Sold my FM3 and bought a TMP….no regrets! Better workflow, easy layout, sounds are very similar, FM3 has better presets from the get go but with some easy minor tweaking to taste the TMP is right there. No brainer choice for me, Fender got it right and will only improve upon it with more updates!
Coming back after your first video on the FTM, I like some of the tones you dialed in. I especially like the clean tones. The display is gorgeous. Most of the tones sound like tones you could get out of any other modeler. I could see where - if this was your first modeler - it would be easy to be taken in by the visual side of it. But for those of us who've used other modelers, there's not really enough going on here to make the move.
Agreed. Though, I must admit the UI actually might be why I'd buy if I didn't have one. It really does seem like they took what people liked from each. I absolutely love the scribble strips but in the Helix I wished there were a better display. This is that. That being said, absolutely no reason to buy if you are happy w/ current modeler. It clearly doesn't do anything special like Fender is claiming.
@@RogerThat902I think they are, to a degree, playing on their name and the fact that they are the original manufacturer of many of the amps they are modelling here. But, in reality, I see no real reason why Fender should be better at any other company at modelling their amps. Their classic tube amps are old designs and, electronically speaking, pretty simple. They are great amps but there's no secret "special sauce" about them. Many other brands have built clones of them over the last few decades, and some of those clones were better than the originals. Heck, you can build your own clone of a twin reverb or bassman.
You've made several videos now with the TMP, but it's not clear if you've done the update yet. If you haven't, then it invalidates most of what you have said so far. Just a friendly FYI. Please state if you've updated the unit.
I'm a headrush pedal board user. Planning to get headrush Prime one day when the funds allow. I must say. The rotary knobs and graphical user interface in this unit is so good. I like it. When it comes to sounds. I'll still sound like me even if I use the most world leading unit.. So then I have no need to upgrade any gear but my skills.
A couple things: I got my Tonemaster Pro day before yesterday from Sweetwater (purchased myself). I struggled a little to dial in my preferred tone at first too... but then I routed my existing pedal board through a loop on the Tonemaster in front of the 65 Deluxe Reverb and there it was. It was so darn close to the sound of my real amp that I had to double take. That may just go to show that a lot of my personal tone I've worked out is dependent on pedals (Particularly the Strymon Deco and the Mythos Mjolnir). I have a Fuzz in that external effects loop at the front as well and it sounded pretty killer. Can't compare to Helix or Headrush but it seems like pedals interact pretty well indeed with the amp sims in the Tonemaster Pro. I find the built in effects in the Tonemaster to be "okay" but don't knock my socks off so far and there's not really that much selection yet. Also they are poorly organized and it takes some scrolling to find what you want. The amps and cabs though, are pretty great in my opinion. I'd say the deluxe sound easily holds up to what I get out of my Dream 65. Regarding the point in your video where you point out that you can't see some of the delay effect controls because your finger is covering them on the screen- just use the knobs instead. It's a lot easier to adjust the effect or amp settings with the knobs anyway but I think the display is so nice we're all tempted to use the touch screen even if it's not the best tool for that job
Yeah, I do not understand why John did not use the rotary knobs instead. The screen is interesting but I am really not much of a fan of touch screens for the most part. But rotary knobs like in real amp seems appropriate for a modeler like this.
@@harryharris1619II wonder if it may be because he just got it yesterday and the most expedient way to know you are grabbing the right control is to use the touch screen? Not sure if the scribble strips make it really obvious which knob corresponds to what control on the screen, so, just speculation. John was a bit dubious of Touch Screens himself in his first review of the Boss GX-100 if I remember correctly?
A few thoughts after a day with the Fender TMP - Years of using the Helix has imprinted on my brain how a modeled Fender/Vox/Marshall is "supposed" to sound. I'm fighting the tendency to use the Helix as the default reference when comparing tones from the TMP. Need to figure out how to hear them in a blind head-to-head match up. - I bought the companion FR-12 cab with the TMP. To my ears, the cab seems to improve the sound of the TMP. When play the TMP through my Line 6 PowerCab or Henriksen Bud, the TMP seems to lose a bit of character. The firmware update also seems to have improved audio quality. - I find it easier to dial in my sounds with the TMP. I tend to favor clean to edge-of-breakup tones, which seem to be strengths of the TMP right now. So perhaps this should be expected.
Every time I turn my QC on it makes me smile. I love the tones I am able to achieve with it. I know others have had hardware issues. Mine was from the initial release pre-order and to date I have thankfully had no issues. I have gigged it since week one. I am defintely sticking with the QC for now.
Learning a lot from this both from your own explorations and a lot of the comments below! Some nice sounds happening already - esp the clean stuff! I am absolutely not a "modelling person" but always happy to learn. I have devoted the last few years to fine-tuning my pedal rig in the studio (Effectrode Blackbird / Victory Copper / Ventilator II / Flint / Deco / Alter Ego etc. etc. which give me the late 60s / early 70s vibe I grew up with). My only experience with any sort of model type thing is my vintage Vox Tone Lab which came in handy for quick changes when I was doing a lot of TV ad sessions a few years ago. Whatever, above mostly irrelevant but always enjoy your channel and the input from others sharing their experience!
First impressions. It feels great under the fingers, takes pedals really well in the front and in all the effects loops, doesn’t seem to clip I’m wondering if it has automatic limiters on the inputs. Cleans up better on the guitar better than other modellers I have tried, reverbs are airy and have volume. Drive and gain feel pretty good although you can tell its digital. I ran some real pedals in the front and didn’t feel like they ere incredibly mismatched. LVX In the loop sounds great. Expression pedals work really well and onboard wah are better than other digital models. Internal routing is not a patch on helix or QC. hopefully they will expand and develop flexibility. Would like some more complex studio compression for end of chain. I’m enjoying and have found less confusing issues than with first days of both the helix and QC. Looking forward to see what you do with it over next weeks.
I have the Helix LT and really like it. It takes a while to find sounds and understand how to get them. It's a good idea to make a few templates of sounds and then expand upon them as you go. Helix has a ton of options available and some of the more obscure amp controls and effects can surprise you with how they can improve your sound.
I've been looking into modelers and been heavily leaning into getting the LT now I'm asked to join a professional band. Do you think it lends itself to being used 50/50 for live and home production stuff? I play in both a radio pop band and in a rock band, and make heavy modern prog metal in my own time.. it seems these modelers are all good for any style nowadays, would you confirm that or does the Helix lend itself more to specific styles or gain levels? And how do you use it at home? I plan to buy a FRFR speaker with it but I wonder if it'll sound nice at home where I can't really put it thru much volume, especially when playing high gain and lowwww tuning stuff.
I have a Stomp xl and it pretty much stays plugged into a Focusrite interface which is then plugged into some powered studio monitors. I have real amps, but I mostly practice and record with that setup. Pretty much any tone at any volume. I don’t play out, but I’d be fine taking the stomp xl and nothing else. For me the stomps in the unit are fine albeit it sometimes takes some tweaking. In my setup, before the xl is a big muff and a Ds-1. Often when recording, I like the muff panned one way the the DS-1 panned the other and it just convenience that those two “staple” sounds are just always there.
John, thank you again for doing this. Just to make sure, note that it would make drastic difference, but they are pointing out that it’s important to do the firmware and total reset. Some people will be saying that you didn’t do it during your first video I’m sure you have done it for the second one.😊
FWIW I'm on the original firmware and the image I download from Fender is corrupt no matter what computer I use.This is the mac version of the firmware update so it may be that they need to put a fresh image on the site. Wonder if I'm the only one with this issue.
From what John told me, he did actually do the firmware update, or he would not have had a Boogie or a Bassman or a Mesa EV Cabinet in the TMP if he hadn't. I didn't ask about the first video, but this one definitely has the firmware update.
I've been seeing a lot written in comments of various pages regarding this product. Every modeler has its fans. Hardcore aficionados. And they're all throwing shade around Fender over this unit. I don't think anyone who uses a modeler and likes it are going to jump at the Fender. But, for those looking at starting with modelers it's another quality option. How could that be a bad thing? The more quality choices we have the better.
Yeah..... hmmm ..... everything seems to have a slightly "boxy" quality to the overall tone that isn't apparent in any of your other modeller based tones. It seems to be happier in clean to low gain territory rather than face melting high gain world, which I guess it kind of a nice change given that Fractal (of which the AxeFx3 is my beast of choice) are criticised as being overly focussed on high gain sounds. Having said that, the preset you picked out as your favourite is very nice indeed. Thanks for the demo John.
9:15 This is on purpose. It models the pedals including dry behavior. Quote from a Fender rep on TGP: “Every model does exactly what its analog counterpart does, including "dry" gain structure/filtering. For example, our Tape Echo, Memory Delay and Space Delay models all include the dry path circuitry that they are known for. If you turn the delay mix down to 0 the model is still doing the authentic thing it does to the dry signal. The Tape Echo, modeled after a Maestro Echoplex EP-3 has the JFET input preamp modeled as you would expect.”
@@DrRussPhdidk if I can agree with that statement. They are actively and regularly releasing updates on their current hardware. They've only expanded that hardware as a result of meeting specific demands, but otherwise, the hardware is good enough that Line 6 is intentionally trying to get as much life out of it as possible.
@@DrRussPhdhardly the same company and totally different price bracket. Helix was released in 2015 and is still getting updates to improve it 👌🏽 I don’t need them to release anything, still meets all my needs.
As with most of not all gear, you have to depend on your ears to get your sounds. Some people can create better sounds once they know how the unit works (I'm still finding new methods on my Helix) and know what sounds they are after. Understanding EQ is really important.
The more I watch your reviews on the TMP, the more excited I am to get mine. Just another example of tone always starting at the fingers. I'm sure you can make anything sound amazing. Again, for me... my hearing is shot these days. I don't have the ability to hear all the preferred tones in all the other modelers. I have in my current order of preference the Helix, Boss GX1000, Quad Cortex and Headrush and they all "sound" fine and/or the same to me. So when you remove the sounds/tones of a unit out of an equation as I have to, it all comes down to UI and Form Factor. I also look froward to the streaming of backing tracks through the unit to my FRFR.
How are you recording the Fender Tone Master Pro? It sounds like it's in the room vs. direct, so if it's a direct out recording (vs. mic'ing an FRFR, etc), it's impressive to me.
Fractal's designs are pretty utilitarian, touchscreens are considered unnecessary bells and whistles. Deep editing is done best on the desktop anyways. I could imagine them using touchscreens in addition to physical knobs in their next generation but that will take years until release. I would love a world where Fractal licenses their modeling IP to other companies as it is the best and modelers would just differ in horsepower and UI.
John is the reason that I have bought the HX stomp three times after I had sold it before! I am at the point where I think for a small solution the HX stomp is absolutely perfect. Even with using couple of external overdrive pedals. Definitely don’t see an advantage of using some thing like UAD dream or Tonex. That’s why I’m selling all of them. For a big solution I have a Kemper stage that works quite well, the other is FM3, which is cool, but if I don’t use it daily and come back to it, I always have to try to relearn how to operate it.
The advantage of ToneX is that the amps sound better … Kemper & FM3 are both great; the next best profiler/capture-tech & modeler, respectively. (In other words, the best all-in-ones (except, maybe QC > Fractal 🤔)). Stomp the smallest all-in-one … but Kemper Player much better (sounding: tho’ limited in blocks, and expensive 🤔).
This makes me wonder how the general reaction was to Helix when it was first released? The TMP only had room to improve. The trouble is that the competition is currently fierce, especially at this price point.
@@dansomervilleAndetons is in the business of selling these, of course they will hype it and only show the best parts to get customers interested John bought this with his own money, is very impartial and have a lot of experience with other modelers. I trust his reviews more..
I'm pretty sure the Memory Man pedal itself does some tonal shaping (based on a video I watched over at Andertons about comparing delay pedals), so the unit, if it's getting that right, might be getting some pretty niche things correct (which is neat itself).
Correct, and they modeled it. Quote from a Fender rep: “Every model does exactly what its analog counterpart does, including "dry" gain structure/filtering. For example, our Tape Echo, Memory Delay and Space Delay models all include the dry path circuitry that they are known for. If you turn the delay mix down to 0 the model is still doing the authentic thing it does to the dry signal. The Tape Echo, modeled after a Maestro Echoplex EP-3 has the JFET input preamp modeled as you would expect.”
Thank you for your videos on the Tone Master Pro. Mine arrived today, and I am finding them very helpful. As compared to my Axe-Fx, I am really missing the apparent absence of any level metering. This makes preset levelling, or even a starting point, rather difficult.
The UI is cool. The incorporated knobs on tthe pedals does make it feel more hands on, but makes me think how expensive those foot stomps would be to replace after the rotations fail. Maybe the sound improves through microphone placements.
Those rotary encoders should last a very long time. They don’t work like potentiometers and there are no contacts to wear out. The press function of the footswitch will likely wear out long before the rotary.
@@400_billion_suns Rotary encoders on units like my old Roland GP-100 modeler were definitely prone to degeneration and failure (granularity lost over time, jumping in value or not registering for some of the turn motion etc) I wonder, are these different? I suppose if they are Hall effect based or the like then the encoder function would never wear out. You are correct the footswitch in that case would likely wear out well before.. but the footswitch itself, that takes a pounding on any floor pedal unit.. If the footswitch functionality goes, the whole swtich / encoder would likely need replacing, I would think? THAT is where the added cost would be an issue when the unit is out of warranty..
I love the UI and the form factor, but without capture functionality, I can’t load my own amps and pedals into it. So I will be forced to stay with QC for now.
I wish Line 6 would take a page from fender on the amp and pedal graphics on the FTP and I like that you can turn the knobs on the foot switches but outside of that I still would choose the helix 9 times out of 10!
I really liked your Tone Master videos, i appreciate your honest reviews. I think you explained in detail what it is and it is not for. As an old school player who goes by a pedalboard and an amp this will definitely not make me sell my gear and buy a Tone Master. I like the easy front panel but it sounds way too digital and saturated, especially at high gain settings. Not to mention that it's way too expensive. I also don't think that Quad Cortex or Helix players will sell theirs to buy a Tone Master either. It costs more and doesn't offer more than what they do. So i don't honestly get what Fender was aiming at. Maybe they want to be in modelers game too since they're possibly the biggest guitar and amp company. I'm not a pro in digital modelers but in my opinion the Tone Master has a long way to go.
You are right: this Fender modeler is extremely overhyped! QC sounds and feels better to my ears and fingers. The only thing Fender did "better" is the GUI on the touch-display. This modeler is for the ones, who will buy a unit like this for the first time and didn't know better. And they are paying +500$ for the brand Fender and it's excessive phantom viewed YT-marketing.
What's interesting to me is just how subjective all this is, cause I hear you saying how you're not that impressed by these tones while I'm here thinking that I'd do unspeakable things to sound anything like you did in this video hahaha
From what little I have heard from the Fender Tonemaster video till now, Amps don't sound distantly different, they just some like it's one sound with different EQ's, whereas on something like the Helix the Amps sound distantly different , Helix also sounds more organic, for me Helix beats this for now.
Yeah I sense that too, all the Fenders sound just generically Fender. The interface is stellar though, it is it's strong point. They need to UPDATE big time in near future to go anywhere. They Flooded RU-vid posters, except JNC who took it upon himself. The TONE WARS guy was impressed and he knows the High GAIN stuff.
I think the TM Pro has allot of potential over the long term but I have to agree with you in that I have not been impressed by the authenticity of the amp models I have heard across several YT videos except for the deluxe reverb and the 5150. If anyone can coax a good tone out of this unit it would be you so I am going to closely follow any subsequent videos you put up relating to this unit. Luckily I am not yet in the market for an all-in-one modelling solution so I'm not in any hurry to spend money at this point. BTW, someone on TGP posted your first video and a question was asked if you had taken the opportunity to implement the first firmware (or software?) update because it didn't appear you had mentioned it in that video.
I commented above about this but running my existing pedal board through the fx loop in front of an amp in the TMP is getting me very good results so far. I don't much care for the on board effects and I love pedals so this might just be a me situation.
My first experience with digital was a line6 flex tone 11 , I kept it for two weeks and changed it for a hot rod deluxe around 2021 and I’ve still got it , I like about 3/4 sounds, fender clean , soldano & Mesa & Friedman , I’ll probably buy a jel 20 with matching cab
I’ve owned them all. Helix, Kemper, Fractal, ToneX and Quad Cortex. To each their own, but I always go back to my Kemper. May give this a shot just for fun.
Fender dropped the ball here. They're jumping into a hugely competitive space at a price point with other well-established, fully-featured modelers, but they aren't really offering anything meaningfully new yet. They could have dropped this with more sought-after Fender amps included from the get-go to differentiate this product from the competition : tweeds, brown-panels, Rivera-era, even quirky stuff like the Excelsior would have been cool. But we get the same stuff on every other modeler without a discernible difference in sound or quality. What a missed opportunity from a company sitting on literally dozens of iconic amp designs.
@@NoName-ql1wk I never said that it won't sell - I'm saying that they missed an opportunity to offer something more unique to the market at launch by utilizing their existing trademarks and designs to offer a more comprehensive collection of iconic Fender amps. If you can't understand the difference between those two statements, I'm not sure we can have a meaningful dialogue. As it stands, the Fender Tone Master Pro has an arguably less well-rounded collection of Fender amp models than any of the other amp modelers at the same price point, despite having almost 80 years of amp-building history and dozens of iconic designs (some of which have never been included in another modeler). At least in my personal opinion, that's a missed opportunity. These are gonna sell no matter what, but as a genuine fan of modeling and Fender amp history, I find this product lackluster and frankly pedestrian when it could have been genuinely exciting.
I am definitely impressed with the functionality of this unit. Though, the sounds aren't knocking me out because so many for far less sound so close to identical that in a mix NOBODY is going to say that it's a Fender, Helix, Fractal or Kemper. I'm using something that NOBODY would expect and blowing minds because it's a real amp on a budget.
It honestly has the best pure Fender cleanish tone I’ve ever heard in a modeler. All Fenders have that tinny thing going on. And the reverbs are great. But I think that’s the problem. Helix and QC have a more studio polished sound which fits better in a mix situation IMHO. The overdrive is horrid though IMO
If you are not blown away yet, try putting it in the microwave while it is turned ON. Play near it, smoke a blunt while you are at it. Crank the microwave oven and wait till it blows up. With you along with it.
I feel like this device is the first device made for Someone like me who likes the raw, minimally polished sounds of small label alternative music. With the Helix & Co. even heavy fuzz tones have an amount of polish and sheen to them that is very undesirable if the sounds of Sonic Youth, Godspeed You! black Emperor, Death or MC5 is what you're after
I didn’t hear anything that wasn’t possible on amp modeler software years ago. I feel guitar people often don’t know that they can probably do all of the stuff on their ipad and free Garageband, plus a cheap DI box to plug in guitar. And if you want more, there are paid solutions, too.
@Herfinnur Interesting take because I struggle with this too. I use a Helix LT and it’s hard to get that slightly F’d up sound. Easy to get a just plain bad sound though. I do find running a real fuzz and/or drive pedal before the LT helps me.
Thanks for the video. I'll stick to pedals and an IR loader. I remember the day when Boogie announced the Mk III (I bought one) and also an early Soldano. None of this is close. Also the DeLuxe... I get a more natural sound from a Sansamp. I would certainly tale a Tone Master in a gift but as a primarily studio player these days, I'll stick to IRs and analog pre's. Close but no cigar, I'd buy a pre-owned kemper.
John could make a Metal Zone wow me, but this thing just don't do it for me. I want to get my hands on one and mess with it, as I love the UI, but the tones on all the videos I watched seemed like a modeler from 12-15 years ago.
I immediately had GAS for this, but despite its DSP, it just doesn’t sound as good or have the features as my Quad Cortex. I don’t do any capturing, but I sure do benefit from downloading many captures that others have done! Fender has probably set up an architecture that is capable of many things, but I need to see it before I spend $1700.
@@phowell333 As a QC and FM3 owner, I concur. I've captured my amps before I sold them, but funny enough, those aren't the captures I use as my main ones lol
Why, because it's simply a repackaging of other modeler features and functions and a cool screen added? Or because you need to be really good at software to not muck up the SDLC (software development lifecycle).
This looks pretty cool...I watched your other videos on this and I kinda want to try it out.... I am a QC user but now have trust issues with it because I've had to send it away to be repaired (video on my channel). Seeing some of the in-use videos on the TM now, it looks somewhat frustrating at its current state with the lagginess and weird bugs (eg. memory delay), and that's saying something as the QC is FAR from perfect. Side note, John I could listen to you noodle away all day long. You are such a fantastic player and you can bet I'm gonna steal some of your licks!
If this software were in the QC (plus the scribblestrips and power supply) I think I'd honestly consider getting one. I'm not a big fan of the hardware look they've chosen, but love the look of the QC. We're getting close, for sure.
I really like the display and the visual representations of the amps and pedals. The Vox sounds are also relatively authentic and successful to my ears. Nevertheless, I say: Happy is every guitarist who has found his sound with a few real amps and pedals and doesn't need an overpriced toy like the Fender Tone Master Pro. With musical greetings from Germany Mic
I keep watching these videos just because I find myself wanting to like this new unit. It has everything I wanted for the next Kemper. Except the "exact" sound I wished it had. Maybe future updates will improve it but the more I play modellers the more I understand that an analog and physical interaction with real speaker signals sumply just cannot be replicated no matter what. I compared every possible AC30 setting with my Helix, my Fm9, Kemper Stage, the Amp1 and my real AC30. Result is: if you want the real thing in a small package, just buy the Amp1 and you're done 100%. Every digital solution is a compromise for the guitarist (not necessarily the audience, they won't even notice).
You and Me Both. Still no one has a Magnatone amp. yet, other than the Capture type units, from outside partys. Brett Kingman came close for Fractal, using jtm45 and Vox amps. His would be pretty reliable, since he owns one of the NEW Twin Twilighter Amps. and knows what they sound like. And he has been around a LONG TIME/experience.
I love my HX Stomp for effects, but really don't like dialing in amps on it. I don't really love the form factor of the big boy Helix and I watched a few FM9 videos and watching people program it turned me off to ever wanting one. I also only ever want to use a computer editor as a last resort or for doing things like naming and ordering presets. I want to do all of my sound design on the unit. The fender looks really good for having it sit on a desk, or coffee table in front of you while you dial in your sounds. I think it's early days for the Fender and I'm kind of glad I'm not ready to drop the cash yet anyway, but assuming they support it and develop it like I think they will I think it will be right up there with the other big boys. Side note, I can't believe Quad Cortex doesn't have an internal power supply. I don't think I'd ever buy one just for that.
Love the form-factor coupled with the internal power supply. Love the touch screen. Rotary encoders AND scribble strips is incredible. If I could have a unit with this exact hardware but Fractal’s brains I’d be over the moon. 😂 Not a fan of the UI decision (personally I wish they had an option to switch between different views… the pedal & amp icons just take up too much screen space), and doesn’t seem anywhere near as powerful as they claim… then again I haven’t seen anyone try to push its DSP limitations yet.
This is my first time using a device lke this but I've fiddled with Kempers and Helix a little. To me those ones seem so much more complicated to use that I'd never bother discovering all their power. That UI on the TMP is one of my favorite things about it so far. I could see reaching the limits of it pretty fast if my signal chain wasn't so simple though.
@@AlexGauthier I understand that. It’s definitely an interface that lends itself to those new to the modeling world. I guess I just wish there was like a “condensed” view of sorts that would make the blocks look a little more similar to the Quad Cortex interface and not seem so crowded, because I really love the form-factor of this unit! I started with a Kemper, and I’d agree their interface is terrible. I’m comfortable with Line 6 and Neural DSP interfaces, and currently own a Fractal FM9 which has one of the clunkier-feeling interfaces.
If you use the unit totally standalone then an internal power supply is a good option. I prefer to use a board with the modeller mounted on it. In that scenario you probably have to run multiple IECs. I much prefer the route QC took. I can power everything I need on my board powered by CIOKS with one IEC. This is a far better solution for my requirements. Kind regards.
Good grief, the people that showed up in force here to comment. “This unit sounds small” “This unit sounds like shit” “this thing is way over priced, I only paid $5.99 for my FM3” Look, I and a happy FM9 owner, I’ve owed for at least 4 months minimum a quad cortex, FM3, Helix Floor, and an HX Stomp. I made them all sound good, there are things about all of them I thought were slightly better than the other, the FM9 just ticked the most boxes for me. All that said, the price point is right in line with the QC and the Helix and has just as many or more launch features than either. Compare this to Fractal?!?!? Get lost Cliff is way ahead of the curve, and to compare something brand new to a platform that’s had a good decade of work is just beyond silly. This unit doesn’t sound bad at all, but I’ll grant you this, if Fender drops this like a bad habit in 3-6 months, releases 1 firmware update and never touches it again, then yes it’s worthy of all the criticism. Until then at least shut up about it long enough to let everyone else make up their own minds. I very much appreciate John’s honesty and candor in all his demos and everyone is entitled to not like and for sure not buy anything they don’t want to but for Pete’s sake give it a chance to gets it’s legs underneath it.
If a person already has a modeler like a QC, fm9, helix this doesn't make sense. If they don't have one and are looking for a first, this also doesn't make sense. If they need touch screen, can get ampero stomp 2 . Or headrush mx5. Or if they don't like touch screens and want knobs can get boss me90 or nu-x trident. Would be interesting to hear blind test with some of these but throw in some crap like a flamma 100, mg400 and donnwr arena
I'm a big fan of the "Clean Fender" shimmery amp sound - that's the thing that interests me. The ability to get a handful of Fender Amps in one box is appealing - but truth be told - I tend to find a sound I like and just stick with it - so this would likely be wasted on me in the end.
Great playing, JNC. It makes sense why the TMP doesn’t wow you. It might take a lot to wow you, but it’s not doing anything new or better besides the UI. The cab is pretty tho. I have a Mustang GX which I use now only as a cab for my HX stomp.
I enjoy the majority of your videos but struggle to understand the complaint/ comment about the price of the Tonemaster Pro. The equivalent cost of buying all the amps, heads, combos, loopers, tuners, effect pedals, DI, midi controller, mics, cables etc etc has to be 6 figures. Whether it costs £500 or £1500 they are incredible value for money. Would enjoy a video that shows what you could buy for £1500 if Tonemaster Pro/ Helix etc didn’t exist.
the gain models all have a harsh breakup in the low mids, making the all sound pretty similar. it's hard to listen to for more than a few seconds. clean amps probably have this too but we don't hear it without gain.
Fender's UI really is a mashup of what is already kinda offered on Headrush with the added convenience of footswitch encoders. It's cool, but it's not super unique and it's certainly not something that can't be copied. Eventually, encoder footswitches and more colourful GUI is going to filter, price-wise, downwards and horizontally across the modeller market, coupled with the more widespread adoption of profiling/capture and further improvements to modelling. This makes the Tonemaster Pro an interesting (and expensive) footnote in the overall maturation of modellers into what is arguably the next generation: quad cortex-sized footprint, bigger screens, encoder footswitches, more horsepower under the hood. Point being, if you've already got a system you own and enjoy, maybe wait 5 years or so and I'm sure there will be LOTs to choose from.
i got to the end bit, preset creation... wow that touch screen seems like a pain. even on the floor, you have to hover your hand up to aim and touch the correct thing, vs grabbing a phyical knob and adjusting. and with the footswitches, you have to move your hand from the screen, tap, then down to the footswitches, find where the parameter is, as they move around depending on the amp model etc, then turn it, then back up to the screen, aim, touch what you want.... seems very fatiguing.
To my ears, it sounds bigger than the Helix. I wasn't sure what to think of it before, but it sounds great. I think they should have bought down the price initially to compete with big names (1. Fractal 2. Quad Cortex 3. Helix). I would buy it if I did not already have an FM9.
Those sounds are really good to my ears over my system. Im a Helix and Helix Native user btw. I have a few Neural plugins! I've got an SLO and a Fender Twin amp and Ive had tons for Fender amps over the years! For me the Helix Fender sounds are only 70% of the way there. The SLO nowhere near. There's some SLO cheap pedals that get closer. In all honesty it sounds like you just don't want to like the TMP. Whicjh is a shame. Personally I'm waiting for all these companies to raise the bar a bit. And hopefully when the next generation of Helix comes out it'll be amazing. For me personally just give me one great, truly great fender sound. One great Marshall sound. Maybe one great hot rodded Marshall sound. That would be enough. I dont need hundreds of amps. I still dont know what my favourite Fender sound is in the Helix because there are all not quite there.
I haven’t played one yet, but from the reviews Ive seen it doesn’t bring anything new to the table, I wouldn’t consider this if I already have other units, but it would be a solid contender if I was considering one of these units for the first time.
I haven't heard one review that made me want to listen to the whole demo. Shrill, thin and lifeless like a lot of their amps. Definitely doesn't sound like a product I even want to consider demoing. You're a great player and able to get great tones out of everything you play through. If I were you, I'd get my money back.
Hmmm. There was some promise in the build-from-scratch DR section ... but the rest sounded pretty average. Wrapping this unit up as part of the Tone Master range seems very odd too. I personally thought the TM amp range idea was brilliant ... a small change to enable the onboard reverb mode (spring, hall, room, plate, long tail, short tail) to be adjusted via firmware change would have been the final cherry on top of a much more useful traditional amp. This seems like a whole different animal ... not sure if the TM umbrella will benefit either the combo amps or the Pro ... particularly if the Pro sounds a bit ordinary compared to the combo amps and orher top shelf modellers.
Can't afford this by a long chalk. The Vibro preset sounded wonderful. Listening to the second Andertons video on this, when Danish Pete played this unit, it sounded super. Equally your playing us Stella though it sounds thiner in your vids for some reason. The ui is great, as is the form factor. Perhaps sitting with the device in the room it sounds better.
Hi John. Could you do a simple A/B test against the FM3? Just a simple set up, same amp, boost in the front, delay and reverb. To my ears the Tone Master sounds transistor’ish!! Not organic at all. Hearing an A/B test would be interesting for me. What do you think? Yes, I own an FM3 by the way 😊.
Demo has been very helpful. Seems to me that there is a digital quality to the sounds that have a synth quality. Not sure if it is clipping on the audio or that there are simply digital artifacts that fail to achieve a full dynamic range and decay. Maybe it's just me. Does it feel responsive in a way you want under the fingers?
Love the interface (at face value) like little jewels. I bet they charge at least $260.00 for the missing pedal... Unfortunately I haven't heard any inspiring tones (good playing abounds though). Fender think they have it wrapped up - I don't think so (if it was $750.00 instead)... Pete.
I havent watch the complete video till now. But one thought about the Memory Man thing. I Believe (and hope because i like it a lot) that Fender in contrast to other modelers, i have Fractal, Line 6 and Quad Cortex here, really modeled the Pedal the way it Sounds including the preamp. A real Memory Man always massivly colors your dry tone. :) In the Fractal for example the Memory Man is nothing but a generic dull sounding Delay. Nothing special. Also the Spring Reverbs which are really not good in the other Modelers seems to be really nice in the Fender. I get the Fender tomorrow and hope that i am right and Fender realllllly takes care about the Details of Vintage effects. :)
There is something not quite right about this Fender unit. The clean sounds are very good but the driven amps sound awful. Not blown away by the effects either. Great in/out configuration for sure but the HX Stomp sounds better to me.
Maybe Fender has been successful at dialing in the Presets on the TMP to sound authentic on the "Stage" setting. But, those of us who've used Modelers for a while are now expecting the tones to sound like "Studio" quality versions of those Amps and Effects. 🤷
I am currently a Helix user, and I've been using it for more than five years. I'm considering buying a new unit, and my eyes are on the Quad Cortex. However, Fender just released their new unit, and it looks awesome. Since you have experience with both, which one do you prefer? I would greatly appreciate some advice from a fellow user.
I remember when digital music hit the masses. Many felt that digital music was just too detailed. Perhaps the whopping DSP of this unit is too much of a contrast to analog? I just do not hear any warmth. @johnnathancordy Your thoughts on this?
