TONEX One Volume

[Jon Jaffe]

I really liked the TONEX One and started using it live frequently. However, I could not keep the volume constant without resorting to a compressor. With the release of the TONEX Editor, I soon learned that four functions control volume. The input trim, the gain, the model volume, and the master volume. Maybe it's me, but I discovered the master volume last. I have the TONEX One clipped to the right leg of my guitar, allowing me to easily access three presets.
I have identified all the volume sources in the TONEX Editor displayed above. If you open the global settings, it displays the input trim, which I have set to -8 to avoid distortion.

Screenshot 2025-09-23 at 10.40.28 AM.png

The following picture of the TONEX One demonstrates how I can access these controls live. I have my gain and master volume set to 3 o'clock, and I control the preset volume live.

[Paul Stauskas]

Thanks for this post, I'm saving for reference.

[Ron Hogan]

When you set your input trim to -8, then you can use your Gain control to take the place of the input trim.

[Fred Treece]

When you set your input trim to -8, then you can use your Gain control to take the place of the input trim.

I was thinking that having both is a bit redundant. But maybe if an instrument pickup is super hot, the gain control might not be able to cut the clipping even at zero. Setting it at -8 basically takes it out of the equation, as you say.

On the Katana, there is no physical input trim knob, but in Tone Studio, the gain control goes to -25.

[Jon Jaffe]

Ron Hogan wrote: When you set your input trim to -8, then you can use your Gain control to take the place of the input trim.

Ron, I leave the input trim fixed. The other three volume controls can be adjusted easily in real time using the large dial in the center. With my volume pedal placed before the TONEX One, I am unable to modify it as described in the manual.

[Larry Dering]

Interesting you set input trim to -8. I have the bigger Tonex and have set it from -6 to -3 to 0 but regardless of the gain and master volume it overdrives the Katana effects return. I have been all over with this and then it leaves the volume too low. I know about the preset volume too. The pedal has potential but it's not intuitive. If it takes precise settings to get volume loud enough but no distortion I haven't located that setting.

[Jon Jaffe]

Screenshot 2025-09-24 at 9.52.40 PM.png

Larry,
I use a powered speaker. However, if I were to use the Katana(above), I would connect it through the power amp input, not the effects loop. I doubt the effects loop has the headroom that the power amp input has. You have all of your tone-shaping controls on the Tonex.

[Fred Treece]

Larry, the Katana fx return is a line level input. I believe the ToneX out is instrument level.

Jon, the original Katana Mk1 does not have a power amp in.

[Jon Jaffe]

Screenshot 2025-09-24 at 10.25.59 PM.png

Fred, I believe from this diagram that the power amp in is represented by the aux in.

[Fred Treece]

The Katana Aux In is a 1/8” jack, and its primary purpose is to connect a media device. It is line level, true enough, and connects directly to the power amp. Good luck getting a decent sound from the ToneX out of it.

[Larry Dering]

My Katana is the early edition 100 watt and no power amp input. That came with the MK2. I'm aware its line level and in tone studio you can adjust the level which didn't help. Of course going into the normal guitar input doesn't distort because it's also instrument level but the amps preamp colors the tone that's not desirable. I tried the Aux input and didn't care for the results. I get the same distortion on a Fender Mustang 3. I used the 1/4 cable to the PA Aux input then the channel input. It's better but not clean as expected. I'm sure the issue s a gain staging problem but the magic stage is still a mystery. Cabs on or off doesn't matter.

[Jon Jaffe]

I think this is a rhetorical question, but Larry, do you have your compression off? I found that with the compression off, the preset volume was always 100%.

[Larry Dering]

Jon I have tried it both ways. The good thing is I really got familiar with the controls. I'm pretty much a die-hard when it comes to electronic equipment. I don't give up easily and refuse to let it beat me. Over the years I have used a lot of complex gear and usually find it's limitations before moving on. I will get back to it next week and log my attempts so I won't repeat the process.

[Joe Rogers]

I have been busy re-modeling amps with the new Tonex version 2 modeling engine, so I don't get to visit the forum as often as I would like. Here are my thoughts based on experience.

1.) When setting the Input Trim, I use my thumbpick and rake fairly hard across the strings. You want to see it start to blink into the red (or high). When you play at normal picking attack, this should be just about right where your Input Trim needs to be. A setting of -8 is extremely low...my Tonex One is set at +6.5....and I am a hard picker. So, for those saying they don't have enough gain on my amp models, this would be the first place to start.

2.) In Jon's well laid out graph, volume 3 should be wide open. This works the same as the big knob on the Quad Cortex. It is actually an attenuator and not a volume control....meaning if you get on a high gain guitar patch, you can quickly drop the volume with this. The true volume of the preset is #2 on Jon's graph. Now, I assume Jon is setting his #3 volume as to give him a tad of headroom should a preset not be quite loud enough....correct me if I'm wrong. And it is fine to use it this way.

3.) If the Input Trim & Main Volume are set properly, and the #2 Model (Preset) Volume is set to a comfortable level, there shouldn't be any distortion. If there is, and the culprit is in amp model, you can turn the #1 Gain Volume down and boost the #2 Model Volume. Also, check your volume pedals....a few clients with active volume pedals were overdriving the impedence of the Tonex.

4.) If all of the above works as it should, I would look to the Power Amp In of the Katana as your amp input source.

One last thing. If you are using the Katana as your powered amp source, you do not want to have the Cab IR set to On. This will color what you really should be hearing. If sending a signal to FOH, I recommend the Sonicake Sonic IR. If you REALLY want to hear a 15" Black Widow instead of a Katana 12" speaker, try the 12" NeoDym FRFR in the Tonex Cab. It is truly an amazing solution. You hear the frequencies of the modeled speaker and NOT the speaker mounted internally.

Let me know if this helps.

Thanks!!!

Joe Rogers

[Fred Treece]

1.) When setting the Input Trim, I use my thumbpick and rake fairly hard across the strings. You want to see it start to blink into the red (or high). When you play at normal picking attack, this should be just about right where your Input Trim needs to be. A setting of -8 is extremely low...my Tonex One is set at +6.5....and I am a hard picker. So, for those saying they don't have enough gain on my amp models, this would be the first place to start.

This is Bingo. Every guitar is going to be different, depending on pickup output. Set it as high as possible, but Do Not Clip at this stage. Save that for Gain. Keep an eye on the meter as well as using your good ear while doing that raking thing Joe mentions.

Regarding the distorted signal coming from the Katana fx Return - Does ToneX have a switchable output level? Even though the Katana Return is listed as “line level”, the spec sheet lists it as -10dB. If ToneX and Katana are both at -10, then that’s probably not the signal clipping culprit.

On the Katana Mk1 Line Out and Record/Phones out, there is no way to turn off cab simulation. This could be a source of a distorted or muddied signal coming from a ToneX profile running into the Katana fx return, if listening through headphones or mixer/interface. The “Live” cab setting might be the best bet for that configuration. If you are listening to the Katana speaker as a monitor for the ToneX profile, if possible, try turning off the IR in the profile.