i like to go through all the many pg guitar rt sounds and see what i can do with them and experiment in creating rock songs. I have no problems with the clean rt's. but for example i find many rock rt's too 'fizzy' for my taste. (and yes in my crazy days I once sang in all sorts of bands...but we didnt like guitar tones that were over the top fizzy…lol.)
in summary i'm often having trouble finding those rt's that are not too clean but also not too fizzy re sound picture/tone…UNTIL one day i came across one of Mike Durham's great rt's. (I love his rock tone. obviously a session pro.) i was so excited at finding this gem soundwise i built a song around it called 'The Stallion' that can be heard via the link at the bottom.
so to my question…i can't afford kemper profiler or helix or other very high end devices or whatever high end modeller amp/device. (we are your typical over taxed middle classes…lol.) Is there an inexpensive way to get brilliant mikes tone ? ? cos it's absolutely great…the type of tone ive always loved… as it's not too fizzy but also not too clean either. I call it the 'oh mamma ' tone. Maybe others will disagree but I love it. i have some metal and boss pedals here etc but they dont do it for me like MD's great tone.
Any ideas ?? Maybe I just fluked out finding this hidden MD rt gem….?...believe me i wouldnt be asking if i hadnt made many attempts at getting mikes great tone and failed every time.
Here's the link to hear MD's tone. …this is the type of rock tone i love ... .it's got DEPTH ! (use good earbuds cos i worked hard on the mix though i'm no pro AE …lol… and it's the best way to hear his tone dont use junky pc speakers…pretty please…the song was a true labour of love.)
Thanks for any help..I love the body of his guitar tone in the above. (ive only ever been able to get that tone in commercial studios with session pro's.) If I can find an inexpensive solution…i want to experiment with seeing what i can do with the pg usertracks feature. (ps i know my guitar skill limitations...i'll never be the guitar pro MD is obviously…i'm more a singer that's sung in all sorts of bands/genres.)
happiness to all.
om.. who wants to still rock out when i'm 95...lmao.
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 04/15/2406:57 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
I have this product and it is the cheap answer to a kemper. Full price is $ 149 but I got it on a real good deal. You don't have to buy the pedal part if you are not playing live. ToneX
BIAB 2026 Ultrapack- Fender Studio Pro 8, Windows 11, Mac Mini M4 with Logic Pro 11, Melodyne Studio, Luna Pro
your replys are much appreciated. i dream of how to get classic rock tones in my sleep...drives my wife nuts...lol.
Rharv.
i would probably just rent the gear as and when i needed it if high priced gear was used to get that classic tone. a trick i saw once in a studio was to put the electric guitar through a bass amp with a few pedals. ive seen some really funky stuff in studios...lol.
Brian.
thats highly weird you mentioned the tonex cos just today i was looking at that product on you tube...honestly.. as well as ik's axe interfaces. the problem ive found with lots of the modern stuff...and dont get me wrong.. but when i'm like a mad professor creating songs fast as the song ideas come flowing fast...ive found going through lots of menus that i find so many tones i like its difficult to make a decision. for example some of the modern guitar products that offer thousands of guitar tones/settings require an app on a cellphone. a nice idea but with my vision (now better after eye surgery) i find i get tired easily. it would be great if i could...like the pg picker just enter a classic rock song name...and there it is...the classic rock tone and me drooling with a big smile on my face...lol.
the other thing i'm carefull of is some modern products ive tried try to control the user which drives me nuts..etc etc. thanks i'm gonna investigate tonex more.
happiness
om
ps mario...thanks. nice to hear from you. your songs are genius....i will investigate the freebies further from ik.
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 04/15/2405:29 PM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
this evening i have listened to lots of you tube vids of various guitar amps including tonex. what i find interesting is like lots of products ive tried the dsp programmers have nailed various clean guitar tones perfectly. but from what ive heard all the modellers in the classic rock vein are often too fizzy....unlike mike durhams brilliant tone. anyhoo im gonna do more digging and auditioning of various products on you tube.
i wonder why dsp programmers have trouble nailing those classic rock tones ?? i find this question very interesting technically. as i said clean tones no probem....for example i just listened to tonex clean tones...beautifull...but the classic rock tones didnt crank me up. ps i also came across a free neural amp modeller on you tube called nam. just google ..i would be interested in opinions. looks like a slew of amp models.
happiness.
om 🇨🇦 🇬🇧
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 04/15/2407:13 PM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
om, I have Amplitube and with it comes a version of Tonex and I know that you have a number of various fuzz, distortion, and overdrive pedal emulations in them. Each pedal emulation has controls so that you can change the tone and such. I believe that free versions have a couple of those pedal emulations: note that I have the paid version of Amplitube thus only speculating on what the free version has. I still think it may be worth it to you to DL them and give them a try.
Note I agree that many demos sound thin. I believe they are currently aiming their products at today's guitar sound (the thin and treble rectifier sound) and not the classic fuzz tones. YMMV
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
With us we select RT guitars that have a DI option and then apply one of our DAW’s (Logic Pro) amp sims to it. Logic has 40+ amps that include many mic and speaker sims. Of course the amp themselves have all the usual “knobs.” And then there are the host of Logic Pro’s pedals. 😀 All of this is included with Logic with free updates for life. Likely of no use if you don’t use Logic and I know nothing about what other DAW’s offer. But the RT Direct Input option is available to all. FWIW I’ve only played upright bass and acoustic guitar rhythm but have found learning the above to be fun.
Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
Thanks for the info. actually ive listened to the logic amp sims before. but again like lots of sims there are great clean patches but... As I said, I find it very interesting that dsp programmers can seem to create clean settings but when it comes to classic rock......? There must be a technical reason why dsp programmers have probs getting those classic rock tones that sold zillions of records widewide. actually i'm an idiot…i never realised that the neural amp modeller NAM existed. over a short time thousands of patches/ir's have been made for it. the user base has ballooned in a short time from what i see. note there also is an AU version.
i still have to do more checking it out but here are a few links or google/you tube etc.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
A few years ago Tom Adams from the showcase forum turned me on to S-Gear from Scuffham amps. Mike Scuffham has been around the amp business for ages, worked as a designer for Marshall among others before starting his own company.
Obviously tone is a personal thing, but for my tastes I get the perfect tone for my music, both dirty and clean, from S-Gear.
thanks. I have looked at Sgear in the past. I'll have another look. It looks like the whole AI aspect is gonna be a game changer. You are an excellent guitar player and talent.
Brian Hughes/Mario…re tonex. It looks like IK will install some management features ? i tend to stay away from products with either dongles or other software features that might be viewed by some as impinging on the user too much. such techniques often just bug me. one reason ive always enjoyed pg products is the product protection features arent intrusive.
Maybe I'm ageing…lol…but I feel overwhelmed by the number of products on the market. It's like a flood.
happiness.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 04/16/2404:21 PM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
No management issues. They just install an installer to DL and update their products. You do not have to stay on-line as once the installer is finished you can go and stay off-line. This is not different that any other installer, i.e. no dongle or any PITA log-in codes for the program. Once Amplitube or Tonex is installed all you do is click on it to load it.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Yea what Mario said. I only have a very short list that uses iLok and that is Waves Vocal Rider and it does not use the usb type it is the software version which I still do not like. IK uses the same type of installer like the Toontracks EZ keys and others like Native Instruments. I have no problem with these and they are very easy to keep your programs up to date which you can do at your own will or not. I have no problem with software company's protecting their property but I love it when they do it in a painless way for the user.
Brian
BIAB 2026 Ultrapack- Fender Studio Pro 8, Windows 11, Mac Mini M4 with Logic Pro 11, Melodyne Studio, Luna Pro
the lead guitarist i used to play with had a line 6 floorpod. these are now a bit dated and consequently aren't terribly expensive on ebay. they used to have downloadable patch settings so that might be what you are looking for.
but - although its a clean tone - a lot of UK guitarists try to sound like Hank Marvin and even using identical equipment don't quite manage it. i've never understood why 'touch' works on a plank of wood with magnets and wires like a strat but it does.
i just sold an ibanez mostortion pedal at a hugely inflated price as its the 'holy grail' of classic pedals. it never seemed to me to produce better overdrive/distortion sounds than my zoom multi fx. eq is the key and i think if you try amplitube and add fx slowly and try the settings on the various 'pedals' and amp and cabinet settings you can get quite close to what you want.
There are so many guitar products out there it's tough to find the time to test them…lol. also i can't justify buying a high end unit…not just because of the price but because of how tech gets obsolete so fast. I agree with you. I also find very intrusive protection schemes a pita. I feel pg have it just right ie protection of their intellectual property but not being overly intrusive.
ive put a suggestion/wish in the wishlist forum whereby AT THE OPTION of the rt artist…in their bio they include what gear they used on which rt's. i believe it should be optional because the session pro…to be fair…often derives their family income because of their own tricks and sweat.
one reason i posted the wish was it might be a great 'learning opportunity' for guitarists new to music production ... .as in like me…'how did they get that great rt sound'.
Now I have a lot of guitar product testing to do….lol. let me say imho mike durham is a huge talent. so i'm experimenting more with his rt's in my rock songs. some of the punk and other rock rt's i'm not into cos too fizzy. but ive also been experimenting with ways to make them less fizzy.
Thanks again everyone. given me lots to think about. I wish to make things easier pg includes a great guitar modeller plugin with lots of models etc. including the classic rock sounds people love… eg like synthmaster for synths but for guitars.
its like a lifelong journey to find those groovy guitar sounds...lol.
happiness.
om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
One of my favorite tones is evident on humble pie rocking the Fillmore.
Gibsons and Marshalls. Just sweet and crunchy.
You can always use the clean tone tracks and drop an amp sim that gives you the tone you like. Personally I've never been satisfied using Sims. I prefer amps in the room. But that's just me.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
agree with all in your post. frankly i also have never been satisfied with dropping an amp sim plugin on a track...but the quest continues.. hmmm..theres a song title 'never satisfied' ...lol..all about a guitar players search for that magic tone.
frampton was only in HP a short time ?...forgotten...getting older....gradually loseing my high vocal range...sigh... done my eyes...now the docs wanna get my cho ldl down. maybe i'll end up as a singing cyborg..lol.
those were crazy fun days for lots of musos.....
happiness.
om 🇨🇦 🇬🇧
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 04/19/2404:19 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
i think looking back i did look at this gtr...but ilok needed ?
happiness
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 04/19/2402:43 PM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean