Hey all-
The ToneDexter is a frequent topic of conversation among performing acoustic musicians, so I interviewed the engineers/developers behind the product. This is very in-depth, detailed, and informative; I think even those of you who currently use a TD could benefit from their helpful tips about how to get the most out of the unit! Available on all podcast apps, or via link below:
https://www.banjopodcast.com/152-tonedexter-feat-james-may-josh-bennett/
Hope you find it helpful!
Keith
WOW…..thank you for doing this, Keith! This is the definitive description of how to use the Tone Dexter, especially for banjo, which there was little information for….until now. i bought the original TD when it first came out and have experimented extensively both live and in the studio….with mic placement and type, playing styles, using picks vs. not, using guitar wave maps for banjo and vice versa…..even bringing a prerecorded multitracked studio recording directly in. Turns out i was largely wasting my time, but no regrets, that’s how you learn….it’s an awesome invention. One thing that would be nice is if there were pre-made wave maps available to download for various instruments….maybe in the future…i imagine folks would even be willing to pay a reasonable price to purchase these. The TD2 seems to solve many of the issues i was having with the original, so i just plunked out $659 for the TD2 and Tapdexter. i’m just praying the new and improved TD3 doesn’t come out next week!.….and i’m sure my kids will understand why they’re not getting the new Xbox for Christmas. 
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Edited by - ClawJam on 12/10/2024 13:58:33
quote:
Originally posted by ClawJamWOW…..thank you for doing this, Keith! This is the definitive description of how to use the Tone Dexter, especially for banjo, which there was little information for….until now. i bought the original TD when it first came out and have experimented extensively both live and in the studio….with mic placement and type, playing styles, using picks vs. not, using guitar wave maps for banjo and vice versa…..even bringing a prerecorded multitracked studio recording directly in. Turns out i was largely wasting my time, but no regrets, that’s how you learn….it’s an awesome invention. One thing that would be nice is if there were pre-made wave maps available to download for various instruments….maybe in the future…i imagine folks would even be willing to pay a reasonable price to purchase these. The TD2 seems to solve many of the issues i was having with the original, so i just plunked out $659 for the TD2 and Tapdexter. i’m just praying the new and improved TD3 doesn’t come out next week!.….and i’m sure my kids will understand why they’re not getting the new Xbox for Christmas.
Hey Robby!
Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you found it informative. It is a powerful device, that's for sure.
Re: pre-made wavemaps, there is a section in the interview where they address this and why it won't work (or at least, unlikely to work as intended). So I wouldn't hold out hope for that. The best chance you have is a wavemap created by the same pickup you are using, but even then it's hardly a guarantee it would work any better than just properly wavemapping the instrument you have.
Re: TD3- I don't have any insider information, but it really seems like they designed TD2 to be an open platform that they can continue to improve through firmware updates (to wit: they have already released 8 such updates in the one year since TD2 has been out). So, I don't *think* your TD2 will be obsolete any time soon.
Thanks again!
Keith
If I had a pre-war, flat head Gibson banjo, could I use this device to change the tone of the instrument so that it would sound like a Deering or a Stelling?
Edited by - RB3 on 12/11/2024 07:28:02
quote:
Originally posted by RB3If I had a pre-war, flat head Gibson banjo, could I use this device to change the tone of the instrument so that it would sound like a Deering or a Stelling?
You're probably joking, but just in case: no, that's not what the ToneDexter does (listen to the episode for a more detailed explanation).
