is something that will definitely prove detrimental if relying on this as your only gig rig.
Sounds pretty damn good to me , is it perfect , no , but what modeller is ? It’s added features , ease of use is a step in the right direction ! , will kick other companies in the ass to make improvements , which guitarists who use modellers will benefit !
Somehow you seem to have more doubts about this unit than what is GREAT about it. Not sure your title fits the content, but just my opinion. In any case, I do value your honesty in regards to these reviews.
Personally, I like it quite a bit. I like the tones I am getting. But, I think we could get the same exact tones from Helix or QC to be honest. Just takes some tweaking (as any modeler does). I think form factor and ease of use wins here easily. They do have some growth to do in some of the amp models but so does helix and just about every other modeler on the market if we’re all being honest. Good to see a positive video on here about it though :)
Got one and returned it. The form and the UI and amazing no doubts there. Scribble strips huge plus. The fender stuff sounded good, but everything else nope. the JCM800 was just bad, and the Mesa wasn't much better. For what it offers at its price it's just not worth it.
Hi John. Thanks for this series of videos. I have also had a Tone Master Pro for a week, and I have been interested to compare your reactions with mine. I am generally happy with the sounds. I set up a switcher to compare with Axe-Fx3, Quad Cortex, and Helix. I just set up presets for some of the amp emulations that are common to all the modellers, and copied the default settings from the Tone Master Pro to the others. I ran all of them to my Line6 PowerCab, and used the cab emulations in the PowerCab for consistency. I could detect very little difference in sounds of amps between any of the modellers, and nothing that could not be accounted for in variations in the amps used for modelling by each of the manufacturers. I am also on the fence about touch screens. Steve Sterlacci demonstrated yesterday that it is no quicker or easier to use the touchscreen on the TMP than it is to use the buttons and knobs on the front of the Helix. I do miss a facility to set up "user blocks" like Global Blocks or the Library in Fractal, or Favourites or User Blocks in Helix. It wouldn't be quite so bad if you could just copy blocks from a template, but the Tone master Pro doesn't have any facility to Copy/Cut/Paste anything, which does seem to be a huge omission. Likewise, whilst it has a desktop editor, there is no facility for local backups. I can't find any way to back up at all, other than uploading presets to the Cloud one at a time. These things would be easy enough to update in future, even if they were just added to the editor. However, Fender have yet to set up any feedback mechanism, or any user group system. Manufacturer supported user groups and forums have done a lot to generate feedback and push the update cycles for Fractal, Line6, and NeuralDSP. Without them, Fender just won't be listening.
So far I can say , it does sound alright, but for its price there are older modelers that can do better from companies that have a headstart for years and have been improving their product for years. im not overly convinced. some of the gainy sounds still sound a bit muffled
I think we don't hear about Boss because they don't really try to model "real" amps in my experience. They try to create amps that are their own thing. When I close my eyes and listen their amps sound as good or better than anything, but let's face it, feeling like you are playing a historically important amp is part of the fun.
I actually think its a good thing for Line 6 to wait so long before putting something new out. Let these other companies try out different screens, and form factors, control schemes, etc and then put something out that's better
It also creates the trust that whatever the new product may be it will be supported for a long time. At the same time, Line6 have probably been using some of the same algos for decades now.
Rotary encoders on foot switches is not something I wish to see emulated further. With all my gear, those two items have always been first to fail. Seeing them combined causes me to cringe. For that reason, and the obvious hygienic concerns around barns and bars, no thanks. Fractal leads because of passionate focus over many years. Can Fender catch up tone wise and build on this release? Not so so sure they can, but for those purchasing now, I certainly hope so! Cheers all, D
I’m finding the tones im getting a bit hard and crystalline. 5 days now and I’m trying to find warm a chewy, might try dropping the speaker filter lower like you suggest
It's really unfortunate that they made this thing so "powerful" but then restricted it by forcing spillover. Surely they will make it so you can deactivate?
I have had mine for a couple of days, I like it! I think you have to put a lot of time in it to get exactly what you want but I think the capability are there, I keep going back and improving on what I worked on , I been using boutique pedals for years , if your trying to get that sound you might be disappointed but you can get some really good thing happening! I am very pleased with what I have dialed so far and I haven’t even got to where It will be, the journey is fun!
Not meant as a dig mate, but if you're goin' 'round playin' in dodgie barns, you need to somehow protect your equipment whether it's a touch screen or not. I wonder if Fender considered that scenario, when designing the TM Pro. I'm having fun with you now, take care. :)
I predict a great future of it, especially with future fw updates. Even more when Fender will add the capture feature, which I also predict they will do in about a year, because all the necessary IO is already there. It is not perfect, yet, but it will be, if Fender will cherish its fw the next years. If you say that tone is not good and you are judging from yt videos, there must be something wrong either with your ears or with something more weird.
Is t the idea that you select the thing on the screen and the parameters come up on the buttons which double as rotary knobs? Like the QC Means you can go 2 handed and edit quicker.
Hi John really loving your reviews. Can you please touch on which route you go down with modellers. I am new to pedals and “finding my sound” and not sure where to go. Would also like anyones opinion who can provide good advice. Thank you
I like the large screen for seeing the devices being dialed in, asit is much more relatable, memorable, and satisfying. I think physical rotary encoders are better than touch screens for accurately dialing in a setting. The TMP looks about 4 times as big as my HX Stomp, and that would be way too big and bulky for my desktop. The QC is about the maximum size for that scenario.
I think they should make it that turning one of the foot switch encoders brings the assigned block up for editing so that you don't have to use the touchscreen for quick edits. Can you make up for the lack of scenes by assigning multiple settings to a foot switch? Isn't that pretty close to scene functionality? I like the way the Arturia LX 24 reverb handles its interface. On the surface it's a skeuomorphic representation of Lexicon Reverb, but you can switch it to a more modern in depth list type view. It would probably also be cool if Fender added some "rack" units for delay and reverb and had those edited in a more list view fashion like the actual units.
I currently use an HX Stomp. I can get just about any sound I need from it for my cover band using the app and my PC, however I never tweak it while playing because tweaking sounds without the app is not very intuitive. I am seriously considering the FTMP simply because I miss twisting knobs on amps and stomp boxes and this interface/touchscreen is the closest thing I’ve found. Most reviews mention the touchscreen, and some people like it and others don’t think it’s necessary. To me it seems like a game changer. Am I an exception?
Your not the exception. I had a play with a TMP in a shop and loved the combination of touch screen/ rotary knobs. The touch screen is not as responsive as an iphone or ipad. You have to press it more intentionally and hold your finger there for a split second longer which i think is to avoid accidental touches. I got used to it in no time and loved it. Not sure if you saw Steve Sterlacci video where he compared dialling in a tone but he was hitting the screen like an ipad and it wasnt always responding. He was never going to give it a good review anyway
upgrade to the Helix LT instead. best bang for your buck. then you dont have to re-do all your perfectly dialed in presets that you spent so manyt hrs to create and you can twist the knobs all you want and STILL have $$ left over to buy a new axe/guitar or external pedals!
John, during these trying times like the cost of living crisis, global warming and train drivers not being paid enough, can you end each video with a positive message like Mr Rogers and maybe a little salute to the camera? Cheers
Same price as the helix and the helix is 9 years old. So which one has the better pricing. $1699 for a 9 year old device or $1699 for a brand new device? I love my helix but I bought it when it was way cheaper. I wouldn't buy a helix at it's current cost.
@@therangersinger Your logic is very flawed. What is more valuable, a new Hyundai or a a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO ($70 mil.) Old does not mean bad. Just went to Mystic, CT. Did a tour of the museams. Those 200 year old tools were better than any you can buy today. Helix was and is better than this fizzy sounding toy. Neither are worth the high price tab. Go FM9 and be a happy fiddler or singer or ranger or whatever. This new Fender crashes a lot too. It is very flawed. Even a FM3 Turbo is far better sounding (not UI or butttons) but it is also only $1.099 so a relative bargain. Play what you want. I bought a FM9 AND a Tube Amp and a pedal board. Life is too short to compromise on tone.
Expect to see a smaller version of this if they decide to stick with the platform. It will presumably have less processing power similar to the HX Stomp line.
Buying a Helix or Fractal also gets you into a mature operating system & amp/fx algos. It’s mostly about the firmware. The Axe Fx is on firmware 23. Years of refining and adding new features. That’s the other big question. Will Fender continually update this product like Fractal does? That’s a BIG bonus imo.
I love the U.I. Simple easy and hardly any learning curve. Price? Steep-ish, yeah, not worth it if they do not keep developing it. I took the gamble they will, as they must surely have looked at the road their competitors have taken? The 8 core processors have a lot of oomph to be able to handle more complex models. Anyways, complain if you like, but neural dropped their price…..
Oh I like that feedback generator, PLUS one for that. 15:03 for that. That will make for a DOUBLE Screaming Legato Boy!!!! The Cloud reverb sounds like a sophisticated Plate Reverb.
Great video John I’m a pro player Helix user since it was released I’ve just brought the Fender tone master looking forward to messing with it . Absolutely love your playing style very classy my kind of player anyway thank you I’ve just discovered you love the vids
Bluetooth audio streaming is something I thought I won't need but now I'm enjoying with my TMP. No need for an interface and a computer for practicing.
As these things come out and as a whole are getting better and better and better, wether these units or guitars or pedals, it’s seems like the goal is to find something to complain about. A grey lining in every cloud. Becoming tiresome. How about videos of gratitude for having access to so much excellence and how cool all these things are? There are soooo many cool things buried in each of these, someone making videos could spend hours showing how cool each of them are.
This fender unit in particular seemed to upset, even offend alot of people. I agree we are spoiled for choice. Nothing wrong with some healthy competition in the market
Another great and fair video. Maybe it's just because I'm old and not as bendy as I once was but I really don't see the appeal of a touch screen being the way of programming a device which would be at my feet in most playing situations. A blue toothed app for a phone or tablet would be way more useful to me (really hoping whatever the Helix successor is it goes that way!).
i feel if your going to put out a new modeler pedal you must put an expression pedal on it. for most gigging musicians we need it. i been using the helix since November 2015. i just bought the Fractal FM3 turbo and now i got to go buy an expression pedal. ok now witch one do i get. the reason i like the helix it's 1 pedal 1 plug and play.
I feel the opposite, I like that it doesn't have it built in. Moving parts tend to break more often. Easy to replace if exp stops working. Also easy to configure expression pedals on pedal board. Doesn't have to be next to TMP
Disagree 100. Not everyone wants the added bulk of a built in expression pedal. And the style and feel of an expression pedal is highly subjective so it’s better to let users add that on as they see fit.
Boss is very sadly underrepresented. I’ve read some good things about their MDP amp models which combine amp models with adaptive adjustments based on what you’re playing. That has the potential to be better than an amp instead of simply emulating an amp. But it is hard to find anyone who has really delved into that and seen if it really pays off.
John have you tried the headrush core? Apparently identical spec to the prime you mentioned but much smaller form factor. Half price of the fender and QC....would be a great shootout! choices choices
Even as the positives pour forth, it seems to trip itself up here and there. I love hearing you chat about this stuff and your playing even more so, I just can’t get excited about this unit even though it should be the best thing since, well, the last best thing. 🤷🏼
I really hope Line 6 don't go full touch screen in their new generation of modellers. All the TMP videos the touch screen looks inaccurate and buggy. Lucky it has desktop editor and app as well as encoder knobs. Touch screen should be add on, not the only way to edit. Knobs please.
You have to press the touchscreen more intentionally and hold for a split second longer than with an ipad or iphone. Im assuming this is by design to help stop accidential press. Had a play around at a shop and got used to it pretty quick
@@playjamtracks ah that makes sense. Otherwise it's like those memes where people get some droplets of water on their phone and next second the phone is buying a tonne of online shopping
You have to press the touchscreen more intentionally and hold for a split second longer than with an ipad or iphone. Im assuming this is by design to help stop accidential press. Had a play around at a shop and got used to it pretty quick
Except the Positive Grid amp is extremely limited compared to this: fixed pedal order, fixed number of pedals. And it's not particularly innovative. Other vendors have been doing this sort of skeuomorphic design for years. Personally, I''m not a big fan of this sort of design: it tends to take up a lot of screen real-estate and, whilst it looks "pretty", I don't find it has any practical benefits.
4:45 I'm just about totally lost which modeler would be the right product at the right price. Sort of none of them hit the sweet spot of quality sounds, form factor and price. Which leads me to buy none at all ironically. A stereo power amp and a good plugin (Neural, IK, Mercuriall...changes per day) and I should be good.
I'm in a similar boat. My primary gig rig is an HX Stomp XL with MIDI controller, but it doesn't quite have enough DSP or display information for my taste. But I don't need a full size Helix (have an LT, stays home in the studio); more like I need something that's 1.5x more than HX Stomp XL in DSP and screen.
@@yikeluI've been looking into buying a Helix LT as my first modeler, and would need to use it for our bands rehearals and gigs. What is the reason why you wouldn't use the LT for gigging instead of your Stomp XL if a bit extra DSP and display info are what you're missing? Is the Stomp better suited for regular live uses than the LT?
@@wavewithus4081 nothing bad, it's actually because my LT is such an integral part of my studio setup. I'd have to unplug 8 cables every time I load it out. Plus it's relatively heavy and the carry bag options initially were too bulky. I'm very busy so I often am just dead on unload and won't plug it back in.
@@wavewithus4081 Now that I think about it, I actually just got myself a very lightweight/small power amp + cab setup for gigging, so I may actually consider trading in my HXSXL for a second LT lmao. One for home, one outside.
Hi John, Quick question. Could you use this with Boss Waza headphones, either just as bluetooth headphones or with the dongle so the headphones work in the usual way. I'm not super tech savvy but I quite often use them plugged into a small pedal board without an amp to complement the overall tones i can get with the built in sounds as a purely casual/home player. Love the Waza headphones but find it a pain to setup different sounds and really like the look of the Tone Master pro and was hoping to use in the same way!
